History · Siem Reap · Cambodia
8 historic sites to see in Siem Reap
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wetstew, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Angkor Wat, Bayon and Angkor Thom and Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. Together the 8 picks below take roughly 10–13 hours across 4 areas; all charge for entry.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 0
- Time to see them all
- 10–13 hours
- Areas
- Angkor Archaeological Park, Angkor Thom and About 35 km north-east of town
Historic sites in Siem Reap
Religious site · Angkor Archaeological Park
1.Angkor Wat
A broad moat and causeway lead to galleries of bas-reliefs, including the Churning of the Ocean of Milk on the east side, and steep stairs climb to the central towers of the upper level, the Bakan.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Couples
Religious site · Angkor Thom
2.Bayon and Angkor Thom
At its centre the Bayon carries more than 200 serene stone faces on its towers, and its outer galleries show scenes of battles, markets and daily life.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Architecture
Historic site · Angkor Thom
3.Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King
The Terrace of the Elephants is carved with life-size elephants and garudas, while the Terrace of the Leper King hides a narrow inner passage lined with layers of carved deities and nagas.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
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Religious site · Angkor Thom
4.Baphuon
A long raised causeway leads to the temple, and the western face is shaped into a huge reclining Buddha added in later centuries.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Religious site · About 35 km north-east of town
5.Banteay Srei
It is included in the Angkor Pass and pairs well with Kbal Spean or the Cambodia Landmine Museum on the same road.
- Time needed
- 1 hour plus about 45 minutes each way
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- History
Religious site · Grand circuit
6.Preah Khan
Long, partly ruined corridors run east to west under trees, past the Hall of Dancers with its carved apsaras and an unusual two-storey building with round columns.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Nature
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Grand circuit
7.Neak Pean
You reach it along a long wooden boardwalk across the water, which is the main pleasure of the visit, especially when the reservoir is full after the rains.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Grand circuit
8.Pre Rup
From the top level you look out over rice fields and palms, with the towers of Angkor Wat visible on clear days.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- History
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Angkor Archaeological Park | Angkor Wat | 3–4 hours |
| Angkor Thom | Bayon and Angkor Thom, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King and Baphuon | 2–3 hours + 45 minutes + 45 minutes |
| About 35 km north-east of town | Banteay Srei | 1 hour plus about 45 minutes each way |
| Grand circuit | Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Pre Rup | 1–1.5 hours + 45 minutes + 1 hour |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 8 mid-priced. Book ahead for Angkor Wat. The longest visit is Angkor Wat; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Angkor Wat: Buy your Angkor Pass online or at the official ticket centre before the first morning; it carries your photo and is checked at temple entrances.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Angkor Archaeological Park): Angkor Wat, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Angkor Thom): Bayon and Angkor Thom → Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King → Baphuon, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 3 (About 35 km north-east of town and Grand circuit): Banteay Srei → Preah Khan → Neak Pean → Pre Rup, at least 4 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- September: highs of 32°C (90°F), about 19 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Usually the wettest month; heavy rain can flood low-lying streets in town, but the temples are at their quietest.
- May: highs of 35°C (95°F), about 14 rainy days, quiet crowds. The rains begin, usually as late-afternoon storms that cool the air; rice fields start to turn green.
- October: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 15 rainy days, quiet crowds. Rains ease towards the end of the month; the Tonle Sap is near its highest, the best time for boat trips to the stilt villages.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Road to Angkor (Charles de Gaulle Boulevard) — Large resort hotels with big pools on the avenue leading to the temples
More of Siem Reap
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Siem Reap?
Angkor Wat. Built in the first half of the 12th century under King Suryavarman II and originally dedicated to Vishnu, Angkor Wat is the largest monument of the Khmer Empire and appears on Cambodia's flag.