Known for being the gateway to the spectacular temple complex of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, has long been one of Southeast Asia’s top travel destinations. In this Siem Reap, Cambodia guide, you will learn what makes this city such an incredible destination. Not only that, but I will show you how to plan your dream trip to experience the city’s wonders for yourself.

Located in the northwestern part of Cambodia, the city served as the capital of the ancient Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries. Today, much of this cultural history is still visible in the breathtaking stonework of the area’s temples. However, Siem Reap isn’t just renowned for its amazing temples.

Beyond the religious sites, the city is also popular for its incredible culture, lively markets, and delicious cuisine. Despite being one of Asia’s busiest tourist hot spots, the city still maintains a cozy, small-town vibe. So much so that it will keep you wanting to come back to see more.

An All-You-Need Siem Reap, Cambodia Guide

In this Siem Reap, Cambodia guide, I am going to give you the information to plan a successful trip to Siem Reap.  I cover the best times to visit and the best ways to get there. This way, you can maximize what you can see and do on your trip. 

In addition, I outline the top things to see during your visit. There are many incredible things you won’t want to miss, and with my guide, you won’t.  Finally, I give you some great recommendations for restaurants. With this information in hand, your planning process will be stress-free. Not to mention, you can be confident that your trip to Cambodia will be one that you remember for the rest of your life.

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At a Glance

Before you start making any travel plans, you will want to make sure to take care of all of the passport, VISA, and immunization requirements for your trip.   In addition, you will want to make sure you have a clear understanding of what languages they speak in Cambodia so that you can plan any translation needs you might have.

You will also need to know what currency they use so that you can exchange currency before your trip if necessary. I have included some of this key information in my Siem Reap, Cambodia guide below for you to review as you start to make your travel plans.

Passport, VISA, Customs, and Immunization Requirements

I have included a link to my Cambodia Passport, VISA, Customs, and Immunization Requirements Guide for you to review below.  This should help you navigate the legal requirements for visiting Cambodia.

It includes all of the important VISA, passport, customs, and immunization requirements and recommendations for your visit. You will want to take special care in reviewing the immunizations section of this guide.

In addition to the immunization information in the guide above, I have also linked to a few supplemental health guides I have created below. I explain why I recommend getting the Rabies pre-exposure vaccination before traveling internationally.

I also discuss how to protect yourself from tick and mosquito-borne illnesses when traveling. Even though Siem Reap isn’t in a high-risk area for malaria, it is still good to protect yourself just in case.

Packing Tips

Outside of taking care of your passport, visa, and immunization requirements, the most important task for your trip is packing. For your trip to be a success, you need to make sure you pack the right clothing and gear for the weather and the activities you will be enjoying. To help make sure you are prepared, I linked to my packing resources for you to review in my Siem Reap, Cambodia guide below.

Top Things to See and Do in Siem Reap

In addition to being home to the largest religious site in the world, the Siem Reap area is full of many additional wonders to explore. Most notably, the area is home to one of Southeast Asia’s most breathtaking national parklands and wildlife sanctuaries. And if hiking and wildlife aren’t your thing, the floating villages south of the city are an amazing cultural experience to have. And to think, that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amazing things in the area to explore.

You’ll Need At Least 2-3 Days to Explore Siem Reap

In fact, there is so much to see in the Siem Reap area that I would recommend spending at least 2-3 days here. You will spend a full day exploring just the Angkor Wat site, and an additional day exploring the surrounding temples. If you want to see some of the area’s other top sites, having a third and even fourth day in the area will come in handy.

If you are starting to plan your trip to Siem Reap and would like some additional suggestions for your itinerary, then you are in luck. I have outlined the top 10 things to see and do in my Siem Reap, Cambodia guide below.

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Angkor Wat

It is the largest religious site in the world and one of the new seven wonders of the world. Out of all the things that I have seen in my travels, Angkor Wat may be the most impressive. The temple grounds are so large that they seem to go on and on forever. It makes sense because, from the 9th to the 15th century, Angkor Wat was the center of the Khmer Kingdom.

Today, this incredible temple complex is one of the top tourist attractions in the world. And believe me, it is something that every serious traveler should see in their lifetime. Much like seeing Machu Picchu, it is a moving experience to see Angkor Wat with your own eyes.

