Settle into your hotel and freshen up — most hotels allow late-afternoon check-in; confirm hotel policy. Good idea to top up water and confirm tuk‑tuk or guide arrival times for the Angkor days.
Walk the lively Old Market and Pub Street to get a sense of local crafts, snacks and nightlife; great for souvenir shopping and casual street food sampling. Most stalls open until 9–10pm.
Phnom Bakheng is a classic sunset spot above Angkor; arrive early (park opens around 5:00) because the hill fills up quickly. If you prefer fewer crowds, try the west causeway of Angkor Wat for sunset instead.
USD0 (Angkor pass needed if entering Angkor Park), 1h0m
Social‑enterprise restaurants serving quality Khmer cuisine with a focus on training locals; reservation recommended for Marum in high season. Both open for dinner (typically 6:00–21:00/22:00).
Tuk‑tuk or guide picks you up early to reach Angkor Wat for sunrise; arrive by ~5:00 for best light. Angkor Park opens around 5:00 daily; bring your Angkor pass (1‑day or 3‑day).
Explore the central gallery, bas‑reliefs and upper terraces after sunrise while crowds thin; this is the complex’s most iconic temple and why you come.
Refuel with a hearty breakfast and coffee — Blue Pumpkin and Sister Srey are popular morning options with pastries and Khmer breakfast dishes; they open early around 7:00–8:00.
Relax with a riverside lunch and try classic Khmer dishes (amok, lok lak). Chanrey Tree opens for lunch around 11:00 and provides excellent local flavors and a comfortable atmosphere.
Visit the atmospheric Ta Prohm where tree roots weave through ruins — it's typically open 7:30–17:30 and is best visited mid‑afternoon to avoid the heaviest morning crowds.
For a special evening, book Cuisine Wat Damnak (tasting menu; book well in advance) or Malis for refined Khmer cuisine; both typically serve dinner from ~18:00/19:00.
Drive ~35–40 km northeast to Banteay Srei (the 'Citadel of Women') — its intricate pink sandstone carvings are best seen in the cooler morning light; site generally open 7:30–17:30 (arrive early).
USD25 (tuk‑tuk or private car) + covered by Angkor pass, 1h30m
Return toward the main Angkor complex to see East Mebon, the baray islands and Preah Khan — these offer different architecture and fewer crowds than the central loop.
Climb Pre Rup, a laterite temple with good sunset views and fewer visitors than Phnom Bakheng; Angkor Park typically closes around 17:30 but sunset viewing is allowed earlier so plan arrival by 4:30–5:00.
After a full temple day, enjoy a traditional Khmer massage in town (many spas open until 21:00) and dinner along Pokambor Ave or Night Market for more casual options.
Drive ~30 minutes to the boat docks for a 2–3 hour guided boat trip to the floating villages and flooded forests — best in the morning for wildlife and calmer waters; most tours run 7:30–11:00 and cost varies by duration.
If you prefer nature and waterfalls, do a full‑day trip (1–1.5 hour drive each way) to Phnom Kulen for the river of a thousand lingas, waterfall swimming and scenic hiking; park open ~7:00–17:00. This option replaces the morning Tonle Sap trip.
If on Tonle Sap, have a simple lunch near the docks; if returning from Kulen you’ll find countryside stalls or return to Siem Reap for a more varied menu.
Spend a relaxed afternoon visiting Artisans Angkor (craft demonstrations and shopping), a silk farm, or the Angkor National Museum (open 8:30–18:00) to deepen your understanding of Khmer art.
Catch the high-energy Phare circus performance (usually starts ~20:00) — a mix of theater, acrobatics and storytelling that supports education programs; book tickets in advance.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel or a cafe (Blue Pumpkin, The Hive) and pick up any last souvenirs at Old Market; shops open from early morning.
Allow 30–45 minutes to the airport depending on traffic; confirm your flight time and hotel departure to ensure smooth transfer. Siem Reap airport recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before international flights.