Cambodia
Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
The world's largest religious monument, with a whole lost imperial capital of jungle temples around it.
Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument on earth, the centrepiece of a 400 sq km archaeological park of Khmer temples built between the 9th and 15th centuries, when this was the capital of an empire. Siem Reap, 20 minutes south, is the easygoing base town of markets, guesthouses and tuk-tuks from which every sunrise run and temple loop begins.
Suggested stay
2–4 days
Language
Khmer
Currency
KHR
Timezone
UTC+7
Why you'll love Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
Angkor Wat the five lotus towers reflected in the moat at dawn are one of travel's great sights.
Beyond the icon the smiling stone faces of the Bayon, tree-strangled Ta Prohm and the pink-sandstone carvings of Banteay Srei each feel like a different world.
Room to escape a multi-day pass and a tuk-tuk let you swap the sunrise crowds for quiet outer temples like Preah Khan and Pre Rup.
The base town Siem Reap mixes night markets, Khmer cooking classes and cheap tuk-tuks with a relaxed small-town pace.
Best time to visit
Nov-Feb
Cool & dry · 31-34° days
13.362° N, 103.859° E
UTC+7 · Asia/Phnom Penh
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Weather & when to go to Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
Month by month: typical highs and lows, rainfall and rain days.
✓ Best Nov-Feb
Conditions Jan Cool & dry · Feb Dry season · Mar Hot & dusty · Apr Extreme heat · May Monsoon starts · Jun-Jul Monsoon · Aug Heavy rain · Sep Monsoon peak · Oct Rains easing · Nov Cool & green · Dec Cool & dry
Watch for Mar-Apr extreme heat risk · Sep monsoon flooding risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
When to avoid Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
April-May brings punishing 35-40C heat and Khmer New Year crowds, then the June-October monsoon adds afternoon downpours and muddy paths, though the temples are greener and far quieter.
Top things to do in Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
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Angkor Wat - sunrise over the five towers
history scenic 👍 PopularGates open around 5am for the dawn silhouette over the north reflecting pool, then stay on as the crowd heads back for breakfast and walk the outer gallery's bas-reliefs (the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, Suryavarman II's army). Angkor Passes cost USD 37 (1 day), USD 62 (3 days) and USD 72 (7 days) from Angkor Enterprise online or the Road 60 ticket office only; buy after about 4:30pm and the next-day ticket also covers that evening's sunset.
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Bayon and Angkor Thom - the walled city of stone faces
history culture arts 👍 PopularCross the south gate causeway lined with gods and demons, then lose yourself among the Bayon's 200-odd smiling faces before walking on to the Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. The Bayon's upper level has been under restoration, with reopening slated for 2026, so check on arrival.
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Ta Prohm - the temple the jungle kept
history nature wildlife 👍 PopularSilk-cotton and strangler fig roots still pour over galleries and doorways, left deliberately half-cleared by restorers. The most crowded ruin after Angkor Wat itself, so go at opening or in the last hour, and pair it with Banteay Kdei and the Srah Srang reservoir next door.
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Banteay Srei - the pink sandstone jewel
history culture arts ⭐ Highly recommendedA small 10th-century temple about 35 km north of town, carved in rose-coloured sandstone so deeply and finely it reads like woodwork. Covered by the Angkor Pass; leave early to beat the tour buses, and add the eastern loop (Pre Rup, East Mebon, Ta Som) on the way back.
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Preah Khan and Neak Pean - Jayavarman VII's quieter monuments
history off beaten path ⭐ Highly recommendedPreah Khan's long processional axis of lichen-covered halls and narrowing doorways feels like a lost city, at a fraction of Ta Prohm's crowds; Neak Pean's island shrine sits in a baray just beyond. Best on the Grand Circuit day with Ta Som and Pre Rup for sunset.
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Beng Mealea - the collapsed jungle temple
history adventureAn Angkor Wat contemporary about 70 km east of town, left roughly as it fell, with toppled galleries crossed on raised boardwalks under the canopy. Ticketed separately on site (recent sources cite USD 10, older ones USD 5), and usually paired with the Kulen or Koh Ker run.
