Siem Reap Itinerary & DIY Travel Guide: 3 Days or More (Cambodia)

by Itineraries, Cambodia3 comments

Nestled in northwestern Cambodia is the city of Siem Reap (see-em ree-ep; សៀមរាប), a Southeast Asian destination that can be aptly called a mystifying gateway to ancient ruins — after all, it houses the age-old structures of Angkor that a lot of people worldwide seek to witness at least once in their lifetime. (Siem Reap itinerary)

Apart from its grand temples (including the famous Angkor Wat that is pictured on Cambodia’s flag), there is much to do in and around the city. For instance, as the seat of the Khmer kingdom back in the 9th century, you can bask in its glorious history, its vibrant range of cuisine options, as well as its many other affordable activities and attractions.

With all these in mind, 3 days is the bare minimum that you must spend in Siem Reap in order to make the most out of this glorious destination. But of course, in order to properly enjoy it all without any rush, the more days that you can give, the better it will be. So hopefully, with my Siem Reap itinerary travel guide below, you can best plan your trip without missing anything!

https://youtu.be/tmzV3vAUMFI

Siem Reap Travel Guide

» Quick Travel Planning

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» Best Time to Visit

Peak travel season is during the “winter” months of November to February as it is cool and dry — perfect for exploring the temples (not to mention that it’s also the time when certain festivals happen in Siem Reap such as that of the Water Festival). However, this will also mean that a lot of tourists will be there too at the same time.

So if you want to avoid that and wouldn’t mind some rain for your Siem Reap itinerary, you can come from June to October. In times when there isn’t rain, you will love the lush green surroundings! Just take note that if you don’t want to experience sticky humidity and heat, avoid April and May.

  • WINTER:
    Dec to Feb
  • SPRING:
    March to May
  • SUMMER:
    June to Aug
  • AUTUMN:
    Sept to Nov

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» Getting in to Cambodia

By plane. Siem Reap International Airport (REP) is the second largest airport in the country. For booking your flights, I recommend browsing through Skyscanner in order to find the best flight deals from your point of origin. If you’re from the Philippines like me, Skyscanner also scans through the budget airlines such as Air Asia and Cebu Pacific in order to find which of the 2 has the cheapest rate on the dates you choose (it also searches through Philippine Airlines, albeit not a budget airline).

From Siem Reap International Airport to the main city center of Siem Reap, you can:

  • Book a tuk-tuk, a local motorcycle taxi that is the most popular means of transportation in Siem Reap.
  • Go for a private transfer if you want the utmost convenience and ease (minus the heat). This works best if you’re coming together with a lot of other people so that you can share the cost and save more.
    • Grab, a car service company like Uber, is also a possible option to take, but a private transfer is usually at a better price.
  • There are taxis outside the airport that charge about $12. (If they try to convince you to book a tour with them — DON’T, as it will be at a much higher rate).

TIP: Check with your hotel first since it’s possible that they’re offering a FREE airport pick-up.

– – –

» Visa for Cambodia

If you’re a citizen from any of the countries below, you can enter Cambodia visa-free:

  • Brunei (for 14 days)
  • Indonesia (for 30 days)
  • Laos (for 30 days)
  • Malaysia (for 30 days)
  • Philippines (for 21 days)
  • Seychelles (for 14 days)
  • Singapore (for 30 days)
  • Thailand (for 14 days)
  • Vietnam (for 30 days)

If you’re not from any of the countries above and you’re visiting for purposes of tourism, you can either get a visa on arrival for $30 (pay in dollars at the airport and bring a passport-sized photo as well) or apply for a Cambodia e-Visa before the trip for $35 (to save yourself the hassle of doing it at the airport).

TIP: During festivals like the Chinese New Year, sometimes the immigration officers will ask for ‘red packet’ money after they stamp your passport. They’re not being totally serious and this is not required, so politely decline and don’t give in.

  • Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality.

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» Where to Stay (Siem Reap Accommodations)

To search for the best hotel accommodation in Japan at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between Agoda and Booking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB.

