Magnificent, ethereal, magical, and breathtaking. These are merely a handful of adjectives visitors use to describe Angkor Wat – and after spending just 3 days visiting Angkor Wat, I could not agree more.

A Brief History

Located in the Siem Reap province of Cambodia, this UNESCO World Heritage site was once the primary focal point of life in the city of Angkor. Angkor was the capital city of the once powerful Khmer empire that ruled Southeast Asia between 802-1431. At the time, it was the most advanced and monumental city in the world.

Angkor Wat, meaning “Temple City” in Khmer, is said to be the largest and oldest religious monument in the world, and is one of the most significant archeological sites across Southeast Asia. That said, it’s no surprise that it has increasingly become a must-see ancient monastery in Asia over the years. Thousands and thousands of people visit the Angkor Wat complex every day of the year, all seeking the same mysterious and magically rewarding experience. Angkor Wat is a traveler’s dream destination—it’s jam packed with history, beauty, and mystery.

These essential tips for visiting Angkor Wat will ensure you optimize your time and experience in this extraordinary temple complex!

1. Spend at Least One Day Exploring Angkor Wat

Everyone visiting Angkor Wat needs a permit unless you’re a Cambodian national. The permit comes in a 1-, 3-, and 7-day pass. And though you can technically squeeze your Angkor Wat experience into just one day, that would leave you only enough time to visit the most popular temples (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Phrom, and Angkor Thom), which are also the most crowded, obviously. I do not recommend that.

The main temples of Angkor Wat are stunning, but they are always going to be the most crowded.
So instead of trying to squeeze them all into a single day, I’d recommend waking up early to avoid massive lines and crowds at 1 or 2 main temples, stop somewhere for a late breakfast or a snack, and then spend the rest of your day exploring the other amazing, less-visited sites.

I don’t care what anybody says—they are 100% worth visiting. You’ve paid for access to them already with your permit, and since there aren’t usually a lot of people visiting them, they come with perfect opportunities to take photos without a hundred people lingering in the background.

I personally purchased the 3-day pass and though I didn’t get a chance to visit every single site of Angkor Wat, I feel fortunate to have seen all that I did. I saw the main temples plus a few of the less popular sites. But most importantly, I did not feel rushed and I was able to really take in all that I was seeing—I allowed myself time to really appreciate these archeological sites for all that they are. And even now, I would love another chance to marvel at the beauty of Angkor Wat.

2. Find a Good Tuk Tuk Driver

Angkor Wat tours are the bread and butter of most Siem Reap tuk tuk drivers, so they do this all day, every day. For the most part, if you opt to pay someone to drive you around the complex and take you to different sites, they’ll stick with you throughout the whole day. You can honestly find them around town on your own, but the staff at your accommodation will usually be happy to arrange a driver for you. Of course, clearly communicate what kind of day/tour you’re looking for and mutually agree to a set price before accepting an offer.

If you’re like me and want to opt for a cheaper route (I usually do), you can save money by renting a motorbike. When I rented a motorbike, it was a super easy process and all they needed was my passport. Also, the roads you need to take to access some of the sites are not well-paved at all. So, if you’re going during rainy season, I would suggest against it. And if you’re like me and used to well-paved, clearly marked road signs, clearly marked lanes, and working traffic lights, it can prove to be a bit scary driving a motorbike in Siem Reap. So if you’re not 100% comfortable driving a motorbike, I don’t recommend it. It was my first time driving one and I did not last long hahah. To be exact, I had the motorbike for less than an hour before returning it…

3. Pace Yourself While Touring Angkor Wat

Yes, that’s right. Definitely pace yourself. Spanning over more than 400 acres, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world. Meaning, besides the 5 main temples, there are numerous other sites to visit that are both nearby and far from the main site. That’s a lot of walking, driving, biking, whatever your mode of transportation is. So, take your time and make sure to take small breaks to eat and stay hydrated! The weather in Cambodia is no joke—always carry water with you to ensure you don’t get dehydrated.

