The Sigiriya Water Gardens
Symmetrical pools, causeways and limestone fountains laid out at the foot of the rock, described as among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world.
Sources
What the Sigiriya water gardens actually are
The water gardens are the first thing you walk through on the way to the rock, and the part most people hurry past. They are one of three garden types at Sigiriya: water gardens on the flat, a boulder garden on the lower slopes, and terraced gardens rising towards the rock itself.
The water gardens run in three sections along a central east–west axis. The first is a square island linked by four causeways. The second has two long pools fed by winding channels, with circular limestone fountain plates. The third sits on higher ground with a large octagonal pool. A lake to the south feeds a network of underground conduits.
The layout is described as among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world, though ‘oldest’ is a claim to treat carefully. The fountains are said to run in the rainy season, so after heavy rain you may see them working. In the dry season, expect still water and dry plates.
Worth your attention
The fountain plates
Circular limestone plates with small perforations, set in the second garden. Water reaches them through underground conduits.
The symmetry
Stand on the central path and look either way; the north and south sides are almost mirror images.
The octagonal pool
In the third garden, with a raised podium at one corner. It is the clearest shape on the ground.
The rock behind
The whole layout points at Sigiriya. Turn around at the end and see how the rock frames the axis.
Before you go
Do this
- Walk the gardens before the climb while you are fresh, then look back at them from the rock
- Visit after rain if you want to see fountains working
- Look at the water channels as well as the pools; the plumbing is the point
- Read the layout from the first causeway, then look back at it from the rock
- Bring a hat; there is little shade
Know this first
- The fountains do not run all year, so you may see none
- There is little shade across the open gardens, and it is hot by mid-morning
- Many visitors skip the gardens; do not be one of them but do not expect drama
- How the system worked is still being studied, so claims about it vary
Getting to The Sigiriya Water Gardens
Most people see The Sigiriya Water Gardens as part of a stay around Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Our Sigiriya Rock Fortress guide covers where to stay, how long to give it and what else is nearby.
Coming straight from the airport, the relevant run is Colombo Airport to Sigiriya Rock Fortress — fixed price per vehicle, driver waiting inside arrivals with a name board.
Read the full Sigiriya Rock Fortress guideFrom Colombo Airport
Car up to 3 passengers; vans quoted on the route page. No night surcharge.
The Sigiriya Water Gardens — frequently asked
What are the Sigiriya water gardens?
A symmetrical set of pools, moats, causeways and fountains at the foot of Sigiriya, fed by underground conduits from a lake to the south.
Do the fountains still work?
Sources say they do, especially in the rainy season. In dry weather they are usually silent.
Are they really the oldest gardens in the world?
They are described as among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. One scholar notes only Roman gardens at Pompeii, Herculaneum and Tivoli are well-preserved examples that predate them.
How old are they?
They belong to the 5th-century citadel of Kashyapa I, though the exact build dates are not documented.
Also worth stopping for around Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Build The Sigiriya Water Gardens into your route
Send your dates and the places that matter. We come back with a day-by-day plan, honest driving times and a fixed price.
Start planning on WhatsApp