For some specific recommendations, see…
Budget: Mad Monkey Hostel
Mid-Range: FCC Angkor or AirBnB
Luxury: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort

– – –

» Cambodia Currency

Cambodia’s official currency is the riel (KHR). Its rate fluctuates a lot on a daily basis but a general conversion would roughly be 4,000 riel to the US dollar. However, the US dollar ($) is the de facto currency in the country and a lot of establishments widely accept it.

With that said, it’s best to just use US dollars while in Siem Reap. Besides, the riel is a non-convertible currency so you do NOT want to be stuck with riel bills and coins when leaving the country.

TIP: Get your US dollars beforehand in your home country since the rates in Siem Reap money exchangers are not that ideal. Rest assured, a lot of establishments also accept credit cards, but as you’ll tour around the city riding a tuk-tuk (rickshaw), for example, you’ll be needing dollar bills on hand.

– – –

» Cost of Travel in Cambodia

To give you an idea, you should expect to travel in Cambodia with an average daily cost of about USD $15~ per person on a budget, or at least $50~ if you want to experience more comfort on activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges).

  • Hotels: $5 to $20 USD / day
  • Food: $5 to $10 USD / day
  • Fun: $5 to $15 USD / day
  • Transport: About $2 / day for bicycle rentals

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» How to Get Around Siem Reap

By tuk-tuk. Much like a taxi, this motorcycle rickshaw can be hailed from any street corner (or you can also ask your hotel concierge to call one for you) — but of course, it’s a LOT cheaper. As a standard, they should cost about $2 to $3 for up to 4 passengers. When I was doing my Siem Reap itinerary, I typically booked tuk-tuk rides via the Grab app as it is much safer and leaves no room for the drivers to change the price (yes, you can book tuk-tuk via the Grab app!). If however, you want to do a long trip, like exploring temples by yourself and without a tour guide, you can book a tuk-tuk charter.

TIP: Before departing, always make sure that you and the driver agree on the total fare. You only need to pay upon arrival at your destination, and try to give smaller bills. When returning to your hotel, it helps to bring your accommodation’s business card with you that’s written in Khmer language in case the driver isn’t familiar with English.

By bicycle or motorcycle. I loved biking through the city center and you can easily rent a bicycle online or look for the “Green E-bikes” that are stationed throughout the city (they can be rented for $10 per 24 hours, but they will typically ask for your passport). Otherwise, if you want to travel longer distances, there’s also the option to rent a motorcycle online.

By car. I suggest booking one through your hotel in order to avoid being scammed. Otherwise, book one via Grab in order to get a fair price. If you want to arrange a chartered car, you can do so online — a sound decision especially if you want to go somewhere far from the city (roads can get dusty and the weather can be unforgiving).

Meanwhile, when you’re mapping out your day-to-day route, just use Google Maps because it will show in detail the fastest connections you can do (by walking, by car, by bus, and by train).

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» Staying Connected in Cambodia

Hotels and most shops offer FREE WiFi connections — but in order to stay connected online at all times during your Japan trip, I recommend getting your own pocket WiFi or a SIM Card; or better yet, get an eSIM for a hassle-free experience (use code AILEEN684 to get $3 off). 

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» Safety in Cambodia

Petty crime can happen because of how touristy it is especially in Siem Reap; however, Cambodia remains to be one of the safest countries in the world (great for solo female travelers too). Just practice common sense at all times and you’ll be fine!

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» Helpful Khmer Phrases

A lot of people speak English but it doesn’t hurt to learn a few Khmer words.

Hello (formal): Chum reap suor (you can combine this with the gesture of joining your palms in front of your heart and slightly bowing the head)
Hello (informal): Sous-dey
Thank you: Orkun
Yes: Chah (for female) / Baht (for male)
No: Ort teh
Goodbye (formal): Chum reap leah
Goodbye (informal): Leah sin houwy
.
Excuse me: Somm toh
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Meean m’neak na cheh piasah ongkleh teh?
Help!: Chewy khñom pawng!
Cheers!: Chul muy!

