Siem Reap is Cambodia’s gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, a vast complex of temples built by the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Angkor Wat—the largest religious monument in the world—anchors a landscape of moats, jungle-choked towers, and serene faces of Bayon. The city itself is compact and welcoming, with a riverside core, tuk-tuks at every corner, and a food scene that ranges from street-side grills to refined tasting menus.

Beyond the stones, the countryside beckons: Tonlé Sap Lake’s stilted and floating villages shift with the seasons; Phnom Kulen’s waterfalls hide ancient carvings in the riverbed; and local markets brim with herbs, palm sugar, and tropical fruit. The rhythm here is gentle—early temple mornings, midday siestas, and cool evenings spent over fish amok and fresh lime sodas.

Practical notes: US dollars are widely accepted, and ATMs dispense USD. Dress modestly at temples (shoulders and knees covered). An Angkor Pass (approx. $37/1 day, $62/3 days, $72/7 days; subject to change) is required and can be purchased at the Angkor Enterprise ticket office. Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) sits ~50–70 minutes from town by taxi. Hydrate and plan around the midday heat.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap blends old-world intrigue and contemporary creativity. By day, wander vine-draped corridors at Ta Prohm and gaze up at Bayon’s enigmatic faces; by night, explore cocktail dens, artisan markets, and cafés along the river.

• Top sights: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, Preah Khan, Phnom Kulen, Tonlé Sap’s Kampong Phluk.
• Why go now: A revitalized dining scene, improved roads, and the new SAI airport make temple-hopping and day trips smoother than ever.
• Eat & drink: Taste classics like fish amok, beef lok lak, num banh chok, and kuy teav. Siem Reap Brewpub, Miss Wong, and WILD pour excellent drinks.
• Getting around: Tuk-tuks are everywhere (short hops ~$2–3; day hires ~$15–25). Many hotels arrange reliable drivers.

Where to stay

• Search by neighborhood (Wat Bo Village for quiet chic; near Pub Street for nightlife; riverside for convenience): Browse Siem Reap vacation rentals on VRBO or Compare hotels in Siem Reap on Hotels.com.
• Editor’s luxury pick: Amansara — mid-century serenity and flawless service steps from the royal residence.
• Value & social vibe: Onederz Hostel Siem Reap — clean, friendly, with pools and easy tour arranging.

How to get there

• Flights: Siem Reap (SAI) has frequent regional connections. Bangkok (1h), Ho Chi Minh City (1h15), Singapore (2h10) and Kuala Lumpur (2h) are common hubs. Search fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Trains: Cambodia’s rail network is limited and not practical for Siem Reap; fly instead. For trains elsewhere in Asia, check Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Riverside Stroll, and Khmer Welcome Dinner

Afternoon: Arrive at SAI and transfer into town (50–70 minutes; taxis typically $20–35). Check in and refresh. If you need cash, ATMs dispense USD; buy a local SIM at the airport or ask your hotel to arrange an eSIM.

Evening: Ease into Siem Reap along the riverside and King’s Road area. Dinner at Chanrey Tree (refined Khmer; try the fish amok in banana leaf and green mango salad) or Malis (classic recipes by Chef Luu Meng—grilled river prawns with Kampot pepper are a highlight). Nightcap at Miss Wong Cocktail Bar (art deco, lemongrass martinis) and a sweet stop at Gelato Lab (pandan or passionfruit scoops).

Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise, Bayon Faces, and Ta Prohm

Morning: Rise around 4:30 a.m. for the bucket-list moment—sunrise over Angkor Wat. A great way to cover the essentials with context is the:

Tour: Full-Day Angkor Wat Sunrise Private Tour with Guide from Siem Reap

You’ll explore sculpted bas-reliefs, climb to courtyards, and then continue to Angkor Thom with the serene stone faces of Bayon and the jungle-strangled corridors of Ta Prohm.

Afternoon: Beat the heat with a hotel pool break or a gentle massage. For a casual late lunch, Sister Srey Café serves excellent espresso, smoothie bowls, and a hearty BLAT on house bread.

Evening: Dinner at Haven (training restaurant turning out comforting Khmer curries and crisp spring rolls—book ahead). Later, try the garden setting at WILD – Creative Bar & Eatery for craft cocktails and their signature “jungle spring rolls” flight.

Day 3: Phnom Kulen Waterfalls and the River of a Thousand Lingas

Morning–Afternoon: Trade temples for nature on a day trip to the birthplace of the Angkor Empire—cool forests, a reclining Buddha, and riverbed carvings dating to the 9th century.

Tour: Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen: Waterfalls & 1000 Lingas Tour

Pack swimwear for the cascading falls; a local-style picnic lunch is often included or easily arranged by your guide. Expect a scenic 1.5-hour drive each way.

