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Siem Reap

Siem Reap travel guide

Second-largest city in Cambodia

Things to do68 experiences
Best time to visitDecember to January
Nearest airportREP · 5 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+7
Population147,866

About Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the second-largest city of Cambodia, as well as the capital and largest city of Siem Reap province in northwestern Cambodia.

Places to visit in Siem Reap

  1. Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat

    Religious · 3 mi from centre

    The largest religious monument in the world, a vast temple with carved galleries and lotus-shaped towers. Arrive before dawn to watch the sunrise over the towers.

  2. Bayon

    Bayon

    Religious · 5 mi from centre

    A temple at the center of Angkor Thom, famous for dozens of towers carved with giant smiling faces. Go early in the morning or late afternoon for softer light.

  3. Ta Prohm

    Ta Prohm

    Historic · 5 mi from centre

    A temple left largely to the jungle, with massive silk-cotton and fig tree roots wrapping around its towers and walls. Visit at opening time to avoid crowds at the most famous photo spots.

  4. Banteay Srei

    Banteay Srei

    Religious · 18 mi from centre

    A small temple of pink sandstone with some of the finest carvings at Angkor. It is farther out, so combine it with a visit to the landmine museum nearby.

  5. Angkor Thom

    Angkor Thom

    Historic

    The last great capital of the Khmer Empire, surrounded by walls and grand gates. Hire a bike or tuk-tuk to explore the many temples inside.

  6. Tonlé Sap

    Tonlé Sap

    Nature · 36 mi from centre

    The largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, which swells hugely in the rainy season and is home to villages of houses on stilts and floating homes. Choose a responsible tour that supports local communities.

  7. Angkor National Museum

    Angkor National Museum

    Museum

    A modern museum in Siem Reap explaining the history, religion, and art of the Khmer Empire through sculpture and short films. Visit before exploring the temples to better understand what you will see.

  8. Beng Mealea

    Beng Mealea

    Historic · 27 mi from centre

    A large, partly collapsed temple swallowed by jungle about 60 km from Siem Reap, with wooden walkways through the ruins. Go early in the day for the most peaceful visit before tour vans arrive.

Things to do in Siem Reap by type

68 tours, tickets and experiences across 8 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • Over 6 hours 7
  • 3-6 hours 6
  • 1-3 hours 1
Good for
  • Couples 2
  • Families 2
  • Senior 2
  • Youth 2
Ways to go
  • Private 14
  • Small group 6
  • Wheelchair accessible 1
Browse all things to do in Siem Reap

Top experiences in Siem Reap

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 68 available.

See all things to do in Siem Reap

Where to stay in Siem Reap

Popular hotels in Siem Reap, out of 377 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Siem Reap

Best time to visit Siem Reap

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Siem Reap is December to January, when average daytime highs are around 87°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 68° – 87° 1
Feb 74° – 92° 4
Mar 77° – 94° 12
Apr 80° – 97° 12
May 79° – 93° 26
Jun 78° – 91° 22
Jul 77° – 90° 28
Aug 77° – 91° 29
Sep 76° – 89° 30
Oct 75° – 88° 24
Nov 73° – 87° 10
Dec 71° – 87° 4

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Siem Reap weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 89° 75° 75%
  • Thu 22 Oct 89° 76° 80%
  • Fri 23 Oct 88° 75° 49%
  • Sat 24 Oct 89° 76° 45%
  • Sun 25 Oct 90° 76° 47%
  • Mon 26 Oct 90° 76° 55%

Know before you go

Currency
Cambodian riel (KHR)1 US dollar ≈ ៛4,053
Language
Khmer
Calling code
+855
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Asia/Phnom_PenhUTC+7
Capital
Phnom Penh

Upcoming public holidays in Cambodia

  • Coronation Day of King Sihamoniព្រះរាជពិធីគ្រងព្រះបរមរាជសម្បត្តិរបស់ព្រះករុណាព្រះបាទសម្ដេចព្រះបរមនាថ នរោត្ដម សីហមុនី
  • National Independence Dayទិវាបុណ្យឯករាជ្យជាតិ
  • Water Festivalពិធីបុណ្យអុំទូក បណ្ដែតប្រទីប អកអំបុក និងសំពះព្រះខែ
  • Water Festivalពិធីបុណ្យអុំទូក បណ្ដែតប្រទីប អកអំបុក និងសំពះព្រះខែ
  • Water Festivalពិធីបុណ្យអុំទូក បណ្ដែតប្រទីប អកអំបុក និងសំពះព្រះខែ
  • Cambodia Peace Dayទិវាសន្តិភាពនៅកម្ពុជា

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Siem Reap

These are the airports closest to central Siem Reap. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • REP Siem Reap International Airport5 mi (7 km) from the city centre
Search flights to Siem Reap

Getting around Siem Reap

Travel to and around the Angkor Archaeological Park is extensively covered in its own article. The following is a discussion of travel inside Siem Reap.

On foot

The city centre is fairly compact and flat, now with good quality and often wide, paved sidewalks. Though in places you can find them doubling up as motorbike and car parking lots. However, as Siem Reap has grown, many interesting neighborhoods have popped up that are further outside of the main downtown business district, and are a bit out of the way for pedestrians.

By bicycle

Siem Reap is a popular place to cycle, with some scenic cycle paths painted green, or trails in forests near roads leading to and around Angkor Wat. There is also a green cycle path running along side the river, often in the shade of large trees, starting at the Hard Rock Cafe, then heading north. Bicycle rental shops around town mostly don't open earlier than 07:00, so if you want to ride to Angkor Wat early in the morning, rent one the day before. Some guesthouses also rent bicycles.

By motorbike

Motodops (motorbike taxi) abound and will make sure you know where they are. Rides within town should only cost US$0.50 or 2,000 riel, although prices can double at night or during bad weather. Agree a price first. Full day can be arranged for ~US$10. Helmets for passengers are rare though may materialize if requested in advance.

Siem Reap travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Siem Reap?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Siem Reap is December to January, when average daytime highs are around 87°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.

What is the weather like in Siem Reap?

April is usually the warmest month in Siem Reap, with average highs of 97°F (36°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 71°F (22°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 366 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Siem Reap?

Siem Reap International Airport (REP) is the closest airport, about 5 miles (7 km) from the centre of Siem Reap.

What currency is used in Siem Reap?

Siem Reap uses the Cambodian riel (KHR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ៛4,053.

What time zone is Siem Reap in?

Siem Reap uses the Asia/Phnom_Penh time zone (currently UTC+7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Siem Reap?

Travel to and around the Angkor Archaeological Park is extensively covered in its own article. The following is a discussion of travel inside Siem Reap.

What are the best places to visit in Siem Reap?

Top sights in Siem Reap include Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei. The largest religious monument in the world, a vast temple with carved galleries and lotus-shaped towers. Arrive before dawn to watch the sunrise over the towers.

What are the top things to do in Siem Reap?

Popular experiences you can book in Siem Reap include Full day Angkor Joining Tour, Kampong Phluk floating villages in Siem Reap - Half-Day Tour and Banteay Srei, Kulen and Beng Mealea - Full-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 68 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Siem Reap?

The most popular types of experiences in Siem Reap are day trips & excursions (22), art & culture (16), outdoor activities & adventure (15) and city tours (6). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Siem Reap?

Popular areas for hotels in Siem Reap include Siem Reap. Well-reviewed options include Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa and Amber Angkor Villa Hotel & Spa.

How many hotels can I book in Siem Reap?

Destina Holidays currently lists 377 properties in and around Siem Reap, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.