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Phnom Bakheng and Pre Rup - temple-top sunsets
history scenicPhnom Bakheng's hilltop gives a distant view of Angkor Wat's towers over the forest, but access to the summit temple is capped at about 300 people at a time, so queue well before sunset. Pre Rup's brick terraces over the rice fields are the easier, roomier alternative.
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Angkor by bicycle - small trails between the temples
adventure scenicThe flat park is made for cycling: ride the forest tracks and the Angkor Thom wall between Ta Prohm, the Bayon and the Elephant Terrace. Grasshopper Adventures runs a guided 9-hour ride for about USD 55 with lunch (Angkor Pass extra), or hire a bike in town and go at your own pace.
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Phare, The Cambodian Circus - acrobatics under the big top
culture arts nightlife musicA nightly hour of acrobatics, live music and theatre by graduates of the Phare Ponleu Selpak arts school in Battambang, with proceeds funding the school. Seats run roughly USD 17-26 depending on section.
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Wat Bo and Kandal Village - murals, makers and cafes
culture arts shoppingWat Bo's century-old murals sit a short walk from the boutiques, galleries and cafes of Kandal Village (Hap Guan Street) and the Wat Bo riverside's new cafe strip. Round it off at the weekend Made in Cambodia artisan market or Khmer Ceramics Fine Arts Centre, whose profits fund training for disadvantaged workers.
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Phsar Leu and Road 60 - eat your way around Siem Reap
foodStart with num banh chok (rice noodles in fish curry) at Phsar Leu morning market for a few thousand riel, then evening grills on Road 60. For sit-down Khmer try The Touich or Chanrea Dom Makara; for fish amok done refined, Cuisine Wat Damnak or Malis, booked ahead.
Best areas to stay in Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
$ Budget $$ Mid-range $$$ Premium
Wat Bo
Boutique-minded couples $$Leafy riverside lanes, boutiques and cafes
Explore hotels in Wat Bo →
Old Market and Pub Street
Nightlife and backpackers $Noisy, walkable heart of the nightlife
Explore hotels in Old Market and Pub Street →
Wat Damnak
Couples seeking calm $$Quiet villas and pool hotels near the centre
Explore hotels in Wat Damnak →
Taphul Village
Families on a budget $Peaceful local streets west of centre
Explore hotels in Taphul Village →
Charles de Gaulle Road
Resort-style luxury $$$Big resorts on the temple road
Explore hotels in Charles de Gaulle Road →
Live nightly prices from Booking.com, Agoda and others, centred on Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
Getting to & around Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
Getting there
Fly into SAI, about 1 hr by USD 8 shuttle bus to Siem Reap town, the base for the temples
Flight
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI)
About 50 km east of Siem Reap town: the official shuttle bus (USD 8, about 1 hr, roughly 09:30-22:00) runs to 7 Makara Street, or take a fixed-price taxi (USD 35, up to 3 people) or a tuk-tuk (USD 15-25, about 1.5 hr).
Coach
Siem Reap bus offices in town
Phnom Penh (including flights landing at the new Techo International, KTI) to Siem Reap is 5-7 hr by coach; Giant Ibis and similar run several daily, USD 10-25 depending on regular, VIP or sleeper.
Drive
Private taxi from Phnom Penh runs about USD 80-110 per car and takes around 5 hr.
Coach
Siem Reap bus offices in town
Bangkok (Mo Chit) to Siem Reap via the Aranyaprathet-Poipet border historically took 8-10 hr for about THB 750 or USD 24-35, but land crossings have been closed or restricted since the 2025 Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, so confirm status before planning this route.
Ferry
Chong Kneas jetty, about 15 km south of town
Seasonal boat across the Tonle Sap and up the Sangker River to or from Battambang, 6-10 hr, about USD 25-60 per person; runs only when water levels allow, typically best late in the wet season into the cool season.
