Should I climb Sigiriya rock or Pidurangala for the better experience?

Honestly if you can manage both they complement each other perfectly. Sigiriya offers the historical wow factor with its ancient frescoes, mirror wall, royal water gardens, and the famous lion paw entrance. The entrance fee for foreigners is around thirty five dollars which is steep but the archaeological value is genuinely unmatched in all of Asia. Pidurangala on the other hand costs only about three dollars and offers the absolute best panoramic view of Sigiriya rock itself rising dramatically from the surrounding jungle. The Pidurangala climb is shorter but involves a tricky boulder scramble at the very top. If budget is tight pick Pidurangala for the views. If you care about history and archaeology pick Sigiriya. Sunrise from Pidurangala combined with an afternoon Sigiriya visit is the absolute dream itinerary.