If you plan on visiting Siem Reap to see Angkor Wat, I would recommend spending two days exploring the temples. The site extends over 400 square kilometers and includes over 1,000 temples, so you can’t see it all in a day. However, after spending a few days exploring the temples, you will probably be ready to move on to see something else.

See the Site at Sunrise

PRO TIP: If you want to capture truly stunning photos of Angkor Wat, make sure you book a sunrise tour. You will need to get up very early because the spots in front of the pond where you will need to stand fill up quickly. But believe me, the views of the temple with the sun rising behind it are worth it.

The temple complex opens at 5am and you will want to be there to enter when it opens. Make sure you bring a headlamp or small flashlight as you will be walking in the dark. I would make sure to book your sunrise tour in advance so that you can communicate with your guide on when and where to pick you up.

Odds are that your guide will request that you purchase your ticket ahead of time as you will need to upload your photo. If you don’t purchase your ticket ahead of time you will need to purchase it in the morning, which will delay getting into the spot for sunrise photos.

Important Notes

• Keep your Angkor Wat tour ticket with you at all times as you will need it at various checkpoints within the site.
• Keep in mind that this is a religious site and you will need to wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.
• You will be doing a lot of walking around the temple grounds, so make sure to wear comfortable footwear.
• It can get very hot during the day, so make sure you wear appropriate clothing that will also keep you cool (stay away from wearing dark colors). Also, make sure you have enough water with you.
• Be aware of the monkeys that you will see around the temple site. Most of the time, they will ignore you. However, if you have food in your hands or in your bag, the monkeys can be aggressive and even bite.

Bayon Temple

Centuries before Michelangelo crafted the statue of David in Florence, hundreds of breathtaking faces were carved into a temple structure in Siem Reap by the Khmer Empire. Located in the heart of the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple is one of the most spectacular temples that I have ever seen. The detail in the intricate carvings is nothing short of amazing.

Next to Angkor Wat, the Bayon Temple is the temple that I would consider to be the most can’t miss out of all the temple sites in Siem Reap. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, but its cultural significance cannot be understated. It was dedicated to Buddha by King Jayavarman VII and was renamed the “Banyan Temple” sometime after the French occupancy.

That name is significant because Buddha was said to have reached enlightenment after a long period of meditation under a banyan tree. Later, the local Khmer who worked to restore the temple mispronounced its name as “Banyon” and the name stuck. Nevertheless, it is one of Siem Reap’s most important religious sites.

Important Note

Again, this is a religious site, so wearing clothing that covers your knees and shoulders is a must.

Ta Prohm

If you have seen the movie “Tomb Raider”, then the Ta Prohm temple near Siem Reap will look really familiar to you. Located approximately a kilometer east of Angkor Thom, the temple was built in the Bayon style in the late 12th and early 13th century. Originally the temple was named Rajavihara, but in modern times has been referred to as Ta Prohm.

This iconic temple is renowned for its rugged and breathtakingly beautiful appearance. Draped in deep shadows with crumbling towers that have been engulfed by a vast root system, the temple is by far the most atmospheric in the Angkor complex. If you visit Siem Reap and don’t see Ta Prohm, you are really missing out.

Important Notes

• As with the other temples I have highlighted in this Siem Reap, Cambodia guide, it is important to remember this is a religious site. You must wear appropriate clothing that covers your shoulders and knees when visiting.
• It used to be possible to climb on the ruins, but this has now been prohibited. This is to not only protect the ruins but visitors as well. Some of the rocks that make up the ruins weigh up to a ton and can kill you if they fall on you. So please, obey the rules and stay off the ruins.

Phnom Kulen National Park

One of the most underrated attractions in the Siem Reap area is the spectacular Phnom Kulen National Park. Located in the Phnom Kulen mountain massif, the park was created in 1993 and contains some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Siem Reap province. The park is only a short 1.5-hour drive from Siem Reap, which makes it the perfect place to visit on a day trip.

One of the top attractions within the park is Poeng Ta Kho, which is an incredible cliff ledge overlooking the vast rainforest. This is a great spot to grab a selfie and enjoy the beautiful views. Another top spot to visit is the beautiful Kulen waterfall. There is a boardwalk that will take you up close to the bottom of the falls and it is a beautiful view. However, you should be prepared to get drenched in the heavy mist.

