Siem Reap
Key Facts
Best Time to Visit
November to March (cool, dry season, ideal for temple exploration)
Language
Khmer (English widely spoken in tourism industry)
Currency
Cambodian Riel (KHR) — US Dollars (USD) widely accepted and preferred
Time Zone
ICT (UTC+7)
Airport
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI), 40 km from city center (new airport opened 2023)
Population
250,000 (city proper)
Climate
Tropical, avg 24-35°C year-round, wet season June-October
Safety Rating
Generally Safe (Level 1) — petty theft possible, avoid landmine areas outside marked zones
Famous For
Angkor Wat — the world's largest religious monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Top Highlights
Angkor Wat
The world's largest religious monument, built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II. 1-day pass: $37 USD, 3-day pass: $62, 7-day pass: $72. Open 5AM-5:30PM. Arrive by 5AM for sunrise behind the iconic towers — bring a flashlight. The bas-relief galleries depicting Hindu epics span 800 meters. Allow 3-4 hours minimum.
Bayon Temple
The enigmatic temple at Angkor Thom's center with 216 massive stone faces smiling from its towers. Included in the Angkor pass. Built by King Jayavarman VII around 1200 AD. The morning light makes the faces most photogenic. Less crowded than Angkor Wat, especially in late afternoon. Allow 1.5-2 hours.
Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider Temple)
The atmospheric temple where massive silk-cotton and strangler fig trees have consumed the stone ruins, made famous by the Tomb Raider film. Included in the Angkor pass. Open 7:30AM-5:30PM. The tree-root-entwined doorways are the most photographed spots in all of Angkor. Visit early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds. Allow 1-1.5 hours.
Tonle Sap Floating Villages
Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake with villages of houses, schools, and shops built entirely on stilts or floating platforms. Boat tours from Chong Kneas (closest, 15 km from Siem Reap) cost $20-30 USD for 2 hours. Kampong Phluk (further, more authentic) offers a better experience — tours $25-35 USD. Best September-January when water is highest.
Pub Street & Night Market
Siem Reap's entertainment strip with $0.50 draft beers, Khmer and international restaurants, night market stalls, and live music bars. Free to explore. Angkor Night Market (open 4PM-midnight) sells silk, crafts, and paintings. Fish spa foot massages cost $3-5. Dr. Fish is everywhere. Great for unwinding after a temple day. Allow 2-3 hours.
Banteay Srei
Known as the 'Citadel of Women,' this 10th-century temple 37 km northeast of Angkor features the finest, most intricate stone carvings in all of Khmer art. Included in Angkor pass. Open 7:30AM-5PM. The pink sandstone carvings are best photographed in morning light. Worth the extra drive — combine with Kbal Spean river carvings. Allow 1.5 hours.
Planned Itinerary
7-Day Siem Reap Itinerary
Arrival & Pub Street Evening
Arrive at Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI). Tuk-tuk or taxi to hotel (~$10-15 USD). Buy your Angkor pass today — the ticket office photographs you for the personalized pass.
Transfer to hotel(40 minutes)
SAI is 40 km from the city center (opened 2023). Taxi or pre-booked hotel transfer $10-15 USD. Stay near Old Market or Wat Bo for best location
Buy Angkor pass(30 minutes)
Ticket office on Apsara Road (open 5AM-5:30PM). 3-day pass $62 USD (best value — valid any 3 days within 10 days). Photo taken on site. Bring USD cash
Pub Street & Old Market evening(2 hours)
Siem Reap's entertainment strip. $0.50 draft beers, Khmer restaurants, night market stalls. Fish spa foot massage $3-5. Try amok (Cambodian fish curry) at Genevieve's for ~$5. The energy is fun and welcoming
Angkor Wat Sunrise & Small Circuit
The big day — sunrise at the world's largest religious monument, then the essential temple circuit.
Angkor Wat sunrise(3 hours)
Arrive by 5AM with your tuk-tuk driver ($15-20 for the day). The sunrise behind the five towers reflected in the moat is iconic. Bring a flashlight. After sunrise, explore the 800m bas-relief galleries — the Churning of the Sea of Milk panel is the masterpiece. Entry included in your 3-day pass
Angkor Thom South Gate(30 minutes)
Drive through the massive gate flanked by 54 gods and 54 demons pulling a naga serpent. The causeway is one of Angkor's most dramatic entrances
Bayon Temple(1.5 hours)
216 massive stone faces smiling from towers. The morning light makes the faces most photogenic. Climb to the upper terrace for face-to-face encounters
Lunch at a temple-area restaurant(1 hour)
Restaurants cluster between temples. Basic Khmer food: lok lak (stir-fried beef) $4-5, fried rice $3-4. Stay hydrated — temperatures exceed 35C
Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider temple)(1.5 hours)
Silk-cotton trees consuming the stone ruins. The tree-root-entwined doorways are Angkor's most photographed spots. Visit late afternoon when crowds thin
Grand Circuit & Banteay Srei
The outer ring of temples and the finest carvings in all of Khmer art.
