18 Things to Do in Siem Reap
Siem Reap is an enchanting city in Cambodia filled with locals, ex-pats and tourists alike. Upon arrival, it may seem like the only things to do in Siem Reap is to visit Angkor Wat and to explore the bars on Pub Street.
However there are so many exciting and unique experiences awaiting in Cambodia’s “Temple Town.” I’ve now been to this area several times and these are some of my favorite things to do in Siem Reap.
Angkor Wat Sunrise
Seeing the sunrise from behind Angkor Wat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, it’s also the most popular thing to do in Siem Reap, so it gets very crowded and you need to arrive super early if you want to get a decent spot for photography.
You can take a lot of stress out of your early morning sunrise shoot by being prepared and getting a few things arranged upon your arrival in Siem Reap. I have a post full of tips on photographing sunrise at Angkor Wat.
Unless you are a Cambodian resident, you will need to purchase a pass for the Angkor Archeological Park. The pass can only be purchased in person with cash, and you need to make sure your U.S. Dollars are crisp, as they will reject any wrinkled bills.
The ticket office opens at 4:30 am and can be a bit chaotic as everyone is racing to catch the sunrise. If you want to save a bit of time in the morning, you can purchase a ticket after 5:00 pm the day before, and it will be valid for the following day. Or, you can purchase a 3-day or a 7-day pass for the park.
You also need to arrange for transportation to and within the park. Your hotel can arrange a taxi or tuk-tuk, and many travelers will hire a driver by the day for a tour of the temples. There are also several different types of tours, including bike tours of Angkor Wat, if you prefer a more adventurous tour.
Phnom Krom Sunrise
If fighting the crowds to capture an Angkor Wat sunrise doesn’t sound like fun to you, I’ve got a secret sunrise spot to tell you about! Phnom Krom is a hilltop temple that also has a spectacular setting for sunrise or sunset, with far fewer tourists to contend with. This temple is located about 12 kilometers from Siem Reap, so you’ll need to hire a driver to bring you.
I recommend taking a car for this trip instead of a tuk-tuk. In a car, you will be able to ride to the top of the hill. If you take a tuk-tuk, they can only take you to the base of the hill and you’ll then have to climb it on your own. It’s quite a hike, and there can be a lot of mosquitos, so I prefer to take the car option. If you’ve already purchased an Angkor Pass, you’ll need to show it before entering the temple area.
Other Siem Reap Temples
Visiting Angkor Wat shouldn’t be the only thing you do in Siem Reap! There are so many other temples in the Angkor Thom area worth visiting. Although I would love to share some of the less-visited temples, Bayon and Ta Prohm are the stand out winners. These two amazing temples are also part of the Angkor Archaeological Park, so it’s easy to visit all three temples on the same tour from Siem Reap.
The location and popularity also mean you won’t be the only tourist visiting Bayon and Ta Prohm, so plan your time accordingly! Fortunately, your Angkor Pass is good for these temples as well, so you can buy a multi-day pass and spread out your visits if you want to.
Bayon is known as the “faces” temple as there are hundreds of faces carved into the sandstone buildings. Built in the 12th century, there are 54 Gothic towers decorated with over 200 faces. You can climb in and around some of the temples for unique viewpoints of the various faces, and if you have a tour guide, they can help interpret some of the more unique carvings throughout the complex.
Ta Prohm is usually called the “Tomb Raider” temple as this is where Angeline Jolie filmed the Tomb Raider movie in 2001. It’s also widely recognized as the temple being eaten by the forest. Roots and branches are growing in all directions and literally taking over the temples. It’s a fascinating look at the evolution of this site, and I like to look for the faces peeking out from between tree roots.
The Angkor Archeological Park is still an active worship site for Buddhists, so a few considerations need to be taken. Generally, shoulders and knees should be covered.
Microlight Temple Tour
I have been to Cambodia and Angkor Wat a few times now, so I am always looking for new ways to repeat an experience. I joined Eddy, a pilot for Microlight Cambodia, which takes adventurous travelers on an aerial tour of the Angkor temples in an ultralight trike. If you’re like me, you may be wondering what an ultralight trike is.
They are also called a “microlight” and they are a small fixed-wing aircraft with just one or two seats. They are similar to a glider, but they do have a single-engine and an open-air cockpit. If you still can’t imagine what I’m talking about, imagine if a small airplane and a hang glider had a baby!
One of the most unique perspectives of Angkor Wat and one of the best things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia is to fly by in a micro light trike!
Eddy is an incredibly skilled pilot and is such a knowledgable resource on the area. He is a US ex-pat who has been living in Cambodia for years, so if you speak English, you won’t have to a language barrier to contend with. If you are nervous about going up, that’s just one less thing to worry about!