4. Don’t Miss the Sunrise!

The most sought after experience for travelers visiting Angkor Wat is to watch the sunrise over the central Angkor Wat temple. (the name Angkor Wat refers to this central temple and the name of the complex as a whole).

I am not a “morning person,” but the benefit of waking up at 4:30am in an effort to avoid absurd crowds is worth it to me. And the view is spectacular!! Traveling in the off-season helps with that too. I visited Cambodia in October 2018, so I made it right before peak season began, though there were still crowds. With more than 2 million foreign visitors each year and Cambodian nationals visiting, crowds will never be completely avoided.

Pro tip: If you purchase your ticket after 5pm, you can enter the park to see the sunset and still have your 1-, 3-, or 7-day pass to use without using any of your allotted days.

5. Be Respectful

When traveling, this should always go without saying. But especially when you’re planning to visit religious sites, there may be additional dress codes in place. And Angkor Wat is a religious site, after all, so no matter how hot and sticky it is outside, you’ll need to take care to dress respectfully!

Most of the sites in Angkor Wat require you to have your shoulders covered and pants covering the knee in order to enter. I learned that the hard way at one of the first sites I visited. I had a long dress on and a scarf and not even realizing it, I had lowered the scarf a little while walking around and was approached by a staff member reminding me to keep the scarf over my shoulders at all times. So, to avoid any issues or potentially being disrespectful, intentionally or not, always make sure to cover your shoulders or at least be prepared with a shawl, large scarf, or sweater.

6. Focus on the Details

The temples themselves are, without a doubt, beautiful. But, like many things, the magnificence also lies in the details. The sheer intricacy of the carvings is stunning and not to be overlooked. And some temples, like Ta Prohm pictured below, have trees that are growing out of the ruins—just goes to show the true strength of a jungle when it takes over. A truly breathtaking architectural marvel!

7. Buy Souvenirs at Shops Near the Temples

If you plan on doing a little shopping while there, do it at the shops near the temples. You’ll see that the prices are much more affordable there than in the markets. And if you buy a painting (they are gorgeous!), don’t forget about it!! One of the only things I bought was a handmade painting of the central temple for my mother, but I let it sit in my apartment in Japan for months before I remembered to ship it to her. And when I opened the box it was in, the paint had already stiffened and cracked.

8. Don’t Exchange All Your Money Before You Arrive!

The official currency of Cambodia, the Cambodian riel, is obviously fine to have and to carry while traveling in Cambodia. But there’s no need to fret over exchanging your money if you forgot at the airport because the US dollar is actually preferred! I personally always like to collect the national currency of whichever country I’m visiting, but in this case, it’s not totally necessary! One less thing for you to worry about!

9. Don’t Forget to Explore Siem Reap!

Visiting Angkor Wat is guaranteed to give you a huge dose of culture and history, which I absolutely love and will always seek out when traveling! But if you can spare a few hours of your trip to actually explore around the city of Siem Reap, you will not regret it! Plus, it gives you even more chances to snack on some delicious local food and meet locals!

Guided Tour or Solo?

Of course, like many travel destinations, it’s always perfectly fine to explore on your own; there are plenty of guidebooks available for purchase and even free to help guide you through each part of your journey. But because Angkor Wat is so vast and there is so much to learn at every corner, I highly recommend booking a guided tour of the complex at least for one day.

It’s just far too easy to miss important bits of history and information if you’re going solo. PLUS, when you book a guided tour, not only will you understand the Khmer civilization at a much deeper level, but you will be supporting the local economy. Supporting the economy helps to encourage locals to remain invested in the preservation of their heritage sites—something that I believe every traveler should aim to do!

Final Thoughts

Overall, I think Angkor Wat definitely lived up to its hype and I can see why it’s a must-visit for so many travelers around the world. I’d even love to visit again one day—there is more than enough splendor to appreciate more than once.

I hope these essential tips will come in handy when you plan your visit to Angkor Wat! Have you been to Angkor Wat before? Share any tips or questions you have in the comments below!