Preah Khan(1.5 hours)
A vast monastic complex — like a less-crowded Ta Prohm. The two-story building with round columns is unique in Angkor. Hall of Dancers with carved apsaras. Included in pass
Neak Pean(30 minutes)
A temple on an artificial island in a reservoir. Beautiful when the water is full (rainy season). Quick visit
Drive to Banteay Srei(45 minutes)
37 km northeast. Your tuk-tuk driver or car ($25-30 for Grand Circuit + Banteay Srei)
Banteay Srei(1.5 hours)
The 'Citadel of Women' — 10th-century pink sandstone with the most intricate carvings in Khmer art. Morning light is best for the pink stone. Smaller than other temples but the detail is breathtaking
Phare Circus evening show(1.5 hours)
$18-38 USD. A Cambodian circus combining acrobatics, music, and storytelling by former street children. Genuinely spectacular and supports an incredible social enterprise. Book online — shows sell out
Tonle Sap Floating Village
Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake with communities living entirely on water.
Kampong Phluk floating village tour(4 hours)
Further than Chong Kneas but more authentic. Tour $25-35 USD including boat. Stilt houses, floating schools, and a flooded forest you can kayak through. Best Sept-Jan when water is highest. The scale of life on water is extraordinary
Lunch at Haven Training Restaurant(1.5 hours)
A social enterprise restaurant training Cambodian youth in hospitality. Excellent Khmer and Western food. Mains $5-8 USD. Near Old Market
Afternoon: Angkor National Museum(1.5 hours)
$12 USD entry. Excellent context for the temples you've seen — Khmer history, Buddha galleries, and multimedia presentations. Air-conditioned — a welcome break. Audio guide included
Evening at Night Market(1.5 hours)
Angkor Night Market (4PM-midnight). Silk, crafts, paintings, T-shirts. The food stalls outside have excellent fried spring rolls, grilled meats, and fresh fruit shakes
Rest Day — Pool & Cooking Class
A temple-free day to recharge. Optional cooking class to learn Cambodian cuisine.
Cambodian cooking class(3 hours)
Le Tigre de Papier or Lily's Secret Garden: $15-25 USD. Market visit + cook 3-4 dishes including fish amok, green mango salad, and Khmer curry. Take home recipes
Afternoon spa at Bodia Spa(1.5 hours)
Traditional Khmer massage using Cambodian ingredients. 1-hour massage from $25 USD. Bodia uses locally made products — excellent quality
Sunset drinks at Miss Wong cocktail bar(1.5 hours)
1920s Shanghai-themed bar on The Lane. Inventive cocktails $5-7 USD. One of Southeast Asia's best bars
Countryside Cycling & Rural Cambodia
Explore the rice paddies and villages surrounding Siem Reap by bicycle.
Guided countryside bicycle tour(5 hours)
Grasshopper Adventures or Siem Reap Cycling: $30-45 USD. Cycle through rice paddies, stop at village workshops (palm sugar making, rice noodle factory), visit a pagoda, and swim in a rural river. 25-30 km, flat terrain. One of Siem Reap's best experiences
Village lunch(1 hour)
Home-cooked Khmer food at a village family's house — usually included in cycling tours. Rice, fish, vegetables, and fresh fruit
Farewell dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak(1.5 hours)
Siem Reap's most celebrated restaurant — modern Khmer tasting menu for $28 USD. Chef Joannès Rivière uses only Cambodian ingredients. Book 2-3 days ahead. It's worth the splurge
Departure Day
Final morning and airport transfer.
Optional: Angkor Wat morning revisit(1.5 hours)
If your 3-day pass has a day left, return for a quieter morning visit without the sunrise crowds. The inner galleries are magical in soft morning light
Transfer to SAI airport(40 minutes)
Hotel transfer or tuk-tuk $10-15 USD. The new airport is 40 km from town — allow extra time. Bring leftover USD for departure
14-Day Siem Reap Itinerary
Arrival & Pub Street
Arrive SAI. Transfer $10-15. Buy 3-day Angkor pass ($62).
