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The Perfect 3 Day Siem Reap Itinerary And Travel Guide

Siem Reap is a dream destination for many travelers, made famous by the iconic Angkor Archaeological Park.

Spend your days wandering through the ancient temples, take a cultural tour of a floating village, and enjoy a drink and a traditional Khmer meal at Pub Street. 

This 3 day Siem Reap itinerary will help you to make the most of your time in this lovely village in Cambodia!

With so many things to do in Siem Reap, following a travel guide will simplify your trip planning and make sure you include the most important Siem Reap activities in your schedule.

3 day Siem Reap itinerary

Angkor-Wat-Cambodia-phenomenalglobe.com

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This post was written by Delilah Hart, a Kiwi making her way across the world, one country at a time. She’s the founder of Our Travel Mix and an avid writer and adventurer.

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Siem Reap 3 day itinerary: map

Click here for the interactive map

Siem Reap travel itinerary

  • Day 1: Stroll around Siem Reap Town, the Old Market, Artisans Angkor, visit the Angkor National Museum, watch the sunset from Phnom Bakheng, and walk around the Siem Reap night market.
  • Day 2: Explore Angkor Archaeological Park, have a massage, and walk around Pub Street.
  • Day 3: Visit a floating village, take a cooking class, and watch an Apsara dance performance.
Angkor Wat Temple Cambodia

Best places to stay in Siem Riep

In the table below you can find a quick overview of the recommended places to stay in Siem Riep. Further down in the post, you can find more detailed information.

LocationHotelStarsAgodaBooking
Siem ReapHak Boutique Hotel☆☆☆Click hereClick here
Siem ReapKhmer Mansion Boutique Hotel☆☆☆☆Click hereClick here
Siem ReapGolden Temple Retreat☆☆☆☆☆Click hereClick here

Note: Prices for these hotels depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Use ‘click here' to see the latest prices on Agoda and Booking and book ahead to get the best deal.

How do I get around Siem Reap?

Siem Reap Town itself is walkable, which makes it easy to get around on foot.

Ride-sharing apps have become increasingly popular in recent years. They’re super convenient, just download the app, type in your destination, and a driver will meet you where you are.

Grab and Gojek are amongst the most popular apps in Southeast Asia and are very useful for short trips.

For day tours, such as Angkor Archaeological Park and the floating villages, travelers tend to hire a tuk tuk to get from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat (be sure to tip your tuk-tuk driver generously, they work very hard and your money goes a long way here!).

For confident riders, cycling to the top tourist destinations is also a viable option. Many cycling tours are also available if you prefer to travel as part of a group. Click here to book a cycling tour.

Tuk-Tuk and scooters Siem Reap

Important things to know when planning a trip to Siem Reap

When is the best time to visit Siem Reap?

Cambodia boasts a tropical climate, like many other Southeast Asian countries.

There are two monsoon seasons; the northeast monsoon season from December to April, and the southwest rainy season from May to November. The latter is the one to avoid, with high humidity and abundant rain.

December and January are the drier months, but also the busiest for tourism. To avoid the crowds, travel from February to April.

What currency is used in Cambodia?

Although Riel is the official currency for Cambodia, US dollars are widely used. US dollars are dispensed at ATMs and you can pay for purchases in either currency, change of less than $1 USD will be given in Riel. 

Click here for the current Riel exchange rates, which are around 4.400 KHR to 1 EUR.

Just remember that Riel is a non-convertible currency outside of the country so be sure to use all your Riel before leaving Cambodia.

Do I need a visa for Cambodia?

The chances are, you will need a visa for Cambodia. The following countries are exempt from requiring a visa in Cambodia: Brunei, Seychelles, and Thailand for up to 14 days; Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam for up to 30 days.

For a 30-day Visa On Arrival (VOA), make sure to carry $30 USD and a passport photo when arriving at the airport.

The process is very straightforward, but waiting times can be long depending on the number of arrivals at the airport.

You may also be eligible to complete an eVisa instead. If you are eligible, a 30-day eVisa will cost $37 USD. Read more information at the official Cambodia Government Website.

Bayon tempel in Angkor Wat Must See Temple of Angkor complex

What to do in Siem Reap in 3 days

Siem Reap itinerary: day 1

Explore Siem Reap Town

On your first day, it's time to explore the town itself as Siem Reap has much to offer! It's a village rich in culture and you’ll find no shortage of authentic Khmer cuisine, arts and crafts, and traditional markets.