Eddy’s extensive knowledge of the area made the flight not only enjoyable but helped teach me so much more about Siem Reap and the surrounding areas! With so many fun things to do in Siem Reap, this is by far the most adventurous activity I have experienced in Cambodia.
Travel Tip: Eddy has all the GoPro setup’s you will need, but be sure to bring your own microSD for the GoPro so you don’t have to transfer the photos and videos after the flight.
Siem Reap Night Markets
Night markets are a staple of any city in Southeast Asia, and Siem Reap has several popular night markets. There are two Siem Reap night markets that I like to visit. They are very different, but each gives a fun glimpse into Cambodian culture and cuisine.
The Road 60 Night Market is where the locals go out, and you’ll find all kinds of local food, including fried insects, all kinds of barbequed meats, and tons of sweet dessert treats. Grab a few friends and a straw mat, split up to hit all the stalls and then have a delectable picnic amongst the locals.
The Angkor Night Market is another popular night market in Siem Reap. Located downtown near Pub Street, this market is definitely more touristy than the Road 60 market, but you can find tons of local arts and crafts, as well as food, drink, and live performances.
While not a true “night market,” the Old Market is open until 8 pm. It's the oldest Khmer market in the city, and often full of locals in the morning. As with most markets, you can buy just a little bit of everything here. It’s a great place to sample food and if you sign up for a Cambodian cooking class, it’s likely you’ll come here to shop for ingredients.
Pub Street
Exploring the bars and the restaurants on Pub Street may seem like an obvious activity when visiting Siem Reap, but there are so many things to do in Siem Reap that this can easily be overlooked.
When traveling, I love to find the places where the tourists aren’t, but Pub Street really is a fun place to visit when you’re in Siem Reap. For a rowdy backpacker bar scene, check out Angkor What? Or head to the Red Piano and order the Tomb Raider cocktail, allegedly Angelina Jolie’s signature drink when she was filming here.
Siem Reap Food Tour
I joined Vespa Adventures on the Siem Reap After Dark Foodie Tour. Food tours are one of my favorite travel experiences. It’s a great way to get your bearings in a new city, while at the same time experiencing the local culture and cuisine. Food tour guides are usually exceptionally passionate about local cuisine.
If you aren’t the most adventurous eater, food tours are also a great way to try small tastings of unique food. In fact, one of my most vivid travel memories happened on a Siem Reap food tour. I was enjoying a salad when someone pointed out small black dots on my salad. It turns out they were ants! We had a great time touring the city by motorbike, sampling local delicacies and drinks along the way.
Cambodia Shooting Range
For a totally unique Siem Reap activity, there’s a shooting range outside of town where you can shoot automatic and semi-automatic weapons. The Cambodia Shooting Range has locations near Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, and a huge arsenal of AK-47s, M-16s and tons of others to choose from. They will even pick you up at your Siem Reap hotel and bring you back at the end of the day.
Apsara Show
One of the best cultural things to do in Siem Reap is to see an Apsara show. Apsara are the female spirits you often see carved into the temples around Cambodia. An Aspara show is typically performed at dinner, with traditional Khmer music and dance accompanying a spread of Cambodian cuisine. There are several Apsara shows in Siem Reap; ask your hotel concierge for their favorite!
Spa Treatments
It’s no secret that Southeast Asia has inexpensive massages and spa treatments, but the best spas I have found in Southeast Asia are in Siem Reap Cambodia! One of my favorite things to do in Siem Reap is to hit up the local spas. It’s such an affordable activity, I like to revisit my favorites and add a few new spas to the list.
I find Kaya Spa to have the best value and the best treatments in town. My second choice of Siem Reap spas is Bodia Spa. They make an awesome natural bug spray that I purchase every time I come to town.
Yoga & Meditation
Meditation is an important part of Buddhist practice, so naturally, Siem Reap is the perfect place for a yoga or meditation retreat. One of the best things to do in Siem Reap is to learn how to relax and be present through meditation.
You can experience yoga and meditation in several different ways around Siem Reap. Join a sunrise yoga class at a mountaintop monastery, or drop into a local meditation center. Your hotel concierge can make recommendations based on your experience level and your schedule.
Quad Bikes Adventure
We joined Quad Adventure Cambodia for their sunset tour through the Cambodian countryside. After my ATV tour of the Mohave Desert, I was pumped to try a similar adventure in Cambodia.
Quad Adventure has several tours, but the sunset tour is perfect as it allows you to explore the Siem Reap temples by day and then end your day with some outdoor adventure. They pick you up at your hotel, bring you to their offices and get you fully outfitted for the one-hour ride through local villages.
This tour is totally suitable for beginners, but if you prefer to ride with the tour guide, that can be arranged. You can also double up with your travel partner and take turns driving. Plan on getting muddy, but the sunset view over Cambodia’s rice paddies is totally worth it!
