You can visit Angkor Wat for a day, but staying in Siem Reap for at least three days is better. I’ve visited the area more than ten times and found something new to explore every time. See my Siem Reap itinerary suggestions and Siem Reap travel tips below.
For more information, check out things to do in Siem Reap and places to visit and where to stay in Siem Reap.
How many days to stay in Siem Reap?
I prefer to stay 4-5 days or even a week, as this area is the highlight of Cambodia. However, below is my advice for 2 to 5 days itineraries in Siem Reap.
Siem Reap 3-day Itinerary
- Day one: Small circuit tour
- Day two: Banteay Srei and Grand Circuit tour
- Phnom Kulen National Park and Kampong Phluk Floating Village
Three days in Siem Reap will give you enough time to visit the most exciting temples, but you need more time to see other attractions.
Tip: You don’t have to remember all the temple names and lists. The tuk-tuk/taxi drivers know them very well. You just have to choose your tour.
Day One: Small Circuit Tour
The small circuit tour has the most famous temples in Angkor Archeological Park, including Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm temple. Ta Prohm is the place where part of the Tomb Rider movie was filmed.
The complete list of temples usually includes:
- Angkor Wat
- Phnom Bakheng
- Bayon Temple
- Baphuon Temple
- Terrace of the Elephants
- Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda
- Ta Keo
- Ta Prohm
- Banteay Kdei
- Srah Srang
Day Two: Banteay Srei and Grand Circuit Tour
The travel time is longer with fewer but impressive temples. Banteay Srei is a small but beautiful temple that is worth the trip.
Tip: The first temple from the Grand Circuit tour, Preah Khan, is vast and one of my favorite temples in the area. Therefore, ensure you visit it no matter how much time you have in Siem Reap.
The complete list of temples for day two consists of the following temples:
- Banteay Srei
- Preah Khan
- Neak Pean
- Ta Som
- East Mebon
- Pre Rup
Day Three: Phnom Kulen National Park and Kampong Phluk Floating Village
Kulen Mountain is a sacred area that includes a temple with a statue of the Reclining Buddha,1000 lingas, and the impressive Kulen Waterfall. It’s only a one-way road, so you must visit it in the morning.
Then, for the sunset, you can visit the Kampong Phluk floating village and watch the sunset from a boat in Tonle Sap Lake.
Two days in Siem Reap
- Day One: Best temples from small and grand circuit tour and Beantay Srei
- Day Two: Phnom Kulen National Park and Kampong Phluk Floating Village
On the first day, you can visit the best temples from the famous tours and the Beantay Srei temple. Here is my favorite temple list after ten trips to Siem Reap and in what order to visit them.
- Banteay Srey
- Beantey Samre
- Pre Rup
- Beanteay Kdei
- Ta Prohm
- Ta Nei
- Preah Khan
- Baphuon Temple
- Bayon Temple
- Angkor Wat
Day two is the same as the one included in the 3-day itinerary, so check the information above. You can also visit more temples near Siem Reap, like Beng Malea, Koh Ker, and others.
One day in Siem Reap
Please note that you can only visit Siem Reap for a day if you stay in Cambodia for more days. You’ll be denied boarding if you don’t stay overnight. This suggestion is for people traveling for at least a few days in Cambodia but staying only a day in Siem Reap.
One day is minimal time, and you can’t see much. My best advice is to visit the best temples from the small and grand circuit tour mentioned above, but staying for at least two or even three days is better. It’s really worth it.
Siem Reap Тravel Тips
My best Siem Reap travel tips recommendations are below. I’ll add more tips soon.
Is Siem reap safe?
Yes, Siem Reap is a very safe place day and night, and people are friendly. It’s one of the safest places I’ve ever been to.
Where to stay in Siem Reap?
Short answer: near Pub Street. Long answer: check my post on where to stay in Siem Reap or the best hotels in Siem Reap on Agoda.
How to get around?
You can walk or hire a tuk-tuk or taxi, depending on your budget and hotel location. Tuk tuks are widely available and cheap, but if you prefer a taxi, you must call it from your hotel reception. Another option is using the Grab app.
How to visit the Angkor temples?
You have to hire a tuk-tuk or taxi. The tuk-tuks are cheaper and more fun but slower, and some roads are dusty.
Taxis are more expensive but faster and with air conditioning.
Siem Reap tuk tuk tips
- You don’t need to book a tuk-tuk driver in advance. There are many tuk-tuk drivers on the streets, and they are friendly. The Internet is full of driver recommendations: “Oh, Mr. X is great, Mr. Y is amazing,” etc. I’ve been to Siem Reap ten times and hired a different driver every time. They are all nice.
- Don’t book a tuk-tuk from your hotel. Just go around the corner and hire a guy not connected to a hotel or agency. He desperately needs your money much more than the hotel drivers, and the price is lower.
- The daily tuk-tuk price starts from $15 for the small circuit tour and up to $20-$25 for the grand circuit tour.
Where to exchange money in Siem Reap?
The best advice I can give you is to bring US dollars from home. Just make sure to bring new crispy bills. See more on my Cambodia travel tips post.