Siem Reap travel guide
Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor, the largest religious monument on earth — a sprawling complex of jungle-wrapped temples. The town itself is warm and welcoming, with great food, night markets, and easy charm.
Where to stay
Old Market & Pub Street
The lively center — markets, street food, bars, and the main tourist hub after dark.
Wat Bo & the river
A quieter, leafy area of guesthouses and boutique hotels along the Siem Reap River.
Kandal Village
A small, walkable strip of cafés, design shops, and relaxed restaurants.
Angkor Archaeological Park
Just north of town — the vast temple zone you'll spend most of your days exploring.
Don't miss
Sunrise at Angkor Wat
The iconic moment — the temple silhouette reflected in the pond as the sky turns pink. Arrive early.
Ta Prohm's jungle temple
The 'Tomb Raider' temple, where giant tree roots swallow the ruins — atmospheric and unforgettable.
The Bayon's stone faces
Hundreds of serene carved faces gaze out from this temple at the heart of Angkor Thom.
A floating village
Boat out to a stilted or floating community on the Tonlé Sap lake — go with a responsible operator.
Khmer food and a cooking class
Amok curry, lok lak, and fresh markets; a half-day class is a fun, tasty break from temples.
Phnom Bakheng sunset
A hilltop temple with a wide view over the jungle and Angkor Wat in the distance at dusk.
Banteay Srei's pink sandstone
A 10th-century miniature 25km out, carved in rose sandstone so fine the reliefs look pressed rather than cut.
Beng Mealea, unrestored
An hour east and largely left to the forest — collapsed galleries you clamber over, with a fraction of the crowds.
Phare, the Cambodian Circus
Acrobatics and live music from a social-enterprise school in Battambang. The evening most people say they did not expect to love.
Preah Khan at opening
A vast, low, corridor-strung temple that stays quiet at 7:30am while the crowds are still at Angkor Wat.
When to go
November–February is cool, dry, and ideal. March–May is very hot; the June–October rains bring lush green and dramatic temple reflections.
Good to know
How many days do I need for Angkor?
Two to three days of temples is the sweet spot. A one-day pass hits the icons; a three-day pass lets you go deeper and at a saner pace, beating the heat and crowds.
How do I get around the temples?
Hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day, or join a guided tour. Distances are large and the heat is real, so walking between temples isn't practical.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February for cool, dry weather. The hottest months are March to May; the wet season brings green landscapes and fewer tourists.
Is Siem Reap just temples?
No — the town has a warm food scene, markets, spas, and nearby lake villages, so it's easy to balance temple mornings with relaxed afternoons.
Is the Angkor Wat sunrise worth getting up for?
Yes, once — but go in knowing several hundred people will be beside you at the reflecting pond. The trick most guides miss is to leave at 6:30am rather than stay: you get Angkor Wat almost to yourself for an hour while everyone else queues for breakfast.
How much is an Angkor pass, and where do you buy it?
Passes are sold only at the official ticket centre on Road 60, about 4km from town — not at the temples themselves. One day, three days (usable across a week) and seven days (across a month) are the options. Bring your passport and buy after 5pm to get the next day thrown in free for sunset.
What should I wear to the temples?
Shoulders and knees covered — this is enforced at Angkor Wat's upper level and you will be turned away without it. Light long sleeves beat a vest in the heat anyway, and shoes you can slip off matter more than you would think.
Small circuit or grand circuit?
The small circuit is Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm — the icons, and the right first day. The grand circuit swings wider to Preah Khan and Neak Pean and is quieter. With three days, do small, grand, then the outlying temples like Banteay Srei and Beng Mealea.
How much should a tuk-tuk driver cost for the day?
Expect roughly $18-25 for a temple day, more for the outlying circuit, agreed before you set off. A good driver is a genuine asset — they will know which temple is empty at the hour you are there — so if you find one, book them for your whole stay.
Is Siem Reap safe, and is it walkable?
The town centre is safe and easy to walk after dark; the temples are not walkable from town or from each other. Watch the traffic rather than anything else, and agree tuk-tuk prices up front.
Where to next?
More around Southeast Asia
Ready to plan Siem Reap?
Describe your trip in a sentence and Ollin builds a day-by-day itinerary, free.
Plan my Siem Reap trip