The short answer
Banteay Srei: what visitors should know first
Yes if you like detailed carving, and you can add it to a half-day drive. It is a 45-minute to one-hour drive out of town, so go early in the day, with a stop at Kbal Spean or Beng Mealea if energy allows. The temple itself is small and flat.
History and context
The story behind Banteay Srei
Banteay Srei dates from 967 CE and remained in use into the fourteenth century, with an inscription of 1119 recording its rededication to Shiva. It was rediscovered in 1914.
In 1923 the French writer André Malraux stole four devatas from the temple; he was arrested and the figures were returned. The temple's restoration in the 1930s was one of the early large uses of anastylosis at Angkor, and a Cambodian-Swiss project installed drainage between 2000 and 2003.
Useful facts
Banteay Srei facts at a glance
- Location
- Near Phnom Dei, about 25 km northeast of the main Angkor group
- Experience type
- Small temple with fine reliefs
- Known for
- Red sandstone carving
- Built
- Consecrated 22 April 967 CE
- Dedication
- Shiva and Parvati
- Visitor note
- Inner areas roped off; allow time for the drive
Why it matters
Why Banteay Srei is worth your time
Banteay Srei was consecrated on 22 April 967 CE for the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati and was originally called Tribhuvanamaheshvara. It was founded by courtiers Vishnukumara and Yajnavaraha, who advised King Rajendravarman II, and it is the only major Angkor temple not commissioned by a ruler.
Its small scale and the use of red sandstone, which carves finely, give it a different character from the great sandstone temple mountains. It is often called the jewel of Khmer art. The delicate carvings are also why it has been protected and restored with care.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The pediment reliefs
Scenes from Hindu epics carved deep and crisp in pink sandstone.
- 02
The colour of the stone
The warm red-pink changes through the day and is best in low light.
- 03
The guardian figures
Small guardian statues stand before the central towers.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Banteay Srei is a short, concentrated visit. The temple is small, so it takes about an hour, but the quality of carving is exceptional: pediments show episodes from Hindu epics, with deep, crisp reliefs of gods, demons and floral scrolls. The colour of the stone is its other signature, warm pink to red in morning and late afternoon light.
Go in the morning if you can, as groups tend to arrive in the middle of the day. Look at the lintels and pediments from a distance and then in detail. Some inner areas are roped off, so you will mainly view from the paths. A guide adds context on the stories, such as Ravana shaking Mount Kailash.
The road passes villages and farmland, which is part of the pleasure. Many visitors combine it with Kbal Spean or Beng Mealea in a full day with a driver, but the walk at Kbal Spean is demanding, so older travellers may prefer to return after Banteay Srei and rest.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Go early to avoid groups
- Allow about an hour each way for the drive
- Bring water; shade is limited at the site
- Combine with Kbal Spean only if you can manage a long walk
- Check which areas are open on the day
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- About 25 km northeast of the main Angkor group
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Best time
- Morning, before the tour groups; November to February
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The temple is small and level, with short paths from the car park. There are few steps and good places to stand back and look. The drive from town is the main effort, so plan a cool car and water for older travellers.
- Tickets and access
- Entry to the Angkor Archaeological Park needs an Angkor Pass, sold through the official Angkor Enterprise channels. Pass types and prices change, so check current rates on the official site; the pass carries your photo and is checked at most temples. Children under 12 have been reported as free with a passport, so confirm before you go. Remember that a separate drive of about an hour is involved.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Banteay Srei
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The temple is small and level, with short paths from the car park. There are few steps and good places to stand back and look. The drive from town is the main effort, so plan a cool car and water for older travellers.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How far is Banteay Srei from Siem Reap?
About 25 km northeast of the main Angkor group, so a drive of around an hour from town.
Do I need a separate ticket?
The Angkor Pass is checked here as at other sites. Check the current rules on the official site.
Is it good for older visitors?
Yes. It is flat and small, though the drive is long.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
