May 25, 2026
If you’re trying to plan a sunrise at Angkor Wat or a sunset at Pre Rup, you need hours that are actually current. Many travel sites still publish schedules from the COVID period, when temples opened at 7:30 AM and closed at 5:30 PM. Those times are no longer accurate.
Here is the short answer, locally verified in April 2026. Most Small Circuit and Grand Circuit temples now run on a 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM schedule. Angkor Wat itself opens at 5:00 AM for sunrise. Four dedicated sunrise and sunset spots (Prasat Phnom Krom, Tonle Om Gate, Sras Srang, and Pre Rup) run on 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM. A 30-minute grace rule applies at every temple: visitors already inside at closing time have an extra half hour to exit.
I live in Siem Reap and re-check these hours on the ground every few months, because the schedule has shifted twice since 2023 and most published guides still lag behind. Below is the full 2026 schedule for 25 temples and sunrise/sunset sites, with the year each was built, the king who ordered it, its architectural style, and the religion it was built for.
Buy your Angkor Pass online at angkorenterprise.gov.kh — the only official channel. Secure payment, soft copy on your phone (can’t be lost), and tickets bought after 5:00 PM are valid the next day, so you can buy the night before and skip the morning queue.
Key takeaways
- Small Circuit & Grand Circuit standard: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Angkor Wat: 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM (the sunrise temple)
- Prasat Phnom Bakheng: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM (traditional sunset)
- Sunrise / sunset spots (Sras Srang, Pre Rup, Phnom Krom, Tonle Om): 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- 30-minute grace: if you are already inside a temple at closing, you have an extra 30 minutes to leave
First time? Akim’s pick
One day, one classic spine: 5:00 AM sunrise at Angkor Wat → Bayon at the heart of Angkor Thom → Ta Prohm before the crowds peak at 11:00 AM → Pre Rup for sunset. Four temples, full pass window, no rush. Tick any temple below to build your own version — or have us run the day for you.
Angkor Wat sunrise, from the north reflecting pool. The temple opens at 5:00 AM.
Sras Srang at sunset. One of the five dedicated sunrise/sunset spots, open until 7:00 PM.
What are the current opening hours at the Angkor complex?
The Angkor Archaeological Park has three schedules running in parallel. Most temples follow a standard schedule. Angkor Wat itself has its own slightly longer morning window for sunrise. A handful of sunrise and sunset spots open the earliest and close the latest.
Standard
6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Most Small & Grand Circuit temples
Angkor Wat
5:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Earliest opening, sunrise temple
Phnom Bakheng
6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Traditional sunset lookout
Sunrise / sunset spots
5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Phnom Krom, Tonle Om, Sras Srang, Pre Rup
One rule is the same at every temple: the 30-minute grace period. If you are inside a temple when its posted closing time arrives, you have an extra 30 minutes to finish what you are doing and exit. You will not be hurried out at the exact minute of closing. In practice, guards begin a slow, polite sweep of the upper terraces about 15 to 20 minutes before closing, then clear the rest by 30 minutes after.
Small Circuit temple hours (the 13 main sites)
The Small Circuit temples are the classic first-day route at Angkor. If you are buying a 1-day Angkor Pass, this is the loop most guests visit. A private Angkor Wat private tour covers the main Small Circuit temples in a day.
Build your own day from these tables
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Tickany temple row below.
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Geta day plan with a Google Maps route.
