Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor, the largest religious monument on Earth and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city’s name means “Defeat of Siam,” a nod to centuries of history that linger in carvings, pagodas, and traditions. Today, Siem Reap is equal parts ancient wonder and creative hub, with design-forward cafés, artisan workshops, and a dining scene that punches far above its size.

Beyond the temple walls, Tonle Sap—the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia—breathes with the seasons and even reverses flow, giving life to floating villages and mangrove forests. North of town, Phnom Kulen’s sacred plateau shelters jungle-clad waterfalls and a reclining Buddha revered by locals. Between adventures, unwind with Cambodian massages, tuk-tuk rides, and markets brimming with silk, pepper, and hand-crafted souvenirs.

Practical notes: US dollars and Cambodian riel are both accepted; carry small bills for tuk-tuks and tips. Dress modestly at temples (shoulders and knees covered). As of 2025, Angkor passes are approximately $37 (1-day), $62 (3-day), and $72 (7-day). Dry season (Nov–Apr) brings cooler mornings and ideal sunrise conditions; wet season (May–Oct) turns the countryside lush and the lake dramatic.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap’s compact center is easy to navigate by tuk-tuk. Riverside shophouses, the Old Market, and leafy lanes of Wat Bo and Kandal Village hide third-wave coffee, boutique ateliers, and bars where mixology meets Khmer botanicals. By day, trace the cosmic symbolism of Angkor Wat; by night, catch a contemporary circus born from the country’s resilient arts scene.

• Top sights: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom (Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants), Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei (rose-pink sandstone), Angkor National Museum, Phnom Kulen waterfalls, Tonle Sap floating villages.
• Food & drink: From refined degustations to street-side skewers: try fish amok, green mango salad, and num banh chok. For cocktails, seek out speakeasy-style bars near the Old Market.
• Fun facts: Angkor Wat’s bas-reliefs run for nearly half a mile; Bayon’s 200+ serene faces likely depict King Jayavarman VII; Tonle Sap can swell to five times its dry-season size.

How to get here (typical options):

• Flights: Bangkok to Siem Reap (REP) ~1 hr; Ho Chi Minh City ~1 hr 15 min; Singapore ~2 hrs. Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com; typical regional one-ways run ~$70–$180.
• Overland from Phnom Penh: Private car 5–6 hrs; buses 5.5–7 hrs. Roads are paved; expect daytime traffic and scenic rural stretches.

Where to stay:

• Search all stays: Browse deals via Hotels.com (Siem Reap) or private villas on VRBO (Siem Reap).
• High-end icon: Amansara — mid-century heritage, curated temple routes, and deep calm minutes from Angkor.
• Top budget-social: Onederz Hostel Siem Reap — clean rooms, pools, and easy tuk-tuk access to the Old Market.
• Also consider (search via Hotels.com link): FCC Angkor by Avani (colonial architecture, riverside), Shinta Mani (design-forward, Wat Bo district), or Koulen Hotel (family-friendly suites).

Day 1: Arrival, River Stroll, and Phare Circus

Morning: In transit to Siem Reap. If you arrive early, ease in with coffee at Sister Srey Café (social enterprise, excellent cold brew and banana bread) or Crane Coffee & Bakery (quiet design-first nook near the river). Stretch your legs along the Siem Reap River path and peek into Kandal Village’s boutiques for locally made ceramics and silk.

Afternoon: Check in and refresh by the pool. For orientation, visit the Angkor National Museum to decode Hindu-Buddhist symbolism before you see it etched in stone. Pick up your Angkor pass today to skip the dawn queue (approx. $37/62/72 for 1/3/7 days).

Evening: Experience Cambodia’s riveting contemporary arts at Phare: The Cambodian Circus—athletic storytelling born from a Battambang arts school; arrive 30 minutes early for best seats.

Dinner options nearby: Chanrey Tree (elegant Khmer classics like fish amok and prahok ktis), Malis Siem Reap (Chef Luu Meng’s refined regional recipes), or WILD Creative Bar & Eatery (hand-rolled “jungle spring rolls” and garden cocktails). Nightcap at Miss Wong (Shanghai-era speakeasy; kaffir lime gimlet is a standout).

Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise and the Grand Icons (Full-Day Tour)

Rise before dawn for the Full-Day Angkor Wat Sunrise Private Tour.