Pub Street evening(2 hours)
$0.50 beers, amok ~$5
Angkor Wat Sunrise & Small Circuit
Sunrise + Bayon + Ta Prohm.
Angkor Wat sunrise(3 hours)
Arrive 5AM. Tuk-tuk $15-20/day
Bayon Temple(1.5 hours)
216 stone faces
Grand Circuit & Banteay Srei
Outer temples and finest carvings.
Banteay Srei(1.5 hours)
37 km. Pink sandstone masterpiece
Phare Circus(1.5 hours)
$18-38
Tonle Sap Floating Village
Life on water at Kampong Phluk.
Kampong Phluk tour(4 hours)
$25-35. Stilt houses, flooded forest
Angkor National Museum(1.5 hours)
$12
Rest Day — Pool & Cooking
Temple-free day.
Cooking class(3 hours)
$15-25. Amok, salad, curry
Bodia Spa(1.5 hours)
$25+
Countryside Cycling
Rice paddies and village life by bike.
Guided cycling tour(5 hours)
$30-45. 25-30 km flat
Dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak(1.5 hours)
$28 tasting menu
Off-Beat Temples
Less-visited temples that most tourists skip.
Beng Mealea(3 hours)
68 km from Siem Reap. Separate entry: $5 USD. A completely unrestored temple consumed by jungle — like Ta Prohm was 30 years ago. Boardwalks navigate through tumbled stone blocks and tree roots. Atmospheric and usually empty. Hire a car for the day ($30-40)
Kbal Spean (River of a Thousand Lingas)(2 hours)
50 km northeast. Combined with Banteay Srei area. A riverbed carved with 1,000 lingas and Hindu figures. 1.5 km uphill hike through forest. Free with Angkor pass. Bring water and wear hiking shoes
Battambang Day Trip
Cambodia's second city — bamboo train, colonial architecture, and bat caves.
Drive to Battambang(3 hours)
175 km. Hire car $50-60 for the day. Or take the express boat along Tonle Sap (seasonal, $20, 7 hours — scenic but slow)
Bamboo Train (Norry)(30 minutes)
$5 USD. A bamboo platform on wheels powered by a small engine — this makeshift 'train' runs on abandoned railway tracks. When two norries meet, one is disassembled to let the other pass. Uniquely Cambodian
Battambang colonial architecture walk(1 hour)
French-era buildings along the river. The Battambang Provincial Museum ($1) has Angkorian artifacts. The town is charming and quiet
Phnom Sampeau bat caves at sunset(1.5 hours)
A hilltop temple with caves used as killing fields during the Khmer Rouge. At sunset, millions of bats stream out of the cave mouth — the spectacle lasts 30+ minutes. Free entry to the hill
Rest Day
Full rest.
Angkor Revisit — Sunset at Pre Rup
Return to temples with fresh eyes. Sunset from an elevated temple.
Re-visit favorite temple(2 hours)
Return to Angkor Wat or Ta Prohm without the first-day overwhelm. You'll notice details you missed
Terrace of the Elephants & Leper King(1 hour)
At Angkor Thom. Long relief walls of elephants, garuda, and warriors. The hidden inner wall of the Leper King terrace has remarkably preserved carvings
Pre Rup sunset(1.5 hours)
An elevated temple with excellent sunset views over the forest canopy. Less crowded than Phnom Bakheng (the popular sunset spot). Arrive 4:30PM for a good perch
Silk Farm & Artisans
Cambodia's living crafts traditions.
Artisans Angkor workshop tour(1.5 hours)
Free. Watch stone carvers, silk painters, and lacquerware artisans at work. The training program supports rural Cambodians. Shop at fair prices
Angkor Silk Farm (Les Chantiers Ecoles)(2 hours)
Free. 16 km west of Siem Reap. The complete silk production process — from silkworm cocoons to dyed and woven fabric. Fascinating and educational. Free shuttle from Artisans Angkor shop in town
Lunch at Sister Srey Cafe(1 hour)
Social enterprise cafe. Healthy food, great smoothies. Mains $5-7. Supports girls' education
Landmine Museum & Community
Understanding Cambodia's recent history and recovery.