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| Temple | Hours | Built | Reign | Style | Religion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bas-relief galleries that include the Churning of the Sea of Milk | 5:00 – 18:00 | Early 12th C. |
Suryavarman II1113–1150 | Angkor Wat | Hinduism | |
| Towers of carved stone faces at the heart of Angkor Thom. | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII1181–1218 | Bayon | Mahayana Buddhism | |
| Strangler-fig roots gripping the stone, the Tomb Raider temple | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Mahayana Buddhism | |
| A Buddhist monastery left in calm semi-ruin, quieter than Ta Prohm | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Mahayana Buddhism | |
| Small unrestored temple deep in the forest, reached by a dirt track | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Buddhist | |
| A steep five-tier sandstone pyramid, left unfinished and uncarved | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 10th C. |
Jayavarman V & Suryavarman I968–1001 | Khleang | Shiva (Brahmanism) | |
| Compact Hindu temple covered in well-preserved devata carvings | 6:00 – 18:30 | Early 11th C. |
Jayavarman VI1080–1107 | Angkor Wat | Hindu | |
| Thommanon’s twin across the road, restored by a Chinese team 2000-2009 | 6:00 – 18:30 | Early 12th C. |
Jayavarman VI | Angkor Wat | Hinduism | |
| A royal bathing pool with a carved laterite landing stage | 5:00 – 19:00 | Late 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Buddhist | |
| A slender brick pyramid named for a king-sheltering bird legend | 6:00 – 18:30 | Mid 10th C. |
Harshavarman I910–923 | Bakheng | Hindu | |
| Three small brick shrines; an inscription warns elephants off the dykes | 6:00 – 18:30 | Mid 10th C. |
Rajendravarman II | Pre Rup | Buddhist | |
| Brick towers holding Angkor’s only carved-brick reliefs of Vishnu | 6:00 – 18:30 | Early 10th C. |
Harshavarman I | Koh Ker | Hindu | |
| Hilltop pyramid-temple, the classic and busiest Angkor sunset | 6:00 – 19:00 | Late 9th C. |
Yasovarman I889–910 | Bakheng | Hindu | |
My pick, Small Circuit
If you have one day, build the route around the Angkor Wat sunrise first, then Ta Prohm before 10:00 AM (it gets loud by 11:00), then Bayon inside Angkor Thom at midday for the giant face towers. Save Phnom Bakheng for sunset. The whole day fits comfortably inside the 1-day pass window.
Bakan — Angkor Wat’s upper sanctuary, different hours
The top tier of Angkor Wat, called Bakan, has its own shorter schedule: it opens around 7:40 AM and closes around 5:00 PM. It’s also closed on Buddhist holy days. If you want to climb to the very top of Angkor Wat for the panoramic view, plan around these times — sunrise visitors arriving at 5:00 AM cannot enter Bakan until much later in the morning.
Grand Circuit temple hours (the 8 outer sites)
The Grand Circuit temples run further from town, mostly to the northeast. The Grand Circuit is quieter than the Small Circuit, and for visitors who have already done the main sites, it rewards a slower pace. A private Grand Circuit tour covers these temples in a single day.
Tick ✓ any temple in the table to add it to your day plan below.
| Temple | Hours | Built | Reign | Style | Religion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A two-storey columned hall, the only round columns at Angkor | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Mahayana Buddhism | |
| A circular island shrine ringed by coiled stone serpents | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 13th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Mahayana Buddhism | |
| A giant strangler fig swallowing the carved-face east gate | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Buddhist | |
| Carved pediments on the ground: Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Buddhist | |
| A compact Bayon-style temple with unusually small doors and windows | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Mahayana Buddhism | |
| A small Jayavarman VII chapel, unusually facing south | 6:00 – 18:30 | Late 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Buddhist | |
| Two-metre stone elephants standing guard at the tier corners | 6:00 – 18:30 | Mid 10th C. |
Rajendravarman II | Pre Rup | Hindu | |
| A brick temple-mountain that glows red-orange at sunset | 5:00 – 19:00 | Mid 10th C. |
Rajendravarman II944–968 | Pre Rup | Hindu | |
My pick, Grand Circuit
Pre Rup closes at 7:00 PM but the guards gently start clearing the upper terrace around 6:40. Plan to be at the top by 6:00 PM for the best light window. The red sandstone at this hour is a color you do not get anywhere else in the park.
Sunrise and sunset spots (5:00 AM – 7:00 PM)
Four sites are officially designated for sunrise and sunset viewing. They open one hour earlier than the standard temples and close 30 to 90 minutes later. If a temple appears both on a circuit and on this list, the sunrise/sunset hours apply.
Tick ✓ any spot to add it to your day plan below.
| Location | Hours | Built | Reign | Style | Religion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three weathered hilltop towers with long views over the Tonle Sap | 5:00 – 19:00 | Late 9th C. |
Yasovarman I | Bakheng | Brahmanism (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma) | |
| A causeway lined by 54 gods and 54 demons holding a giant naga | 5:00 – 19:00 | End 12th C. |
Remodeled by Jayavarman VIII | Bayon | Buddhist | |
| A royal bathing pool with a carved laterite landing stage | 5:00 – 19:00 | End 12th C. |
Jayavarman VII | Bayon | Buddhist | |
| A brick temple-mountain that glows red-orange at sunset | 5:00 – 19:00 | 10th C. | Rajendravarman II944–968 | Pre Rup | Hindu | |
Phnom Krom sits on a hilltop. Two (Sras Srang, Tonle Om) are water sites with reflections. Pre Rup is a temple-pyramid with an upper terrace for panoramic views. Between them they cover every kind of golden-hour photograph you might want.