PRO TIP: You can include a stop at the Banteay Srei region on your way back from the national park. Hitting both sites on one trip will save you money as it is a $50 private taxi ride or a $60-80 van ride from Siem Reap to the park. Better yet, you can book a tour that will take you to the sites and include a guide. For tour options, please see my Recommended Tours section of this guide below.

Floating Villages

One of the best cultural tours that you can take when visiting Siem Reap is to pay a visit to one of the area’s many floating villages. Here you will find people who have made their lives living in floating houses, eating at floating restaurants, and paddling to work and floating schools each day.

In addition to these floating villages, you will also find several stilted villages along the banks of the Tonle Sap Lake. Here you will find buildings that rest on tall, thin stilts that keep the residents dry during the monsoon season. If you would like to visit a floating or stilted village while in Siem Reap, I have detailed four popular villages for you to visit below.

Chong Kneas

Located roughly 16km from town, this is the closest village to Siem Reap. The village consists of both floating and stilted houses, which the residents frequently move around based on water levels. This is also the boat terminal for boat rides to Battambang and Phnom Penh. We visited Chong Kneas during our stay and absolutely loved visiting with the villagers during our tour.

Kampong Phluk

Translated to mean “harbor of the tusks”, this is really three separate villages that form one big village area. It consists of mostly stilted houses that line the entrance area into Tonle Sap Lake. The site is roughly 30km from Siem Reap, so it isn’t too far to make a half-day visit on tour.

While the houses are neat to see, there isn’t as much to do when you get to this village as others as it is primarily a working village. Therefore, your boat tour of this village will be much shorter than tours of the other villages.

Kampong Khleang

This permanent stilted village is the furthest village from Siem Reap. However, at a distance of 50km, it still isn’t difficult to visit on a half-day trip. The village consists of both stilted and floating houses and consists of roughly 6,000 people.

What I really love about this village is that the boat tour services are run by the community, so all of the money you spend on your tour supports the local village. Because it is a little further from the city, the village doesn’t get quite as many tourists either, which means you can visit at a much more relaxed pace.

Mechrey

Located roughly 25km southwest of Siem Reap, this wonderful floating village is also the entrance point into the Prek Toal Core Bird Reserve. The local residents support themselves by fishing and by running local eco-tours of the reserve. If you would like to see both a floating village and the bird reserve, this is a great option. In addition to the reserve, visitors can also take a boat tour of the village and buy locally-made food and crafts.

Kulen Elephant Forest

If you love wildlife, then you won’t want to miss out on a visit to the Kulen Elephant Forest Sanctuary. Located in the foothills of Kulen Mountain, the sanctuary consists of 1,100 acres of protected forest where retired elephants rescued from the tourism industry can roam free and be elephants. The Kulen Elephant Sanctuary is a critical conservation agency in a country where elephants are extremely threatened.

So, not only are they rescuing elephants in need today, but through community education and conservation, they are protecting the elephants of tomorrow in Cambodia as well. Not only will you get to see these beautiful creatures up close and learn about them during your visit, but your tourism dollars will go a long way in helping the conservation efforts.

Preah Ang Thom Pagoda

This beautiful reclining Buddha is located on the top of Phnom Kulen Mountain and is carved into a gigantic natural sandstone boulder. It is a very sacred site for Cambodians, so it can be quite busy with patrons visiting for prayer. To get to the Preah Ang Thom Pagoda, you must climb a series of stairs.

When you are finished paying your respects to the reclining Buddha, there are also several ornate statues surrounding the pagoda that are worth checking out. In addition, the streets outside the pagoda are lined with souvenir stands that you can check out.

Important Note

• The pagoda is an important religious site, so be sure you have clothes that cover your knees and shoulders when visiting. Also, you should remove your shoes and your hat (if wearing one) before entering the pagoda.

Banteay Srei

Widely considered to be one of the most beautiful pieces of Angkorian art, the breathtaking temple of Banteay Srei is built out of a beautiful pink-colored stone. Although it is one of the smaller temple sites in the Angkor temple complex, it is one of the prettiest temples in the region. Many of the temple’s carvings are three-dimensional, which gives it an added layer of complexity and beauty.

Unlike some of the other temples that I outline in this Siem Reap, Cambodia guide, Banteay Srei is a little further outside the city. It is located roughly 32km northeast of Siem Reap and 21km northeast of Bayon. You can hire a local tuk-tuk driver or cab to take you there or book a tour that visits the temple site.

