Beyond Angkor Wat: The Ultimate Siem Reap Travel Guide

This Siem Reap travel guide is for you if you want to go beyond magnificent Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples and experience Siem Reap the way you would if you were visiting a good friend who lived there and would bring you to all the best spots. It will answer questions like: how many days in Siem Reap is enough? What to do in Siem Reap? Where to stay, what to eat?

It will also give you a fantastic Siem Reap 3-day itinerary … and an even better 5-day itinerary, (because you’ll see: 3 days isn’t enough!) to simplify your planning, with plenty of additional options if you want to stay longer and discover more of Cambodia.

I lived in Siem Reap for 15 months, left in 2020, just went back to visit, and fell in love with it all over again. I’ve traveled a lot (61 countries and counting), and Siem Reap is one of the few places in this world where merely walking down the street makes me giddy with happiness.

If you’re someone who appreciates beauty, design, art, adventure, incredible trees, ruins of ancient civilizations, kind, welcoming people, great energy, incredible food, gorgeous accommodations at wallet-friendly prices and a laid back vibe then, chances are good you’re going to love it too. Read on to see if it calls you!

This guide covers:

How Many Days in Siem Reap
What To Do in Siem Reap
Where To Eat & Drink
The Best Nightlife
Where To Stay
Map
3-Day Siem Reap Itinerary
5-Day Siem Reap Itinerary
Useful Tips
Other Destinations in Cambodia

How Many Days in Siem Reap is Enough?

You’ll be able to best answer this question for yourself after reading the What To Do section, but I’ll tell you straight off the bat that Siem Reap deserves 3 days at bare minimum, and more if you can spare it. The temples of Angkor Wat deserve a big chunk of at least 2 days, and the town and province of Siem Reap offers so much more to do and see.

There is also much to see in the rest of Cambodia, but if you have time for only two destinations, I recommend spending most of your time in Siem Reap, with 1 day in Phnom Penh. The best way to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (and vice versa) is by bus. See the Useful Tips section for more details on transportation.

What To Do in Siem Reap

Buckle in; there are so many options! Of course, you must visit Angkor Wat and some of the magnificent surrounding temples. The temples are an extensive subject; here I will give you just the highlights and some useful tips.

Angkor, UNESCO World Heritage Site, 7th Wonder of the World and former center of the Khmer empire, is one of the largest archaeological sites in the world. Angkor Wat is its most well-known temple (wat means temple, by the way), with Bayon and Ta Prohm being other unmissable ones, but there are 50+ temples within the Angkor Temple Complex, with many others farther out. A lesser-known favorite of mine is moss-covered Preah Palilay, just past Angkor Thom and the Terrace of the Elephants. Banteay Srei, the temple of the women, is Angkor’s most exquisite temple, but it’s an hour drive from town.

Phnom Bok is another little hidden gem. It’s more ramshackle, with piles of fallen rocks surrounding the temple ruins, but it has an ancient charm. It’s a peaceful 30-minute drive from Siem Reap (the temperature drops once you leave town), and then a hike up 633 stairs to get to the temple.

Ancient Angkor is a fantastic book that will give you a ton of information on the temples. You can find it on Amazon or in Cambodia.

IMPORTANT DETAILS TO KNOW:

A ticket (“Angkor Pass”) is required to visit the temples and sites in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Passes may be purchased at Angkor Park Pass Ticket Office, or online through the Angkor Enterprise portal. You can get a one-day ($37), three-day ($62) or seven-day ($72) pass, valid for consecutive days.
Visiting hours are 5:00AM - 6:00PM, except Banteay Srey closes at 5:00PM and Kbal Spean at 3:00PM. An Angkor Pass isn’t required to visit Phnom Kulen, Koh Ker or Beng Mealea, but they have separate entrance fees of $20, $10 and $5, respectively.

It's generally pretty hot in Cambodia, so it’s best to visit the temples in the early morning or late afternoon. Ideally, don’t spend an entire day visiting as many as possible, but space it out over 2 or 3 days and let yourself fully savor the experience. In Siem Reap, you will find no shortage of tuktuk drivers delighted to provide transportation for your temple visit for around $25/day.

Angkor Wat at sunrise is worth seeing, even though everyone in town will be there with you, but Angkor Wat is so large that after the sun rises and you walk through the temple, you will likely find yourself alone at times. The shot below was taken during November high season. (No AI was used to remove other tourists - my partner and I really did have this all to ourselves for a while.)

