Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and is the largest religious monument in the world, on a site measuring 162.6 hectares.
20 pictures of Angkor Wat from JJ Ying, Amaryllis Liampoti, Joshua Medway and other travelers
To get to Angkor Wat, the nearest city is Siem Reap. International flights operate directly to Siem Reap International Airport from many countries in Asia. Alternatively, you can fly into Phnom Penh and take a bus or taxi to Siem Reap, which is approximately 5-6 hours away. From Siem Reap, it's a short 20-minute drive to the temple complex.
It's essential to book the Angkor Pass in advance, which grants access to the Angkor Archaeological Park. You can choose between a one-day ($37), three-day ($62), or seven-day ($72) pass, depending on the duration of your visit. It is also advisable to hire a local guide to help you navigate the temples and provide historical context.
The costs for visiting Angkor Wat vary depending on your choice of accommodation, transportation, and dining. Tuk-tuks are a popular and affordable mode of transport, costing around $15-$25 per day. Guided tours range from $20-$50 per person, depending on group size and language requirements.
The best things to do in Angkor Wat include exploring the main temple complex, watching the sunrise over the iconic temple, visiting the nearby Bayon and Ta Prohm temples, and wandering through the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
For dining options, you can try local Cambodian cuisine at nearby restaurants like Mahob Khmer and The Sugar Palm. For a fine dining experience, Cuisine Wat Damnak offers a delectable tasting menu featuring traditional ingredients and modern culinary techniques.
When it comes to accommodation, Siem Reap offers a range of options to suit all budgets. For luxury travelers, the Belmond La Résidence d'Angkor and the Park Hyatt Siem Reap are excellent choices. Budget-conscious visitors can enjoy comfortable stays at Onederz Hostel or Tara Angkor Hotel.
Off the beaten path:
For an unusual travel experience, visit the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake, located south of Siem Reap. Take a guided boat tour to witness the unique lifestyle of the local communities living on the water. The villages are built on stilts, and their residents depend on the lake for fishing and farming. This excursion offers a fascinating glimpse into a different side of Cambodian culture, away from the main tourist attractions.
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Discover more travel spots to explore around Angkor Wat
🗼 Landmark spots 🏰 Temple spots 🏰 Historic site spots 🐾 Wildlife spots 🌲 Forest spots Hut spots 🌴 Jungle spots 🏞️ National park spots 🛣️ Road trip spots 🏰 Ruins spots Driving spots 🏰 Wat spots 🏰 Archaeological site spotsIn only one day in Angkor, you will not see many of the temples of Angkor: 2 or 3 ruins of temples at the most, which you will visit at a fast pace... It's really a pity!
If you are in a hurry, two full days in the archaeological zone will allow you to appreciate the great must-sees of Angkor. Indeed, two days can be enough as long as you visit Angkor with an experienced guide. The latter will also be able to suggest an optimized tour. If you don't have a guide, you will need to know your tour and timing inside out.
Spending a week in the area is really the best way to take your time. You can spend a few days in Siem Reap, and the rest in the archaeological zone. This will allow you to soak up the atmosphere of the place without running around, and also take the time to alternate with beautiful discoveries in the dynamic region of Siem Reap.
The problem with visiting Angkor Wat is that it is very crowded. Indeed, there are a lot of tourists, so it is advisable to visit this temple last, on the last day of visits, and after 2 pm, so you can have a nice view of this wonder of the world in all tranquility.