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» Other Siem Reap Travel Tips

  • Cambodia still has a conservative society rooted in Buddhism so if you are in a temple, remember to be respectful. Bring a shawl to cover your shoulders (don’t wear revealing clothes), wear pants/long skirts that cover your knees, and put on shoes that are easy to take off (since some temples don’t allow you to wear them inside).
  • A lot of the locals try to make an honest living but sometimes, there are still those who will try to take advantage of tourists like us…
    • Airport scams: The immigration officer asks for a tip, or the airport staff at the visa counter won’t give you your change. Tuk-tuk drivers waiting outside will also coax you to book them for a tour at a very affordable price — but at the end of the tour, that price will change.
    • Street scams: Street children will drag you to stores so you can buy food or milk for them; though nice, they won’t actually receive those goods because they will be returned and the money at the store is pocketed by their ring’s ‘mastermind’. There are also those people who claim to be volunteer workers asking for donations but that won’t actually go to the volunteer program but to their own pockets.

• • •

Other Siem Reap F.A.Q.

What is the tipping policy in Cambodia?

Tipping is NOT required in Siem Reap, but it is appreciated and 10% is a good baseline.

What is the power socket used in Cambodia?

Cambodia typically uses type A (two flat parallel pins) and type C (two round pins) — however, type A is the most common one and they operate on a 230V supply voltage with a frequency of 50Hz.

What are the current travel restrictions and quarantine policies in Cambodia?

Please check their latest travel advisories page.

Can I use my drone in Cambodia?

Drones are generally allowed in Cambodia but it’s best to exercise caution. For instance, drone use is NOT allowed in places like Phnom Penh, Angkor Park, and any other historic temple — unless you get a permit for it. For more info, see here.

• • •

Siem Reap Itinerary Guide

NOTES: The following section is in a tabbed format; so, in order to see the next day’s contents, just click the headings below. I will also cover other activities in and out of Siem Reap under the ‘Extras‘ tab below so that you can consider these if you happen to have more days for your Siem Reap itinerary, or if you simply want to see more.

Explore the ruins of the Angkor Archeological Park

Not a lot of people know this but Angkor was the capital city of the Khmer Empire and the popular Angkor Wat is just one of the thousands of temples in the huge expanse of the Angkor area — which mind you, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Now, unless you’re a Cambodian, you need to buy an ‘Angkor Pass‘ to visit the Angkor Archaeological Park’s temples (which as I said encompasses Angkor Wat, as well as the equally famous Bayon temple, Ta Prohm, and many others).

  • Where to buy the Angkor Pass? At the Angkor Ticket Centre which is found on the corner of Road 60 and Apsara Road. If you’ve booked a tour or a tuk-tuk charter, they know where it is and they’ll bring you there before entering the park. (Please keep your tickets with you at all times since if you’re caught without them, you’ll be prosecuted and handed to the police with fines that can reach up to $300).
    .
  • How much is the Angkor Pass? It depends on how many days you’ll need it for but most of the time, you’ll only need just the 1-day pass. (Children under 12 years old don’t need these passes; also take note that you can pay with your credit card or with cash in Khmer Riel, US Dollars, Euros and Thai Baht; but they will only give you change either in $ or riel).
    • 1-Day Pass: $37 (if purchased after 5PM, it’s only valid for the next day)
    • 3-Day Pass: $62 (valid for 10 days, so you don’t have to plan your visits consecutively)
    • 7-Day Pass: $72 (valid for 1 month, so you don’t have to plan your visits consecutively)
      .
  • At what time of the day can I use the Angkor Pass? Most temples inside the park can be visited from7:30AM to 5:30PM except for…
    • Angkor Wat and Srah Srang: open from 5AM to 5:30PM to make way for sunrise viewing
    • Phnom Bakheng and Pre Rup: open from 5AM to 7PM to make way for sunrise and sunset viewing

“Do I need a tour guide?” You can easily explore Angkor Wat on your own; however, if you want to enhance your visit even further, I suggest booking an Angkor tour with a licensed guide so that you can get a deeper understanding of the temple complex’s history and background. (Beware of people or even children who offer their ‘touring services’ at the temples because they are mostly charging high fees — plus, they’re not even proper licensed guides).

