Siem Reap is best known as the gateway to the magnificent Angkor Archaeological Park, home to some of the most remarkable temples in Southeast Asia. From the iconic towers of Angkor Wat to the atmospheric ruins of Ta Prohm, the temples in Siem Reap offer an extraordinary journey through the history, architecture and spirituality of the Khmer Empire. Let’s explore the top 06 best temples in Siem Reap with Handspan Travel!

Through this blog post, you will find detailed information about the following temples.

Angkor Wat

• Entrance fees: 37 USD (1-day pass); 62 USD (3-day pass) & 72 USD (7-day pass)
• Visiting hours: 05.00 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.

No list of the temples in Siem Reap would be complete without Angkor Wat. It is  a temple within the Angkor complex, built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II of the Khmer Empire.  The architecture and carvings of Angkor Wat are a combination of Hindu and Buddhist worship. With its majestic architecture, perfectly symmetrical layout, and exquisitely carved reliefs, Angkor Wat is not only a natural wonder but also the cultural and spiritual symbol of the Cambodian people. 

One of the special characteristics of Angkor Wat is its main entrance, which faces west towards the rising sun, symbolizing rebirth and eternity. When visiting Angkor Wat, don’t miss out on the opportunity to admire the sunrise here. Angkor Wat is famous for its magical beauty at dawn. The sun rises behind the towers, creating a mystical scene reflected in the pond in front of the temple. Besides, you may want to explore the unique architecture here. Inside the temple are 398 rooms connected by 1,500 meters of corridors. Above, Angkor Wat stands out with 5 towers, of which the central tower is 65 meters high. 

Besides the architecture, Angkor Wat is also outstanding with giant reliefs and intricately carved stone pillars. Every wall, every corridor, every stone pillar tells a story about the history and culture of Cambodia at one time. Generally, when visiting Angkor Wat, you can admire the ancient architectural beauty and immerse yourself in a unique cultural space, and feel the soul and spirit of the Khmer people through each period. Thanks to immense historical, architectural, and artistic value, Angkor Wat is undoubtedly one of the must-see temples in Siem Reap. If you want to experience Angkor Wat as part of a wider cultural journey, you can refer to Handspan’s Angkor highlights tour, which combines the major temples of Angor complex with a knowledgable local guide. Let’s come and have your own experience in your journey to travel to Siem Reap! 

Angkor Thom

• Entrance fees: 37 USD (1-day pass); 62 USD (3-day pass) & 72 USD (7-day pass)
• Visiting hours: 07.30 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.

Although Angkor Thom is technically an ancient walled city rather than a single temple, it is an essential part of any exploration of the temples in Siem Reap. Angkor Thom covers an area of about 9 km², and was the last and largest capital of the ancient Khmer empire. 

There are four main gates and one additional gate leading to the temple. Of these, the South Gate of Angkor Thom is the most popular tourist destination, due to its unique beauty and the giant statues of gods lining both sides of the road leading to the gate. This south is the most used and best preserved gate in the complex. Built of sandstone, the entrance is through 8-meter-high laterite walls, and the gate is about 23 meters high. Besides the South Gate, there are many other sites in Angkor Thom. Let us recommend some attractions in Angkor Thom that you must visit. 

• Bayon Temple

Bayon is one of the most beautiful temples and a must-see tourist attraction at Angkor Thom when you travel to Siem Reap. This temple is famous for its 54 towers, each with four giant faces facing the four directions, totaling 216 smiling faces. These faces are said to represent the god Avalokiteshvara or King Jayavarman VII himself. As you enter the Bayon temple, you will see reliefs depicting the daily life of ancient Khmer people, from fighting scenes, hunting, to religious ceremonies.

• Baphuon Temple

Baphuon Temple is located North of Bayon Temple, built in the 11th century. Coming here, you will have a chance to see a reclining Buddha statue, with a length of 70 meters and is built from thousands of stacked stone blocks. 

• Preah Palilay Temple

Preah Palilay Temple is situated within the Angkor Thom temple complex. The site incorporates elements of both Hinduism and Buddhism; alongside ancient Hindu features, large Buddha statues have been placed here.

• Terrace of the Elephants

The Terrace of the Elephants is also a popular place inside Angkor Thom, as it is quite airy and cool. The Terrace of the Elephants is actually a 2.5-meter-high and 300-meter-long platform used by King Jayavarman VII to watch his victorious army return.

With its historical significance and magnificent and mysterious beauty, Angkor Thom is among the best temples in Siem Reap that you should not miss. A visit to the temple complex will help you understand the sophistication of the ancient Khmer capital better. 

Ta Prohm

• Entrance fees: 37 USD (1-day pass); 62 USD (3-day pass) & 72 USD (7-day pass)
• Visiting hours: 07.30 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.

Ta Prohm Temple is also one of the outstanding temples in Siem Reap that appeals to tourists. Built in the late 12th century under the reign of King Jayavarman VII, the temple served as a monastery and Buddhist school and was dedicated to the king's mother.