Next on the list of what to do in Siem Reap:

Wake up early, go for a coffee or breakfast at Sister Srey across from the river (they open at 7am), people watch and enjoy the peaceful riverside vibe, and then go for a leisurely stroll by the river.

Visit some lotus fields. They’re so beautiful, and when will you next have the chance to see a lotus field?

You’ll find some gorgeous lotus fields right next to the road very close to the Wake Park. (Look for Spa Temple on Google Maps, the fields are right around there.)

And while you’re in the area, stop in at the Wake Park. Even if you don’t feel like wakeboarding, there’s an inflatable water park for kids, an artificial beach perfect for lounging, and a beautiful open-air restaurant serving excellent smoothie bowls and fantastic cocktails among other options. It’s likely not to be crowded, so no waiting in line.

Take a workshop at the Lotus Silk Farm.

I can’t recommend this highly enough: it’s unique and fascinating. Every step of the production is done manually, without electricity. You’ll discover how the fibers are extracted from the lotus stems, rolled into thread and transformed into silk-like textiles, and how other parts of the lotus are used to make paper, jewelry, tea, and other products. It’s the ultimate in sustainability and very zen. (I wanted to park myself here for a month and turn it into a meditation retreat.)

Workshops: $35 for 3 handicrafts or $45 for 6.

(There are lotus fields across the street here but they are further away & less stunning than the ones by the wake park.)

TIP Skip the “leisurely boat ride through the lotus fields” included in the workshop packages. The reality is less heavenly than it sounds. There’s a risk of getting stuck in a thick floating mass of water hyacinths and never getting so much as a glimpse of any lotuses.

See Phare, the Cambodian circus.

It’s a must while you’re in Siem Reap. These performers have Cirque du Soleil-level skills, and they incorporate those along with theater, music, and dance to tell uniquely Cambodian stories. Tickets start at $18:

Visit Theam’s Gallery.

An experience of serenity and a feast for the senses. Discover exquisite Khmer art and culture in a lush setting.

Take a motorbike tour with Khmer Ways.

Fun way to discover Siem Reap’s rural surroundings. I loved the motorbike tour to Beng Mealea.

Or, take a bicycle tour with Grasshopper Adventures.

Walk through Kandal Village.

You’ll find plenty to grab your eye here, and possibly a few items you’ll want to take home with you. Just to name a few: Manava (high-end handwoven baskets, handbags and jewelry made by female artisans in local villages), Sramay (textiles), Shop 676 (irresistible clothes and accessories), Garden of Desire (if heaven had a jewelry store, it would look like this), Tamara Venn Gallery and Tribe Art Gallery, and many more.

Explore Wat Bo Village.

Wat Bo Village, east of Siem Reap River, was named the coolest neighborhood in Asia by Time Out magazine in 2022, for the vibrance, style and charm of its collection of bars, restaurants, shops, and coffee shops. That’s where you’ll find several of the hotels and restaurants mentioned below, including Banlle, Miss Wong, Tevy’s, Dialogue and Treeline Urban Resort. Occasionally you’ll find other events and festivities taking place here too.

Khmer Ceramics

If you want to do more than just browse and shop, you can also take a pottery class here. I recommend visiting around lunchtime so you can eat nom banh chok (Cambodian noodles with fish or chicken in a fragrant, flavorful coconut-based gravy) next door. (They’re unforgettable. My mouth is watering as I type.) I can’t tell you the name of the restaurant because it’s only in Khmer, so here’s a photo instead. It’s 90 meters down the street from Khmer Ceramics.

If you’ve fallen head over heels in love with ceramics, you can also visit Lo Yuyu. It’s a little farther out of town - a 25 minute tuk-tuk ride – but a warehouse full of treasures is waiting for you there.

Visit The Weaver’s Tale

Prepare to fall in love again with the handwoven blankets, throw rugs and more. (The softest, coziest blankets in the world, with the name of the woman who wove it handwritten on the tag.)

Visit the Made in Cambodia market

You’ll find more beautiful local wares here, including essential oils (distilled right here in Siem Reap), eco-friendly skin & body products, fabrics, and blankets.

If you find yourself needing an extra suitcase, not to worry! You can pick one up at the Siem Reap old market, along with some iconic Angkor Wat t-shirts and elephant pants. There’s also a great handbag selection here and a great silver jewelry kiosk. It’s fun wandering through the alleys between stalls.

