Cambodia: Exploring the Angkor Temple Complex with Kids

If you’re planning a trip to Cambodia with your kids, you’ll definitely want to add a visit to the Angkor Temples and surrounding complex to your itinerary. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, the Angkor Wat complex is full of history and culture, and it’s also a great place to take some amazing photographs. Here we share some tips to help you make the most of your visit when you visit the Angkor temples with kids in tow.

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Angkor Wat and the surrounding temple complex

Angkor Wat is a temple complex – or actually the ruins of an ancient city with temple complexes – in Cambodia. It is the largest religious monument in the world. It was built in the 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu. However, after the king’s death, Angkor Wat was converted into a Buddhist shrine.

Forgotten for centuries and then rediscovered by French explorer Henri Mouhot in the 1860’s, the temple complex is known for its intricate stone carvings and stunning architecture. Today, it is a popular tourist destination and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. While much of Angkor Wat has been restored, it still stands as a testament to the power and wealth of the ancient Khmer Empire.

Getting There

The Angkor Temple Complex is located just outside of the modern Cambodian city of Siem Reap, which can be reached by a short drive from the local airport. We flew in from Bangkok, which was a short 2-hour flight. You could also fly into Phnom Penh and take a bus or drive up (it’s about a 5-6 hour drive).

The temple complex is a 30-minute drive from Siem Reap and you can either take a taxi or arrange for a private driver through your hotel. There are also guided bus options.

How to explore Angkor as a family with children

As a family, we recommend exploring the temple complex using a private driver as this will give you lots of flexibility for exploring at your own pace – and private drivers in Cambodia are very affordable. It will allow you to stop and watch flocks of the wild macaque monkeys when they cross the street or other experiences that cannot be planned in advance. Our friendly driver even brought an ice-cooled bag full of water bottles which was extremely popular with our kids that are not used to the hot and humid climate from our home in Scandinavia.

We recommend booking your private driver in advance from your hotel in Siem Reap so that you don’t have to worry about haggling over prices when you’re already at the temple complex.

Where to stay

Siem Ream city is the place to stay as the huge Angkor temple complex does not have accomodation. However, it’s only a short drive away from Siem Reap.

We stayed at the small family owned hotel Won Residence that we found through booking.com and we loved it. They have a small number of family friendly rooms and a shady pool area surrounded by beautiful tropical greenery. There is also a great roof terrace with a view of Siem Reap where you can eat a nice Cambodian dinner and have drinks at night. Perfect for families with small kids as there is no traffic and it’s easy to keep an eye on playing kids while you enjoy your meal.

Siem Reap is a small town that is worth to explore, and getting around is easy. Go to the local market or the river to get a feel of this lively town. You can either rent bicycles or the most common choice – a tuk tuk (the local form of transportation) – which is a great option for exploring with kids.

What to Wear

Be sure to dress modestly when visiting the temples, as short shorts, tank tops, and other revealing clothing are not allowed. As a rule of thump, cover your knees and elbows. It’s also a good idea to wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking. And don’t forget to pack a hat and sunscreen! The temples are located in an open area, so you’ll be exposed to the sun for most of the day.

When to Go

The best time to visit the Angkor Temple Complex is early in the morning, before it gets too hot and crowded. We recommend getting there around 7am so that you can explore the temples before they get too busy. Keep in mind that many tour groups arrive around 9am, so try to get there before then if possible.

Guided Tours vs DIY

You can either join a guided tour or explore the temple complex on your own. If you’re traveling with young children, we recommend going on a guided tour so that they can learn about the history and culture of the temples while someone else handles all of the logistics. However, if you’re traveling with older kids or teens who are interested in doing some photography, exploring on your own may be a better option so that you can go at your own pace. You can even rent bicycles at the complex which could be a fun way to explore the complexes with big kids.

Angkor Wat vs. The Other Temples

The Angkor Wat temple complex is extensive and consist of sooo many temples each with their own personalities. If you only have time for one temple complex, make it Angkor Wat. It’s the biggest and most popular temple, and for good reason. It’s absolutely stunning. That said, if you have more time (we were there for 4 days), we highly recommend exploring some of the other temples as well.

Our family loved Ta Prohm, which has been taken over by jungle vines (and famously featured in the movie Tomb Raider), and Banteay Srei, which is covered in intricate carvings. If you go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you can avoid the worst of the crowds and pack in visits to several temples.

Tips for visiting the complex Angkor with Kids

• Dress everyone in light clothing and comfortable shoes – they’ll be doing a lot of walking (and maybe even climbing).
• Bring snacks and drinks with you, as there are almost no food vendors inside the temple complex itself.
• Be prepared for lots of stairs! If your kids are anything like ours, they’ll want to climb up everything they see. If you are bringing very small child or a baby, we highly recommend bringing a baby carrier like this one and not a stroller.
• Take breaks often – there are plenty of spots to rest inside the temples themselves. And if all else fails, just let the kids run around outside for awhile – they’ll be sure to fall asleep on the ride back to your hotel afterwards!
• Have fun! This is an amazing experience for both kids and adults alike. Don’t forget to take some time to enjoy it. If you are looking for tips for how to keep the kids engaged while exploring, check our guide for great hikes with kids.
• Don’t forget your camera. This place is packed with excellent photo opportunities – temples, monkeys and your kids having a blast!

There’s more

When you visit Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples, we highly recommend exploring some of the other areas nearby. Siem Reap goes without saying as that is the city you will be staying in and definitely worth spending some time exploring.

Nearby Siem Ream you also explore Tonle Sap Lake, the biggest lake of Cambodia which is also worth a visit. Here you will find colorful elevated wooden houses on stilts and floating villages – quite a sight for kids.

Final words

The Angkor Temple Complex is definitely worth a visit when you’re in Cambodia with your kids. With its rich history and beautiful architecture, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience for everyone in your family. Be sure to dress modestly, wear comfortable shoes, and pack plenty of sunscreen and water – and if you’re traveling with young children, consider joining a guided tour so that they can learn more about this fascinating place. Remember to bring plenty of snacks and water, dress your kids in comfortable clothes, and take plenty of breaks. And most importantly, have fun!