Evening: Back in town, sample craft beer flights and Khmer tapas at Siem Reap Brewpub, or keep it simple at Khmer Grill (juicy pork ribs, lok lak with pepper-lime dip). Finish with pastries at The Glasshouse Deli.Patisserie (at Park Hyatt) if you crave something sweet.

Day 4: Markets, Museum, and Tonlé Sap’s Kampong Phluk

Morning: Coffee at The Little Red Fox Espresso in Kandal Village (specialty roasts, avocado toast with local herbs). Walk to Artisans Angkor to see silk painting and stone carving, then continue to the Angkor National Museum for sculpture galleries that prime you for more temple details.

Afternoon: Head to the lake for stilt-house scenery and bird-rich floodplains.

Tour: Tonle Sap Lake & Kampong Phluk Village Half-Day Tour

Late-day light is gorgeous for photos, and water levels vary seasonally (June–Nov is the lush, high-water period).

Evening: Treat yourself to the seasonal tasting menu at Embassy Restaurant by the Kimsan Twins—an elegant exploration of regional Khmer flavors. Reserve ahead.

Day 5: The Quiet Angkor Circuit and Apsara Dance

Morning: Use your Angkor Pass to explore quieter gems by tuk-tuk: Preah Khan (mossy corridors), Neak Pean (island temple linked by a boardwalk), and Ta Som (tree-framed east gate). Ask your driver to drop you at shaded entrances for cooler walks; expect $18–25 for a half-day hire.

Afternoon: Lunch at Tevy’s Place (fresh, affordable, with many vegetarian options). Siesta or a spa hour before the evening’s performance.

Evening: Experience Cambodia’s classical arts with dinner and a show:

Activity: Apsara Dance Performance - Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pickup

Graceful hand gestures and shimmering costumes bring ancient court stories to life—an essential window into Khmer culture.

Day 6: Cooking, Crafts, and Night Market Nibbles

Morning: Join a Khmer cooking class (popular schools run market visits plus hands-on dishes like banana blossom salad, fish amok, and palm sugar desserts). Not a cook? Take a guided photography walk through Wat Bo’s alleys and the Old Market for candid street scenes.

Afternoon: Shop for ethically made souvenirs at the Made in Cambodia Market (silk scarves, pepper, ceramics). Cool down with an iced Khmer coffee and coconut custard tart.

Evening: Dive into local flavors at Road 60 night market—grilled chicken wings, skewers with prahok dip, crispy chive cakes, and rolled ice cream. For cocktails, slip back to Miss Wong or try WILD’s garden bar.

Day 7: Last Temples or Pool Time, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: If you’re temple-obsessed, return to Banteay Srei (the “Citadel of Women,” famed for pink sandstone carvings; go early for soft light). Otherwise, enjoy a lazy pool morning and a slow brunch—Sister Srey’s shakshuka or a croissant and yogurt at The Glasshouse.

Afternoon: Final souvenir run (pepper, palm sugar, lotus tea) and check out. Allow 1.5–2 hours from hotel to gate at SAI, factoring in traffic. For flights out, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Depart Siem Reap in the afternoon with memory cards full.

Optional add-ons and notes

• Ethical wildlife: If you consider elephant experiences, choose sanctuaries that prohibit riding and prioritize animal welfare.
• Tuk-tuk tips: Agree on prices before you ride; share your day’s plan and ask for shade and water stops.
• Temple etiquette: Shoulders and knees covered, hats off in sanctuaries, and no climbing on fragile structures.

At-a-glance food and drink picks

• Breakfast/coffee: Sister Srey Café; The Little Red Fox Espresso; The Glasshouse Deli.Patisserie.
• Lunch: Tevy’s Place; Haven (also great for dinner); roadside kuy teav (noodle soup) near the Old Market.
• Dinner: Malis; Chanrey Tree; Embassy Restaurant (tasting menu, reserve).
• Drinks: Miss Wong; WILD; Siem Reap Brewpub.

Featured tours referenced in this itinerary

• Full-Day Angkor Wat Sunrise Private Tour with Guide from Siem Reap

  

• Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen: Waterfalls & 1000 Lingas Tour

  

• Tonle Sap Lake & Kampong Phluk Village Half-Day Tour

  

• Apsara Dance Performance - Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pickup

  

Summary: A week in Siem Reap balances epic Angkor temples, watery horizons on Tonlé Sap, and the cool hush of Phnom Kulen’s forest. Between early starts and golden-hour evenings, you’ll taste the best of Khmer cuisine and find time to slow down—Siem Reap’s specialty.