Long the dormitory town for the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap has emerged as a destination in its own right thanks to an alluring combination of world-class wining and dining, vibrant nightlife, stylish shopping, adrenaline-fuelled activities, other-worldly floating villages and a host of lifestyle experiences in the countryside beyond. Oh, and it might just help that the eighth wonder of the world – wonderful Angkor Wat – is just a few miles down the road. 

Speaking of Angkor, this is one of those bucket list destinations that really does justify all the superlatives. The Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat draws visitors to Cambodia in droves, but the surrounding forest hides an incredible diversity of ancient temples, any one of which would be the envy of any country in Southeast Asia. 

The enigmatic faces of the Bayon, the mercury-colored tree roots tangled around the ruins of Ta Prohm, the exquisite carvings of Banteay Srei and the Mayan-pyramid-like temple of Koh Ker – all are world-beaters when it comes to size, scale and symmetry.

While Angkor is the shop window to lure you in, and Siem Reap covers the key ingredients for your stay such as hip hostels and beautiful boutique hotels, the real icing on the cake is the Cambodian people. The warm welcome they provide is legendary, and their spirit will leave an indelible mark on your soul.

When should I go to Siem Reap?
This famous temple town is a year-round destination, but many visitors choose to come during the dry season from November to March. However, while the weather is good, this is also the busiest time and some of the iconic temples at Angkor can be overcrowded.

The wet season – also known as the "green season" – transforms the rural landscape of northwestern Cambodia into a palette of vivid greens, and the temples come alive with moss and lichen. There are also lots of deals on offer at the leading hotels in town. 

Several important festivals see both locals and visitors flock to Siem Reap. The most lively event of the year is the Bon Om Tuk water festival in late October or November, which sees colorful boat races on the Siem Reap River. Chaul Chnam Thmey – the Khmer New Year – in mid-April is the biggest date on the festival calendar, and there are major celebrations in and around Siem Reap.

Other calendar highlights include the Angkor Wat Half Marathon in early December and the Giant Puppet Parade in February or March.

How much time should I spend in Siem Reap?
Many visitors opt to buy a three-day pass for the Temples of Angkor, staying in Siem Reap for three or four days while they explore. This is a great way to break up the temple viewing into bite-sized chunks and avoid the risk of getting "templed out." This timeframe will also allow time for some non-temple activities, such as a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, taking a cooking class in Siem Reap, or just hanging out by the pool. 

When it comes to Angkor, most visitors prioritize the "Big Three" temples of Angkor Wat, the Bayon and Ta Prohm. However, if time allows, there are plenty more temples to explore that are the envy of Cambodia's neighbors. 

To dive deeper into Angkor's story, consider a visit to Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea, Preah Khan, Koh Ker or the holy mountain of Phnom Kulen. If you want to see all the important temples and enjoy some of Siem Reap's best experiences and activities, then staying for a week is a wise move. 

Is it easy to get into and around Siem Reap? 
As a major transport hub, Siem Reap is well-connected with the rest of Cambodia and neighboring parts of Southeast Asia. About 44km from town, Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) offers flights to Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and several other Southeast Asian capitals, including Bangkok, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur.

A taxi from the airport to the center of Siem Reap will cost US$35 or there's a regular shuttle bus for US$8. It's also possible to travel by bus to Phnom Penh and Battambang, and to Bangkok via the international border crossing at Poipet.