If you’re planning your itinerary in Sri Lanka and will be staying in Sigiriya or Dambulla, then you’ll be looking for recommendations on where to stay.
We’ve stayed in both Dambulla and Sigiriya for a few nights, to explore the famous Sigiriya Rock, climbed Pidurangala Rock and Dambulla Cave Temple that’s nearby. And we will share our honest opinion on where you should stay.
We’ll break down which areas to stay, hotel options and which ones to skip. We’ll also provide our personal insights, tips, and more, so you can make the right decision for you.
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Sigiriya or Dambulla, which is the best area to stay
In our experience, both Dambulla and Sigiriya are ideal spots to spend a couple of nights.
Sigiriya is closer to Sigiriya Lion Rock and Pidurangala Rock, and most accommodation options offer excellent views of Sigiriya Rock in the distance.
Dambulla, on the other hand, is easier to reach by bus, with a direct route from Colombo to Dambulla, and it’s closer to the Dambulla Cave Temple.
Whether you choose to stay in Dambulla or Sigiriya, you can still pick up a tuk-tuk to drop you off at your destination.
If you have hired a driver for this part of your journey, some of the hotels we mention include a driver’s quarters. So, your driver will have somewhere to stay and eat as well.
So, which are the best areas to stay in Dambulla or Sigiriya?
The best choice depends on what kind of trip you want.
Best places to stay in Sigiriya
In and around Sigiriya, you’ll find a mix of accommodation options, from luxury jungle resorts, boutique hotels, and budget guesthouses scattered around the area.
We stayed in a couple of hotels on various trips to Sigiriya, and these are our recommendations:
Hotel Sigiriya
The hotel is located just a short 10-minute drive from the entrance to Sigiriya Rock, making it a convenient spot for viewing the rock fortress and climbing either at sunrise or sunset.
What struck us about Hotel Sigiriya was how peaceful it felt. You’re surrounded by greenery and a large outdoor swimming pool that overlooks Lion Rock.
After an exhausting climb to the top of the rock, you’ll be able to relax by the pool and cool off.
Because of the hotels remote location, there is also an on-site restaurant serving Sri Lankan and international dishes, plus buffet breakfast in the morning at the same restaurant.
The food, dinner, and breakfast here are delicious.
Other facilities include a spa and wellness suite, spacious garden and nature area plus 24-hour reception.
The rooms available are a double or twin Superior King room, with a private balcony for first floor rooms, and a private area on the ground floor.
Each room is clean and spacious, with air-conditioning, and a private bathroom.
It is a relaxed and comfortable hotel and would work really well if you wanted somewhere comfortable to unwind. And the added bonus of those views.
From our experience, we felt completely safe at Hotel Sigiriya. The staff were welcoming and friendly but didn’t feel overbearing or unprofessional.
This makes this a good spot for couples or solo travellers.
Proximity to attractions
Hotel Sigiriya is in a prime location, with Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock just a 10-minute drive from the hotel.
Other attractions are:
Dambulla Cave Temple: about 25 minutes
Minneriya National Park: around 45 minutes (great for elephant safaris)
Polonnaruwa ancient ruins: around 1 hour 20 minutes
Anuradhapura ancient ruins: around 1 hour 30 minutes
This makes it a very convenient base for exploring Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.
Aliya Resort and Spa
If you’re looking for a little bit more luxury, then Aliya Resort & Spa is a fantastic choice.
The name Aliya is the Sinhalese word for elephants, which is reflected throughout the resort, with elephant pictures and its connection to wild elephants in nearby national parks.
Our first impression is that it’s clean and spacious, and the moment you climb the stairs into the hotel, the views of Sigiriya Rock can be seen in the distance.
The hotel is around 25 minutes driver from the entrance to Sigiriya Lion Rock.
One of the most impressive features is the infinity pool that overlooks the surrounding landscape.
If you need a bit of pampering, then head to the spa and wellness centre for a full body spa session.
Other facilities include multiple restaurants, a bar with a pool table, a fitness centre and spacious resort grounds.
The rooms range from deluxe rooms, deluxe rooms with attic, wooden chalets, to suites.
We stayed in a deluxe room with an attic. The rooms are modern, spacious and very comfortable, ideal for a family, with large windows that let in plenty of light, and doors out to a small balcony.
The bathroom facilities are spacious and clean, and the option of a bath or shower is available.
The design feels very contemporary, with a touch of Sri Lankan culture.
The highlight for us was the pool and spa.
As a female couple, we felt 100% safe staying in Aliya Resort and Spa.
There is security at the gates of the hotel, and reception is staffed 24/7, plus, as we had a driver, there was a driver’s quarter for them to sleep and eat.
This was a romantic place to stay in Sigiriya and ideal for couples or female travellers.
Proximity to attractions
Aliya Resort and Spa is very well located to explore Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock about 30 minutes away.
Other attractions include:
Dambulla Cave Temple: about 30 minutes
Minneriya National Park: around 45 minutes
Polonnaruwa: about 1 hour
Anuradhapura: about 1 hour 15 minutes
Being so close to Sigiriya Rock also means you can easily get there early in the morning before the crowds arrive.
