Siem Reap is often introduced as the gateway to Angkor Wat, but spend a few days here and you quickly realise it’s much more than that. Yes, the temples are extraordinary, but the town itself is so uniquely special. After the intensity of Phnom Penh, arriving here felt calmer, greener, and more reflective.
This 3‑day Siem Reap itinerary features the very best of this amazing place, with a more luxurious take.
While you’re here, check out:
The Ultimate 2-Day Phnom Penh Guide
Where to Stay in Siem Reap
We stayed at Viroth’s Hote l, and it was absolutely perfect. Set in the leafy Wat Bo area, it’s calm and quiet but still close enough to walk to cafés, shops, and nightlife. Not only is the location great, but the hotel itself is unbelievable. The architecture is incredible, the rooms are spacious, and the friendliness of the staff made our stay.
For breakfast you tick off a piece of paper what you want that day, and it is served freshly to the table.
The hotel centres around a peaceful courtyard pool, which became essential after early Angkor Wat starts and hot afternoons. Coming back to swim, rest, and properly slow down made a huge difference to the pace of the trip.
Viroth’s is also known for its vintage sports cars, which can be hired for city tours. On our final night, the team surprised us with a complimentary ride in one of them, which was such a thoughtful touch and a perfect way to end our stay.
This is honestly one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in. From the exceptional service to the warmth and care of everyone who works here, it’s truly special. If you’re visiting Siem Reap, this hotel is a must – and absolutely worth the slightly higher price tag.
Day 1: Arrival, Pool Time & Siem Reap Town
Morning: Fly from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: Exploring the Town
We flew from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, landing mid‑morning. Private pickup from the airport was pre‑arranged by our hotel and cost $45 one way. The drive from the airport to the hotel took around 50 minutes, passing the gorgeous countryside before reaching town.
After checking in, the rest of the day was deliberately slow. We spent the afternoon by the pool. Siem Reap is hot, and this downtime made a huge difference before the early morning ahead.
Later in the afternoon, we headed out for coffee at WelWel Cashew Coffee, a relaxed spot that felt like a gentle introduction to the town. This has great dairy-free alternatives for the lactose intolerant girlies!
We then wandered Alley West, one of the prettiest streets in Siem Reap, just next to Pub Street. It’s leafy, calm, and full of character.
Where to Shop in Siem Reap
Surprisingly the town has some really stylish pieces for upmarket shopping. Cambodian designers are thoughtful, using silk materials and bright colours. We browsed a number of boutiques in town, including:
Haute Couture Store – beautiful scarves and organza bags inspired by local fishermen’s sacks
Ambre – great for clothing
ERIC RAISINA – fashion‑forward pieces
SIRIVAN – contemporary Cambodian design
TRUNKH – a small, charming shop with curated items
Dinner Options
For dinner, we opted for a local delight recommended by our hotel – and it did not disappoint. We had dinner at Sambo – Khmer and Thai Restaurant. Boy, oh boy. This spot did not disappoint. If I have learnt anything about Cambodia, the more local the restaurant is, the better the food.
Some fine dining options are below, but honestly, trust me on Sambo!
Khmer Grill Restaurant
Embassy Restaurant: has a tasting menu at around £43, and listed in Asia’s Top 50 Restaurants List
Cuisine Wat Damnak, one of the top restaurants in Siem Reap
We headed for a $3 massage along Pub Street and opted for a relaxed evening and an early night ahead of the Angkor sunrise tomorrow morning.
Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise & Farm‑to‑Table Dining
4:30AM: Angkor Wat Sunrise
This was the day everything revolved around. We left at 4:30AM for Angkor Wat sunrise. This time is optimal to visit Angkor Wat, not only for the incredible views, but it also means you can explore the grounds before the extreme heat hits in the afternoon.
Clothing rules are strict: shoulders must be covered with a proper top (not a scarf), and knees must be covered.
We arranged our transfers in advance after finding a local guide through a Cambodia Facebook group. It’s a great option for travellers who prefer not to use third‑party operators and want to ensure 100% of the money goes directly to the local community. Even better, our driver agreed to act as our photographer for the day. For just £10 per person, he was our full‑day private driver and photographer, guiding us to the best photo spots thanks to his deep knowledge of the grounds.
If you’d like our driver’s details please fill a request on the website, or send me a direct email via goneandawaytravel@gmail.com! He was super reliable and very kind.
We pre-arranged our temple passes, which made the morning smoother. You can purchase them from this website. I highly recommend doing this to ensure you do not have any issues or queues at 4AM.
Watching the sun rise behind Angkor Wat was honestly breathtaking, and absolutely worth the early start. It was a real bucket list moment.
After the initial sunrise, our tuktuk driver returned us to our hotel to have breakfast before returning to the temples for a fuelled morning of temple hopping. We also visited neighbouring temples, such as the iconic Tomb Raider temple, Ta Prohm.
After returning from the temples, the rest of the day was intentionally left open. We rested, spent time by the pool, and avoided over‑scheduling after the early start. The morning is humid and involves a lot of walking, so a slow afternoon will be much appreciated.
Evening: Lum Orng – Farm‑to‑Table Dining
We booked dinner at Lum Orng, a farm‑to‑table restaurant just outside Siem Reap, set among farmland and focused entirely on seasonal local produce. They offer a 7‑course tasting menu for just £35 per person.
This was one of the most memorable meals of the trip – thoughtful, grounded, and deeply connected to Cambodian ingredients.
If you’re looking for a nice spot to have drinks later in the evening, Kkhak River Lounge provides live music in the evening and a gorgeous ambiance.
Day 3: Volunteering in Siem Reap
Morning: Volunteering At A Local School Teaching English
This was one of the most meaningful days of the entire trip.
We arrived at a local school. The school educates around 430 students daily, teaching English, maths, computer skills, moral education, gender equality, and farming. Classes run in the morning, and we joined activities until lunchtime, hosting lessons teaching English to the students.
Due to the extreme heat, the school only runs half‑day lessons. Its focus is on teaching English, as it opens up important opportunities for locals through tourism. Being able to speak English, particularly when working in markets, significantly increases the likelihood of making a sale. Our presence was especially meaningful, as the area receives very little tourism and therefore limited exposure to native English speakers and local dialects. If you would like to take part in this impactful experience, please reach out via email as I’d be more than happy to share the contact details.
At midday, the headteacher teacher took us on his tractor to explore the local village for £3 per person, offering insight into everyday life of the children. This was an extremely moving and eye-opening opportunity. If you also have the chance to do this, I would highly recommend it.
Later, we visited Bakong My Village, a stunning coffee shop and a perfect place to decompress after the morning.
How to spend an evening in Siem Reap
For your final evening, there are a number of things you could consider doing.
You could see an Apsara Khmer dance show. They host these on Pub Street but you could book here to ensure availability.
You could have djinner or drinks at Sokkhak River Lounge, a laid‑back riverside spot with a stunning setting.
Mango Mango, is another option: a lively rooftop on Pub Street for people‑watching.
For those looking for a much livelier experience on Pub Street, check out Angkor What? Bar – one of the most energetic nightlife spots in Siem Reap.
Siem Reap isn’t just a place you pass through for Angkor Wat. For me, it was one of the most grounding stops of the entire trip: a mix of history, creativity, and human connection. Arriving slowly, experiencing Angkor deeply, then giving something back, made it feel complete
