Siem Reap Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Siem Reap tours, the sunrise over the temples of Angkor Wat, the smiling stone faces of Bayon and Angkor Thom, the jungle-wrapped ruins of Ta Prohm, the floating villages of Tonle Sap, tuk-tuk street-food tours and Apsara dance shows, and the carved temple of Banteay Srei. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Angkor itinerary.
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Explore Siem Reap by interest
Whatever brings you to Siem Reap — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Angkor Wat sunrise
The iconic temple.
ExploreAngkor Thom & temples
Bayon and Ta Prohm.
ExploreTonle Sap Lake
Floating villages.
ExploreBanteay Srei
The carved pink temple.
ExploreFood & cooking
Khmer flavours by tuk-tuk.
ExploreApsara show
Dance and circus.
ExploreKulen Mountain
Sacred waterfalls.
ExploreDay trips
Beng Mealea and more.
ExploreTop attractions in Siem Reap
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Angkor Wat
The iconic sunrise temple.
Bayon (Angkor Thom)
Smiling stone faces.
Ta Prohm
The jungle “Tomb Raider” temple.
Tonle Sap
Floating villages.
Banteay Srei
The carved pink temple.
Khmer Food Tours
Tuk-tuk tastings.
Apsara & Phare
Dance and circus shows.
Kulen Mountain
Sacred waterfalls.
Siem Reap in 1 day
- 1Angkor Wat sunrise
- 2Angkor Thom & Bayon
- 3Ta Prohm
- 4Apsara dinner show
Siem Reap in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Angkor small circuit
- 2Day 2: Banteay Srei & Tonle Sap
- 3Grand circuit temples
- 4Sunset on the lake
Siem Reap in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Angkor small circuit
- 2Day 2: Grand circuit & Banteay Srei
- 3Day 3: Tonle Sap & Kulen
- 4Temples, lake & waterfalls
Angkor Wat at sunrise
- 1Angkor Wat sunrise, gates at 5am
- 2Angkor Thom & the Bayon faces
- 3Ta Prohm's jungle temple
- 4Small circuit with a licensed guide
Tonle Sap floating villages
- 1Boat out onto Tonle Sap Lake
- 2Kampong Phluk's stilted houses
- 3Flooded mangrove forest by paddleboat
- 4Sunset over the water
Angkor Park awayAngkor Wat
The iconic sunrise temple.
1 hr awayBanteay Srei
The carved pink temple.
30 min awayTonle Sap
Floating villages.
1.5 hrs awayKulen Mountain
Sacred waterfalls.
1.5 hrs awayBeng Mealea
Jungle ruins.
In the city awayPhare Circus
Acrobatic show.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Siem Reap visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
The cool, dry season (November–February) brings pleasant, sunny weather ideal for exploring the temples — the prime time to visit Siem Reap.
Cool dry (Nov–Feb)
Comfortable and dry, perfect for temple days and sunrises; it’s the busiest, most popular season, so book ahead.
Hot dry (Mar–May)
Very hot, especially April; start at sunrise, take midday breaks and stay hydrated among the temples.
Wet season (Jun–Oct)
Hot and humid with afternoon downpours; greener and quieter, with the moats and Tonle Sap at their fullest.
Lush green season
The rains bring vivid green surroundings and reflective temple moats, with fewer crowds and lower prices.
Khmer New Year
Mid-April’s Khmer New Year is festive but very hot and busy; plan around it.
One day
The small circuit: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm.
Two days
Add Banteay Srei and the Tonle Sap lake.
Three days
The sweet spot: small and grand circuits, plus Kulen or the lake.
Four to five days
Add Beng Mealea, Koh Ker and rest days.
Angkor pass
Choose a 1, 3 (valid 10 days) or 7-day (valid a month) pass.
Travelling with kids
Mix temples, a boat trip and the circus at a gentle pace.
Tuk-tuk
A hired tuk-tuk is the classic, breezy way to tour the Angkor temples and around town, easily arranged for a day.
Tour transfers
Most temple, lake and day tours include hotel pickup by tuk-tuk or air-conditioned van.
On foot
Siem Reap town, with its markets, Pub Street and riverside, is compact and walkable.
Bicycle
Cycling is a pleasant option for the closer temples and around town in the cooler months.
Grab & taxis
The Grab and PassApp ride apps and taxis are handy for getting around town and to the airport.
From the airport
Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is about 45 minutes to an hour from town by taxi or transfer.
Buy the Angkor pass
A 1, 3 or 7-day Angkor Archaeological Park pass is required for the temples; buy it online or at the official ticket office (bring your passport).
US dollars are used
Cambodia widely uses US dollars alongside the riel; carry small bills for tuk-tuks, tips and markets.
Dress for the temples
Cover shoulders and knees to enter Angkor Wat and the temples; it’s required and respectful.
Start at sunrise
Begin early to catch the Angkor Wat sunrise and beat the midday heat and crowds.
Hire a guide
A licensed guide brings the temples’ history and carvings to life — well worth it at Angkor.
Stay hydrated
The heat among the temples is intense; bring water, a hat and sun protection.
Sunrise tours
Angkor Wat sunrise tours and private guides fill up — book ahead.
Tonle Sap trips
Sunset floating-village tours are popular — reserve early.
Apsara & Phare shows
Dinner shows and the Phare circus sell out — pre-book.
Food tours
Small-group tuk-tuk food tours fill up — book ahead.
Private guides
Good licensed guides get booked early in high season — reserve ahead.
Cool season
November–February is busiest — plan and book early.
Angkor pass
About €35 for 1 day, €58 for 3 days, €70 for 7 days (official park fees).
Temple tours
Around €25–50 for a guided sunrise small-circuit tour (pass extra).
Tonle Sap trips
About €20–40 for a floating-village boat tour.
Apsara & Phare shows
Roughly €15–35 for an Apsara dinner show or the Phare circus.
Food tours
Around €25–45 for a tuk-tuk street-food tour.
How to save
Siem Reap is excellent value; share a tuk-tuk and guide, use a 3-day pass, and eat at local spots.
Siem Reap through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Temples and sunrises.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best weather; book ahead.
- Best for
- Fewer crowds, early starts.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Very hot; start at sunrise.
- Best for
- Lush green and value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Afternoon downpours; quieter.
- Best for
- Full moats and reflections.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Greenest; lowest prices.