Things to Do in Siem Reap

1. Visit Angkor Wat: Mystery, beauty, and history, nothing combines the three like the largest religious structure in the world! Experiencing the sunrise or sunset paints a silhouette against this preserved temple is a sight to behold. Siem Reap makes it on the global map for preserving the ancient part of history and a tour through this is indeed the best thing to do in Siem Reap. 

Location: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Price: Angkor Archaeological Park Passes – Single Day $37, Three Days $62, Seven Day $72.
Timings: 5 AM to 6 PM

2. Shop From Old Market: To get to know the local vibe of Siem Reap, visit the old market called Pasr Chas. Set right by the river, the place is buzzing tourists picking on souvenirs. While taking a few inexpensive gifts and antiques, don’t forget to strike a conversation with the locals to understand the lifestyle. Don’t forget to explore the authentic local cuisine in the food section.

Location: 2 Thnou St, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Timings: 7 AM to 9 PM

3. Explore Cambodia Landmine Museum: What we know of landmines is limited through movies and documentaries. Cambodia is among the heavily mined countries in the world with a history of conflicts in the past. This museum began as a Khmer man Aki Ra who cleared landmines with a stick. This museum tells you a horrific tale beyond the aftermath of war and landmines. It is also a relief center for children who have been injured due to landmine accidents. Money raised by the museum is used for further landmine clearing, so do your bit for a good cause.

Location: 67, Phumi Khna, Cambodia. Close proximity to Banteay Srey.
Price: $5 for foreign adults, $2.50 for Kids, Free for children under 12.
Timings: 8 AM to 5.30 PM

4. Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity: The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) caters to those with a keen interest in endangered wildlife and biodiversity conservation. A tour of this place is a sight of endangered species like the red-headed vulture, Giant Ibis, Sunda Pangolin, Southern River Terrapin among few others. If you have never even heard of this species, it makes even more sense to visit this place on your visit to Siem Reap. A great learning center for kids too.

Location: Kbal Spean, Phnom Kulen National Park, Banteay Srei 93054, Cambodia
Price: 12200 KHR (3 USD)
Timings: 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM. Daily tours start at 9.00 AM and 1.00 PM

5. Rejuvenate yourself at Spa: After walking in the markets, turning through the pages of history, eating some gorgeous local cuisine, pamper yourself to a rejuvenating spa. No matter how much you enjoy being out and about, at the end of the day, a good body massage session will refresh you for the next day. There are several massage and wellness spa centers in Siem Reap that offer a range of services – holistic facial, traditional massages, body treatments. Pamper yourself with a lovely spa session in a soothing ambiance, something your tired body craves after a day full of exploration.

6. Marvel at Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre: If you’ve always been flattered with beautiful colors of butterflies, a visit to Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is one of the most joyful things to do in Siem Reap. A walk through this tropical garden will introduce you to all native butterfly species of Cambodia. You can experience butterfly feeding very closely, along with learning their complete life cycle on the way. If you love observing these attractive creatures of nature, this live display of thousands of them together cannot be missed.

Location: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Price: 16200 KHR (4 USD) for Adults, 8100 KHR (2 USD) for Kids
Timings: 09:00 am - 05:00 pm  

7. Get a Fish Spa Pedicure: Fish spa pedicure is a very common experience offered on the famous Pub Street in Siem Reap. Almost every shop here has the provision and seeing it you may want to give your feet a relaxing break. Giggle your way through as the little fish in the small tanks nibble away the dry skin. There can be nothing more relaxing and rejuvenation other than getting yourself pampered with such exotic practice of skincare.

8.Visit Kulen Nature Trails: The Phnom Kulen mountain range is considered the most sacred mountain in Cambodia. It’s a famous nature trail, perfect for those who love hiking and soaking in some good views. There are two major waterfalls on this route which are a refreshing change of scenery. Trek up to the Kbal Spean or the Valley of Thousand Lingas, a spot that captivates with its incredible stone carvings and formations along the river bed.