Also, as I said, there are over a THOUSAND of temples in Angkor but below are some of the top picks that you must check out for your Siem Reap itinerary!

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◘◘ Visit Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat: Siem Reap Itinerary

Photo by: Shutterstock

Obviously, this is a must to see as the ‘centerpiece’ of the Angkor complex. As the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat was originally made as a Hindu temple for the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, but it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple by the end of the 12th century.

To get that magical shot, I suggest heading to Angkor Wat before sunrise; in fact, most rented tuk-tuk drivers or Angkor tours will pick you up at around 4:30AM.

Once there, the first thing you’ll likely be doing is securing a spot on the left pond by the entrance… along with hundreds of other tourists. It’s crazy, really, but the view will be worth it (weather permitting)!

TIP: Most people head for the left pond, but if you want a lesser crowd, stand by the right pond for a different angle.Other people also like the nearby ‘Srah Srang’ or the ‘Royal Baths’ for sunrise views. It’s basically a reservoir and the view over the water as the sun hits it is quite a glorious view!Otherwise, there is now an option to ride a hot air balloon in order to see Angkor in its full glory. Check out this website for more details. They typically only do 2 flights per day, during sunrise and sunset. 

After you get that golden shot, there are two options for you: to go explore Angkor Wat with the rest of the crowd (often huge groups of tourists who are on a big bus tour) OR come back later after/during lunch without many people. It’s entirely up to you, but if you ask me, I preferred to do the latter since most tour buses leave at lunchtime, and it was much easier to go through the Angkor wat temple and take photos.

Once inside Angkor Wat, you’ll come to see that it’s a big expanse and if you’re into details, you might need a whole day to explore everything. But if you’re pressed on time, it’s best to arm yourself with a guidebook — or better yet, a licensed tour guide.

For a hassle-free experience, I’ll discuss the different kinds of tours that covers the Angkor Wat and the whole of the Archeological Park at the end of this section.

– – –

◘◘ OPTIONAL: Grab an early lunch

Khmer Food

Photo by: Shutterstock

As I previously mentioned, you can continue to explore the rest of Angkor Wat or retreat from the crowd and come back later.

So if you choose the latter, this is the perfect time to grab a quick nap (after waking up so early) or an early brunch. For this, I would highly recommend Wat Damnak for some great Cambodian dishes.

Besides, this restaurant has earned a spot on Asia’s 50 Best list of restaurants for two times already, so that means a lot!

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◘◘ Head to Angkor Thom

Bayon Temple: Siem Reap Itinerary

Photo by: Shutterstock

Angkor Thom was a moated royal city and it served as the last capital of the Angkorian empire.

Its grand 5 grand entrances still stand today in which each of them has giant Buddhist faces that are framed by elephants and adorned by lotus flowers. These gates stand on each axis and the Victory Gate is just beside the East Gate that leads to the Royal Palace’s terrace.

  1. Victory Gate
  2. North Gate
  3. ★ South Gate: the most popular entrance (as pictured here) as it is the most preserved one, and I just loved how it is lined up with 54 figures of devas/gods
  4. West Gate
  5. East Gate: or Death Gate as it is “allegedly” the only entrance used when transporting a king to his funeral

And of course, at the center of Angkor Thom is Bayon which is a richly decorated temple that’s famous for its numerous serene and smiling stone faces. Originally numbering at around 200, these faces are engraved on its towers and made to look like the past Khmer king, Jayavarman VII — but as time passed on, most of them have toppled over. Nevertheless, there are still a number of them that are still intact.

Before you leave though, make sure to drop by the nearby Terrace of the Elephants. This used to be a platform and audience hall in which the king would watch over his army. It is quite a sight given the elephant carvings and life-sized garuda and lions.

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◘◘ Witness Ta Prohm (‘Tomb Raider’ Temple)

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Originally called Rajavihara, Ta Prohm used to be a monastery and university — but today, it is known as a famous UNESCO site as well as the famous film location of the Tomb Raider movie.

Unfortunately, after years of heavy looting, many of its ancient stone reliquaries have been lost. The surrounding jungle’s great trees and roots have also towered and carved through the walls for years leaving it extensively ruined, yet still aptly mesmerizing.