Get a massage (or three)

At some point (possibly every day), you’ll probably find yourself needing a massage, and given the prices here, you should definitely indulge in several! One very nice spa is Kaya Spa, right across from the night market, and Baray Spa is excellent for both foot & body massages, with prices you’ll love.

made in cambodia market — Made in Cambodia market

Visit the Killing Fields (Wat Thmey). If you are an empathetic human, the atrocities depicted here will leave you shaken, but you if you want to understand Cambodia, you should visit. If you are interested in military equipment, you can also visit the Cambodia War Museum. (If you go, highly recommended to take the tour with a guide.)

Visit Apopo and learn how they train rats to clear landmines that remain in rural areas from the time of Pol Pot. Many visitors consider this a must-see. (Open daily 8:30am - 5:00pm). The Cambodia Landmine Museum is also interesting and informative, but it’s a 45 minute drive out of the city. It’s on the way to Banteay Srei so you could combine those two.

See an apsara dance show. Apsaras are the celestial dancers who’ve played an important role in Khmer culture for centuries. You’ll see many of them immemorialized in the stone walls of the temples, and you can see them live (along with other traditional dances) while enjoying a delicious dinner at the beautiful Apsara Theatre, the oldest theatre in Siem Reap. Dinner & dance shows every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Take a yoga or fitness class

Love to prioritize your wellness while you’re traveling? Siem Reap has some great yoga and other group class options for you. Check out:

Alchemy Movement & Wellness (gorgeous setting; fantastic coffee and juices! Try the yoga classes, and Nia with Debbie.)
Yoga Space @ Baby Elephant (lovely covered rooftop space. Delicious cafe downstairs.)
Ground Zero: Martial Arts & Café (Come ready to sweat! Try the warrior class with Tania.)

Alchemy Siem Reap Nia — (Above and below) Alchemy: Nia class, serene vibe, cafe, delicious cappucino

Tonle Sap and the floating village of Kampong Phluk This is a popular Siem Reap day trip. I personally didn’t love my visit here, but many people have enjoyed the tour with Angkor Wat Shared Tours. The route here is very dusty, so this is one place I recommend getting to and from by car. It is interesting to see the village life, and it is photogenic at sunset. Some visitors are saddened by the poverty here; others are delighted by the friendliness of the locals. Bring small bills in case you want to buy something from them. If you go during dry season, the water level will be low and the village won’t be “floating,” just tall stilts on dry land.

Other options for things to do in Siem Reap include ziplining, cooking classes, and food tours.

Where To Eat & Drink

Now on to my favorite topic: where to find the best FOOD and coffee in this town! There are so many incredible options I can’t list them all, but with these you can’t go wrong.

Let’s start with where you can find both amazing coffee and food:

Little Red Fox: in charming Kandal Village. If you love good coffee, you must come here.

The Muffin Man: locals can’t stay away from this spot. Great choice if you need a sweet tooth fix.

Sister Srey: chill, charming riverside spot. Try the cinnamon honey latte.

Krousar Café: Chill, quiet café with refreshing AC. The beetroot cacao latte (with the espresso shot) is a must-try, and so are the zucchini-sweet potato hashbrowns with poached eggs, rocket, and feta. (OMG. Be warned: they’re addictive.)

For a fantastic lunch or dinner:

Haven: if you have time to eat at just one restaurant in Siem Reap, eat here. Not only will you be well-treated and your taste buds will dance with joy, you’ll leave feeling good about spending your money here. The lovely outdoor setting is wonderful for lunch or dinner.

Spoons: delicious food plated gorgeously in a spacious, open-air bamboo restaurant. Like Haven, they have an excellent training program.

Cuisine Wat Damnak: A fusion of traditional Cambodian dishes and flavors with French culinary techniques. Exquisite food with enchanting ambience; Michelin-star worthy. Highly recommended!

The Grill Lounge: Delicious, beautifully plated Khmer and international dishes at unbelievable prices. They have a great wine by the glass selection, but I recommend asking what date the bottle was opened. (A good idea in many Asian restaurants.) Try the knorb or the grilled duck.

Pou Must try the num kruk here: savory ping-pong shaped pancakes made with rice flour and coconut cream.

Wild: gorgeous open air spot with creative seating and memorable cocktails. They specialize in innovative spring rolls. (Also, they compost! See if you can spot their compost bin. You probably won’t; it’s brilliantly camouflaged.)