Important Notes

• Keep in mind that the temple is a religious site, so you should dress appropriately when visiting. Wearing clothes that cover your knees and shoulders is required.
• If you are planning to pay a driver to take you to the temple, I would recommend combining this trip with a stop at Phnom Kulen National Park. You will save a lot of money seeing both sites on one trip up north.
• If you would prefer to take a tour to visit Banteay Srei, please refer to my Recommended Tours section of this guide.

Banteay Kdei

For those who are interested in exploring more temples, but want to escape the large crowds at the Angkorian ruins, Banteay Kdei is a perfect choice. These amazing ruins have seemingly been forgotten by the busy Angkor tourism industry. However, the solitude and mystery of the site make it a worthwhile addition to any Siem Reap visitor itinerary.

The temple ruins are located amongst towering trees where visitors can hear the serene chirping of cicadas. You can spend hours walking amongst these beautiful ruins admiring the beauty of the Buddhist carvings. And if you love sunrises, the Banteay Kdei is a perfect spot to watch the beautiful Cambodian sunrises.

PRO TIP: If you want to avoid the largest crowds at the Angkor temples, a good strategy is to visit Banteay Kdei first thing in the morning for sunrise, then head to Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples later in the day when the crowds have thinned.

Important Note:

• Like the other temples on my list of the top things to see in Siem Reap, Banteay Kdei is a religious site. Make sure you wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders when visiting.

Angkor Thom

In the Khmer language, Angkor Thom translates to mean “Great Kingdom”. If you tour the site when visiting Siem Reap, I am sure there will be little doubt in your mind that the name fits the site. The temple site was built by Jayavarman VII during the late 12th century as a new royal city for the Khmer Kingdom.

Inside the walls of this great ancient city, you will find the Bayon Temple (which I discussed earlier in this guide), Phimeanakas, Baphuon, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Prah Palilay, Tep Pranam and Prasat Suor Prat. In addition to these temple sites, the beautiful gates to Angkor Thom are worth checking out as well. In fact, the East Gate of Angkor Thom was featured in the movie “Tomb Raider” along with the Ta Prohm temple.

Important Notes

• The temples in Angkor Thom are religious sites, so please dress appropriately when visiting them. This includes wearing clothes that cover your knees and shoulders.
• It is possible to walk around the walls of Angkor Thom, but be careful when doing so as some places are quite steep.
• The southwest corner of the Angkor Thom wall, overlooking the moat, is a great spot to catch a sunset.
• Don’t just visit the Bayon Temple. While it is spectacular, the other temples within Angkor Thom are equally as incredible.
• For a magical entrance into the temples, purchase your ticket in advance and then enter the temple park through the west gate of Angkor Thom.
• You will be doing a lot of walking as you explore the temples and the temperature can get quite hot. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and carry water with you during your visit.

How to Get to Siem Reap, Cambodia

If you will be visiting Siem Reap from outside of Cambodia, you will need to look for flights to Siem Reap – Angkor International Airport (SAI). This is a large international airport that has direct flights to and from many other popular destinations in Southeast Asia. For an idea of flight time and the availability of direct flights, please refer to the map and chart I included in my Siem Reap, Cambodia guide below.

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Travel Time from Other Cities in the Region

City	Direct Flights	Flight Length (HR:MIN)
Bangkok, Thailand	6-7 per Day	1:00
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	4 per Day	1:05
Da Nang, Vietnam	1 per Day	1:20
Luang Prabang, Laos	5 per Week	1:30
Hanoi, Vietnam	3-4 per Day	1:40
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	6 per Week	2:05
Singapore	1-2 per Day	2:05
Vientiane, Laos	None	3:20
Phuket, Thailand	None	4:05
Chiang Mai, Thailand	None	4:35
Manila, Philippines	None	5:30
Hong Kong, China	None	5:40
Jakarta, Indonesia	None	5:55
Yangon, Myanmar	None	6:35

IMPORTANT NOTE: Flights into Siem Reap used to come into Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which was located just outside the city. However, that airport closed at the end of 2023 and was replaced by Siem Reap – Angkor International Airport (SAI). This is critical to note because the new airport was built roughly 50km East of the city of Siem Reap. Therefore, you should plan for roughly 45-60 minutes of travel time to and from the airport.

