Overview
Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument and Cambodia's crown jewel. But the city has much more to offer beyond the temples — a growing food scene, vibrant night market, and easy access to floating villages and countryside.
Angkor Archaeological Park
Temple Pass Prices
| Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-day | $37 | Good for hitting the highlights |
| 3-day | $62 | Use within 10 days, best value |
| 7-day | $72 | Use within 1 month |
Tip: Buy your pass at the official ticket office. It's a photo-ID pass — you'll have your picture taken on the spot. Passes purchased after 5pm are valid for sunset that evening plus the following day(s).
Must-See Temples
- Angkor Wat — The iconic one. Best at sunrise (arrive by 5:00 AM)
- Bayon — The temple with hundreds of smiling stone faces
- Ta Prohm — "Tomb Raider temple" — giant trees growing through the ruins
- Banteay Srei — "Citadel of Women" — the most intricate carvings in Angkor. 25km from main complex
- Preah Khan — Sprawling, atmospheric, fewer crowds
Suggested Itineraries
1-Day: Angkor Wat (sunrise) → Bayon → Ta Prohm → Sunset at Pre Rup
3-Day:
- Day 1: Small Circuit — Angkor Wat, Bayon, Baphuon, Terrace of Elephants, Ta Prohm
- Day 2: Grand Circuit — Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup
- Day 3: Outlying — Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea, Kbal Spean
Hiring a Guide/Driver
- Tuk-tuk driver for the day: $15-20 (they wait while you explore each temple)
- Licensed guide: $35-50/day. Worth it for the history and hidden details
- Book via your hotel or at the ticket office
Getting Around Siem Reap
- New Airport (SAI): Opened 2023, but it's 45km from town. Budget $10-15 for transport
- In town: Tuk-tuks ($1-3), rented bicycles ($2-3/day), PassApp/Grab
- To temples: Tuk-tuk (full day $15-20), car with driver ($30-40), e-bike rental ($10-15/day)
Pub Street & Night Market
- Pub Street: The main tourist nightlife strip. $0.50 draft beers, loud music, food stalls. Fun but touristy
- Night Market: Adjacent to Pub Street. Handicrafts, silk, souvenirs, street food
- Old Market (Phsar Chas): The real market experience — produce, fish, household goods upstairs, tourist souvenirs downstairs
Beyond the Temples
- Tonle Sap Floating Villages: Kompong Khleang (most authentic, 50km away) or Kampong Phluk (closer, more touristy). Half-day trip, $20-30 per person
- Cambodian Circus (Phare): World-class acrobatic show by former street youth. Must-see. $18-38. Book ahead
- Cooking classes: Half-day Khmer cooking classes from $15-25
- Countryside bicycle tours: Rice paddies, villages, local temples. Half-day from $25
Accommodation
- Budget: $5-15/night (hostels, guesthouses)
- Mid-range: $20-50/night (boutique hotels, pools)
- Luxury: $80-300/night (resort hotels near temples)
Most accommodation is concentrated in the town center, within walking distance of Pub Street and the Old Market.
