How many days · Siem Reap · Cambodia
How many days do you need in Siem Reap?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to use any of my images, but plea, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Siem Reap, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two full days covers Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm on the small circuit plus one sunrise. A third day adds Banteay Srei and the grand circuit temples; four or five days leave time for Beng Mealea, Phnom Kulen or the Tonle Sap villages.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 11.3 h (Dec) to 12.9 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Angkor Wat, Bayon and Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King |
| 2 days | Good | Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King, Baphuon and Banteay Srei |
| 3 days | Ideal | Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Pre Rup |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Kbal Spean |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Kbal Spean and Phnom Kulen |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Siem Reap add up to roughly 15–19 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Angkor Wat (3–4 hours), Bayon and Angkor Thom (2–3 hours) and Angkor National Museum (1.5–2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Angkor Wat | 3–4 hours | Angkor Archaeological Park |
| Bayon and Angkor Thom | 2–3 hours | Angkor Thom |
| Ta Prohm | 1–1.5 hours | Angkor Archaeological Park |
| Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King | 45 minutes | Angkor Thom |
| Baphuon | 45 minutes | Angkor Thom |
| Banteay Srei | 1 hour plus about 45 minutes each way | About 35 km north-east of town |
| Preah Khan | 1–1.5 hours | Grand circuit |
| Neak Pean | 45 minutes | Grand circuit |
| Pre Rup | 1 hour | Grand circuit |
| Phnom Bakheng | 1 hour | Angkor Archaeological Park |
| Srah Srang and Banteay Kdei | 1–1.5 hours | Small circuit |
| Angkor National Museum | 1.5–2 hours | Road to Angkor (Charles de Gaulle Boulevard) |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Angkor Wat and Bayon and Angkor Thom |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Ta Prohm |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Kbal Spean and Phnom Kulen |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 11.3 hours of daylight) than in June (about 12.9 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Siem Reap with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Phnom Penh | About 232 km | 3 days |
| Bangkok | About 365 km | 4 days |
| Ho Chi Minh City | About 422 km | 4 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Siem Reap?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two full days covers Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm on the small circuit plus one sunrise. A third day adds Banteay Srei and the grand circuit temples; four or five days leave time for Beng Mealea, Phnom Kulen or the Tonle Sap villages.
+Is a week too long in Siem Reap?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Kbal Spean and Phnom Kulen.