Coach
Siem Reap bus offices in town
Battambang to Siem Reap by bus or minivan takes about 3-4 hr when the boat is not an option.
Getting around
Tuk-tuk day hire
The classic way to see the temples; agree the route and sunrise surcharge before you set off.
USD 15-20 small circuit, USD 25-35 grand circuit or Banteay Srei
Tuk-tuk (town hops)
Negotiate on the street or book via app to skip haggling.
USD 2-3 in town, USD 3-5 to the Angkor Wat area
PassApp / Grab
App-booked rickshaws and cars give fixed, usually lower fares than street hire.
USD 8-12 temple day via app; short rides from about USD 1-2
Bicycle
Guesthouses rent them; the temples are 5-7 km from town and the heat is real, so start early.
USD 2-5 per day
E-bike
Quiet and easy on the small circuit; check battery range before the grand circuit.
USD 10-15 per day rental; guided e-bike tours USD 90-160
Private car with driver
Air-conditioned, sensible for far temples like Beng Mealea and Koh Ker.
USD 35-60 per day
Day trips from Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean
Half dayPink temple and riverbed carvings
Banteay Srei's 10th-century sandstone carvings are the finest in the Angkor area; pair it with the short jungle hike to Kbal Spean's carved riverbed and the Landmine Museum nearby.
Getting there
car | tour
1 hr by tuk-tuk or car
Phnom Kulen
Full daySacred mountain and waterfall
The hill where the Khmer Empire was declared in 802, with a giant reclining Buddha, the River of a Thousand Lingas and a swimming waterfall, best after the rains.
Getting there
car | tour
1.5 hr by car or tour
Beng Mealea
Half dayJungle-wrapped ruin
A vast collapsed temple swallowed by trees, explored over boardwalks and fallen blocks, far quieter than Ta Prohm.
Getting there
car | tour
1.5 hr by car or tour
Koh Ker and Beng Mealea
Full dayRemote temple pyramid
Koh Ker's seven-tiered Prasat Thom pyramid sits about 120 km out, a short-lived 10th-century capital you may have almost to yourself; combine with Beng Mealea on the way.
Getting there
car | tour
2.5 hr by car or tour
Kompong Phluk
Half dayStilt village on the lake
A fishing village on towering stilts at the edge of the Tonle Sap, with flooded forest by canoe and lake sunsets; water is highest from about Aug-Dec.
Getting there
car | ferry | tour
45 min by tuk-tuk then ferry boat
Roluos Group
Half dayEarliest Angkor temples
Bakong, Preah Ko and Lolei predate Angkor Wat by two centuries and see a fraction of the crowds, easy to add on a quiet afternoon.
Getting there
car
20 min by tuk-tuk
A little history of Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
Angkor was the seat of the Khmer Empire, which from the 9th to the 15th century ruled much of mainland Southeast Asia from the plains north of the Tonle Sap lake. Successive god-kings built state temples, vast reservoirs (barays) and canal networks here, making it one of the largest pre-industrial cities on earth.
Angkor Wat itself was raised by King Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century as a Hindu temple to Vishnu and, most likely, his own funerary monument. It shifted to Theravada Buddhist use over the following centuries and, unlike most of Angkor, was never fully abandoned, which is why it remains an active place of worship and the national symbol on Cambodia's flag.
Jayavarman II proclaims himself universal monarch on Phnom Kulen, the traditional founding of the Khmer Empire
Suryavarman II reigns and builds Angkor Wat as a Vishnu temple, finished around his death
Jayavarman VII rebuilds after a Cham sack, founding Angkor Thom, the Bayon and Ta Prohm as Mahayana Buddhist works
Siamese forces from Ayutthaya sack Angkor and the Khmer court later moves south toward Phnom Penh
French naturalist Henri Mouhot reaches Angkor; his published journals spark European fascination with the site
Angkor is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also placed on the in-danger list until 2004
What Angkor Wat (Siem Reap) costs
Per person, per day
Shoestring
$30–45 USD /day
≈$30–45 USD
Dorm or fan guesthouse room USD 5-15, market and street food USD 2-6 a dish (often priced in riel, KHR 4000-10000 for noodles or rice), bicycle or shared tuk-tuk to the temples. Includes the 3-day Angkor Pass (USD 62) spread over a 3-4 day stay, roughly USD 15-20 a day.