Best Times to Visit Siem Reap, Cambodia

When you start to plan your trip to Siem Reap, one of the most important factors to consider is when to visit. Siem Reap, like most other destinations, has weather that is more enjoyable during certain times of the year. The area’s different seasons bring different temperatures and amounts of precipitation. Which of these seasons you choose to visit will have a big impact on what you can see and do.

Average Temperature (°F)

The hot season in Siem Reap runs from late March until the beginning of September. During this period of the year, temperatures can be scorching hot with high humidity. You will be doing a lot of walking while exploring the area’s temples, so visiting during the peak hot season can be quite uncomfortable.

Starting in September, the cooler temperatures move into Siem Reap. The peak of the cool season runs from December until the end of February. The cool temperatures and low rainfall make this a popular time of year to visit Siem Reap and tour the temples.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

The wet season in Siem Reap runs from May until October. However, unlike in other parts of Southeast Asia, the monsoon doesn’t bring endless rain to Siem Reap. Instead, the area typically gets afternoon showers and heavy overnight downpours. So, even during the wet season, it isn’t a bad time to visit Siem Reap.

The dry season in Siem Reap lasts from November until the beginning of April. The area gets much less rain during this time of year and the temperatures are typically cooler. This is especially true from December until February. This is the peak season in Siem Reap, with the most comfortable weather.

The Best Months to Visit Siem Reap

If you are looking for ideal weather, then December through February is the ideal time for you to visit Siem Reap. However, this is also the busiest and most expensive time of the year to visit. So, you should also be prepared to pay a bit more and deal with larger crowds at the temples.

For those who are looking to avoid the crowds, the key will be also avoiding the rain and the heat. To do this, I would target the shoulder months of November and March. There will be fewer people and the weather is still very tolerable.

That said, there is nothing wrong with planning your trip during the rainy, yet cool, months of September and October. If you don’t mind brief afternoon showers, you will have far fewer crowds to deal with at the temple sites.

Where to Stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia

One of the most important decisions you are going to have to make when planning your trip to Siem Reap is where you will stay. When you travel, the accommodations you choose are oftentimes amongst the biggest expenditures for your trip.

So not only do you need to be comfortable where you are staying, but you also need to be comfortable with how much you are paying to stay there. Finding the right accommodations for your trip involves looking at the amenities, the location, and most importantly, the price.

If you are starting to plan your trip to Siem Reap and want some hotel and hostel suggestions, I have included some great options at different price points in my Siem Reap, Cambodia guide below for you to review. As always, don’t be afraid to expand your search to room-sharing sites such as Airbnb or VRBO if you aren’t finding a hotel or hostel that meets your needs.

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Where to Eat in Siem Reap, Cambodia

When most people plan a trip, the primary focus is on how to get there, where to stay, and what is on the list of things to see and do. What many travelers neglect to plan, is where to eat when you are there.

Granted, it is sometimes fun to be spontaneous when choosing a restaurant while traveling, and it is always smart to get recommendations when you arrive. However, it can also be advantageous to have some ideas of restaurants you would like to try during your trip written down beforehand as well.

This way you can be assured that you won’t miss out on a highly recommended culinary experience that you will regret. To help you decide on some restaurants in Siem Reap to add to your list, I have included a list of some highly recommended options for you to review in my Siem Reap, Cambodia guide below.

Recommended Tours in Siem Reap, Cambodia

There is an abundance of amazing things to see and do in the Siem Reap area and one of the best ways to experience those things is on a tour. If you are looking for fun tours and excursions to fill out your trip, I have included some category links to recommended tours and excursions you can review in my Siem Reap, Cambodia guide below.

Siem Reap, Cambodia Photo Gallery

With some of Southeast Asia’s most renowned and beautiful temples, the Siem Reap, Cambodia area is a legendary place to photograph. I was lucky enough to be able to visit and tour some of the area’s most incredible sites. In this Siem Reap, Cambodia photo gallery, I would like to share some of my favorite photographs with you.

If you would like to see more of my travel photography, I would also encourage you to give me a follow on Instagram. Putting this blog together to pass on my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips is a lot of work and your support in the form of a follow-on Instagram would be so very much appreciated!

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