Outer temples — same Angkor Pass, longer drives
These sites are all covered by the standard Angkor Pass, but they sit further from town than the Small and Grand Circuits. Each is worth a half-day or full-day trip. The driving time, not the hours, is what shapes how you build them into a multi-day plan.
| Site | Distance from Siem Reap | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banteay Srei | 32 km NE | 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM | The pink-sandstone “jewel” — fine carvings, classic half-day trip |
| Banteay Samre | 15 km NE | 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM | Quiet Angkor-Wat-style temple, often paired with Banteay Srei |
| Roluos Group Bakong · Preah Ko · Lolei |
13 km SE | 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM | Cambodia’s oldest temples (9th c.), the pre-Angkor capital |
| Prei Monti (Roluos area) |
13 km SE | 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM | The one outer site still on the old shorter schedule |
| Beng Mealea | 60 km E | 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM | “Jungle temple” — also sold as a $10 standalone ticket |
| Kbal Spean | ~50 km NE | 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM last useful arrival 4:00 PM |
Carved riverbed — 1.5 km uphill hike, allow 90 min. Also $5 standalone |
Beyond the Angkor Pass
Koh Ker Temples Park. About 120 km northeast of Siem Reap, an ancient Khmer capital from the 10th century. Not covered by the Angkor Pass — a separate $10 one-day ticket gets you access to 10+ temples inside the Koh Ker site. Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM. A long day trip, but worth it for the seven-tier pyramid of Prasat Thom.
The 30-minute grace rule, explained
A visitor already inside a temple at posted closing time has 30 extra minutes to exit. This applies to every site in the park. It is not advertised on ticket signage but it is consistently enforced in practice.
What this means in practice:
- You must be inside the temple before closing time. Arriving at the gate at 6:30 PM for a standard temple does not give you 30 minutes, the gate is closing.
- At Phnom Bakheng and Pre Rup (sunset sites), guards start a gentle sweep of the upper terraces about 20 minutes before closing.
- At Angkor Wat, the central sanctuary closes earlier than the outer galleries on some days. Staff will tell you on the ground.
- Bring a headlamp or use your phone flashlight if you plan to stay to the last minute at Pre Rup or Phnom Bakheng. The walk down can be dim.
Planning a sunrise visit
Sunrise at Angkor Wat is the classic image. One fact that explains the whole experience: Angkor Wat faces west, unlike most Khmer temples which face east. The sun rises behind the temple, silhouetting the five towers against pink and orange — and that is why Angkor Wat is the great sunrise temple but never a sunset one. The west-facing entrance also means you photograph from the west reflecting pools, looking east toward the sun.
To do it well:
- Arrive by 5:00 AM. First light is around 5:30 to 5:45 AM in Siem Reap depending on the season. Gates open at 5:00.
- Buy the Angkor Pass the evening before from angkorenterprise.gov.kh. Tickets issued after 5:00 PM are valid for the next day, so this saves you the morning queue.
- Use the north reflecting pool (on the left as you walk in). The south pool is usually the busier one.
- Consider a non-Angkor-Wat sunrise. Sras Srang and Pre Rup both open at 5:00 AM and are dramatically quieter. For photographs with fewer people, these are better choices.
If you want a guided experience, our sunrise Angkor Wat private tour includes the 4:30 AM pickup, the evening-before ticket collection, and your private guide.
Planning a sunset visit
Sunset is often better than sunrise for photography (longer golden hour, warmer light) and it is always less crowded. Two main options:
- Phnom Bakheng. The traditional sunset temple. Closes at 7:00 PM. There is a 300-visitor cap at the summit, and on peak-season weekends the cap fills by 4:00 PM. Arrive by 3:30 PM to be sure of a spot.
- Pre Rup. The local alternative. Also closes at 7:00 PM. No visitor cap. Red sandstone takes the light beautifully. This is where my guides take guests who want the quieter version.
- Sras Srang. Not a temple but a royal bathing pool, and the reflection at sunset is one of the underrated images of Angkor.
- Phnom Krom. Further out near the lake. A quiet hilltop sunset with rice fields below. Worth the detour for a second visit.
My pick, sunset
Phnom Bakheng is famous for a reason but the cap can turn it into a queue. Unless you are certain you want the classic view, Pre Rup is the better sunset for a first visit. You can walk the upper terrace without waiting, and the 7:00 PM closing means a full golden hour.
Why so many websites still show the wrong hours
During the COVID period, temple hours were shortened to 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM to reduce staff exposure. Those hours were widely published at the time and got copied into travel guides, aggregator sites, and AI-generated summaries. When the park returned to its regular schedule, many of those pages never got updated. Some still quote them today.
