Sigiriya is one of Sir Lanka's star attractions, often referred to as the ‘eighth wonder of the world'. Sigiriya is situated in the Matale District in the centre of Sri Lanka, its fame due to its majestic flat-topped Lion Rock. This astonishing geological form is also an archeological marvel, as it's here that the remains of the Lion Rock fortress and surrounding rock gardens and pools can be visited. The ruined city was built in the 5th century during the reign of King Kashyapa and used after the king's death as a Buddhist monastery.

The central focus of Sigiriya is Lion Rock, a 200-metre-high magma rock with a large flat plateau at the summit. The King's summer palace once stood proudly at the top and though the ruins have now crumbled and all but disappeared, the steep climb to the top offers excellent views across the surrounding plains. Other highlights include Sigiriya's famous and exceptionally well-preserved frescos, the polished Mirror Wall - which carries messages from pilgrims and visitors from past centuries - and the surrounding 5th century water gardens, which spread across the site.