Siem Reap is the gateway to one of the ancient wonders of the world – Angkor Wat. The small city is a hotspot for tourists, a must-stop destination on your Southeast Asia adventures, and a cultural hub. But while you’re planning your adventure you might consider the question how many days to spend in Siem Reap”?
While every traveler has different paces, motivators, and ambition, there is definitely a sweet spot that keeps the exploration new and exciting, without being rushed and leaving too much on the table. Learn from me who stayed too long, and most backpackers who barely scratched the surface.

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Most people spend...
Only 3 days in Siem Reap. It baffles me that most travelers (mostly backpackers) spend only THREE DAYS exploring the city and the massive Angkor Complex. I know… backpackers are typically go-go-go, but with so much to see and do in the area, is 3 days really enough?
If you ask me, I don’t think so. As someone who went into the Angkor complex at least 4 times, I wouldn’t want to speed through that.
Most backpackers that went to Siem Reap for 3 days, only went to the temples once, for either a half day (5 hour) or full day (8 hour) tour. These tours start at 4:30am (so you can see sunrise at Angkor Wat), and by the end you’re exhausted! Most people said they wish they stayed longer and broke it up to explore at a reasonable pace.
I Spent...too long
So if 3 days is too short…how long did I spend there you might ask? Just short of 3 weeks. However, I will not say that this time was planned. We initially planned 2 weeks, before heading over to Vietnam. However, the Vietnam Visa application is more tedious than most, and we didn’t account for the waiting period (or the fact that my application was denied the first time).
The three weeks was long, especially considering the heat wave we experienced (>110 F). BUT, we did get to go to the temples for sunrise quite a few times. This almost guaranteed that we had a beautiful sunrise, got to explore at our pace, and in many ways.
We did 1 guided tour, 1 trip just for sunrise on the equinox, 1 time on bikes cycling through the abandoned roads, and 1 time for sunset at Phnom Krom temple. Definitely worth it, plus we got full nights of sleep, were able to work still, and met great friends!
Check out this guide to seeing Sunrise at Angkor Wat, without a guide!

The Ideal Time in Siem Reap
So more than 3 days, less than 3 weeks. That’s a big range, so more specifically, I would say to anyone wondering how many days to spend in Siem Reap: 4-6 days.
That is with the caveat that you should continue to explore Cambodia beyond just Siem Reap! There is so much history here, natural beauty, and vibrant cultures that you don’t want to miss.
In 4-6 days you can:
- Go to the Angkor Complex atleast 2 times – it’s huge!
- Explore Pub Street at night
- Visit the APOPPO “rat retirement home” (it’s cool I promise)
- Walk through street markets and try out
Check out these unique things to do in Siem Reap besides go to the temples!
Where Else To Visit In Cambodia
So above I said 4-6 days was the sweet spot concerning how many days to spend in Siem Reap… that is, if you plan to explore more of Cambodia. There is so much history you won’t want to miss, and I, who didn’t explore outside of Siem Reap, definitely regret!
So learn from me, and make an effort to go to:
- Phnom Penh to the Killing Fields or Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. The Khmer Rouge was a dark chapter of Cambodia’s history, but one that everyone should know and learn from.
- ELIE Elephant Valley Project – One of the most ethical and amazing experience if you want to get close to elephants in their natural habitat, while contributing to their future.
- Kracheh (also spelled Kratie), to take a chance at seeing the extremely endangered Irrawaddy river dolphins.
Summary - How Many Days to Spend in Siem Reap
Every traveler might have their own thoughts on this, but if you want to soak up every moment at the Angkor Complex, have enough time to walk the street markets, and explore the other historic and cultural experiences in Siem Reap, spending 4-6 days is the ideal amount of time.
What are you most excited to do in Siem Reap?