Location: Phnom Kulen, Siem Reap
Timings: Tours usually begin at 8 AM to reach up the top before it gets too sunny.

1. Visit Pub Street: Visiting the pub street is one of the unmissable things to do in Siem Reap at night. A vibrant street bustling with activity, lined with best bars and restaurants, is where you experience the nightlife of Cambodia.

2. Watch Traditional Apsara Dance: Peak into the centuries old Khmer tradition. Several venues and hotels organise the Apsara dance every evening. Watching the ornate headgears, jewellery with fitted traditional dresses gives a colourful insight into the culture.

3. Go to Cambodian Circus: Phare circus of Cambodia is not mere entertainment, but a unique performance of their culture, history, stories, art with folk and modern influences. Featuring young ones from poor backgrounds, this platform is spellbinding with sheer talent.

4. Steal Deals at The Night Market: Fill your bag with great goodies and stomach with the best local cuisine as you explore the night market of Siem Reap. One of the most touristy things to do in Siem Reap, but hey, who doesn’t love cheap shopping?

1. Ziplining: If swooping through tree tops fascinates your thrill, ziplining across the Angkor Archaeological Park is one of the adventure activities to do in Siem Reap. It’s a mix of ecotour and adrenaline as you learn about the place soaring like a bird.

2. Take Cycling Tours: Set out to explore on your own, riding on a bicycle with the help of bicycle route maps provided here. Ride through the rural landscapes, interact with locals, understand the culture closely if you choose this humble method to explore.

3. Quad Biking: If you love the off roads or are curious for offbeat activities to do in Siem Reap, explore the Cambodian countryside by taking a guided quad biking ride. Explore the roads less travelled on quad bikes.

4. Hot Air Balloon Over Angkor Wat: Be a part of the blissful canvas of sun’s shades working its magic on the Angkor Wat temple complex by flying in a hot air balloon. There are 30-min rides every day during sunrise/sunset.

Siem Reap is world famous for the Angkor temple complex or the Angkor Archaeological Park. The site of Khmer ruins dating back to the 9th century is a major tourist draw. Siem Reap also has Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake Tonle Sap.

Three days. A three-day itinerary ideally covers the major activities to do in Siem Reap. From exploring the ancient ruin temples, exploring around the floating villages, visiting the night market or doing adventure activities, a three-day visit can encompass it all.

Yes. If you’re interested in exploring history and ancient tradition, this town won’t let you down. Beyond its temples, it offers excellent experiences to explore Cambodian culture, cuisine and nightlife.

Yes, Siem Reap is pretty safe at night. Although, we would advise you to be in groups if you’re having a drinking night out.

December-January is the best time to plan a vacation to Siem Reap. This is also the busiest time here, but April-May the temperatures soar above the 40-degree mark.

By Air: Flying to Siem Reap is the best option. Siem Reap has its own International Airport, well-connected with other international airports.

1. Ta Prohm: Ta Prohm is a Bayon-style temple founded as a Buddhist monastery and university. It was one of the first temples founded back in 1186 AD and very much retains the heritage condition amid its jungle surroundings.

2. Bayon Temple: Bayon temple is said to represent the center of the universe in Hindu cosmology, making it one of the most interesting temples in Angkor Thom. Over 200 mysterious and smiling face carvings dominate on the towers of this ruined temple.

3. Preah Khan: Preah Khan which translates to ‘Holy Sword’ is the temple of Lord Buddha. This magnificent temple stands on what was once a battleground of Khmer king Jayavarman VII and invaded Chams in 1191.

4. Bakong: Bakong Temple is the first sandstone mountain temple in Cambodia. Dedicated to Lord Shiva it is distinctly shaped like a stepped pyramid, a highlight of the Khmer architecture. Dating back to 881 AD, it was the state temple of King Indravarman I.

5. Cambodia War Museum: The best and reliable way to learn about the country’s war years is by visiting this museum. Look through a collection of war machines, arms, weapons to rare sort of landmines. Some of the guns used during WWII also find a place here.