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Bayon temple. Adam Laws/Shutterstock
Nick Ray is the author of the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap chapters of Lonely Planet's Cambodia guidebook, which was published in September 2025.
Long the dormitory town for the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap has emerged as a destination in its own right, thanks to an alluring combination of world-class wining and dining, vibrant nightlife, stylish shopping, adrenaline-fueled activities, floating villages and lifestyle experiences in the countryside beyond. And visiting Cambodia's most iconic temple, Angkor Wat, is still an easy trip, just a few miles down the road.
Angkor is one of those bucket list sights that justifies all the superlatives, drawing visitors to Cambodia in droves. But the surrounding forest hides an incredible diversity of ancient temples, too, any one of which would be the envy of any country in Southeast Asia. The enigmatic faces of the Bayon, the mercury-colored tree roots tangled around the ruins of Ta Prohm, the exquisite carvings of Banteay Srei and the Maya-pyramid-like temple of Koh Ker are all world-beaters when it comes to size, scale and symmetry.
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While Angkor is the shop window to lure you in, and Siem Reap covers the key ingredients for your stay, such as hip hostels and beautiful boutique hotels, the real icing on the cake is the Cambodian people. The warm welcome they provide is legendary, and their spirit will leave an indelible mark on your soul.
When should I go to Siem Reap?
This famous temple town is a year-round destination, but many visitors choose to come during the dry season from November to March. However, while the weather is good, this is also the busiest time, and some of the temples at Angkor can be overcrowded.
The wet season – also known as the green season – transforms the rural landscape of northwestern Cambodia into a palette of vivid greens, and the temples come alive with moss and lichen. There are also lots of deals at the leading hotels in town from April to October.
Several important festivals see both locals and visitors flock to Siem Reap. The most lively event of the year is Bon Om Tuk (Water and Moon Festival) in late October or November, when colorful boats race on the Siem Reap River. Chaul Chnam Khmer (Khmer New Year) in mid-April is the biggest date on the festival calendar, and there are major celebrations in and around Siem Reap.
Other calendar highlights include the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon in early December and the Giant Puppet Parade in February or March.
How much time should I spend in Siem Reap?
Many visitors opt to buy a three-day pass for the temples of Angkor, staying in Siem Reap for three or four days. You can break up the temple viewing into bite-size chunks (and avoid getting temple burnout) and still have time for non-temple-related activities, such as a boat trip on Tonlé Sap Lake, a cooking class in Siem Reap or just hanging out by your hotel pool.
When it comes to Angkor, most visitors prioritize the Big Three temples: Angkor Wat, the Bayon and Ta Prohm. However, if time allows, there are plenty more temples to explore that are the envy of Cambodia's neighbors.
To dive deeper into Angkor's story, consider a visit to Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea, Preah Khan, Koh Ker or the holy mountain of Phnom Kulen. If you want to see all the important temples and enjoy some of Siem Reap's best experiences and activities, staying for a week is a wise plan.
Is it easy to get in and around Siem Reap?
A major transport hub, Siem Reap is well connected with the rest of Cambodia and neighboring parts of Southeast Asia. About 44km from town, Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport receives flights to Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and several other Southeast Asian capitals, including Bangkok, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur.
A taxi from the airport to the center of Siem Reap costs 35 US dollars (US$), or there's a regular shuttle bus for US$8. It's also possible to travel by bus to Phnom Penh and Battambang, and to Bangkok via the international border crossing at Poipet.
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Siem Reap is a small town at heart, and the old center is easily walkable. When it comes to exploring the temples of Angkor, the easiest option is to charter a vehicle with a driver; take your pick from tuk-tuks (from US$15), cars (from US$35) or minivans (from US$50). It's also possible to rent a mountain bike (from US$5) or motorbike (from US$10).
Top things to do in Siem Reap
With the incredible temples of Angkor on its doorstep, Siem Reap has become one of the best-known destinations in Southeast Asia. But Siem Reap is so much more than its temples, and visitors can embark on plenty of exciting activities, including a trip to the floating villages on Tonlé Sap Lake.
Explore the majestic temples of Angkor
The headline act in Cambodia, the temples of Angkor are the reason for Siem Reap’s existence, and seeing the sunrise at the world’s largest religious building, magnificent Angkor Wat, is a must, but allow several hours to cover this vast complex.
Be sure to investigate the weird and wonderful faces carved into the Bayon at the heart of Angkor Thom, and channel your inner Lara Croft at the Tomb Raider temple of Ta Prohm, a gorgeous ruin that is being slowly suffocated by tentacle-like tree roots.
