Siem Reap is the “not-to-be-missed” destination in Cambodia, thanks to the wonderful Angkor Wat complex – and it makes sense. But the city has much more to offer, if you interested in learning more about the touching culture and history of this country. If you are planning a trip to southeast Asia, you should not miss Cambodia, and Siem Reap should be your priority destination in the country.
Less intense than the capital Phong Phen, Siem Reap combines the charm of a small town with the conveniences of a known destination for foreigners. Marked both by the impressive accomplishments of the Angkor kingdom and the heartbreaking events of its recent past, there is no way you will not be changed by this trip. Here is everything you need to know to make the best out of it!
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The Best Time to Visit Siem Reap
The sweet spot is during the dry season, from November to March. You’ll be greeted with blue skies and lower humidity, perfect for temple exploring. The flip side? This is peak season, so expect more crowds.
The green season (May to October) brings greener landscapes, fewer tourists, and (of course) almost daily rain. While you might get a daily tropical downpour, they often don’t last long, and the temples look incredibly vibrant surrounded by greenery. That is the time I went there (September 2025), but I also suggest that, if you choose this time of the year, you take a longer trip so your plans can be accommodated around the rain.
Getting Around
- Tuk-Tuks: The star of Siem Reap transport! It is the Siem Reap option to motorbikes, and you can book tuktuk rides on the app Grab. It’s affordable, the breeze is welcome, and supporting a local driver directly benefits the community.
- Private Car or Van: If you’re a group or prefer air-conditioned comfort, especially for longer trips to the floating village, a private car is a great option.
- Bicycles & E-Bikes: For the adventurous, renting a bike is a fantastic way to explore the temple complex at your own pace, especially the quieter paths.
Where to Stay in Siem Reap
- Home Inn: central location, good value for price
- Paradise K Forest Hotel: with a pool, perfect for the dry season
- Densy Holiday Homestay: a bit far from the center, but close to the main attractions, it has a nature scape vibe to it.
Your 5-Day Siem Reap Adventure
Day 1 – Museum & Cafés
Today you will take it slow and get acquainted with the city. I know the traveler’s bias towards getting done with the check-list as soon as possible, but you will spend a lot of energy the following days. In addition, I highly recommend you to pay a visit to the Angkor National Museum, even if you are not the museum-kind. It will help you to understand the history behind the Angkor complex, and enjoy it more.
The rest of the time, enjoy Siem Reap Downtown. You can always go to the pub street to find good restaurants, although it was not my favorite place (very touristy). There are also cute cafés around the town, the Brown Coffee chain being one of my favorites. If you are more into matcha, you can also find some charming places – the Matcha Atelier is hands down the cutest, but a bit out of the center.
Day 2 – Angkor Wat Sunrise & Small Circuit
Angkor at Sunrise can be a magical experience, but also very demanding – tours usually pick you up at 4am. You can also expect it to be crowded thought, even during the low season (I was there in September). And there’s no guarantee the sky will have those orange-purpleish incredible tones. It’s up to you. I took the sunrise tour and I don’t regret, but it was a bit brutal to be waken at 3am!
Today you will cover the famous small circuit:
- Angkor Wat – the most famous temple, and with reason. Don’t skip a guide here, they can help you understand all the meanings behind the beautiful carvings! Take your time to look at the details here.
- Ta Prohm – also known as the Tomb Raider temple (I haven’t seen the movie!). It is so beautiful in person! I think the best time to see it is during the rainy season, when it gets greener and more fairytaleish.
- Ka Teo – it’s a large but unfinished temple, with no carvings.
- Bayon – a must see, the temple with the big face sculptures and a lot of meaning behind it. Again, a guide will be very valuable here.
Now, I bet that even if you skipped the sunrise you are very tired at this point. You could try to squeeze more temples in just one day, but that will feel like a lot. My advice is for you get a 3-day ticket, which allows you to visit the complex and other temples outside it in a 10-day window.
Take the rest of your day for some rest – a massage and a pool will be your best friends now!
Day 3 – Angkor Grand Circuit
Now is time for the remaining and impressive temples of the complex. Again, you can bike there (it took me two more days to do it – also because my bike was a very basic model from my hotel, a more modern one might bring you farther), or hire a guide with a vehicle. It is 26km in total, plus riding from your stay, so decide according to your level of fitness and time availability.
This circuit traditionally includes:
- Preah Khan – a large temple with a garden and columns;
- Neak Pean – a temple on the middle of a lake. The path to get there is the main attraction, through a lotus aquatic garden;
- Ta Som – a beautiful small temple covered in moss;
- East Mebon – a fascinating temple with stairs and elephant sculptures;
- Pre Rup – another temple featuring stairs, a very impressive building;
- Phnom Bakheng – requires a short hike to get there, but it’s a great spot for sunset!
Day 4 – Floating Village, Blessing & Circus
I hope you are feeling recovered! This day is perfect to learn more about traditional ways of living in Cambodia, taking a tour to a floating village. You can choose either sunrise or sunset. It is beautiful, and really puts you in contact with the local life.
In the rest of your day, I suggest you go to a temple and ask for a monk water blessing, if your beliefs allow it. Everybody who took it felt a lot better, so it doesn’t hurt to try! You can go with a tour or just find a temple and leave a donation.
In the evening, enjoy a performance of the Phare Circus – a beautiful acrobatic show! You will also be supporting their work giving opportunities to the local youth.
Day 5 – Hero Rats, Cooking & Culture
Today is extra and you can definetely take it easy. I think a great way to learn more about the culture of a place is to take a cooking class, when they will explain to you all about the loca ingredients, show a local market and a garden. It is a way to understand better local’s daily lives.
I also recommend you to visit Apopo, the non-profit that used trained rats to find and neutralize mines around Cambodia. You can learn about their activities, cuddle with a cute rat (<3 Nina, I miss you!), while supporting their activities.
Not far from Apopo is a Museum of The Killing Fields, housed ina nerby temple where a workfield from the Khmer Rouge took place. It is a darker part of Cambodia’s history, but very humbling and important to bring awareness over.
Another museum to understand a bit more of Cambodia’s culture is th Museum of Contemporary Art, if you have time and like this kind of museum!
More days: even more temples
If you have more days to spare in Siem Reap, take these day-trips:
Kulen Waterfall, temple of 1000 Lingas
A short trip from the city center, you can enjoy a nature hike, the impressive Kulen waterfall, and the sculptures of the temple of 1000 lingas.
Koh Ker & Beng Malea day trip
A large and impressive pyramid shaped temple, a bit more remote located, Koh Ker really makes you feel like an explorer. Tours there usually also include a visit to Beng Malea, which is included in the Angkor pass but 40km far from the main temples.
*I do believe it is better to hire a tour to do these trips, as there are still unidentified landmines around the countryside.
I hope this guide is useful, and that it helps you to explorer Siem Reap deeper!