We keep this guide current because guests rely on it. If a detail on this page differs from what you read elsewhere, the schedule above is the one our team operates on in April 2026. See also our FAQ page for Angkor Pass prices, visa information, and other logistics.
One more thing worth knowing: the park itself is open every day of the year. No scheduled closures, no Mondays-off. The only intense day is Khmer New Year (mid-April), when Cambodian families come in large numbers and the temples feel like a national holiday — but the gates and sites stay fully open, and our guides actually love this period for the atmosphere.
How to plan your day around these hours
Three common shapes for a day at Angkor:
Classic 1-day
5:00 AM sunrise → Small Circuit → Phnom Bakheng sunset
Angkor Wat → Bayon → Ta Prohm → sunset
Quiet 1-day
5:00 AM Pre Rup sunrise → Grand Circuit → Pre Rup sunset
Skips crowds at both ends
Depth 3-day
Day 1 Small, Day 2 Grand, Day 3 outliers
Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea, countryside
Midday break
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM back at the hotel
Temples are hot and busy; locals rest
If you want the day built around you (private vehicle, private guide, pace adjusted to heat and children), see our full list of Angkor tours. Every tour is private and never shared with strangers.
Dress code (enforced)
Covered shoulders and knees at Angkor Wat and most major temples. Thin scarves do not count as covering. Staff will refuse entry to the upper levels of Angkor Wat if the dress code is not met. A light shawl or kroma solves it for both men and women.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Angkor Wat open and close?
Angkor Wat opens at 5:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM. Visitors inside at closing time have an extra 30 minutes to exit.
What time does the Angkor complex open?
Most temples open at 6:00 AM. Angkor Wat and the four sunrise/sunset spots (Phnom Krom, Tonle Om, Sras Srang, Pre Rup) open at 5:00 AM.
What temples are on the Small Circuit at Angkor?
The Small Circuit is the classic first-day route at Angkor, covering 13 temples within or near Angkor Thom: Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Ta Nei, Ta Keo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, Sras Srang, Baksei Chamkrong, Bat Chum, Prasat Kravan, and Prasat Phnom Bakheng. Most Small Circuit temples open 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM. Angkor Wat opens at 5:00 AM for sunrise, Sras Srang runs 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM, and Phnom Bakheng closes at 7:00 PM for sunset.
What temples are on the Grand Circuit at Angkor?
The Grand Circuit runs further to the northeast and covers 8 temples: Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Ta Som, Krol Ko, Banteay Prei, Prasat Prei, East Mebon, and Pre Rup. All Grand Circuit temples open 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM, except Pre Rup which opens at 5:00 AM and stays open until 7:00 PM — it doubles as a sunrise and sunset spot.
Which temple is best for sunset?
Phnom Bakheng is the traditional sunset temple but has a 300-visitor cap that fills early on peak days. Pre Rup is the uncapped alternative, and in my view the better sunset for a first visit. Both close at 7:00 PM.
Which temple is best for sunrise?
Angkor Wat for the classic image. Sras Srang or Pre Rup for the same early-light quality with a fraction of the crowd. All open at 5:00 AM.
Can I stay inside a temple after closing?
Yes, for 30 minutes. Every temple applies a 30-minute grace period for visitors already inside at posted closing time. You cannot enter after closing, but if you are already there, you have time to finish up.
Are opening hours the same every day of the year?
Yes. The schedule does not change by season or weekday. Occasional closures happen for ceremonies or restoration, and guards at individual temples may adjust a few minutes at the edges. The posted hours on this page are the year-round schedule.
How much is the Angkor Pass and where do I buy it?
1-day: $37. 3-day (valid 1 week): $62. 7-day (valid 1 month): $72. Children under 12 are free with passport. Buy online at the official channel angkorenterprise.gov.kh. Tickets issued after 5:00 PM are valid for the next day.
Do sunrise and sunset spots require a special ticket?
No. The Angkor Pass covers every site on this page. The same pass gets you into the sunrise/sunset spots, Small Circuit, and Grand Circuit. Keep it visible on a lanyard, staff will check it at each temple.
What should I do if my guide or driver tells me different hours?
Ask when they last checked. If the answer is vague, the schedule on this page is current as of April 2026. Circuit standard is 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM, Angkor Wat 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM, sunrise/sunset spots 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM, plus the 30-minute grace.
For the wider trip, our Small Circuit itinerary guide and full Angkor travel guide cover what to do once you know when to arrive.