Visit the sacred mountain of Phnom Kulen
Home to the lost city of Mahendraparvata, Phnom Kulen was actually the first capital of the Angkor era. Dating back to 802 CE, this was the spot where King Jayavarman II proclaimed himself a devaraja (god-king) of the Khmer Empire.
Most visitors come to see the waterfall, Kbal Spean (River of a Thousand Lingas), and the reclining Buddha, clustered together near the village of Preah Ang Thom. However, there's much more to see, including giant stone guardian animals at Sra Damrei, elaborate carvings at Peung Tbal and a smattering of ancient brick temples.
Enjoy some adrenaline adventures around Siem Reap
If you tire of temples and crave more intense action, all sorts of activities are available around Siem Reap. The Angkor Zipline is a popular cable course near the Ta Nei temple, and the surrounding forest is home to a resident family of gibbons.
Tours by quad bike (aka ATV) are very popular, and it's possible to take a sunset ride to the rice fields on the edge of Siem Reap. There is also Wake Park on the outskirts of town, which offers wakeboarding and water skiing for thrill seekers.
Go barhopping in Boho and beyond
While Pub Street has the famous name and party reputation, the volume is permanently turned up to 11, and the mellow bars of Street 26 and Boho are arguably a better option for a night out in Siem Reap. Kick off with some local Cambodian flavors at the excellent Tevy’s Place, or sample international bites at Mr Ciao (aka SO 26), also a great spot for weekend tunes.
Nearby, Miss Wong is a throwback to 1920s Shanghai and has some of the best cocktails in town. Laundry is a late-night bar with two pool tables, ambient EDM sounds and an open mic on Wednesday nights.
Take a boat ride on the Tonlé Sap
Tonlé Sap is the largest lake in Southeast Asia, and several floating villages and soaring stilt house communities are accessible on organized boat trips. The large floating village of Chong Kneas is the closest to Siem Reap but also the busiest with tour groups.
More atmospheric are the stilted villages of Kompong Pluk and Kompong Khleang. Alternatively, try some wet-season kayaking in the flooded forests of Me Chrey.
Go to the circus
The circus is always in town in Siem Reap. The performers and acrobats of Phare the Cambodian Circus blend high-octane performances with insightful storytelling about the challenges of life in contemporary Cambodia. Phare holds the Guinness World Record for the longest uninterrupted circus performance – a show lasting 24 hours.
My favorite thing to do in Siem Reap
Exploring the temples of Angkor on two wheels is one of the most rewarding experiences in Siem Reap. A cycling path runs from town out to the temples, winding through the forest. Completely separate from the busy road, it provides backdoor access to some of the best sights, including the North Gate of Ta Prohm. My favorite ride follows the walls of Angkor Thom from the East Gate to the South Gate, serving dramatic views over the vast moat.
How much money do I need for Siem Reap?
Siem Reap scores highly on the value-for-money index. Budget accommodations are widely available, and the infamous Pub Street knocks out draft beer for US$1 a glass. Siem Reap also has some of the best boutique hotels in the region, with rooms at enticing prices, and excellent Khmer restaurants and international eateries offer a delectable gastronomic experience at a less than astronomic price.
Debit and credit cards are widely accepted, although phone payment systems such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are not always available. In general, budget travelers can get by on about US$50 per day. In the midrange, you are looking at around US$100–150 per day, and top-end travelers will need upward of US$250 per day.
Night in a hostel: US$5–15
Night in a boutique hotel: US$50–100
Temples of Angkor visitor pass: US$37–72 for 1–7 days
Tuk-tuk for a day at Angkor: from US$15
Mountain bike rental for a day: from US$5
Bowl of kyteow (noodle soup): US$2–4
Upmarket dinner for two: US$30–50
Espresso: US$2
Draft beer: US$0.50–2.50
Glass of wine: US$4–7
Are there any etiquette rules for visiting Angkor?
The temples of Angkor represent the most sacred religious site in the country, and visitors are asked to dress appropriately. To visit the highest level of Angkor Wat, guests must cover their upper arms and legs; if you wear shorts, they should come down to the knees.
Do I need a visa?
Citizens of most countries can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at the airport in Siem Reap for US$30–35; citizens of ASEAN nations do not require a visa. It's also possible to get an e-visa in advance using the government's e-arrival app, which offers a simple way to provide the required immigration, customs and health information.
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