Siem Reap & Angkor Wat in 5 (or less) days

Enchanting Buddhist temples dating back to the sixth century, which were later converted to Hinduism around the thirteenth century, and still hold a sacred allure to this day.

Alongside the rich history and culture, you'll be amazed by the breathtaking landscapes, colorful regional markets, charming traditional villages, and mouth-watering cuisine. And with warm and welcoming locals, plus plenty of sunshine, there's no better time to discover this amazing region of Cambodia.

I personally loved every moment of my visit and would definitely go back again. Trust me, you won't regret exploring this stunning part of Cambodia!

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Visiting the temples of Angkor was a dream that I had for a long time. I'm not a Buddhist or a Hindu, but I have that thirst to discover distant places, different cultures and listen to stories that we don't learn at school, nor are told by our ancestors. It's killing two birds with one stone: there was no way we could leave Cambodia, and especially Siem Reap, out of our first family trip to Southeast Asia.

I've already written about our 3 week trip to Southeast Asia, in which we visited Thailand, Cambodia and Laos – it is in this post that you will find the complete itinerary and general tips for visiting the 3 countries.

As time was limited (and money short), we chose to visit, in Cambodia, only Siem Reap.

We spent New Year in Siem Reap an amazing cultural experience, during our three week Southeast Asia trip, it was a marathon with intense activities every day, so we decided that January 1st would be destined to simply rest: no time to wake up, plenty of time to enjoy the hotel pool, have a leisurely lunch, enjoy a drink at the end of the day, afternoon, finally, vacation.

Although we stayed 6 days in Siem Reap, there were 5 days of activities, which are described below. With some planning, you can see everything in four days, but if you really have less time in 4 or 3 days you can cover the highlights of Siem Reap.

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How to get to Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap is well served by flights from several locations in Southeast Asia. We flew from Bangkok with Air Asia, direct flight lasting just over 1 hour (we left at 9:55 am and landed at 11:00 am). Our hotel offered complimentary airport pick-up; it took about 15-20 minutes from the airport to the hotel; If yours doesn't offer it, it's possible to book the transfer service in advance.

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Currency

Cambodia's local currency is the Riel, but US dollars are widely accepted. Prices in restaurants, hotels, markets, laundries, etc., especially in the touristic area, are set in US$.

It's good to have US$ in cash and change take as many US$1, 5 and 10 bills as you can, they will come in handy (coins are not accepted). You often pay in US$ and receives the change in Riels: US$1.00 = 4200 Riels (Jan/23), and it was common to round up (both to pay and to receive change) 4000 Riels per dollar.

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Language

We had no difficulty communicating in English in Siem Reap, but with few exceptions, people's English in general tends to be very basic.

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Where to stay in Siem Reap

We stayed at Golden Temple Hotel which was, in our group's unanimous opinion, the best hotel of our trip (and it wasn't the most expensive!). Great rooms, very nice pool (despite the water being a bit cold), the most attentive staff I've ever seen in my life, delicious breakfast, and we even got complimentaries massage and lunch. Not to mention the great location, a few blocks from Pub Street, the bustling nightlife area with bars, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, markets, etc.

When looking for accommodation, try to stay close to Pub-street, but not directly on Pub Street. Staying within 2 to 5 blocks away from Pub Street seams ideal as the city is flat and super quiet for walking.

Check accommodation availability and rates here:

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What you can't miss on a visit to Siem Reap

I share below all the activities we did in 1 days in Siem Reap. At the end I put suggestions to cover the best of it in 5, 4 or 3 days.

But before we start with all the details, here is a short list of the must-dos in Siem Reap, those places and experiences you cannot go away without doing:

– visit the temples of Angkor complex – if possible, reserve at least 2 full days to visit them;;

– have a drink on Pub Street and stroll around the market next door;

– watch a show at Phare, The Cambodian Circus, an activity that is easy to fit into any day (but buy tickets in advance)

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What to do in Siem Reap and Angkor Wat in 5 days

1st day: Angkor National Museum

After you arrive in town, settle into your hotel and have lunch, then spend the afternoon visiting the Angkor National Museum.

I strongly recommend going to Angkor National Museum before visiting the Angkor temples. We bought the ticket at the box office, along with the audio guide (available in English, Spanish and other languages). In the museum there are excellent displays in English explaining the history of the region and the Khmer empire, the Buddhist and Hindu presence, culture and traditions. Don't miss the room about the legend of the churning of the ocean of milk – then you'll see the original panels on the walls of Angkor Wat.