Elia Greek Kitchen: mouthwatering Greek food and a fun rooftop. The chicken gyro … I’m drooling just thinking about it. (Vegan and vegetarian options here too.)

My Little Cafe: a beloved local, wallet-friendly place – not fancy but clean and so good. Try the banh chiao (Cambodian veggie-stuffed crepes). Also, the fish amok here is one of the best.

Tevy’s Place: if we’re talking about fish amok, we have to mention Tevy’s: a sweet local place famous for their fish amok who’s been here for many many years.

JOMNO Modern Khmer Cuisine: Such a lovely ambience. Some great plant-based options including a vegan tuna and lentil salad with grilled watermelon.

EASTanbul: not a fancy place, but the Turkish food is so good.

Other fine dining options with a longstanding excellent reputation are Embassy (Khmer fusion; all female staff) and Olive Cuisine de Saison (French cuisine). Roleque is an innovative, highly regarded newcomer offering a 7-course set menu: advance reservation required. Scroll through the Google reviews of these places and you’ll want to run there immediately.

Below: Spoons num kruk; My Little Cafe fish amok and Cambodian crepe

Other:

Best pre-dinner rooftop bar: Sky Lounge at Jaya House

Happy hour every day from 5-7pm, with an enchanting sunset view over the treetops. Usually not crowded; peaceful, upscale vibe.

Gelato Lab: for sensational gelato and sorbet. Open late.

Banlle Vegetarian Restaurant: for the lava cake. It’s hands down the best lava cake I’ve ever tasted. Best paired with a glass of French red wine.

The Best Nightlife

Siem Reap is known for Pub Street: if you want to go, it’s there; it will be throbbing with partying tourists. If you’re looking for a more discerning night out, check out these places:

Infusion Bar: superb craft cocktails, ambience, and service in a quiet spot by the river; DJ’s on the weekends.

Asana Old Wooden House: truly a hidden gem; a calm, cozy oasis a stone’s throw from Pub Street, serving unique herbal cocktails in the last remaining traditional wooden house in the Pub Street/Old Market area. Definitely worth a visit.

Miss Wong: popular sultry late-night lounge on Street 26 with outstanding cocktails.

Laundry Bar: a lively bar with live music on the weekends and open mic night every Wednesday. Also on Street 26.

Ambar: around the corner from Pub Street. Friendly Colombian-owned bar with great drinks at great prices and karaoke upstairs.

Bar43: Beautiful, vivacious bar with unique cocktails to die for, across the street from Ambar.

Picasso: fun, cozy, horseshoe-shaped bar. Daily happy hour til 9pm.

Dialogue: coffee/brunch spot by day; chill, stylish cocktail bar by night.

Above: Asana, Infusion Bar

For more in-depth insight into Siem Reap’s cocktail world (and cocktail descriptions that will leave your mouth watering), check out the fabulous article Spirit Guide. Note that SO 26 has since changed its name and rebranded itself as a pizzeria, and The Keys by Tomoka has closed.

Where To Stay

Ahhhh, Siem Reap hotels! You will be spoiled for choice. So many exceptional options, with something for all budgets and tastes. Many are sustainable properties. Here are a few of the best:

HIGHER END

The aforementioned Jaya House is sensational on all levels. Gives the feeling of coming home (to the home of your dreams) away from home. *Sustainable property

Treeline Urban Resort: An art-centered property, with an art exhibition on the main floor and unique art pieces in each room, and a team of staff committed to giving you the best experience you can have. Ideal riverside location in the town center. *Sustainable property

FCC Angkor It’s just so beautiful. French colonial style with Hindu touches paying homage to Hanoman, and so well-located. A great place to have a bite to eat or drink at the bar even if you don’t stay here.

MID-RANGE

Angkor Village Hotel Simply enchanting. Even if you don’t stay here, I recommend taking a walk through the lobby to the restaurant and you will understand why it is on this list. Rooms are lovely too.

Rambutan Hotel & Resort Convenient central location down a quiet pedestrian lane. Excellent restaurant, saltwater pool, deluxe rooms with terraces. *Sustainable property

Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat A lush oasis a 10-minute drive from the town center with 3 sparkling pools, yoga, and a very nice spa. If you’d like the once-in-a-lifetime experience of private sunrise yoga at a hidden temple, they can arrange that for you. *Sustainable property

BUDGET-FRIENDLY

These charming boutique hotels will give you incredible value for the price.

Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel Love the artsy, stylish, laid-back vibe here. Cute pool, café, spa and rooftop yoga. *Sustainable property

The Bygone The sweetest staff! Loved by guests. You will feel transported back to a time of idyllic days gone by. (I loved high-ceilinged room 105 and its balcony view.) *Sustainable property

Villa Agati So pretty and food is delicious! Amazing value for the price, if you don’t mind being a 5 minute drive (down some dirt roads; an authentic Siem Reap experience!) from the town center. *Sustainable property

The Nature Lovely option if you’d prefer to stay a little outside of town (10-15 minute tuk-tuk ride away) in a place with the feeling of a luxurious homestay surrounded by lush greenery. *Sustainable property

Map

Click the button below for a map of all the places mentioned here.

click for Map

3-Day Siem Reap Itinerary

Just so you know, 3 days is not enough! Stay longer if you can! But if that’s all you can spare, the below itinerary will take you through an incredible 3 days and many of the area’s top sights and experiences.

*This itinerary assumes that you have purchased your temple pass online in advance.

DAY 1

Afternoon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport. (Important: see Useful Tips for more details about the arrival process.)

Check in at your hotel, be enchanted by its charm. Arrange a driver to take you to the temples tomorrow. (Small Circuit: $15 - $20. If they do a great job; feel free to pay them $25.) Ask your hotel if they can pack a breakfast for you.

If you are comfortable driving a motorbike, you can rent one. If not, you’ll be taking tuktuks or PassApps to get around. (For travel within the city, each ride will cost you between US$1 - $2.)

Freshen up, relax by the pool, or visit the Angkor National Museum before heading out to dinner at Spoons.

After dinner, head to Infusion Bar for a nightcap, or head straight to bed, because you’ll be waking up eaarly!

DAY 2

Wake up before dawn, meet your driver around 4:45am. Be at the Angkor Ticket Office at 5am, then head to Angkor Wat.

If you have your temple pass: meet your driver at 5am. He’ll drive you to Angkor Wat where you’ll wait with the crowd for the sun to come up. (Tip: it can be chilly at this early hour. Bring a jacket or sweater and perhaps a tumbler filled with a hot caffeinated beverage.)

After the sunrise, explore the extensive grounds of Angkor Wat for an hour or two. Then fuel yourself with your pre-packed breakfast, and continue on to Ta Prohm, which opens at 7:30am. You’ll easily spend another couple hours here, then continue on to Preah Palilay and finally Bayon. After these 4, you’ll be ready for a break.

11:30am Head back to town for a shower & lunch at Haven.

2pm Return to your hotel for some R&R: a power nap, chill time by the pool, or look through your temple photos. If you can do without rest, visit the Killing Fields.

3pm Explore the shops and galleries of Kandal Village. Stop in for coffee or a snack at Little Red Fox, then take a 7 minute walk to The Weaver’s Tale. Drive to Khmer Ceramics, fall in love, buy a few gifts and souvenirs.

6pm Happy hour at Sky Bar at Jaya House. (a 2 minute drive or 9 minute walk from Khmer Ceramics.) Watch the sunset while sipping a glass of champagne.

7pm Dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak, the Grill Lounge, Olive French Cuisine, or Embassy.

9pm After dinner, wander through the Night Markets, get a foot massage, have a drink at Asana, or tuck in early.

DAY 3

You’re sleeping in a little today, but you’ll get a fairly early start to make the most of your stay.

7:30am Walk or bike along the river to Sister Srey. Sip a honey cinnamon latte while watching passersby. Soak in the quiet charm of the early morning and chat with the friendly waiters, then explore this riverside area on foot.

9am Hatha yoga at Alchemy (Your legs are sore from all the walking yesterday and a gentle yoga class will feel amazing.) Enjoy a refreshing green juice in the cafe afterwards. (Or if you’re not a yoga fan, visit Theam’s Gallery, or the Killing Fields and/or Apopo.)

10:30am Walk down the street for a yummy brunch at Hey Bong café, or drive to Tevy’s for the fish amok.

12:30 – 4:30pm Option A: Drive to the Lotus Farm for your 1pm workshop and lotus tea. Afterwards, take a drive to the lotus fields (see What to Do section for location) and admire their dazzling beauty, then back to your hotel to drop off your artesenal lotus products and freshen up.