Spend at least half a day exploring the town. Head to the Old Market in the morning to experience local life in Siem Reap. Vendors sell fresh produce, and you’ll be greeted by the aromas of fresh herbs and spices.

Artisans Angkor is another great place to check out when exploring the town. The handicraft workshop displays locally-made works of art including textiles, jewelry, and silkwear.

If you’re looking for authentic and delectable Cambodian dishes, Chae Ngek, located in the heart of the town is a good choice for lunch.

I loved the food so much that dining there became almost a daily occurrence! Be sure to try one of their curries.

Siem Reap Town Cambodia

Visit Angkor National Museum

Angkor National Museum is the perfect place to visit prior to going to Angkor Wat, a world-famous archaeological site.

The museum explores the Khmer Kingdom era and you'll learn much about the Khmer culture.

The museum is located around two kilometers from the city center, so to beat the afternoon heat the best way to get there is with a tuk-tuk (you can walk but it's HOT).

I highly recommend paying a bit extra for the audio guide, it will give you a lot of interesting insights you'd miss without the guide. Alternatively, book your museum tickets online, this includes a hotel pick-up.

Watch the sunset from Phnom Bakheng

What many people don’t know is that Angkor Archaeological Park is free after 5:30 pm. Head to the Angkor Pass ticket office after 5 pm and buy your one-day pass for the next day. This should cost you $37 USD.

You’ll need to show your ticket to the staff member at the entrance to the park, but they won’t clip your ticket after 5:30 pm.

Phnom Bakheng is one of the best spots to watch the sunset. It’s a 20-minute walk to the top, but the path is shaded and the temperature is cooler in the evening.

Dine and shop at one of the Siem Reap Night Markets

Night Market Siem Reap

As the sun goes down, Siem Reap comes to life with its night markets. Even though the town is small, there are actually quite a few night markets located within walking distance.

Simply stroll from one to the next as you sample food and shop for souvenirs. Markets open from around 4 pm or 5 pm.

My favorite market is the Siem Reap Art Centre Night Market. The canvas paintings are vibrant and unique, if only I could have fitted some in my suitcase!

If you're a foodie, consider joining this popular street food tour where a local guide will introduce you to Cambodian delicacies and snacks.

Then head home for an early night as the next day will be an early one if you’re planning to watch the sunrise over the famous Angkor temples.

Siem Reap itinerary: day 2

Explore Angkor Archaeological Park

Angkor Wat Sunrise Cambodia

Walking around Angkor Archaeological Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site) was at the top of my bucket list for Southeast Asia, and it definitely lived up to its expectations.

Watching the sunrise from Angkor Wat is the most popular thing in the park (be sure to check out this tour). The bright sunrise with the silhouetted Angkor Wat in the foreground is a sight to behold.

I cannot stress it enough, but getting there early will make a world of difference. Leave at 4.30 am to get to the front row, at the edge of the lake overlooking Angkor Wat.

Make an effort not to sleep in an extra 10 minutes, as you’ll end up standing behind many people. Even though it’s super early, there will be hundreds of people also wanting to watch the sunrise.

It’ll be pitch black when you arrive, so turn on your phone torch and follow the other tourists making the way to the sunrise spot, then patiently wait for the sun to rise.

After that, stroll through Angkor Wat and complete either the short loop or the long loop.

The short loop is more popular for one-day pass holders as it includes Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm temple (also known as the Tomb Raider temple).

It’s amazing to see the trees embedded into the walls of the temple complex.

Ta Prohm temple Angkor Wat

Another important benefit of starting the day early is the temperature. By midday, the heat is almost too much without the shade of your tuk-tuk in between viewing the temples.

Starting at 4:30 means you’ll have completed either the short or long circuits of Angkor by 1 pm when the sun starts to get quite harsh.

Angkor Wat Temple Cambodia

Relax with a massage

Touring the temples for the day at Angkor comes with a lot of walking. You’ll surprise yourself with how many steps you do!

I visited Angkor Archaeological Park on a three-day pass. Each day I walked over 10 kilometers, needless to say, my feet were sore afterward and a foot massage seemed like the perfect option to relax.