Tonle Sap Floating Villages
One of the more popular day trips from Siem Reap is a trip to the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake. The floating villages are actually floating in the lake, and include homes, churches, and schools. It’s really a great way to see how Cambodians live, as this lake supports many families through fishing.
The closest village to Siem Reap is Chong Kneas, about 15 kilometers from town. You can either take a tour from Siem Reap that includes transportation and a guide or get yourself to the lake and hire a private boat and guide for about $20. If you’re short on time, a private guide is a better option.
Explore Siem Reap by Tuk Tuk
Tuk-tuks are synonymous with travel in Southeast Asia, so if you’ve been traveling around Cambodia or Thailand, you’ve undoubtedly been in a few tuk-tuks already. But it can be fun to just create your own tour by tuk-tuk rather than just using them to get from Point A to Point B. You can hire a tuk-tuk guide for as many hours as you’d like, or even for a full day.
You can negotiate a rate with the driver, or use the Pass App, which is like a tuk-tuk version of Uber. This is a great way to spend your last day in Siem Reap, as you can hit any spots you’ve missed, and end the day with a relaxing foot massage along Pub Street.
KULEN ELEPHANT FOREST SANCTUARY
Elephant rides used to be a staple for tourists visiting east Asia. Thankfully, with the help of social media, we are learning how destructive and inhumane that industry is. Elephant sanctuaries are popping up all over Thailand and Cambodia, now.
The Kulen Elephant Forest Sanctuary lies just outside Siem Reap, and allows travelers an ethical opportunity to interact with elephants. Elephants retired from tourism have over 500 acres to roam at the sanctuary. They are not asked to perform any tricks or give rides to anyone. Visitors to the sanctuary get to observe them as they enjoy their freedom. Tours are offered twice per day.
Siem Reap Photography Tour
Like food tours, a photography tour is a great way to explore a new destination. Instead of trying new foods, though, you’ll be learning new settings and photography techniques from an experienced photographer.
You’ll also visit some iconic spots for photography, and will most likely end up with some pretty sweet vacation snaps. AIRBNB offers unique photography tour experiences. (SAVE $40 ON YOUR FIRST AIRBNB STAY AND SAVE $15 ON YOUR FIRST AIRBNB EXPERIENCE)
ANGKOR NATIONAL MUSEUM
To truly understand the Cambodian peoples’ culture and history, spend a few hours at the Angkor National Museum. In fact, visiting the museum before seeing other Siem Reap attractions will really help you better appreciate your entire experience in Siem Reap. Learn about the Khmer Rouge, and the Angkor period that lasted over five centuries.
The museum is organized by time period, so it’s really easy to follow along and see how the culture emerged from Hinduism and Buddhism. A visit to this modern museum will really help you understand the temples of Angkor.
KOH RANG DAY TRIP
While Siem Reap is amazing, you might decide to soak in some ocean vibes with a day trip to Koh Rang. The flight from Siem Reap to Koh Rang is only 60 minutes, so you can be on the beach by breakfast time! This tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand gives Thai islands a run for their money. Beautiful white sand beaches and loads of underwater wildlife make this a great place to escape the city for a day.
Join a snorkel cruise, or hire a dive guide for the day. You can even spend the day island-hopping on a day tour to nearby smaller islands in the Gulf.
Where to Stay in Siem Reap
There are nearly 1000 different places to stay in Siem Reap. It’s a super affordable destination, so you can get a lot of accommodation for very little money. You can use this opportunity to save money, but I prefer to take the opportunity to stay in luxurious accommodations for a fraction of the price I would pay anywhere else! Here are a few of my top Siem Reap accommodation choices.
Sala Lodges: For a unique place to stay in Siem Reap, check out Sala Lodges. The property is comprised of several original Cambodian homes that have been relocated and restored into guest housing. It’s a super cute, unique alternative to some of the more traditional Siem Reap hotels.
Park Hyatt Siem Reap: For the splurge I was talking about, the Park Hyatt Siem Reap is perfect. This beautiful luxury hotel combines Cambodian decor with modern design for the ultimate Siem Reap getaway.
Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat: this upscale boutique resort offers total wellness packages that include yoga, meditation, treatments, and tours. Enjoy local, sustainable food in a relaxing and luxurious setting.
Cambodia is one of the 10 countries that make up the ASEAN countries. The ASEAN region is made up of Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar, and Singapore. To dive deeper into SE Asian countries and cultures use the Destinations tool at the top of the page to search for more Destinations in the ASEAN region.
Tour Guide
If you are looking for an amazing tour guide recommendation use my guide Sovann (I call him SoSo). His email is: ROSESOVANN@hotmail.com
I promise he will take good care of you!