When visiting Cambodia, Siem Reap is often considered a stepping stone to Angkor Wat and the temples of the Angkor Archaeological Park. Of course, if you are wondering what to do in Siem Reap other than temples, you will find a city with a fabulous collection of attractions of its own.
In fact, if you are looking for cultural and foodie experiences, good times, and adventure, Siem Reap is the place for you.
Get a glimpse of local life on a shopping spree to the Old Market. See the elegant movements and striking costumes of the traditional Apsara Dancers. Travel further afield to explore the peaceful floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake.
Wanting to know what to do in Siem Reap? All these and more are waiting for you on a trip to Siem Reap Cambodia.
- How Long to Stay in Siem Reap
- Suggested 3 Day Itinerary
- Day Tours Siem Reap Cambodia
- Siem Reap Foodie Experiences
- Siem Reap Cultural Performances
- Crafty Siem Reap
- Pub Street by Night
- Siem Reap Shopping
- Art Gallery Siem Reap
- Accommodation in Siem Reap
- Travel to Siem Reap
- Do You Need a Cambodian Visa?
- Currency for Cambodia
- Last Words on what to do in Siem Reap
How Long to Stay in Siem Reap
Of course, most people visiting Siem Reap come to see the temples of Angkor Wat. Deciding how long to spend in Siem Reap will depend on how much time you want to devote to exploring the Angkor Archaeological Park.
We suggest staying in Siem Reap for at least three full days. This gives you time to visit Angkor Wat and discover the attractions of Siem Reap
Suggested 3 Day Itinerary
A 3-day itinerary will depend on your interests but could look something like the examples below.
Day One
- Take a day tour of Angkor Wat
- Visit Pub Street in the evening
Day Two
- Take a Siem Reap walking tour
- Enjoy dinner and a traditional Apsara dance performance
Day Three
- Visit the Floating Villages of Tonle Sap Lake
- Visit the Riverside Night Markets in the evening
If you do not plan to visit Angkor Wat, the Day One itinerary could be replaced with a Cambodian cooking class or quad bike countryside tour with a visit to Pub Street in the evening.
Day Tours Siem Reap Cambodia
There is a surprisingly large number of Siem Reap day trips which will have you exploring the hidden gems of the city and beyond. These tours will take you to popular hotspots or out into the striking scenery of Siem Reap Provence.
If you are an independent traveller, these tours may give you some itinerary ideas that you can customise to your needs.
Here are some examples of what Siem Reap has to offer.
Siem Reap City Walking Tour
A walking tour highlights a collection of attractions which include markets, Buddhist temples, royal residences and Siem Reap’s famous Pub Street. This interesting mix gives a good introduction into the history and charms of the city.
- Royal Residence & Gardens
- Pub Street
- Wat Preah Prom Rath
- Kandal Village Boutiques
- The Old Market
TOP TIP
Cambodia gets hot during the day, so make sure to wear sunscreen and a hat. Wear comfortable shoes and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Click here for City Walking tour
Siem Reap City Hidden Gems Tour
On a Siem Reap hidden gems tour you will learn how a rat was trained to detect landmines at the APOPO Visitor Center. Shop for bargains and exquisite handicrafts at the Old Market and Satcha – Cambodian Handicraft Center. Embrace the tranquillity of the Buddhist temple and monastery.
This tour will make you realise that Siem Reap is worth spending a few extra days after a visit to Angkor Wat.
- Old Market
- Made in Cambodia Market
- Royal Residence
- Wat Preah Enkosey Monastery
- APOPO Visitor Center
- Satcha – Cambodian Handicraft Center
Click here for city hidden gems tour
Tonle Sap Lake & Kampong Phluk
A visit to Tonle Sap Lake and Kampong Phluk floating village is the second most popular tour in Siem Reap after Angkor Wat.
Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southest Asia and home to a wide variety of wildlife. The lake is famous for the stilted houses of Kampong Phluk, “Harbor of the Tusks”. Here you can learn about the lifestyle of this fishing community and the measures they are taking to preserve their way of life.
Click here for Tonle Sap Lake & Kampong Phluk tour
Siem Reap Foodie Experiences
Khmer food is well known for its richness of flavour which incorporates a mix of sweet, salty, spicy, and sour tastes. Cambodian food is not as spicy as its Thai counterparts, allowing for these delicate flavours to shine through.
Siem Reap Food Tour
Discover the taste of Cambodia by taking a food tour. This tour will take you to a unique set of food venues that include restaurants and street food stalls.
This tour allows you to sample some of the best food Siem Reap is known for. You will try an interesting selection of dishes and quickly discover that Khmer cuisine is so much more than fish amok and beef loklak.
Khmer Cooking Class Siem Reap
One of the best ways to learn about a country is through its food and Cambodia is no exception. A Khmer cooking class will find you shopping with the locals at a fresh produce market and learning the techniques that go into cooking Cambodian cuisine.
Finish the day by enjoying the fruits of your labour as you tuck into a Cambodian feast made with your own hands.
Click here for Khmer cooking class
Sunset Dinner Cruise Around a Floating Village
Relish a Cambodian sunset with a dinner cruise around a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.
Visit a lotus silk farm and learn about the fascinating uses of the lotus flower. Cruise the waterways past the stilted homes, church, school, and police station of the village.