What makes Ta Prohm such a popular destination is the way nature and architecture blend together. Giant ancient trees grow through the stone roofs and walls, creating a magical scene. Ta Prohm consists of three separate areas and 39 towers. The temple is a large architectural structure with functional areas and separate courtyards.

Unlike Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm is a living maze. Each path leads to a different experience, where you can encounter Apsaras smiling behind tree roots, ruined corridors catching the slanting sunlight, and the “echo” wall where clapping hands the sound echoes back into a strange treble. Besides, you will be impressed by the reliefs & stone inscriptions that record the temple’s assets, the number of monks, scholars, and dancers. Today, walking through its corridors offers a fascinating glimpse into how centuries of nature have transformed the ancient site. Ta Prohm is included in several Handspan Travel itineraries, including the Cambodia Culinary Journey, which combines Angkor's temples with local food experiences. Let’s travel to Siem Reap and take a visit to the Ta Prohm Temple. 

Banteay Srei

• Entrance fees: 37 USD (1-day pass); 62 USD (3-day pass) & 72 USD (7-day pass)
• Visiting hours: 07.30 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.

Located 35 kilometers northeast of Siem Reap, the Banteay Srei temple possesses a mystical and ancient beauty. It is one of the most distinctive temples in Siem Reap. The temple's geographical location is remarkable. It is encircled by a moat stretching up to 100 kilometers through dense, shadowy jungle, extending all the way to the Mekong River. Originally named Tribhuvanamahesvara, the temple was built during the reign of King Jayavarman V and was primarily dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. It was later renamed Banteay Srei and is surrounded by numerous smaller towers.

Coming to the temple, you will be impressed by its magnificent and astonishing stone carvings. The use of pink sandstone is a unique feature that distinguishes Banteay Srei from other temples in Siem Reap. Although constructed over a millennium ago, the carvings remain remarkably well-preserved to this day, thanks to the quality of the sandstone. The architectural elements of Banteay Srei are equally fascinating. For instance, laterite was used to construct the fortifications, gateways, auxiliary buildings, and additional tiers of towers. Brick was utilized for the roof of the central tower, the enclosing walls, and the western door frames.

Banteay Samre

• Entrance fees: 37 USD (1-day pass); 62 USD (3-day pass) & 72 USD (7-day pass)
• Visiting hours: 07.30 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.

For travellers looking beyond the most famous temples in Siem Reap, Banteay Samre offers a more peaceful experience. This 12th-century temple is located near the traditional village of Preah Dak and features a distinctive combination of laterite and sandstone architecture. Its enclosed layout and detailed carvings make it an interesting stop for those who want to understand the diversity of Angkorian temple design.

The temple is often visited together with Banteay Srei, making the two temples a natural addition to an Angkor itinerary. Handspan's Cambodia for Art & Nature Globetrotters explores both temples as part of its focus on Cambodia's art, history and landscapes.

Takeo

• Entrance fees: 37 USD (1-day pass); 62 USD (3-day pass) & 72 USD (7-day pass)
• Visiting hours: 07.30 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.

Takeo is another fascinating stop for travellers who want to explore the temples in Siem Reap. Built in the late 10th century by King Jayavarman V and dedicated to the god Shiva, the temple was never completed. Construction was halted permanently after lightning struck the tower's summit while the structure was still in a rough-hewn state. Consequently, while the temple boasts a massive architectural scale, its stone surfaces remain largely unadorned, lacking the intricate bas-relief carvings found at sites like Banteay Srei.

While had not been fully built, the temple’s architecture is still impressive. Constructed from colossal blocks of green sandstone, the temple rises 22 meters high and is arranged in five tiers, resembling a Mesoamerican pyramid. Ta Keo features incredibly steep, narrow stone stairways leading to the summit. Climbing to the top offers a thrilling, adventurous experience, rewarding visitors with panoramic views of the vast Angkor forest stretching out below. The temple can be visited alongside Ta Prohm, Banteay Samre and Banteay Srei on Handspan Travel's Angkor itineraries. 

Explore the temples of Siem Reap with Handspan Travel

The temples in Siem Reap are more than spectacular archaeological sites. Together, they tell the story of the Khmer Empire through architecture, sculpture, religion and everyday life. From the iconic Angkor Wat and mysterious Ta Prohm to the intricate carvings of Banteay Srei, each temple offers a different perspective on Cambodia's remarkable heritage. 

Whether you are planning a dedicated Angkor adventure or a longer journey through Indochina, Handspan Travel can help you build an itinerary around the experiences that interest you most. Explore our Cambodia tours for a closer look at the temples of Siem Reap in particular and Cambodia in general.

In conclusion, you have just known about the top 06 temples in Siem Reap that you should not miss. If you want to book a tour package in Cambodia or tailor your itinerary, don’t hesitate to contact our team.