Cambodia Landmine Museum(1.5 hours)
$5 entry. Founded by Aki Ra, a former child soldier who has personally cleared thousands of mines. Eye-opening exhibits on the ongoing landmine crisis. Near Banteay Srei road
War Museum(1 hour)
$5. Outdoor museum with tanks, planes, and weapons from decades of conflict. Guides are often veterans. Not for young children
Lunch at Marum(1 hour)
Restaurant training disadvantaged youth. Creative Khmer cuisine. Mains $4-7. Near Wat Polanka
Final Day — Last Market & Farewell
Final shopping, food, and farewell.
Old Market morning(1.5 hours)
Fresh produce, spices, and souvenirs. Kampot pepper ($3-5/bag), silk scarves ($5-10), and palm sugar ($2-3/bag) make great gifts
Farewell dinner at Malis(1.5 hours)
Upscale Khmer cuisine by celebrity chef Luu Meng. Mains $8-15. Beautiful garden setting. A refined farewell
Departure Day
Airport transfer.
Transfer to SAI airport(40 minutes)
$10-15. Allow extra time for the new distant airport
21-Day Siem Reap Itinerary
Arrival & Pub Street
Arrive SAI. Transfer $10-15. Buy 7-day Angkor pass ($72 — best value for 21 days).
Buy 7-day Angkor pass(30 minutes)
$72. Valid any 7 days within 30 days
Angkor Wat Sunrise & Small Circuit
Sunrise at the world's largest religious monument.
Grand Circuit & Banteay Srei
Outer temples and pink sandstone carvings.
Phare Circus(1.5 hours)
$18-38
Tonle Sap Floating Village
Kampong Phluk stilt village.
Kampong Phluk(4 hours)
$25-35
Angkor National Museum(1.5 hours)
$12
Rest Day — Pool & Cooking
Cooking class and spa.
Cooking class(3 hours)
$15-25
Countryside Cycling
Rice paddies and villages.
Guided cycling tour(5 hours)
$30-45
Dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak(1.5 hours)
$28
Beng Mealea & Kbal Spean
Jungle-consumed temple and river carvings.
Beng Mealea(3 hours)
$5. 68 km. Unrestored jungle temple
Kbal Spean(2 hours)
Riverbed carved with lingas. 1.5 km hike
Battambang Day Trip
Bamboo train, colonial town, bat caves.
Drive to Battambang(3 hours)
Car $50-60
Bamboo Train(30 minutes)
$5
Rest Day
Full rest.
Angkor Revisit & Pre Rup Sunset
Return with fresh eyes.
Silk Farm & Artisans
Living crafts traditions.
Artisans Angkor(1.5 hours)
Free
Silk Farm(2 hours)
Free. Silkworm to fabric
Landmine Museum & History
Understanding Cambodia's recent past.
Landmine Museum(1.5 hours)
$5
War Museum(1 hour)
$5
Phnom Penh Overnight — Day 1
Bus or fly to the capital for 2 nights. The Killing Fields and Royal Palace.
Bus to Phnom Penh(6 hours)
Giant Ibis bus $15. Comfortable, A/C, WiFi. Or fly ~$60-100 (45 min)
Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda(1.5 hours)
$10 entry. The Emerald Buddha and 5,000-piece silver floor. No shorts or sleeveless tops. Open 8-11AM and 2-5PM
Riverside sunset walk(1 hour)
The Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers meet here. Evening strollers, food carts, and river breezes
Dinner at Romdeng(1.5 hours)
Social enterprise training at-risk youth. Try tarantula (if brave, $5) or safer options like fish amok and morning glory. Mains $5-8
Phnom Penh — Day 2 & Return
The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng — difficult but essential.
Choeung Ek Killing Fields(2 hours)
$6 including audio guide. The site where the Khmer Rouge executed over 20,000 people. The audio guide with survivor testimonies is harrowing. The memorial stupa containing 5,000 skulls is a powerful tribute. Go with respect and time to process
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)(1.5 hours)
$5. A former school converted into a prison and torture center. Individual cell photographs of prisoners line the walls. Essential for understanding Cambodia's 1975-1979 tragedy
Lunch at Friends(1 hour)
NGO restaurant training street children. Tapas-style Khmer food. Mains $4-6. Their motto: 'Will Not Hurt'
Return to Siem Reap(6 hours)
Afternoon bus back
Rest Day
Full rest after emotional Phnom Penh.
Roluos Group — Earliest Temples
The very first Angkor-era temples, 13 km east. Older and quieter than the main complex.