If you ask me though, apart from being a temple, I deem Ta Phrom as a bit of a maze too (as per the famous Tomb Raider movie feels). After all, if you come here without a tour guide, it’s easy to get lost or lose your way on dead-end paths — especially if you visit during low season; but of course, you will see enough signs to lead you on the right path too, so no worries there.

NOTE: Please don’t climb on any of the rubble (especially if you don’t have a guide with you) since they are often unstable and can collapse easily.

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◘◘ Go for grand sunset views

Phnom Bakheng

Photo by: Shutterstock

There are various options for this as you end your Siem Reap itinerary’s first-day ‘temple run’…

  • ★ Go on a hot air balloon tour overlooking Angkor as the sun sets.
  • Join an Angkor dragon boat tour that will end the day with nice golden views.
  • ★ Visit Phnom Bakheng which is a Hindu and Buddhist temple that is in the form of a temple mountain or pyramid with 7 levels. You will love the views that it grants over Angkor Wat as the sun goes down.
    • TIP: Arrive early at around 4PM to secure a spot on the southeast corner. Take note that in high season, it can get really crowded — and that of course, it helps to bring a zoom lens since Angkor Wat is still about 1km away. Be careful when going down after your sunset viewing since it can get dark pretty fast (it helps to have a flashlight on hand or your phone’s flashlight feature).
  • Go to Pre Rup, another picturesque mountain temple that grants stunning views over the surrounding rice fields.

NOTE: If you want to explore more temples, check by the ‘Day #2’ and “Extras” tabs above!

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◘◘ Angkor Tour Options

As I’ve said before, if you want to avoid the hassle and cover more ground in the Angkor temple complex area for your Siem Reap itinerary trip, below are various tours you can choose from.

  • Sunrise Tour
    • Angkor Wat
    • Bayon Temple
    • Ta Prohm
  • Temples Tour(No sunrise)
    • Angkor Thom
    • Bayon Temple
    • Ta Prohm
    • Angkor Wat
    • Phnom Bakheng
  • Bike Tour
    • Angkor Wat
    • Bayon Temple
    • Terrace of the Elephants
    • Ta Prohm Temple
    • Ride through villages
  • Small Circuit(Private tour)
    • Angkor Wat
    • South Gate Of Angkor Thom
    • Bayon Temple
    • Terrace of the Elephants
    • Ta Keo Temple
    • Ta Prohm Temple
    • Banteay Kdei Temple
  • Grand Circuit (Private tour)
    • Preah Khan Temple
    • Neak Pean Temple
    • Eastern Mebon Temple
    • Ta Som Temple
    • Pre Rup Temple
    • Srah Srang Lak
    • Banteay Srei/Kbal Spean
  • 2-Day Tour (Private tour)
    • South Gate of Angkor Thom
    • Bayon Temple
    • Terrace of the Elephants
    • Baphoun Temple
    • Phimeanakas Temple
    • Angkor Wat
    • Banteay Srei
    • Artisan Angkor

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◘◘ See an Apsara Dance show for dinner

Apsara Dance Show

Apsara Dance is an indigenous ballet-like performance art in Cambodia.

It was created by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in the mid-20th century under Queen Sisowath Kossamak and it’s an experience that’s worth a try!

To date, there are 2 places that you can try it on and both of them already come with a dinner spread.

Visit temples outside of Angkor

If you still want to explore the rest of the Angkor Archeological Park, head to the tab ‘Extras‘ above to replace the Siem Reap itinerary for this day. Otherwise, if you only have a limited time in the city, it’s best to head out to some other temples that are a bit far out.

Depending on the time that you have, you can choose from ANY of the following…

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◘◘ Phnom Krom

Phnom Krom

(40 Minutes away) On top of a 140-meter hill near Siem Reap is this spectacular Hindu temple. Its three towers are each dedicated to a Hindu god: Brahma for the south, Shiva for the central one, and Vishnu for the north.

