Sigiriya Craft Village
Sigiriya Craft Village
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
36 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
9
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
3
dubjohnston
Melbourne, Australia95 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
Nice ruins. Pretty amazing how they built it. Pretty pricey to get in though (US$30) and just another example of Sri Lankans fleecing the tourist. Some guy with no shoes laughed when I offered him $10 to guide us for 2 hours - which tells you something about how used they are to ripping off tourist when you consider the average wage in the country. The signage was terrible and the plaques should have explained more.
If you're in Sigiriya though you really shouldnt miss it.
If you're in Sigiriya though you really shouldnt miss it.
Written September 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan G
New Hartford, CT9 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
I would just like to warn people so they don't get surprised about shipping and customs costs like I was. If you plan to ship anything back to the US (possibly other countries), the cost is very significant. The relatively small shipping amount that the shop charges you is just to get your item to the port in Sri Lanka. I only purchased a small table, 1 mask, and 2 elephants to be shipped in one container. Not only will the process take about 5 months to receive your goods but the company to handle all of the customs needs charges almost $600 USD. Then I was hit with another shipping cost from the freight carrier for another $370 USD. This is not door to door delivery. I still have to drive to the port in New York City to pick up my shipment. I feel like I was deceived as they don't want to tell you this or many people won't purchase their merchandise.
Written September 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vandy
Bengaluru, India112 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
Spacious area and good choice of crafts but costs are much higher than what one can get the artefacts for....
Written September 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie B
Brighton7 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
I discovered this place through the travel forum, and can't recommend it enough. You might have to tell your driver where it is, as it is not as much on the tourist-trail as some of the other bigger craft outlets - and so much the better for it.
Even with a couple of the crafts huts not open on the day I visited, there was still a wonderful selection of batiks, wood carvings, brass work, jewellery and other things. The gentlemen are keen to talk about their particular crafts, and are clearly proud to be continuing a tradition that has often been passed down through their family for generations.
Unlike in the other, bigger outlets I visited, there was a really relaxed atmosphere here; they brought a soft drink for me and a cuppa for my driver, and encouraged me to wander around the lovely shady village-style complex at my own pace. Where I made purchases, I found the agreed prices to be very reasonable.
There is also a beautiful 'village hall' type building with a brilliant wall painting showing the creation of the Sigiriya palace. This was painted by one of the craftsmen, and is truly unique.
These are real, old-school craft workers in a beautiful setting, and they should be getting more visitors - if you want the same old tourist craft experience, then stick to the big outlets that everyone visits. But if you want to enjoy a more laid-back, friendly and 'off the beaten track' experience, insist on your driver taking you here!
It is only five minutes or so from Sigiriya, on the right hand side of the road when travelling back towards the A6, at Kimbissa. Look out for the sign board and the pillars either side of the gateway leading into the garden courtyard.
Enjoy!
Even with a couple of the crafts huts not open on the day I visited, there was still a wonderful selection of batiks, wood carvings, brass work, jewellery and other things. The gentlemen are keen to talk about their particular crafts, and are clearly proud to be continuing a tradition that has often been passed down through their family for generations.
Unlike in the other, bigger outlets I visited, there was a really relaxed atmosphere here; they brought a soft drink for me and a cuppa for my driver, and encouraged me to wander around the lovely shady village-style complex at my own pace. Where I made purchases, I found the agreed prices to be very reasonable.
There is also a beautiful 'village hall' type building with a brilliant wall painting showing the creation of the Sigiriya palace. This was painted by one of the craftsmen, and is truly unique.
These are real, old-school craft workers in a beautiful setting, and they should be getting more visitors - if you want the same old tourist craft experience, then stick to the big outlets that everyone visits. But if you want to enjoy a more laid-back, friendly and 'off the beaten track' experience, insist on your driver taking you here!
It is only five minutes or so from Sigiriya, on the right hand side of the road when travelling back towards the A6, at Kimbissa. Look out for the sign board and the pillars either side of the gateway leading into the garden courtyard.
Enjoy!
Written March 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam I
Liverpool, UK159 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
This village was set up by the government to give out-of-work craftspeople a place to live, practice their skills and sell their crafts. It is full of very friendly and helpful people who offer extremely fair prices for well-crafted merchandise. The batik wall hangings were particularly beautiful and well priced (we payed 4500 LKR for a 75cm x 75 cm wall hanging).
I would really recommend buying products from here to take home, as they are very nice and also all money goes to a very good cause.
I would really recommend buying products from here to take home, as they are very nice and also all money goes to a very good cause.
Written September 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caitlin
7 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
This place seems to be under many names. Sigiriya Crafts Complex, Sigiriya Handicraft Processing Village and Sigiriya Handicrafts Village. However, if you can locate it on the way to the main entrance to Sigiriya it is worth the visit. It was initially founded by the government as a space for local merchants and craftsman. Time, and a lack or tourist visiting has taken its toll on the place now with only a very small population of craftsman working out of there. However, all the people there are very genuine. They are not too pushy on selling and happy to explain the meaning of different pieces and the process. We even got a free demo from the copper and brass worker and he gave us a keychain he made in front of us with an engraved elephant and our names. The prices are very very reasonable for the quality of the work. Some Batik and Metalwork factories which are visited by tourists up have prices over 1000 rupees more for work which is of equal quality to what is on display here. Would definitely recommend a visit here and even though everything is a bit dusty, the people are genuine and very talented.
Written November 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manoj A
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka330 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Amazing place to buy handy craft and the artifacts are really beautiful and price worth. You can evidence how the handy craft is been done
Written June 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy W
Irvine, UK170 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
We got here via our guide Josep . We drove in and parked the car. We were treated by a couple who invited us in for lunch . She dressed me up and I got cooking our meal with her and her husband . It was a amazing experience and it was her kitchen . We paid for this and was worth it . They were fun and food was amazing and to think how there was no ovens cookers etc . Makes you realise how we all depend on too much back home. After this we walked to get a cart pulled by a bull to go on to the lake to cross over before we went to sigiryia Rock. This was a great day . After the lake we met a lady and her two sons which she invited us into her kitchen and made us bread again very heartfelt how she lived and felt so humble . At night they sleep on tree house due to wild elephants at night stampeding area. I was quite sad seeing this . But they smile and are so friendly . We then got to have a shot of driving a yuk tuk on the rough terrain which was fun before we went to the rock. I am definitely going back to visit here and both families again later on this year .
Written May 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chammika L
Kandy12 contributions
Sep 2015 • Family
Have heard about a lot haven't been there looking forwed to go and have nice vacation this with friends
Written September 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elena M
Barcelona, Spain29 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
When we asked our tuk tuk driver to go there he had no idea where to go, but finally we managed to find a picture on Internet to show him what it was we were looking for. When we got there it looked completely empty bus as we went in people started appearing and lights were turned on. It was a great little place! No one forced you into any shop, they were easily bargained with and they even showed you some of the processes of their handiwork. There are around 6 shops and it only takes have around half an hour to visit.
Written August 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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