Watch the lotus ponds blush pink, then step inside to study churning-of-the-ocean bas-reliefs and galleries aligned to the cosmos. Continue to Angkor Thom for Bayon’s many-faced towers, the Terrace of the Elephants, and Ta Prohm, where silk-cotton roots lace through sandstone—a reminder that jungle wins given time.

Expect hotel pickup, licensed guide, and flexible pacing; bring a scarf, sunscreen, and temple-appropriate attire. Pack a takeaway breakfast from your hotel; for lunch, ask your guide for a local spot near Srah Srang (simple stir-fries, soups, fresh coconuts). After a long, inspiring day, unwind with a foot massage at Lemongrass Garden Spa and a casual dinner at Pou Restaurant (young Khmer chef; tamarind ribs and kampot pepper chicken) or HAVEN (trainee-run, delicious lok lak and mango sticky rice).

Day 3: Phnom Kulen National Park—Lingas, Pagodas, and Waterfalls (Full-Day Tour)

Trade stone for jungle on the Kulen Waterfall Join-in Tour (local Picnic lunch).

Drive ~1.5–2 hours to Phnom Kulen’s sacred plateau, birthplace of the Khmer Empire. See the “River of a Thousand Lingas” carved into the riverbed, climb to the hilltop pagoda with its colossal reclining Buddha, and cool off at tiered waterfalls where locals picnic on bamboo platforms.

Bring swimwear, a light towel, and water shoes for slick rocks; leech socks are handy in wet season. Return mid-afternoon for pool time. For dinner, book Embassy Restaurant (multi-course Khmer tasting led by the Kimsan Chefs) or Mahob Khmer (garden setting; crispy spring rolls, grilled river fish). Cocktails at FCC Angkor’s Scribe Bar pair well with a quiet riverside stroll.

Day 4: Tonle Sap’s Floating Worlds and Last Bites

Morning: Head to Tonle Sap for the Kompong Phluk Floating Village Half-Day Tour (Morning).

Cruise past stilt houses, schools, and pagodas on the floodplain; in higher-water months, drift through mangrove corridors. It’s a vivid look at lake life shaped by the monsoon. Photographers: morning light is softer and less hazy.

Afternoon: Return to town for a final wander at the Made in Cambodia Market (artisan textiles, pepper, and woodcarvings). Enjoy a light lunch at Tevy’s Place (family-run, budget-friendly; green mango salad, grilled pork skewers) or Chanrey Tree (if you missed it earlier). Grab gelato at Gelato Lab before your transfer—leave ~2 hours for the airport, more in peak season.

Evening: Departure day. If you have extra hours, a last coffee at Brown Coffee Riverside or a 60-minute Khmer massage at Sokkhak Spa Riverside makes a restful send-off.

Local dining & coffee cheat sheet:

• Breakfast/coffee: Sister Srey Café (social enterprise, hearty breakfasts), Crane Coffee & Bakery (pastries, quiet aesthetic), Brown Coffee Riverside (Cambodia’s specialty chain, reliable Wi‑Fi).
• Casual lunch: Tevy’s Place (street-style Khmer plates), HAVEN (trainee-run, modern Khmer), Mahob Khmer (garden grills and curries).
• Dinner: Chanrey Tree (refined Khmer), Malis Siem Reap (heritage recipes), Embassy Restaurant (tasting menu, advance booking recommended), Pou Restaurant & Bar (inventive, local-forward).
• After-dark: Miss Wong (craft cocktails), WILD (playful rolls, leafy courtyard), FCC Angkor—Scribe Bar (riverside aperitifs).

Getting around: Tuk-tuks are plentiful; short hops in town ~$2–4. Ask your hotel to arrange sunrise pickups and fixed-price temple circuits. Carry small bills and a scarf for sun and temple etiquette.

Booking tip: Lock in flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com, then choose stays via Hotels.com or VRBO. For a splurge, check dates at Amansara; for a sociable budget pick, see Onederz Hostel Siem Reap.

In four days you’ll witness sunrise over Angkor’s lotus ponds, hear jungle water tumble at Phnom Kulen, and skim the waterways of Tonle Sap’s floating villages. Between ancient sandstone and modern arts, Siem Reap balances wonder with warmth—and a table always waiting with fragrant herbs and Kampot pepper.