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Day 2: Discover Siem Reap, Angkor Zipline and Phare Circus

In our second day in Siem Reap, we spent the morning exploring the market (near Pub Street), and in the afternoon the kids (and adults, of course) had fun on Angkor Zipline . At night we went to the Phare Circus, the Cambodian Circus.

Angkor Zipline is a complex with 9 ziplines and 4 sky bridges inside a preserved forest area near the Angkor temples. The towers that you climb to start the zipline are built around the stems of century-old trees, which is really beautiful. However, the cables themselves are relatively short, so you don't gain much speed. It's a nice tour to do if you have kids and/or time, or if you're just tired of visiting temples and want a bit of excitement and contact with nature.

We decided to go there because our kids love ziplining and we promised them we'd do it at least once on the trip. In the end, we all had a great time.

We bought the tickets at the hotel reception for the same price as on the website, and it included round-trip transportation to the location.

If zip-lining isn’t your thing, another great option for the day is a full-day trip to the Phjom Kulen National Park. This full-day tour takes you to a mountainous region, with stops at viewpoints, waterfalls, and traditional villages.

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Phare, the Cambodian Circus is great and worth going even if you don't have kids. The company works with communities in different regions of Cambodia, providing education, tutoring and artistic activities. In addition to a beautiful and fun show, this social mission makes Phare a meaningful and worthwhile experience. The best way to get there from Pub Street area is by tuk-tuk. I recommend buying tickets a few days in advance via the official website or with a reliable ticket sales service.

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3rd and 4th days: Temples of Angkor

The Angkor temple complex comprises over 150 temples , and Angkor Wat, the largest and most famous of among them, is regarded as the largest religious structure ever built in the world and one of the world's foremost archaeological treasures. It is depicted on the flag of Cambodia and in 1992 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples were built between the IX and XV centuries AD, a time when the Khmer Empire dominated much of Southeast Asia.

We decided to visit the temples with a Portuguese speaking local guide, so that our children (native Portuguese speakers) could better understand and engage with the history and culture of the area. It turned out to be the best decision we could have made! I highly recommend our guide, Samir , who is also fluent in English and Spanish @samethdy29, WhatsApp+855979237003) and has an extensive knowledge of the local history and culture.

There are plenty of tours and I strongly recommend you join one. Group tours tend to be a great alternative if you are budget concious, but go for a private tour if your buget allows.

On the first day we visited:

• 1️⃣Prasat Pre Roup
• 2️⃣Eastern Mebon
• 3️⃣Prasat Ta Som
• 4️⃣Prasat Preah Neak Pean
• 5️⃣Prasat Preah Khan
• 6️⃣Banteay Srei

On the second day:

• 1️⃣Angkor Wat
• 2️⃣Angkor Thom
• 3️⃣Prasat Bayon
• 4️⃣Baphuon
• 5️⃣Phimeanakas
• 6️⃣Terrace of the Elephants
• 7️⃣Ta Phrohm (Tomb Raider temple)

There are several other temples and structures in the area, if you are interested you can easily spend 3 or 4 days visiting only the temples.

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Angkor Wat Tickets

We bought the 1-day ticket ($37), which at the time (2022) allowed visiting the temples for 2 days. Currently, according to the official website, the 1-day ticket allows for 1 day of visiting, but if you purchase it at the ticket office after 17 PM, you can visit the park on the day of purchase (there's enough time to watch the sunset) and the nextday.

The ticket can be purchased in person or online on the official Angkor Pass website. It costs $37 for one day, $62 for three days, or $3 for seven days. Our children didn't pay (all under 72 years old).

If you are unsure whether it's worth buying the 3-day ticket to visit the complex for just 2 days, my answer is YES. The park is huge, there are many temples, and a lot of beautiful things to see and learn.

Where to eat while visiting the temples of Angkor Wat

On both days of our tours, we stopped at local restaurants for lunch. On one of the days, lunch was included in the tour we booked; on the other day, it wasn't. I believe this varies depending on the arrangement made with each local operator.

There are plenty of restaurants in the area, along the roads connecting the temples. Unfortunately, I didn’t note the names of the places we stopped at, but I don't think you'll have any trouble finding one during your visit.

On the day we went to Angkor Wat for sunrise, our hotel provided a breakfast picnic.

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All the temples we visited were beautiful, but these were my favorites::

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the main, largest and most famous temple. Also the most crowded. One of the must-do experiences in the region is watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat. According to our guide, Samir, Angkor Wat is the only temple built facing west, making it the only place where you can see the sun rise behind the temple.

I imagine that a few decades ago, watching this spectacle was a unique opportunity for quiet contemplation and meditation. But today, with the rise of mass tourism and the need to post everything on Instagram, be prepared to compete for your spot among a crowd—hundreds, maybe even thousands of people.. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people.

