The best temples in Cambodia

Cambodia is home to over 4,000 temples, each with its own story, architectural style, and historical significance. Put yourself in the shoes of the various travelers, explorers and hunters that stumbled upon the temples of Angkor deep in the Cambodian forests all those centuries ago. Imagine the incredulous look on their faces as they stared up at the intricately carved stonework peeping through the greenery. This feeling of amazement still persists for today’s visitors, as you approach the site and catch your first glimpse of the ancient and best temples in Cambodia piercing the treetops.

The undisputed jewel in Cambodia’s crown is the ancient city of Angkor, the Khmer capital constructed between the 9th and 12th centuries where around 1,000 temples are scattered on the plains north of Tonle Sap lake. The sprawling metropolis of Angkor would once have been a powerhouse of the region and was proven in 2007 to have been the world’s biggest pre-industrial city having potentially had one million inhabitants.

The best temples in Cambodia

The main cluster of temples is relatively compact and includes some of the best preserved Khmer monuments, often considered among the best temples in Cambodia. However, the Angkor site spans a vast area, and if you’re looking to explore some of the lesser-visited temples with fewer crowds, that can definitely be arranged. Depending on how deeply you want to explore the site and its many temples, you could easily spend anywhere from a couple of days to a full week discovering the best temples in Cambodia at Angkor.

1. Angkor Wat

So thoroughly entwined with Cambodia’s national identity that it features on the flag, Angkor Wat is the best known of the temples of Cambodia. It is widely credited with being the world’s largest religious monument, and though it is often busy with visitors, it doesn’t disappoint. Originally built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, the temple was designed as a representation of Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods in Hindu cosmology. Its stone carvings depict Hindu legends, Apsara dancers, and various battle scenes.

The harmonious symmetry and impressive setting surrounded by water enhances the beauty and unbelievable detail of the temple. Sunrise is one of the most popular times to visit, as the early morning light highlights the temple’s details and casts a picture-perfect glow over the temple’s sandstone. Even when it seems crowded on the approach, you can quite easily find a quiet corner to contemplate the amazing 12th century workmanship, and our local experts know all the hidden hotspots.

2. Ta Prohm

If you are hoping to feel the magic and mystery of these ancient relics of the Khmer empire, there’s no better place to go looking for it than Ta Prohm, where fallen masonry and remnants of stone edifices are slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding vegetation. The roots of giant kapok trees are knotted around and through the remaining walls, giving the whole temple the sense of a lost kingdom, and reminding visitors of the great age of all the Angkor monuments. Exploring Ta Prohm gives you an idea of how it must have felt to stumble upon this ancient city after centuries of neglect.

Ta Prohm was built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries as a Buddhist monastery and university, designed in the elaborate Bayon style of Khmer architecture. Over time, the jungle changed its structure. Silk-cotton, strangler fig, and gold apple trees wrapped their roots around the temple’s walls and slowly pulled them apart. However, this transformation also helped preserve parts of the structure. Also, the partially crumbled and overgrown appearance is now a big part of what makes it one of Cambodia’s most photographed temples. Beneath the layers of lichen, intricate carvings can be found peeking out.

3. Angkor Thom and the temple of Bayon

The history and significance of Angkor Thom can be detected as soon as you set off across the walkway leading into the enclosed city proper, which is flanked by 54 larger than life figures on each side. Angkor Thom is a moated area with an enclosing wall of around seven kilometers which contains some fine carved bas-reliefs within the star attraction, Bayon. The temple of Bayon is one of the most impressive sites within the whole of the ancient city of Angkor, with its imposing towers sporting huge carved faces that stare out over the surroundings.

4. Banteay Srei

A little further out from Siem Reap than the main temple circuit, Banteay Srei is worth the effort to get there, as you will discover its amazingly detailed decorative exterior, featuring elaborate pattern inspired by flowers and plants. Unlike the temples of Angkor, Banteay Srei will lure you in with its detailed artistry rather than its grand scale. Built in the 10th century, this temple stands out for its pink sandstone construction and some of Cambodia’s most intricate and refined bas-reliefs. The whole temple is relatively small in size so it’s not going to keep you all day, yet the carvings are so mesmerizing that you may end up spending longer here than you planned.

The temple complex includes sanctuaries and libraries, all adorned with three-dimensional carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. It’s a fascinating site for those interested in Cambodia’s religious and artistic history and heritage, as stories of Shiva and other deities adorn many of its surfaces. Legends say the temple’s level of detail was so intricate that they believe only women could have created it, hence the name Banteay Srei, or “Citadel of Women.” If you do have spare time after viewing the temple, head for nearby Kbal Spean, where yet more impressive carvings can be seen, this time chipped out of the rocks on the riverbed.

5. Preah Vihear

The temple requires a bit of perseverance to reach, as it is quite some distance from all the others, at around 150 kilometers from Siem Reap. For a long time it was out of bounds due to ownership disputes, but it has recently reopened. This sandstone temple is appealing for its remoteness and its lofty position high on an escarpment with views over the plains below. Along with the ancient city of Angkor, Preah Vihear is one of Cambodia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, listed to ensure the preservation of its exceptional carved stone ornamentation.

6. Roluos

Not far outside Siem Reap lies the so called Roluos group of temples, which are thought to be among the earliest of the Khmer Empire’s monuments. There is a notable difference in the architectural style in this group compared to the main group of temples, mainly because of the use of bricks in the construction. There are still some interesting carvings present on some of the temples, even though most of them are from the 9th century, making them over 1,000 years old. Preah Ko is the temple to head for to explore the best examples.

Best time to visit Cambodia’s temples

Make the most out of your visit to Cambodia’s temples by doing a little pre-planning for your visit. For the most optimal weather conditions, come in the dry season (from November to April) to enjoy the cooler mornings and fewer rainstorms. December and January are peak months for visiting Cambodia’s temples, which means you’ll likely encounter larger crowds. However, if your goal is to have fewer people in your photos, a visit in the shoulder season (around early November or late April) is best. Cambodia’s wet season (from May to October) offers lush greenery and fewer tourists, but you can expect some midday rain and muddy footpaths.

Make it happen

Explore one of Asia’s most captivating historic sites and admire the incredible craftsmanship behind Cambodia’s iconic Khmer temples. Let our trusted local partner help you plan your dream trip to Cambodia, they’ll create a custom itinerary tailored to your interests and priorities. Just reach out through our inquiry form to get started.