Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress, is one of Sri Lanka's eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and rightly the country's most famous single attraction — royal ruins, frescoes, and the iconic Lion's Paw entrance at the summit.
Pidurangala is the smaller, rougher rock directly opposite. The climb is steeper and less manicured, but it delivers the single best view in the cultural triangle: Sigiriya itself, rising out of the jungle, especially at sunrise.
If you only have time for one and want the history and the frescoes, choose Sigiriya. If you've already climbed Sigiriya on a previous trip, or you want that famous sunrise photograph, Pidurangala is the better call.
Our tip: with an early start, both are very doable in one morning — Pidurangala for sunrise, then Sigiriya once the site opens, before the midday heat and the tour bus crowds arrive.