Best places to stay in Dambulla
So, we’ve shared our favourite places to stay in Sigiriya, but what about where to stay in Dambulla?
Dambulla offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts surrounded by nature to smaller guesthouses closer to town.
The main advantage of staying in Dambulla is its central location to the Cultural Triangle. It is close to Dambulla Cave Temple, and just a short hop to Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock, and with excellent road connections, it’s easier to reach Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.
That said, here are our recommendations on where to stay in Dambulla, based on our experience.
Heritance Kandalama
Are you looking for somewhere unique to stay? Then Heritance Kandalama in Dambulla should be the place you book.
The iconic hotel was designed by the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. The hotel had been built directly into the rock, blended in with the surrounding area and overlooks Kandalama Lake.
We have stayed here twice and have absolutely fallen in love with this luxury hotel.
There are three pools, dotted around the hotel. One has been built into the rock, so it is more of a rock pool; the infinity pool overlooks Kandalama Lake and the surrounding landscape. The final pool is secluded and located at the side of the hotel.
If you’re a foodie like us, then you’ll love dining in their multiple restaurants. And if you want to be truly romantic, you could book their exclusive dining option, in which you could be served food with the one you love under candlelight inside a cave.
We would recommend the Kanchana Restaurant. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, with an option of buffet and A La Carte. You can choose between Sri Lankan or international cuisine.
Other facilities include a good-sized gym, lounge and games area, plus a viewing platform to enjoy views out towards Sigiriya Rock in the distance.
We stayed in a luxury room and one of their suites. We would definitely recommend the suite room if you don’t mind splurging a bit more money, as it is worth it.
The rooms are clean, spacious, and have a relaxing atmosphere.
The Luxury room is compact, with a desk and sofa area to relax. There is a balcony to take in the views, just watch the monkeys and make sure you lock the doors. If you don’t, you’ll get monkeys in your room. This happened to our friends staying in the room next to us.
The bathroom in the superior room may have a bathtub and a rain shower.
The suites are more spacious, with a bedroom and private balcony, a separate relaxing space and a bathroom, with a jacuzzi bath overlooking the jungle.
During our stay at Heritance Kandalama, the staff were incredibly friendly, helpful, and welcoming, but it also felt incredibly safe.
Even though the hotel is surrounded by jungle, we never felt unsafe. Apart from the monkeys.
Although the hotel is in Dambulla, due to its remote location, you’ll need to take a tuk-tuk or a car to the entrance of Heritance Kandalama.
The hotel is about a 30-minute drive from Dambulla centre, it is still easy reach to several major attractions, including Dambulla Cave Temple, which is about 30 minutes away, Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala Rock, about 30 minutes away.
Other attractions:
Minneriya National Park: around 1 hour
Polonnaruwa: around 1 hour 30 minutes
Anuradhapura: around 1 hour 45 minutes
This is a great place to relax while still within easy access to the Cultural Triangle. It’s also a romantic spot for couples or luxury travellers.
How many nights should you stay in Sigiriya or Dambulla
This really depends on your itinerary length and what you plan to do in the area.
If you are tight on time, we would recommend staying for 2 nights. This will allow you to relax, enjoy a spa treatment and visit Sigiriya Rock, Pidurangala Rock and Dambulla Cave Temples.
If you have longer, you could spend around 4-5 nights, and it will give you a chance to take day trips to Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and a safari in Minneriya National Park.
If you need help with creating a custom-made itinerary, then check out our 14-day Sri Lanka itinerary. It covers the best places to visit in Sri Lanka and where to stay.
If you are looking for a more tailored itinerary, then please feel free to contact us, and we can arrange a one-on-one consultation.
You can also join our Facebook Group, where we share more tips, advice and answer any questions you have about your upcoming trip.
Conclusion
While there might be an overwhelming number of options on where to stay in Sigiriya or Dambulla, we have selected a handful of options based on our experiences.
If you’re looking for scenic surroundings, boutique jungle resorts and easy access to Sigiriya Rock and Pidurangala, then staying in Sigiriya is the best option. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and still close enough to the Cultural Triangle.
On the other hand, Dambulla is a great base if you’re looking for something more relaxed and unique.
From our experience, both areas and all the hotels we have mentioned are safe, comfortable, and in a prime location. For us, our standout hotels were Aliya Resort and Spa in Sigiriya and Heritance Kandalama in Dambulla.
If we were to go back again, these are the two we would stay at again.
With the right hotel booking, you’ll be perfectly placed to explore one of the most interesting regions in Sri Lanka.
Continue your travel planning, with these useful posts:
- Essential tips for visiting Sri Lanka
- How much does it really costs to visit Sri Lanka
- Is Sri Lanka safe for female travellers
- Best time to visit Sri Lanka
- How to get around Sri Lanka
- A day trip to Polonnaruwa
- A day trip to Anuradhapura
- What to pack for a safari
- Best National Parks in Sri Lanka
- Best train journeys in Sri Lanka