Tuk-tuk to Roluos Group(30 minutes)
$10-15 for the morning. 13 km east of Siem Reap
Bakong(1 hour)
The first major temple mountain (881 AD). Five-tiered pyramid. Prototype for Angkor Wat. Included in Angkor pass
Preah Ko(45 minutes)
Six brick towers dedicated to Shiva. Original stucco decorations still visible. Rarely visited
Lolei(30 minutes)
Four brick towers on an island (now dry). A working monastery — monks live among the ruins
Sunset at Phnom Krom hilltop(1 hour)
12 km south. Free. Hilltop temple with panoramic views of Tonle Sap lake and the countryside. Much less crowded than Phnom Bakheng
Community & Volunteering
Give back to the community that hosts you.
Morning volunteering(3 hours)
Organizations like Savong's School or Green Gecko Project welcome visitors. English conversation practice, art activities, or maintenance projects. Contact in advance. No fee — bring school supplies if possible
Lunch at Spoons Cambodia(1 hour)
Another social enterprise training restaurant. Khmer tapas style. Mains $4-7
Rest Day — Free Day
Last free day. Revisit or relax.
Free day(6 hours)
Options: quad biking ($25-40), horseback riding, pottery class, or return to a favorite temple
Kulen Mountain Day Trip
The sacred mountain where the Angkor kingdom was founded.
Drive to Phnom Kulen(2 hours)
50 km north. Car required ($40-60 for the day). $20 entry separate from Angkor pass
Kulen waterfall(1 hour)
A beautiful jungle waterfall with swimming. The lower falls are best. Bring swimwear
River of a Thousand Lingas at Kulen(1 hour)
Similar to Kbal Spean but larger — carved linga patterns covering the riverbed. Best with some water flowing
Giant reclining Buddha(30 minutes)
An 8m reclining Buddha carved from a boulder at the summit. Pilgrimage site for Cambodians
Final Shopping & Farewell
Last souvenirs and farewell dinner.
Old Market morning shopping(1.5 hours)
Kampot pepper, silk, palm sugar, local crafts
Farewell dinner at Malis(1.5 hours)
Upscale Khmer by Chef Luu Meng. $8-15
Departure Day
Final morning and airport transfer.
Transfer to SAI(40 minutes)
$10-15
Travel Tips
Visa & Entry
Visa on Arrival or E-Visa
Most nationalities (including US, UK, EU, India, Australia) get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival for $30 USD (cash, bring passport photo). E-visa available online at evisa.gov.kh for $36 (48-hour processing). The new Siem Reap airport (SAI) has efficient visa on arrival counters. Bring a pen to fill out the form on the plane.
transport
Hire a Tuk-Tuk Driver for Temple Days
The best way to explore Angkor is with a dedicated tuk-tuk driver for the day ($15-20 USD for the Small Circuit, $25-30 for the Grand Circuit). They know the best routes, wait at each temple, and often become excellent guides. Book through your guesthouse. For bigger groups, a private car with driver costs $35-50/day with AC.
Budget
USD Is the De Facto Currency
Almost everything in Siem Reap is priced in USD. ATMs dispense USD. You'll receive change under $1 in Cambodian Riel (4,000 KHR = $1). Don't accept torn or worn US bills — Cambodians are very particular about bill condition. Bring crisp bills from home. A budget traveler can get by on $25-35/day (guesthouse, local food, temple pass excluded).
Buy the Multi-Day Angkor Pass
The 3-day pass ($62) is the best value — it allows entry on any 3 days within 10 days, giving you flexibility to avoid temple fatigue. Day 1: Angkor Wat + South Gate + Bayon + Ta Prohm. Day 2: Banteay Srei + Preah Khan + smaller temples. Day 3: sunrise revisit + any missed sites. Photos are taken at the ticket office for your pass.
Local Customs
Temple Dress Code Is Enforced
Angkor temples require covered shoulders and knees — this is strictly enforced at Angkor Wat's upper level. Bring a scarf or sarong. Wear sturdy shoes (not flip-flops) — the stone stairs are steep and slippery. Bring 2+ liters of water, sunscreen, and a hat — there's minimal shade and temperatures exceed 35°C.
Safety
Stay on Marked Paths at Remote Temples
Cambodia still has uncleared landmines in rural areas. At temples beyond the main Angkor complex (Koh Ker, Preah Vihear), stay strictly on marked paths and never wander into undergrowth. The main Angkor Wat complex is completely safe. Also beware of aggressive monkeys at Angkor — don't carry open food.
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