An excellent way to recover is with a traditional foot massage or even a full body massage, to relax your tired muscles after climbing the steep steps of Angkor's temples. You’ll see many massage parlors in Siem Reap town.

If you opt to stay at the Golden Temple Retreat (more information can be found further on in the post), you can enjoy a massage at your own accommodation.

Have a drink at Pub Street

Pub Street is the happening area in Siem Reap. The street is filled with bars and eateries to suit all travelers.

There are more high-end eateries suitable for wine-ing and dining, but there are also street stalls selling anything and everything, hipster bars with live music, and nightclubs for the backpackers or partiers. 

My pick for Pub Street is Angkor What? Bar. They have live music in the evening as well as tasty cocktails and a cold beer.

Siem Reap itinerary: day 3

Take a tour of a Floating Village

tonle-sap-lake-phenomenalglobe.com

Floating villages are present all around Southeast Asia, and Siem Reap is a great place to visit one of these, due to its proximity to the massive Tonle Sap Lake.

Floating villages have quickly gained recognition in tourism, meaning the more popular villages tend to have lost sight of their authenticity in an attempt to make money through tourism. 

For this reason, I would recommend visiting Kampong Phluk or Kampong Khleang instead of the ever-popular Chong Kneas. Book a half-day tour to one of these villages to experience a different way of life.

Take a cooking class

Angkor Wat Sunrise Cambodia

Before traveling to Cambodia, I’ll admit I had never tried their cuisine, nor did I know much about it. 

One of my favorite things to do when I travel to new countries is to learn how to cook their cuisines, so I can experience a little bit of that country when I have returned home.

Cooking classes are an excellent way to learn how to cook a country’s signature dishes. Classes are available all around the city and can easily be booked online as well.

The afternoon is a good time to take a course as it’s generally too hot to be outside in the sun anyway. 

Watch an Apsara dance performance

End your time in Siem Reap by watching a traditional dance performance. Apsara is a Cambodian ballet dating back hundreds of years.

The leader of the dance is the spirit of Apsara who is dressed in white and leads her subordinates dressed in colored skirts.

There are a few places that showcase an Apsara dance performance. They typically occur during the evening and include a gourmet dinner. Click here to book a ticket.

Another excellent way to spend your last night in Siem Reap is to watch a spectacular show of the Phare Circus, Cambodia's version of Cirque du Soleil. 

Where to stay in Siem Reap

Best budget hotel in Siem Riep: Hak Boutique Hotel ☆☆☆

Hak Boutique Hotel is a lovely place to stay in Siem Reap. Rooms are spacious with comfortable beds, the food is good and there is a swimming pool to cool off after a day of exploring.

The family who runs the hotel is absolutely wonderful and will make you feel very welcome. They're also happy to arrange an Angkor Wat tuk-tuk tour for you.

Free bikes available are, which make it easy to cycle to and around town (around 5 minutes by bike).

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking

Best mid-range hotel in Siem Riep: Khmer Mansion Boutique Hotel ☆☆☆☆

One of the benefits of traveling in Southeast Asia is that you can get so much value for money when it comes to accommodation.

The Khmer Mansion Boutique Hotel is no exception, where else in the world can you find a lovely 4-star hotel with a beautiful swimming pool without breaking the bank (usually a night will be less than $70).

Besides the nicely decorated rooms and excellent location, what sets this boutique hotel apart is the dedicated staff who go out of their way to accommodate their guests.

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking

Best luxury hotel in Siem Riep: Golden Temple Retreat ☆☆☆☆☆

There is no better place to relax after a busy day of sightseeing in Siem Reap than the Golden Temple Retreat. From the beautiful outdoor swimming pool to the spacious suites with king-size beds, to the exceptional staff and superb breakfast, you will surely enjoy your stay here.

As you can expect from a 5-star hotel, there are many additional services. Some of these are complimentary (such as a two-way airport transfer), and others require an additional charge (such as access to the spa and wellness center).

Altogether, the Golden Temple Retreat is a wonderful luxury hotel in Siem Reap that will make your time in Siem Reap even more memorable.

Check prices on Agoda | Check prices on Booking

Itinerary for Siem Reap: in conclusion

I hope this 3 days itinerary in Siem Reap will help you plan your trip! Let me know if you have any questions, you can leave a comment below or send me a message.

Read more about Cambodia here:

This post was updated in February 2023.