Midrange
$70–110 USD /day
≈$70–110 USD
Boutique hotel or pool guesthouse USD 30-60, sit-down Khmer restaurants and Pub Street drinks, private tuk-tuk for temple circuits USD 15-25 a day, plus the Angkor Pass (USD 37 for 1 day, USD 62 for 3 days) amortised across the stay.
Comfort
$170–300 USD /day
≈$170–300 USD
Upscale resort or heritage hotel USD 120-250, fine-dining Khmer tasting menus, air-conditioned car with a licensed guide for the temples, spa treatments, plus the Angkor Pass. Luxury resorts push well beyond this.
Prices are planning estimates.
Know before you go
Payment
Cash preferred
English
Widely spoken
Wifi
Workable
~12 Mbps
Power
Type A / B / C / F / G
230 V, 50 Hz
Dialing
+855
Extreme heat risk in this window; check current conditions before you go.
Monsoon flooding risk in this window; check current conditions before you go.
The months our climate read flags to avoid: the wettest, lowest-rated weather of the year.
Mobile network & SIM card
Get an eSIM before you fly
A Cambodia eSIM installs in minutes and works the moment you switch off flight mode. No SIM swap, no roaming bill.
FAQs about Angkor Wat (Siem Reap)
▸ When is the best time to visit Angkor Wat?
November to March is the best window, with dry skies and the coolest temperatures in November-February; March is still dry but noticeably hotter. April-May are the hottest months of the year, and June-October is the wet season, when afternoon downpours, humidity and muddy paths make temple days harder, though the moats are full, the landscape is green and crowds are thinner.
▸ How many days do you need at Angkor Wat?
Three days is the sweet spot for a first visit: one for Angkor Wat at sunrise, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, one for outlying temples such as Banteay Srei, and a flexible third day for Siem Reap, the countryside or the Tonle Sap. A single day covers the big three in a rush, while four or more days suits slower temple-hoppers and photographers.
▸ How much is the Angkor Pass and where do I buy it?
As of 2026 the Angkor Pass costs USD 37 for one day, USD 62 for three days and USD 72 for seven days, with multi-day passes usable on non-consecutive days within a set window (validity rules have varied, so check the current terms). Buy only from Angkor Enterprise, at the official ticket centre in Siem Reap or its website; tickets from other sellers are not valid, and multi-day passes carry your photo.
▸ What is the dress code for the Angkor temples?
Cover your shoulders and knees: no sleeveless tops, short shorts or short skirts. The rule is enforced at the steep upper level (Bakan) of Angkor Wat, where staff turn away anyone not covered, so a light scarf or loose trousers is worth carrying all day.
▸ Is it safe to visit Angkor Wat given the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict?
Siem Reap and the Angkor park are well over 100 km from the border and have operated normally through the 2025 Thailand-Cambodia clashes; governments' warnings focus on the zone within roughly 20-50 km of the border, where fighting broke out in July 2025 and a ceasefire was agreed in late December 2025. Land crossings with Thailand, including Poipet-Aranyaprathet, were closed from mid-2025, so fly in rather than planning an overland route and check your government's advisory before travel. Otherwise the usual cautions apply: watch for bag snatching from motorbikes and agree tuk-tuk fares upfront.
▸ Do I need a visa for Cambodia?
Most nationalities need a visa: a 30-day tourist e-Visa costs USD 30 at the official evisa.gov.kh portal (cut from USD 36 in January 2025), or a visa on arrival is about USD 35. Separately, air arrivals must complete the free Cambodia e-Arrival card online within 7 days before the flight, even with an e-Visa; land crossings still use a paper arrival card. Rules change, so confirm on the official portals before you go.
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