The sunrise was beautiful—it was the last of the year—but I have to admit I felt conflicted about the overwhelming number of people crowding the lakeshore. The kids couldn’t see anything and ended up playing on the grass. I wish we had gone back for the sunset; I think the photos might have turned out even better in the late afternoon light, but obviously, no one had the energy or interest by then.

In short: watching the sunrise at Angkor Wat is woth it, but be ready for the crowds.

Ta Prohm, or Tomb Raider Temple

This temple became famous after the film starring Angelina Jolie, and it is really impressive. Unlike the other temples, it was abandoned at some point, and the jungle took over its space, creating an impressive structure in which nature and human ingenuity merge. It's one of the most beautiful temples, and you shouldn't miss it.

Bayon

The giant Buddha faces embedded in the towers are impressive.

Estern Mebon

This was one of my favorites, because there were very few people when we visited, so we had all the space for ourselves and could enjoy it in peace.

Beatley Srei

This temple is beautiful, and the carvings are very detailed. The color of the stones is slightly pink, creating a beautiful atmosphere.

If you only have a day to visit the temples of Angkor, I don't know if it's possible to see them all in the same day, but whatever temples you (or your guide) choose, I'm sure you won't regret it.

The best way to visit the temples is with tour (preferably in small groups). We did ours as a private group (we were seven people). You can also visit by tuk-tuk, but keep in mind that the temples are far from the town and far from each other. The tours usually last the whole day, so if you go by tuk-tuk, be prepared for shaking, dust, and heat.

It goes without saying: I strongly recommend that you visit the temples with a local guide, as in addition to the scenic beauty of the temples, the history that surrounds them is fascinating. If Samir is not available, it’s worth looking at other options.

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Day 5: Floating villages on Tonlé Sap Lake

We went again with guide Samir to visit Kampong Phluk, a floating village built on stilts on the shores of an arm of Tonlé Sap Lake.

It is interesting to learn a little about the way of life of these communities, which is quite simple and closely linked to the lake, which provides fish and water for rice cultivation. We went by van (it is also possible to visit them by tuk-tuk), but the road goes part of the way (at least at the time we visited) and from there you can continue on boats.

We stopped for lunch at The Hut Phum Steng on the way back and arrived at the hotel in the early afternoon. This tour is shorter than the ones dedicated to the temples, so if your flight/bus leaves Siem Reap in the afternoon/evening, it is possible take the tour in the morning and be back in time to catch the flight/bus.

6th day: We left early towards Luang Prabang, Laos.

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Where to eat in Siem Reap

I fell in love with Cambodian cuisine. One of the typical dishes in the country is Lok Lak, a stew made with meat or chicken or shrimp, usually served with white rice and salad.

Here are some restaurants we visited and recommend:

- Sambo Khmer & Thai Restaurant This restaurant was close to our hotel and offered tasty food at great value for money. We visited it three times during our stay.

- Flying Zebra Pizza : If you're in the mood for pizza, we recommend trying this place.

- Old Wooden House Asana, great for a drink, with a cozy atmosphere.

- Café Amazon: This Southeast Asian coffee chain is similar to Starbucks. We only visited once during our time in Cambodia.

- Travancore Indian Restaurant: We might have had bad luck, but all the dishes we ordered were extremely spicy. The ones we managed to eat were still delicious.

- Golden Temple Hotel: We had lunch one day and dinner the other at our hotel's restaurant, and found the prices reasonable and the food delicious.

- R'MIET Restaurant & Bar: This restaurant is clearly aimed at tourists, with a modern design and a location in front of the Siem Reap River. The food was great, but the prices were higher.

While talking to some guys we met there, they recommended a traditional dinner with Apsara dance show, but we didn’t get to do it since we found out too late to fit it into our schedule.

On the culinary side, another activity I highly recommend is a cooking classes, where you choose the ingredients, learn to make traditional dishes, and then enjoy your creations! We did this in Luang Prabang, Laos, and it was one of the most interesting activities during the three days we spent there, I highly recommend it!

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Map with our complete itinerary in Southeast Asia, including our days in Siem Reap

Here is the map of our trip in Google MyMaps, with our detailed route, everything we did, where we stayed, and all the cool spots we visited. It's super easy to use and you can even save it to your own Google account for future reference. So when you plan your next trip to Southeast Asia, you already know where to start 😉

On the map, you’ll find details of everything we did, where we stayed, and the best places we visited. There are different layers, each with a unique color for the various regions we explored.

In this post, I explain how I use Google MyMaps to plan my trips. It's an amazing resource for saving places, calculating routes and distances, and overall trip planning. I really love using Google MyMaps for my travels!

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