FILLED · 10 spots

Siem Reap (សៀមរាប)

Capital: Siem Reap  · 314 km from Phnom Penh · 5–6h by bus · 45min by flight

Gateway to Angkor — the largest religious monument complex on earth. Sunrise at Angkor Wat, jungle-wrapped Ta Prohm, the smiling stone faces of Bayon, plus a lively old town with the famous Pub Street. Three days minimum to see the temples without rushing; a full week to do them justice.

TemplesHistoryPhotographyFirst-timersSunset

Known for: Angkor Wat · Bayon · Ta Prohm · Pub Street · Tonle Sap floating villages · Banteay Srei

Top spots (10)

Angkor Wat

អង្គរវត្ត

★ 5/5

temple  ·  Cost: $37 1-day · $62 3-day · $72 7-day Angkor Pass  · 05:00–17:30 daily

Why visit: The largest religious monument on earth. Built early 1100s by King Suryavarman II. Sunrise across the reflecting pool is THE iconic Cambodia photo. Allow at least half a day for the temple alone.
Heads-up: Sunrise is crowded — go off-season (June–Sept) or arrive 4:30am sharp. Hot from 11:00–15:00.
How to get there: Tuk-tuk from Siem Reap town $15–20/day for the full circuit. 15 min to the main gate.
#must-see#photo-spot#sunrise#world-wonder

Bayon Temple (Angkor Thom)

ប្រាសាទបាយ័ន

★ 5/5

temple  ·  Cost: Included in Angkor Pass  · 07:30–17:30

Why visit: 216 giant smiling stone faces, four directions on each tower, all watching you walk through. The most photographed faces in Cambodia. Inside Angkor Thom — the old royal city — also home to the Terrace of the Elephants.
How to get there: Same Angkor Pass as Angkor Wat. ~5 min by tuk-tuk from Angkor Wat to Angkor Thom south gate.
#must-see#photo-spot

Ta Prohm

ប្រាសាទតាព្រហ្ម

★ 5/5

temple  ·  Cost: Included in Angkor Pass  · 07:30–17:30

Why visit: The "Tomb Raider temple" — giant fig and silk-cotton tree roots have crawled over the stone walls for centuries. Left in semi-ruin on purpose. The most atmospheric temple in Angkor.
How to get there: Part of the small circuit, ~15 min by tuk-tuk from Angkor Wat.
#must-see#photo-spot#movie-location

Banteay Srei

បន្ទាយស្រី

★ 5/5

temple  ·  Cost: Included in Angkor Pass  · 07:30–17:30

Why visit: "Citadel of the Women" — pink sandstone temple from the 10th century with the most intricate carvings in all of Angkor. Smaller, quieter, beautifully preserved. Worth the longer drive.
How to get there: About 35 km north of Siem Reap. Tuk-tuk $20+ for the day, or rent a moto.
#photo-spot#off-the-beaten-path

Pre Rup Temple (sunset spot)

ប្រាសាទប្រែរូប

★ 4/5

temple  ·  Cost: Included in Angkor Pass  · 07:30–17:30 (best 17:00–17:30)

Why visit: Climb the steep stone steps of this 10th-century pyramid temple just before sunset. The view across the rice fields and forest as the sun drops is one of Angkor's great free experiences.
How to get there: On the grand circuit, ~12 km from Siem Reap. Tuk-tuk arranges this as the last stop of the day.
#sunset#photo-spot#less-crowded

Pub Street

ផ្លូវបារ

★ 4/5

nightlife  ·  Cost: $5–15 dinner · $0.50–3 beer  · Best 18:00–24:00

Why visit: Two blocks of bars, restaurants, $0.50 draft beer, fire dancers, fish foot spas, and travelers from every country. Loud and fun. Old Market is at one end — krama scarves and food.
Heads-up: Touristy by design. Locals eat elsewhere. Busy 19:00–24:00.
How to get there: Central Siem Reap. Walk from any in-town hotel.
#nightlife#food#shopping

Tonle Sap Floating Villages

ទន្លេសាប

★ 4/5

nature  ·  Cost: $25–35/person package  · Daytime tours only

Why visit: Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake. Whole villages on stilts and rafts — schools, churches, shops, all floating. Kompong Phluk is the recommended one (Kompong Khleang is bigger and less touristy).
Heads-up: Some boat tours are over-priced. Book through reputable agencies and avoid the orphanage stops.
How to get there: Tuk-tuk + boat package ~$25–35/person. About 1h from Siem Reap town.
#nature#culture#half-day

Old Market (Phsar Chas)

ផ្សារចាស់

★ 4/5

market  ·  Cost: Varies — $2–3 lunch, $5+ scarves  · 07:00–22:00 daily

Why visit: Right next to Pub Street. Krama scarves, silver, fresh fruit, and the best lok lak in town from one of the food stalls. Practice your bargaining before the bigger Russian Market in Phnom Penh.
How to get there: Central Siem Reap. Walking distance from any in-town hotel.
#shopping#food#family-friendly

Phare — Cambodian Circus

ផារ

★ 5/5

nightlife  ·  Cost: $18–48 (Standard / Premium / VIP)  · Show starts 20:00 daily

Why visit: Modern circus, Cambodian style — acrobatics, music, theatre, all by graduates of a non-profit arts school for at-risk youth. Easily the best evening show in town. Book ahead — sells out.
How to get there: Phare big top, ~10 min by tuk-tuk from town centre.
#must-see#family-friendly#evening#culture

Angkor National Museum

សារមន្ទីរអង្គរ

★ 4/5

museum  ·  Cost: $12 entry · $5 audio guide  · 08:30–18:00 daily

Why visit: Modern museum — visit BEFORE the temples to know what you're looking at. Eight themed galleries with spectacular Buddha and Vishnu statues.
How to get there: Northern Siem Reap, $3 tuk-tuk.
#history#rainy-day#before-temples
← Back to all Cambodia provinces