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The palm-lined approach to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.
Siem Reap · Weekend itinerary

A first weekend in Siem Reap: Angkor, market mornings and the river

Give Angkor its own unhurried day, then use a second morning for the local market or a seasonal Tonle Sap outing. Town meals and recovery time matter in the heat.

01

Day 1: Angkor Wat before the heat

Begin at Angkor Wat while the light is soft, and take time with the galleries and carved bas-reliefs rather than treating sunrise as the whole visit. The listed guided tour below offers sunrise or sunset options and a route through the small circuit; pickup and group arrangements depend on the selected option. The Angkor entry pass is not included, and food is not included, so review the live option details before booking.

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

02

Late morning: choose a measured temple circuit

Continue to Angkor Thom’s South Gate and Bayon to see the monumental gate sculptures, face towers and long narrative reliefs. Stop for water and shade between sites. If energy holds, Ta Prohm adds a different scene of masonry and tree roots; do not make it a rushed extra after a full sunrise start.

03

A proper pause and an easy town evening

Return for lunch and a rest in the hottest part of the day. Later, walk the Old Market and riverfront for produce, household stalls and a compact town orientation. The old market and Phsar Leu are different visits: Phsar Leu is farther out and best planned as a morning outing.

04

Day 2 morning: pick market or lake

For food and everyday trade, head early to Phsar Leu Thom Thmei. Local guide Sitha Roet notes that kuy teav noodle soup, num banh chok, pork-and-rice breakfast and porridge are morning dishes that can sell out around 8 a.m.; arrive early if one is the reason for the visit. Keep food choices to busy stalls with food cooked fresh, and carry small cash. Or reserve this morning for Kampong Phluk and its stilt homes and canals; it is a separate half-day journey.

For a guided small-circuit option, consider the Siem Reap: Angkor Wat: Small-Group Sunrise or Sunset Tour. Listing review: 5/5 from 12,486 reviews on 24 October 2026. The route lists Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom’s South Gate, Bayon, Baphuon, Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei. Guide, vehicle and city pickup are listed; the Angkor pass and food are excluded. Private/shared and pickup details vary by option, so check the exact selection. Availability depends on your date.

05

Day 2 afternoon: keep the plan light

After the market or lake trip, allow time for lunch, travel and a rest. If the lake is your choice, ask the operator which channel and flooded-forest sections are currently navigable: water levels change the outing, and the optional mangrove canoe may carry an extra charge. Finish with an unhurried town meal rather than adding another long drive.

06

Tickets, dress and transport

Buy Angkor admission through [Angkor Enterprise](https://www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/en) and check current pass validity and site access; the tour listing does not include entry. Follow [APSARA visitor guidance](https://apsaraauthority.gov.kh/our-work/tourism-info/), including shoulder and knee coverage and respect for worshippers and stonework. PassApp and Grab can book local rides, while temple circuits and lake transfers need a separately agreed vehicle. Confirm fare, pickup and the actual route.

Check before you go

Opening arrangements and visitor rules can change. Check the official information before your trip.

Things to do in Siem Reap

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Keep reading

Carved stone face towers rise above Bayon temple within Angkor Thom.
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Angkor Wat: a self-guided route through the causeway and galleries

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