To enter, you can use your Angkor Pass, otherwise, you’ll pay a small entrance fee. Just take note though that you’ll have to go up a long flight of stairs to get to the top — but I assure you, it will be worth it! And if you can, come here during sunset for stunning views overlooking the surrounding landscape.

For a hassle-free experience, book a Phnom Krom tour online.

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◘◘ Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei

Photo by: Shutterstock

(1 hour away) Dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva, the name Banteay Srei means “Citadel of the Women” or “Citadel of Beauty”. It may be one of the smallest temples but what it lacks in size makes up for its intricate structure with some stones exhibiting a pinkish hue.

*This is also covered by the Angkor Pass.

For a hassle-free experience, book a Banteay Srei tour online which will include stops at other Angkor temples: Pre Rup Temple, East Mebon Temple, Ta Som Temple, and Preah Khan Temple.

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◘◘ Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea

Photo by: Shutterstock

(1.5 hours away) If you want lesser people but with the same ‘Tomb Raider’ or ‘Indiana Jones’ ambiance, then head over to Beng Mealea! Shrouded in a dense jungle, it is somewhat of a hidden gem as you make your way through its crumbling stone blocks.

You must know though that it is largely unrehabilitated so there are spots where you’ll have to climb up with your own hands — so be cautious (it will really help make you feel like you’re on your own treasure hunting trip). With this fact alone, it’s best to book a tour so that a guide can help ensure your safety.

*This is NOT covered by the Angkor Pass.

For a hassle-free experience, book a Beng Mealea tour online which will include stops to Koh Ker

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◘◘ Koh Ker

Koh Ker Temple

Photo by: Shutterstock

(2 hours away) This is an archeological site that is largely still hidden by the forest. However, the most significant of its temples will be Prasat Thom, which is an impressive stepped 7-tier pyramid!

You can easily include this stop in your Siem Reap itinerary if you book a Beng Mealea tour online.

*This is NOT covered by the Angkor Pass.

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◘◘ Phnom Kulen

Phnom Kulen

Photo by: Shutterstock

(1 hour away) In case you just want to visit just one outside temple and then dedicate the rest of the day to something else, then how about a visit to a beautiful waterfall at Phnom Kulen?

The main attraction here is the waterfalls at the top and it’s such a great picnic spot! On the way here, you can stop by the Thousand Lingas and the Preah Ang Thom pagoda with its giant reclining Buddha.

Book a Phnom Kulen tour online now!

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◘◘ Visit the night markets

Siem Reap Night Market

Photo by: Shutterstock

Most of these night markets are concentrated in the downtown area and they offer a range of local handicrafts, souvenirs, fresh produce, food stalls and so many more! Definitely, a must-to-do for your Siem Reap itinerary.

  • Angkor Night Market: (Sivatha Boulevard) Open daily from 4PM to midnight.
  • Angkor Handicraft Association: (Road 60) If you want to see products of local artisans and support their work, this is the place to go, and it’s open from 9AM to 7PM daily.
  • Made in Cambodia: (Street 27) Held every Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday from 12PM to 10PM, they are a bit pricier but you’ll find a lot of good finds!
  • Noon Night Market: (Sivutha Boulevard) There is much to see, buy and eat here and it’s open daily from midday to midnight.
  • Old Market: (Psar Cha) This is the oldest Khmer market in Siem Reap and it opens from 7AM to 8PM.

If you’re craving some local cuisine, apart from the food stalls on the markets, you can check restaurants like SalaRussey, Sugar Palm, or Chenrey Tree. Try out some cool snacks too like the fried ice cream sold in small stalls.

If you’re wondering about the Cambodian dishes that you must try, it would be:

  • ★ Fish Amok: Fish in a creamy coconut-based curry
  • Khmer Curry: Milder than curries found in Thailand
  • Kuy Teav: Noodle soup made from pork or beef bones and rice vermicelli
  • Lok Lak: Made of stir-fried strips of tender beef above a bed of vegetables
  • Nom Banh Chok: A common street food made of thin rice noodles topped with cucumber, basil, banana leaves, and green fish curry.

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◘◘ Spend the rest of the night in Pub Street

Pub Street

This is a short alley that’s filled with a number of bars, clubs, and restaurants. From 5PM onwards, the street is blocked and it comes alive with flashing lights and sounds of cheer, and (affordable) beer bottles clinking.