12:30 – 4:30pm Option B: Take a 1 hour drive to visit Banteay Srei, the “temple of the women,” arguably Angkor’s most exquisite temple. Stop at the Landmine Museum on your way back to your hotel to freshen up before dinner.

6pm Early dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak, the Grill Lounge, or Olive French Cuisine.

8pm Phare: the Cambodian circus

Back to your hotel to pack for early departure tomorrow. (You’ll take the VET Airbus Express tomorrow at 8am to Phnom Penh.) You see, these 3 days went so quick! That’s why you need more time. If you can allow a couple more days, read on for the 5-Day Itinerary. If not, skip ahead to Useful Tips.

5-Day Siem Reap Itinerary

In my opinion, 5 days is not enough either but it’s a good start. You just may need to come back. Here’s how those 5 days can flow beautifully:

*This itinerary assumes that you have purchased your temple pass online in advance.

DAY 1 (same as the 3-Day Itinerary)

Afternoon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport. One-hour taxi ride to your hotel (US$30).

Check in at your hotel. Arrange a driver to take you to the temples tomorrow. Ask your hotel to pack breakfast for you. Optional: rent motorbike.

Freshen up, relax by the pool, or visit the Angkor National Museum.

7pm Dinner at Spoons.

After dinner, nightcap at Infusion Bar, or head straight to bed.

DAY 2

5am: meet your driver for the drive to Angkor Wat. (Bring a sweater.)

5:30am Watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat’s famous silhouette.

6:15 – 8:ooam, explore Angkor Wat.

8:00am Fuel yourself with your pre-packed breakfast, then continue on to Ta Prohm, Preah Palilay and Bayon. (You’ll spend 1-2 hours at each of these.)

11:30am Head back to town for a shower & lunch at Haven.

2pm Return to your hotel for some R&R: a power nap, chill time by the pool, or look through your temple photos. If you can do without rest, visit the Killing Fields.

3pm Explore the Made in Cambodia Market, the shops and galleries of Kandal Village (with a pick-me-up at Little Red Fox), then a 7 minute walk to The Weaver’s Tale.

6pm Back to your hotel to freshen up for dinner.

7pm Experience extraordinary Khmer flavors at Cuisine Wat Damnak, or the Grill Lounge.

9pm After dinner, wander through the Night Markets, get a foot massage at Baray Spa, have a drink at Asana, or tuck in early.

DAY 3

7am Breakfast at your hotel

7:30am Depart for Banteay Srei (one hour drive)

8:30am Admire the exquisite rose-tinted masterpiece that is Banteay Srei

9:45am Continue on 15 minutes to Kbal Spean East Entrance. Enjoy a one hour hike through the jungle to the riverbed carvings and waterfalls that make up Kbal Spean. Allow yourself some silence here and notice the energy of the place. Cool off in the waterfalls and refuel with a picnic lunch.

2pm Head back to your hotel to shower and relax. Stop on the way to visit the Landmine Museum.

5:30pm Have a drink and watch the sun set over a sea of treetops from the rooftop Sky Bar at Jaya House. (Happy hour 5-7pm every day)

6pm Have dinner at Elia Greek Kitchen. For dessert, take a 3-minute walk to try the chocolate gelato or sorbet at Gelato Lab. Or maybe you’d prefer the 7pm dinner and dance show at Apsara Theatre.

9pm If you’re not ready to call it a night, stop by Ambar or Bar 43 (a 1-minute walk.)

DAY 4

7:30am Walk or bike along the river to Sister Srey. Sip a honey cinnamon latte while people watching. Soak in the quiet charm of the early morning and chat with the friendly waiters, then explore the area on foot.

9am Hatha yoga at Alchemy (After all the walking yesterday, a gentle yoga class will feel amazing.) Enjoy a refreshing green juice in the cafe afterwards. (Or if you’re not a yoga fan, visit Theam’s Gallery, or the Killing Fields, or Apopo.)

11am Have a yummy brunch at Hey Bong café, or try the fish amok at Tevy’s, or the incredible nom banh chok (Cambodian noodles with fish or chicken) at the Khmer restaurant next to Khmer Ceramics.

12:30 Browse through the beautiful ceramic creations at Khmer Ceramics and then take a pottery class to try making some of your own.

2:00 Enjoy a blissful massage at Kaya Spa, then explore the Old Markets and its surrounding shops. Or now is the time to visit the Killing Fields and Apopo.

4:00 Back to your hotel to chill by the pool and freshen up.

