🇰🇭 Cambodia · Travel Guide
Siem Reap Travel Guide
Gateway to the temples of Angkor.
Siem Reap is the laid-back town beside the temples of Angkor — the vast, jungle-wrapped capital of the medieval Khmer Empire and one of the world’s great archaeological wonders. Beyond the temples it’s a friendly, affordable base of buzzing night markets, riverside bars and floating villages on the Tonlé Sap lake.
Plan my free Siem Reap itinerary📅 Best time
November–March is cool and dry — the best time. April–May is very hot; the June–October wet season is green and quiet, with lush temples and dramatic skies.
💷 Daily budget
$30–60 mid-range; backpackers manage on $20–25. The Angkor pass is extra (about $37/1-day, $62/3-day).
🗓️ Ideal length
3–4 days — two or three for Angkor, plus the town and the lake.
💱 Currency
Cambodian Riel (៛) — US dollars are used everywhere and often preferred.
🗣️ Language
Khmer. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Is Siem Reap safe?
General safety
Generally safe and welcoming for visitors; violent crime is rare. The main issues are petty theft (bag-snatching from tuk-tuks), traffic and heat, plus pushy touts at the temples.
Solo female travellers
A popular, manageable solo-female destination with a big traveller scene. Keep bags secure inside tuk-tuks, use app-booked (PassApp/Grab) or hotel drivers at night, and dress modestly at the temples.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Cambodia is relatively tolerant by regional standards — same-sex relations are legal and never criminalised, and Siem Reap has a small, visible scene. Discretion in public is still common.
Safety guidance is general and can change — always check your government’s latest travel advice before you go.
Top things to do in Siem Reap
- Sunrise over Angkor Wat
- The giant stone faces of the Bayon (Angkor Thom)
- Ta Prohm, the tree-wrapped “Tomb Raider” temple
- Pub Street and the Angkor Night Market
- A floating village and sunset on the Tonlé Sap lake
Book experiences in Siem Reap
Best areas to stay in Siem Reap
Siem Reap is small and tuk-tuk-friendly, so most visitors stay near the centre — the choice is between the buzz of Pub Street and the calm of the riverside.
Each area opens a hotel map comparing Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, Hotels.com and more.
Getting around & essentials
Tuk-tuks (book via PassApp or Grab) are the way around town and the temples; many hire one for a full Angkor day. The airport is 30–50 minutes out and hotels arrange transfers.
Flight to Siem Reap delayed or cancelled? You could be owed up to €600 — check free →
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Plan my trip — freeSiem Reap FAQs
Is Siem Reap safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, with normal care — it’s a well-trodden solo route with a big traveller scene. Keep bags secure in tuk-tuks, use app-booked or hotel drivers at night, and dress modestly at the temples.
How many days do you need in Siem Reap?
Three to four — two or three days for the Angkor temples, plus time for the town and the Tonlé Sap lake.
Do I need an Angkor pass?
Yes — the Angkor Archaeological Park requires a pass (1-, 3- or 7-day), bought at the official ticket office or online; bring your passport.
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