Must-sees & try things in Siem Reap AND(!) must-avoid & don't think about

Like everyone else said, Angkor Wat, that's basically mandatory. Try to make it for sunrise at the "main" temple otherwise you'll be there with hundreds of other tourists instead of dozens.

But I'm surprised no one said to see the Floating Villages (as pictured). I liked this just as much and is one of the most unique places you'll see, ever. Just hire one of the many tuk-tuk drivers and they'll know how to get there.

For further reading, I wrote a time-stamped article on a full day in Siem Reap.

Hello Aina,

2 days sounds really short period of time to visit most parts of Siem Reap. Yet, to leverage your visit I would recommend to have a tour guide to get fast and unique experience over culture, lifestyle of the people out there, history etc. Great temples are Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm Kel Temple, Banteay Srei, Phnom Bakheng, and lastly you should use your one hour to have unforgettable and awesome Cambodian circus show at Phare - The Cambodian Circus Show. I believe you can't stop clapping your hands and keeping your eyes wide open :-)

Just take in the Temples, the place is huge. 2 days is enough but it doesn't allow you to really get into it all. In the evenings just wander the food stalls around Pub St and eat.

Hi Aina - check out my post for itinerary suggestions for your time frame! 

3 Day or 1 Day Angkor Wat Pass? How to Plan Your Stay in Siem Reap: 

Considering we had five days in Siem Reap, this was not a difficult decision for us. But, for those of you that have a more limited time frame you may be wondering should I buy a 3 Day Pass or a 1 Day Pass to Angkor Wat? A one day pass costs $20 and a 3 day pass costs $40 (same cost for 2 days).

So, my recommendation is that if you truly only have one day to explore Angkor Wat, you should get a 1 day pass and explore as many temples as you can possibly handle. I highly recommend getting a tour guide for at least ½ the day so you can learn about what you are seeing as well. 

For all others, who have more than a 3 day visit in Siem Reap- definitely buy a 3 Day pass and explore in a more relaxed way.

Hello Aina!  With only two days in Siem Reap my advice would be to spend a day touring with a guide named "Sun Same."  You can Google him and schedule the day and time.  His brother gave us the temple tour and it was fantastic.  We started at sunrise at Angkor Wat.  Before most people left,  he took us over to Ta Prohm Kel Temple and we pretty much had the place to ourselves.  After Ta Prohm, he took us back to the hotel Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, which we really enjoyed.  We had breakfast and then he returned and took us to Angkor Thom and The Bayon.  That should fill up one day for you.  After that, I would recommend going down to Pub St and find one of many places for a very good, and inexpensive, massage.  I would also try to find the place that offers fish pedicures.  You put your feet in the tank and let the fish "clean" your feet for 10 minutes.  :) Then, grab dinner and cocktails on Pub Street.  The next day, I would spend a leisurely morning around the hotel pool, and then the afternoon shopping (and negotiating) with the locals at the market down by Pub Street.  And make sure you use the Tuk tuks for a fun travel experience to and from your hotel.  Safe travels!