6pm Early dinner at Pou (try the num kruk; savory golfball-shaped coconut pancakes) or Banlle, making sure you save room for the lava cake (best with a glass of red wine).

8pm Phare: the Cambodian circus

9:15pm Head back to your hotel, or to Miss Wong or Dialogue for a cocktail. Or, if it’s a Wednesday or a weekend and you want live music, Laundry.

DAY 5

Today you sleep in a little bit!

9am Either try a vinyasa yoga class on the YogaSpace rooftop, or a Nia class with Debbie at Alchemy.

10:30am Are you craving sweet or salty? If sweet, head to the Muffin Man and discover why locals love this place so much. If salty, go to Krousar Café for a beetroot cacao latte and the zucchini sweet potato hash browns with poached eggs, feta and rocket.

12:30 – 4:30pm Option B Go to the wake park for some wakeboarding and/or chill time at the artificial beach. (You may not want to swim in the water but the beach is great for lounging; cocktails and smoothie bowls are great.) Visit the lotus fields afterwards.

Option C If you haven’t visited the Angkor National Museum yet, this is a good time for that. Or another massage. Or some more pool time.

Check the schedules at Alchemy and YogaSpace to see if this happens to be the night of a 5pm Sound Bowl Journey, or 6pm Restorative Yoga with Sound Bowls.

6:30pm Dinner at (for a sensational Khmer meal) Cuisine Wat Damnak or Roleque. Or for French cuisine, Olive. Or for something fun and more low key, Wild.

8pm Get one more foot massage before heading back to your hotel to prepare for early departure tomorrow. (You’ll be taking the 8am VET Airbus Express to Phnom Penh.)

Useful Tips

Here’s some helpful info for your trip to Siem Reap!

Currency: Cambodia uses mostly US dollars, but bills only, no change. Change of less than $1 is given in riel. It’s best to just take USD out of the ATM.

Airport arrival: have 30USD with you to pay for the visa on arrival. If not, you’ll need to get cash at the Western Union kiosk; do that before you get in the visa line. The kiosk is to the right of the visa lines.) Even though you will have been required to apply for your e-arrival card in advance, you still must get your visa upon arrival, which should take about 15 minutes.

If you haven’t arranged an airport transfer with your hotel, the one-hour taxi ride will cost you US$30. (If you’re on a tight budget, the bus is a slower option. It will take you to town, then you take a tuk tuk to your hotel.)

Transportation: In town, you can rent a bicycle or motorbike from your choice of hundreds of rental places. I always rent from Khmer Kruisers because the rates are great and the owner is a good person. (So please only rent from him if you are also a good person.)

Or, you can take tuktuks or PassApps to get around. You can use either the PassApp or Grab app to book them. (There are cars here, but that’s not the real Siem Reap experience.) For travel within the city, each ride will generally cost you between US$1 - $2.

To travel outside the city, bus is usually the way to go. The best bus to take from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (or Phnom Penh to Siem Reap) is the VET Air Bus Express. About US$17 one way. Comfortable seats, pleasant 5 1/2 hour journey with wifi and electric outlets.

Temple Dress Code: Your shoulders and knees should be covered. A scarf for your shoulders is fine, unless the fabric is too thin and somewhat transparent, in which case they may give you a hard time.

Is Siem Reap safe? Generally yes, it’s a very safe place. If you happen to be here during the Water Festival or Khmer New Year in the midst of a big crowd, petty theft can be an issue, so be careful with phones, wallets and other valuables.

Other Destinations in Cambodia

Phnom Penh: If you see only one place in Phnom Penh, make it the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. It’s heartbreaking but important to understand what happened in Cambodia under Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. If you have more time, the Royal Palace is beautiful. Shoulders and knees must be covered to visit, and it can get busy, so best to go early in the morning or late afternoon before 5pm. You may also enjoy the National Museum next door.

If you want to see more of Cambodia, I highly recommend Koh Rong Sanloem (peaceful island with white sand beaches), or nearby Koh Rong if you like your tropical island to come with more people and nightlife. Kep has dazzling sunsets and legendary Kep crab, and Kampot is a small but charming town with the famous Kampot pepper fields nearby.

Have an amazing time in Cambodia, and if you’ve been, feel free to share your experience below!

DestinationsSonya MooreOctober 20, 2024angkor wat, siem reap, siem reap travel guide, siem reap itinerary, siem reap restaurants, siem reap hotelsComment