There are a number of places to get your fill but here are some of the top bars to check out during your Siem Reap itinerary:

  • ★ Angkor What? Bar: The pun-ny name aside, this is Pub Street’s first bar and visitors are welcome to leave a graffiti mark of their own on the bar’s walls.
  • Barcode Siem Reap: A popular LGBT bar and lounge with sophisticated decor and even a spa for men!
  • Little Mitchy’s Lounge: If you’re looking for a more relaxed scene, this should be on your list.
  • X-Bar: You’ll love the open-air rooftop which has a 6-feet skateboard halfpipe, and its open mic sessions every Wednesday evening. Every other night of the week, there will be a live DJ or band playing.

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◘◘ …Or how about a massage?

Siem Reap Spa Massage

Apart from the peculiar ‘fish massage’ stalls that you’ll find around Pub Street or the night markets, Siem Reap has a lot of affordable and luxurious spa places where you can unwind and rest your body after a day of exploring temples!

Come pick your fancy from any of the below:

Enjoy the Rest of Siem Reap

It’s time to take a rest from all the temple exploration and explore a bit more of what the city has to offer!

– – –

◘◘ Do a quad tour

Siem Reap Quad Bike Tour

Come and discover the countryside for your Seim Reap itinerary with an enjoyable quad bike adventure! With your choice of a morning or sunset bike, you can take the road less traveled as you go through rural villages, Buddhist monasteries, temples, and even a visit to a rice paddy field.

Depending on your comfortability as well, you can choose to ride a quad bike alone or with a guide. To book your tour spot along with your family and friends, you can reserve online.

TIP: Don’t wear anything in white as it will be dusty (or muddy in case it rains).

ALTERNATIVE: If you rather feel like doing something up in the air, how about a zipline activity inside the UNESCO Angkor Archaeological Park?

– – –

◘◘ Rent a bike and explore the city scene and cafes

Bicycle Rental

For a chill afternoon, why not rent a bike as you go around the streets of Siem Reap making stops to take photos, or just lounge at a cafe?

In fact, for lunch or for an afternoon snack, I would recommend the following socially responsible restaurants and cafes:

  • Bloom Cafe: Their women staff, who are from poverty and dire circumstances, are given the chance to go through vocational training and now they can whip up really good cupcakes and cakes!
  • ★ Haven Restaurant: They provide vocational training to young adults who are from orphanages or safe shelters, and they make up a part of the kitchen staff that serves both Asian and Western dishes. (Try out their burgers here, they are quite good!)
  • Sister Srey: The staff is made up of local Khmer who are supported in school and they ensure to use organic produce that supports the local community. (There are also vegan and vegetarian selections here).
  • Spoons: This is a beautiful cafe and restaurant that reaches out to underprivileged young adults. A must-try? Their coconut rice cake! It’s divine!

ALTERNATIVES:

  • Are you more into history? Visit the Angkor National Museum which houses treasures and artifacts from the golden era of the Khmer Kingdom.
  • Or do you want a hands-on activity for your Siem Reap itinerary? Then come and join a ★ Cambodian cooking class with a local chef! It will definitely be a fun activity, and by the end of it, you’ll get full too!

– – –

◘◘ Watch a local show for the night

Phare Circus Show

Apart from the Apsara show that I’ve previously recommended, there are also other performances that you can check out…

  • Phare, The Cambodian Circus Show: show as it only makes use of young local performers who do an amazing blend of theater, music, dance, acrobatics, and more! The shows vary and are performed in Khmer but fret not because there are English subtitles on the screen. What’s more, is that this is a project of a non-profit organization that is founded by young Cambodian ex-refugees who aim to support fellow young adults while reviving Cambodian Arts.
  • Angkor Dynasty: Set in the Angkor Grand Theater, you’ll be awed by the show’s world-class production, high-tech 4D visual effects, and interactive performances!
  • Rosana Broadway Show: This is the 1st and only international trans cabaret show in Cambodia and it is filled with extravagant costumes and 16 different set performances that are set to both Eastern and Western music.

