Is it better to climb Sigiriya in the morning or afternoon.

Late afternoon around 3:30 PM is your second best option. The harsh heat begins dissipating and the late golden light hitting the red brick ruins makes for phenomenal breathtaking photography from the summit.

More importantly arriving at dawn allows you to easily climb the narrow steep staircases entirely before the massive incredibly loud bus tours of school children and foreign groups arrive creating terrifying gridlock on the stairs.