Things to Visit in Siem Reap: Angkor Wat and Beyond
Plan your visit to Siem Reap from the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor to floating villages, local markets, and Cambodian street food. Covers temples, cultural experiences, nature, food, and practical tips.
Arrive by 5 AM to get a spot at the reflecting pool for the classic sunrise silhouette photo. The temple faces west, so sunrise illuminates the eastern sky behind the towers. After sunrise, explore the inner galleries with their 800 meters of carved bas-reliefs depicting Hindu epics. A 1-day temple pass costs $37.
Explore the jungle-covered Ta Prohm
Giant silk-cotton and strangler fig trees grow through the ruins, creating the famous tree-and-temple fusion seen in adventure films. The east entrance is less crowded. Morning light filtering through the jungle canopy is magical. Allow 60-90 minutes to explore.
Climb Bayon temple and its 216 stone faces
The central temple of Angkor Thom features massive stone faces on every tower, each wearing a serene half-smile. The early afternoon light creates dramatic shadows on the faces. The outer gallery bas-reliefs depict vivid scenes of everyday 12th-century Khmer life.
Visit Banteay Srei, the citadel of women
Located 25 km north of the main Angkor complex, this small pink sandstone temple has the finest carvings in the entire Angkor collection. The intricate details are best viewed in morning light. The drive takes 30 minutes from Angkor Wat and the temple is covered by the regular temple pass.
Watch sunset from Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng
Pre Rup is a quieter alternative to the overcrowded Phnom Bakheng for sunset. Its brick towers glow orange in the late afternoon light. If you choose Phnom Bakheng, arrive by 4:30 PM as the hilltop limits visitors to 300 at a time.
Town and Culture
Visit the Angkor National Museum
This modern museum provides essential context for understanding the temples, with galleries organized chronologically through the Khmer Empire. See it before visiting the temples to appreciate what you will see. Allow 2 hours. Entry is $12 with an additional $3 for the audio guide.
Watch an Apsara dance performance
Traditional Khmer classical dance tells stories from Hindu mythology through elaborate hand gestures and gold-costumed dancers. Several restaurants in town offer dinner-and-show packages for $15-25 per person. The art form was nearly lost during the Khmer Rouge era and seeing a performance supports its revival.
Browse the Old Market and Night Market
Phsar Chas market has been operating for over a century and sells fresh produce, spices, and local crafts during the day. The adjacent Night Market opens at 5 PM with handicrafts, silk scarves, and carved soaps. Haggling at both markets is standard practice.
Take a Cambodian cooking class
Classes typically start with a market tour, then teach 3-4 dishes including fish amok, beef lok lak, and green mango salad. Half-day classes cost $15-25 per person. Fish amok, the national dish steamed in banana leaves, is the most popular dish to learn.
Nature and Day Trips
Visit the Tonle Sap floating village
The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia has entire communities living on houseboats and floating structures. Boat tours from Chong Kneas or Kampong Phluk cost $20-35 per person. Kampong Phluk is more authentic with its flooded forest and stilt houses. Visit during the wet season when water levels are highest.
Cycle through the countryside
Renting a bicycle for $2-5 per day and riding through the rice paddies and villages surrounding Siem Reap is one of the most rewarding half-day activities. The flat terrain makes it easy. Several guided cycling tours add village visits and monastery stops for $25-40 per person.
Visit the Kulen Mountain waterfalls
Phnom Kulen, 50 km north of Siem Reap, is considered the birthplace of the Khmer Empire. The mountain has waterfalls, a reclining Buddha carved into rock, and the River of a Thousand Lingas with carved Hindu symbols on the riverbed. Entry is $20. The road is steep and unpaved in places.
Food Experiences
Eat fish amok at a local restaurant
Cambodia's national dish is a creamy coconut curry with freshwater fish, lemongrass, and kroeung paste steamed in a banana leaf cup. Most Khmer restaurants serve it for $3-5. The texture should be custard-like, not soupy. Pair it with steamed jasmine rice.
Try deep-fried tarantula and other insects
Siem Reap's night markets and street vendors sell fried crickets, silkworms, scorpions, and tarantulas as snacks. Tarantulas cost $1-2 each and taste like a crispy, slightly nutty shell. The insect cart on Pub Street is the most accessible starting point.
Drink an Angkor Beer at a Pub Street bar
Pub Street is the main nightlife strip with bars offering draft beers for $0.50-1.00 during happy hour. The street is pedestrianized at night and has a lively, backpacker-friendly atmosphere. The local Angkor Beer is a light lager that pairs well with the heat.
Eat lok lak, Cambodia's stir-fried beef dish
Tender beef cubes stir-fried in a savory sauce served over rice with a fried egg, tomatoes, onions, and a lime-and-pepper dipping sauce. It is available at virtually every Khmer restaurant for $3-5 and is a reliable crowd-pleaser for those not ready for more adventurous options.
Practical Tips for the Temples
Buy a 3-day temple pass for the best value
The 3-day pass costs $62 and can be used over any 10 consecutive days. The 1-day pass is $37 and the 7-day pass is $72. Buy passes at the official ticket center on Apsara Road, where a photo is taken on site. The pass covers all temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park.
Hire a tuk-tuk driver for the full temple circuit
A dedicated tuk-tuk driver for a full day costs $15-20 and they know the best routes and timing to avoid crowds. The Small Circuit covers the main temples in one day. The Grand Circuit adds outer temples on a second day. Agree on the price and route before starting.
Dress modestly for temple visits
Shoulders and knees must be covered at all major temples. Carry a lightweight scarf or sarong as a backup. Enforcement is strict at Angkor Wat itself but varies at smaller temples. Comfortable walking shoes are essential as the temple grounds cover vast areas of uneven stone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Siem Reap?
Three to five days covers the temples and town experiences well. Spend two days exploring the main Angkor temples on the Small and Grand Circuits, one day in town for museums, cooking classes, and markets, and extra days for Tonle Sap, Kulen Mountain, or outer temples like Beng Mealea. Two days is the minimum for the key temples.
What is the best time to visit Siem Reap?
November through February is the cool dry season with pleasant temperatures around 25-30 degrees Celsius and the least rain. This is peak tourist season. March through May is extremely hot, reaching 40 degrees Celsius. The rainy season from June to October brings lush green landscapes, dramatic cloud formations at sunrise, and far fewer crowds. The moats and reservoirs are fullest in September and October.
How much does a trip to Siem Reap cost?
Siem Reap is very affordable by global standards. Budget guesthouses cost $8-15 per night, mid-range hotels $30-60. Restaurant meals cost $3-8. Tuk-tuk hire for a full temple day is $15-20. The biggest expense is the temple pass at $37-72. A comfortable daily budget is $50-80 per person including accommodation, food, transport, and temple entry.
Is it worth visiting temples beyond Angkor Wat?
Absolutely. Angkor Wat is the most famous but the archaeological park contains dozens of temples spanning 400 years of Khmer architecture. Ta Prohm with its jungle overgrowth, Bayon with its stone faces, and Banteay Srei with its intricate carvings each offer distinct and equally memorable experiences. The remote temple of Beng Mealea, 70 km away, is an unrestored jungle ruin that is increasingly popular.