Extra Activities and Other Temples

◘◘ Other Temples in Angkor Archaeological Park

Ta Som

Photo by: Shutterstock

  • Baphuon: (Found in Angkor Thom) A 3-tiered temple mountain that features a terrace offering one of the best views in the Angkor Archaeological Park.
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  • Phimeanakas(Found in Angkor Thom) Also called Vimeanakas, this is a large 3-tiered pyramid that remains to be a striking site in Angkor.
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  • Ta Keo: (Near Angkor Thom’s Gate of the Dead) This is one of the tallest monuments in Angkor
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  • ★ Ta Som: (East of Angkor Thom) Found within Angkor Thom is this small temple that is famous for its Eastern gate that has a gigantic ancient fig tree that’s growing out of it! An amazing inclusion for your Siem Reap itinerary!
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  • Neak Pean or Poun: (Near Ta Som) A charming Buddhist temple that stands in the middle of an artificial pond island.
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  • Banteay Kdei: (Near Srah Srang) Meaning “A Citadel of Chambers”, this is a Buddhist temple that features a fascinating maze of chambers as it used to be an active monastery.
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  • Eastern Mebon: (Near Ta Prohm) A mountain temple dedicated to Shiva and features 5 towers, stone elephants, and many others. This used to be surrounded by water and the four landing stages show how this temple was once only reached by boat.

– – –

◘◘ Other Activities and Trips

Kompong Floating  Village

Photo by: Shutterstock

  • ★ Kompong Phluk Floating Village: A worthy day trip outside of Siem Reap is to Kampong Phluk which is a cluster of 3 villages that have stilted houses amongst submerged mangrove forests. Their primary livelihood is fishing and during the dry season when the lake is low, the houses in the villages seem to soar atop their silts due to lack of lake water. There are numerous ways to visit, enjoy and explore this area, some of which are via a:
  • Angkor Silk Farm: Find out more about the local culture by including a visit to the Angkor Silk Farm on your Siem Reap itinerary. Here, you can see how they cultivate silkworms and create the most colorful silk scarves!
    • Book a spot online and you can even visit the Mechrey Floating Village together with the inclusion of a roundtrip transfer to your hotel.
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  • Khmer Pottery Class: Get lessons right at Khmer Ceramics, the specialist in high-end handmade ceramics in Siem Reap! With them, you can learn how to throw a pot on the wheel and create your own Khmer pottery — truly a fun activity for your family and friends as you also get to take home your creation!
  • Traditional Water Blessing: Do you want to receive a traditional Buddhist blessing and receive a bit of luck during your Siem Reap itinerary? At Wat Athvea temple or at Arang Pagoda, together with your English-speaking guide, they will lead you through the process and explain the ritual’s meaning.
  • Cambodian Cultural Village: This is a living museum that has been built for visitors to thoroughly get an ‘insider look’ at Cambodia’s unique heritage. You can even travel from one ‘built’ floating village to another to learn more about their ethnic groups.

• • •

» Top Siem Reap Tours «

• • •

Booking Essentials

Book an AirBnB
Booking.com

TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)!

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However, take note that a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip!

Looking for more travel tips for Cambodia?

Check out my other detailed Cambodia travel guides!

• • •

Siem Reap Itinerary & Travel Guide for 3 Days or More (DIY Trip to Cambodia)

Overall

There’s definitely a lot more to Siem Reap than its famous temples! I hope this Siem Reap itinerary travel guide has shown you that.

Here’s to hoping as well that you’ll enjoy your trip. Let me know!

• • •

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3 Comments

  1. Dimitrios Fanourios Pischinas

    What a guide!

    I was told Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom has 216 faces!

    Reply
  2. Alice

    I totally love this post, thank you so much!! I’m off to Siem Reap at Christmas and now I’m even more excited than I already was! I didn’t even know that was possible! All of the temples look so stunning and I had no idea there were so many! Wow, cannot wait! :D

    Reply
    • Aileen Adalid

      I’m very happy to hear this! Really hope this guide helps — let me know! Enjoy your trip :D

      Reply

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