Siem Reap
By Evi Goossens, a travel storyteller, certified tour guide, and photographer from The Netherlands. Updated November 2024
Reading time: 8 min
The Ultimate Siem Reap Travel Guide
Siem Reap is one of the most exciting destinations in Cambodia. Why? It boasts a vibrant city center, rich history, and incredible culture—all topped off by its world-famous temples. Whether Siem Reap is your first or last stop in Cambodia, it promises unforgettable experiences.
How Long to Stay?
Plan for 2–5 days depending on how deeply you want to explore the temples and soak in the city's charm.
From the buzzing markets to peaceful temple visits, Siem Reap has plenty to keep you engaged. Embrace the energy, as this city has so much beauty waiting for you.
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| TABLE OF CONTENTS
Temple tour: Must-see Temples in Siem Reap
Which Pass Should You Get?
Day 1 Sunset at Phnom Bakheng
Day 2: The Small Cirkel
Start at the Eastern Gate
Bayon Temple
Baphuon Temple
Ta Prohm
Day 3: The Big Cirkel
Angkor Wat
Neak Pean: The Water Temple
Pre Rup: The Turning Bodies Temple
Other Activities Siem Reap
Where to sleep / eat / shop / go out
Temple Tour: Must-See Temples in Siem Reap
Which Pass Should You Get?
1-day pass: Quick visit to a few major temples.
3-day pass: Perfect for a more relaxed tour, allowing time to explore without rushing.
7-day pass: Ideal for a full, leisurely exploration of the Angkor complex. The cost for a 3-day pass: is €58.
Day 1: Sunset at Phnom Bakheng
Begin your temple tour with a visit to Phnom Bakheng, one of the few temples where you can actually climb to the top. Watching the sunset from this ancient temple is an unforgettable experience. It’s the perfect way to kick off your temple exploration!
Day 2: The Small Cirkel
With the alarm clock going off, feeling like it's still the middle of the night, it's time to get ready for temple day 2. Most people only visit Angkor Wat and then move on to the lesser-known temples. However, if you have a 3-day tour ticket, you can start with these lesser-known temples and often have the place to yourself before the other tourists arrive!
Start at the Eastern Gate
Make sure you're here by around 07:30 at the latest, so you can take photos on the road before it gets too crowded with traffic. This gate is known for the large Buddha face at the top. The Eastern Gate offers the best lighting. The sun casts a beautiful golden hue on the stones of the gate, creating an incredibly stunning photo opportunity!
Bayon Temple
After taking photos at the gate, it's only a 5-minute drive to the next temple, which is perhaps one of the most famous after Angkor Wat. This temple is known for the faces that are seen all around the structure. It’s an incredibly large and beautiful temple. You could easily spend an hour exploring here. The temple doesn’t open until 08:00, so if you're done with the gate on time, you'll arrive just as it opens. You will definitely see some people, but fortunately not many, as most tourists go to Angkor Wat first and visit this temple in the afternoon.
Baphuon Temple (Approx. 10 minutes drive)
After the Bayon Temple, it's a 10-minute drive to these temples. These are a few small temples nearby, connected by a long bridge. Definitely worth a quick visit!
Ta Prohm
Conclude your day at Ta Prohm Temple, which gained popularity from the Hollywood film Tomb Raider. When you arrive, you'll notice an increase in tourists, but there is still ample space to capture some stunning photos. This temple is known for its overgrowth of plants, which makes it incredibly unique and super photogenic.
If everything goes as planned, you'll return to your hostel on time. Take this opportunity to unwind for a bit or engage in another enjoyable afternoon activity. You still have plenty of time!
Day 3: The Big Cirkel
Ready to wake up even earlier? I know you've already seen plenty of temples, but today is the day you'll visit the most beautiful and famous one in Siem Reap!
Angkor Wat
This temple is the largest and most well-known. Set your alarm for even earlier in the night and head out with your tuk-tuk driver to Angkor Wat. You'll arrive while it’s still dark because you’ll want to witness the sunrise here. It can be quite chilly at this time, so bring a sweater and leave it in the tuk-tuk if needed.
Follow the path your driver suggested to reach the temple complex. These drivers know exactly where to drop you off and the quickest way to get to the temple.
You’ll notice it’s incredibly busy, so make sure to secure a good spot to sit or stand for the sunrise.
When the sun is almost up, head towards the inner courtyard via the right-hand side of the temple. This allows you to admire the exterior without 10,000 tourists following behind you.
Once inside the courtyard, you’ll find a staircase leading to the upper level, which opens at a specific time indicated on a nearby sign. Be sure to queue up in advance to climb the stairs. At the top, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Angkor Wat and the entire temple complex.
Here, you can take various photos with the warm glow of the morning sun.
Neak Pean: The Water Temple
This is one of the lesser-known temples in the complex, but it’s a favorite for both me and my tuk-tuk driver. Because it’s not as famous, you’ll often find it nearly empty, making it feel like you have the whole place to yourself.
To reach the temple, you must first cross a long bridge over a lotus pond. If that’s not magical enough, you’ll arrive at the temple itself. Here, you can almost feel the spirituality that a temple is meant to embody.
In ancient times, people often built temples near or above water because of its spiritual significance. While many temples in Angkor Wat are near water, the crowds can detract from their original purpose: meditation and spirituality. At Neak Pean, you can still sense this sacred tranquility, making it an extraordinary experience.
Pre Rup: The Turning Bodies Temple
The final temple of the day is referred to by tuk-tuk drivers as the "Turning Bodies Temple." This temple is associated with death and reincarnation. Being here, you can almost feel that energy.
With it’s dark red stone, it looks entirely different from the other temples you’ve seen. Most temples are weathered into shades of brown or black, but this one retains its vivid red hue.
You can climb several staircases to enjoy views of the entire temple complex. The steps take you quite high, so if you’re afraid of heights, you might want to stay lower.
Other Activities in Siem Reap
If you’re looking for something active or off the beaten path, try some local boxing or explore the Made in Cambodia Market for handmade arts and crafts. It’s a great place to find unique souvenirs, like earrings and small artworks.
Siem Reap offers not only incredible temples but also a taste of Cambodia’s rich culture. Enjoy your time exploring the ancient wonders of the Angkor region!
Where to stay
There are plenty of great hostels in Siem Reap, whether you're looking for a party hostel or a quiet one. Both options are available, and there isn’t one that’s necessarily better than the others. All of them are within walking distance of the city center. My tip is to choose a hostel based on what you're looking for during your time in Siem Reap.
Book your hostel: https://www.hostelworld.com
A restaurant we ended up visiting almost every night is Lady Khmer Kitchen. It’s affordable, offers a variety of dishes, and serves authentic Cambodian cuisine! Perfect for budget backpackers, travelers looking for diverse options, or anyone wanting to try traditional Cambodian food.
Where to eat
In the city center, close to Pub Street, there’s a covered market open during the day. Here, you can find all sorts of souvenirs, from fans to artworks, clothing, magnets, and much more. It’s the perfect spot to pick up something special to take home!
Where to shop
Pub Street is the place to be. There are small bars for casual drinks and large clubs if you’re in the mood to dance. It’s a long street packed with options for everyone, so you’re guaranteed to have a good time here.
