Siem Reap itinerary: 1 to 2 days
Plans for one or two days in Siem Reap, day by day: Angkor Wat, the Terrace of the Elephants and the carved pink temple of Banteay Srei first, then the Angkor National Museum, the hilltop temple of Phnom Krom and the jungle ruins of Beng Mealea as you add a day. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 2 days
Siem Reap in 1 day
Day 1
Angkor Wat
The world's largest religious monument, a 12th-century Khmer temple with long bas-relief galleries and five lotus towers.
Bayon
Late 12th-century temple at the centre of Angkor Thom, known for its many towers carved with serene smiling stone faces.
Terrace of the Elephants
Long royal viewing platform in Angkor Thom, carved with life-size elephants and garudas.
Thommanon
Small, well-restored 12th-century Hindu temple near Angkor Thom's Victory Gate, with fine devata carvings.
Ta Prohm
Angkor temple left partly to the jungle, with huge silk-cotton and fig tree roots growing over its walls and galleries.
Siem Reap in 2 days
Day 1
Angkor Wat
The world's largest religious monument, a 12th-century Khmer temple with long bas-relief galleries and five lotus towers.
Bayon
Late 12th-century temple at the centre of Angkor Thom, known for its many towers carved with serene smiling stone faces.
Terrace of the Elephants
Long royal viewing platform in Angkor Thom, carved with life-size elephants and garudas.
Thommanon
Small, well-restored 12th-century Hindu temple near Angkor Thom's Victory Gate, with fine devata carvings.
Ta Prohm
Angkor temple left partly to the jungle, with huge silk-cotton and fig tree roots growing over its walls and galleries.
Angkor National Museum
Modern museum in Siem Reap introducing Khmer history and religion, a good first stop before the temples.
Day 2
Beng Mealea
Jungle-covered, partly collapsed temple of the Angkor Wat period, explored over wooden walkways.
Banteay Srei
10th-century temple of pink sandstone with the most delicate carving at Angkor, about 35 km from town.
Banteay Samré
Angkor Wat-era temple east of the East Baray, quiet and well restored, with an enclosed courtyard.
Phnom Krom
Hill above Tonle Sap lake with a ruined 10th-century temple and wide views over rice fields and the lake.
Watch: Siem Reap
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Siem Reap
November to February is the best time for Siem Reap and Angkor, with dry weather and cooler mornings, though it is also the busiest season. March to May is very hot, while the rainy season from May to October brings afternoon downpours, green landscapes and fewer visitors. Sunrise at Angkor Wat is popular all year, especially around the spring equinox.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Siem Reap on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Siem Reap on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Siem Reap on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- From the airport: a private transfer in Siem Reap with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Cambodia from Airalo
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Tips for Siem Reap
- Buy the Angkor Pass (1, 3 or 7 days, about 37, 62 or 72 USD) at the official ticket centre or angkorenterprise.gov.kh; it carries your photo and is checked at each temple.
- Cover shoulders and knees at all temples; Angkor Wat's upper level (Bakan) refuses entry to visitors in shorts or sleeveless tops.
- Hire a tuk-tuk or driver for the day; the temples are spread over 400 square kilometres and Beng Mealea is about 65 km from town.
- Start early: Angkor Wat opens at 5:00 for sunrise, and midday heat is intense from March to May; carry water.
- US dollars are used everywhere alongside riel; get a Cambodian e-visa online before arrival or a visa on arrival.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Angkor National Museum: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได, CC BY 4.0
- Angkor Wat: Kheng Vungvuthy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Banteay Samré: yeowatzup, CC BY 2.0
- Banteay Srei: Tsui, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bayon: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Beng Mealea: The original uploader was Writer128 at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Phnom Krom: Николай Максимович, CC BY 3.0
- Ta Prohm: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได, CC BY 4.0
- Terrace of the Elephants: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Thommanon: dalbera from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