Once aboard the moored Queen Tara Riverboat, unwind with a drink, get ready for a delicious dinner, and watch the sky change colour as the sun sets over Tonle Sap Lake.
Click here for sunset dinner cruise
Siem Reap Cultural Performances
If you love culture, thinking about what to do in Siem Reap is easy. The city produces two incredible performances which highlight traditional Apsara dance and all the energy and fun of a Cambodian themed circus.
Phare – The Cambodian Circus Show
Phare – The Cambodian Circus feature the talented of artists of the Phare Ponleu Selpak Artistic Center. This not-for-profit Cambodian arts school helps children, youth and communities overcome social problems through the healing power of the arts.
The circus performance is a glimpse into the Cambodian culture, a story which unfolds through traditional music, breathtaking acrobatics and a humour which needs no translation.
Click here for Phare Circus Show tickets
Apsara Dance in Siem Reap
At Angkor Wat you will see stunning carvings of Apsara dancers etched into the temple walls. When you visit a Siem Reap Apsara dance show these temple carvings suddenly spring to life.
An Apsara dance performance showcases the graceful Apsara dance movements, exquisite costumes, and melodic beauty of traditional Cambodian music.
Add a delicious buffet dinner of authentic Cambodian dishes, a hotel pickup and it is time to get ready to immerse yourself in ancient Cambodian culture.
Click here for Apsara dancers show tickets
Crafty Siem Reap
When you think of Siem Reap, the last thing that comes to mind is craft making experiences. The following day tours allow you to indulge your crafty side while getting a rare glimpse into Cambodian culture.
Cambodian Pottery Class in Siem Reap
Are you searching for what to do in Siem Reap for families? This family friendly Siem Reap tour allows you to enjoy a day of family fun, learning how to make ceramics in a Cambodian pottery class.
Join a professional ceramic artist in creating a hand thrown pottery bowl using traditional Khmer designs and tools. Once fired, pick up or have your personally handcrafted souvenir and Cambodian potter’s diploma shipped home as a lasting memory of your trip.
Click here for Cambodian pottery class tickets
Lotus Silk Farm Tour
Take a boat trip into the lotus fields and discover the magical properties of this humble plant. Lotus is used for a wide variety of products including lotus balm, lotus tea and recycled paper.
At the lotus silk farm you will learn about the lengthy process of making lotus silk, one of the most sort after textiles in the world. Have fun creating a range of lotus-based handicrafts for your own unique souvenir of Siem Reap Cambodia.
Click here for Lous farm tickets
Pub Street by Night
Siem Reaps second most popular attraction is Pub Street. As the sun sets Pub Street comes alive with bright colourful lights and the rhythmic beat of music. Time to let the party begin as you visit the best bars in Siem Reap.
This is the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing. The bars comfortable lounge chairs invite you to unwind with a drink, listen to the music and sample the extensive range of Cambodian and international dishes available in your favourite bar’s restaurant.
Pub Street has a lively party atmosphere and is a haven for night owls with many clubs in Siem Reap staying open until dawn.
Siem Reap Shopping
Siem Reap is a shopper’s paradise with a vast collection of boutiques and shops selling clothing, jewellery, Cambodian artworks, and crafts scattered in and around the centre of the city.
While there do not forget to explore the nooks and crannies of the small alleyways between Pub Street and the Old Market.
The Old Market
If you love shopping one of the best things to do in Siem Reap is to visit the Psah Chas or the Old Market which is near Pub Street.
Of a morning this thriving market is a hive of activity full of local shoppers buying fresh fish and local produce. Here you can stop off for an authentic Cambodian breakfast or a quick bite to eat at one of the food stalls inside the food market.
This rabbit warren of market stalls has a treasure trove of shops selling a marvellous range of clothing, Cambodian souvenirs, silver jewellery, and local handicrafts.
Riverside Night Markets
Of an evening you can cross the river and visit the Riverside Night Markets. Here you can stop off for a quick snack at one of the street food stalls before visiting this large variety of shops which sell a wide selection of wares.
Art Gallery Siem Reap
If you love art and are looking for an art gallery, Siem Reap will deliver with galleries selling a unique range of art and traditional carvings which will enhance any home. You will find such galleries by just exploring the streets around the Old Market and Pub Street.
For more genuine Cambodian artworks, ceramics and artisan handicrafts make sure to visit the Satcha – Cambodian Handicraft Center and Made in Cambodia Market.
Accommodation in Siem Reap
If you are looking for a hotel in Siem Reap you will be pleasantly surprised at the range of accommodation Siem Reap has to offer. Not only are there a broad selection of 5-star hotel in Siem Reap but an array of hotels, apartments, and hostels to fit every budget.
Click here for prices and reviews of hotels
Ibis Styles Siem Reap
During our visit we enjoyed a stay at the Ibis Styles Siem Reap. This Accor Siem Reap hotel is centrally located within a short walk to Pub Street, the Old Market and across the road from the Riverside Night Markets.
Our soundproofed room had a fresh modern décor, and the bed and pillows were comfortable. The bathroom had a choice of regular and rainwater shower.
The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool. StrEats Cafe & Bar offered a good range of local and international buffet breakfast dishes.
Click here for Ibis Styles prices
Travel to Siem Reap
There are lots of travel options for getting to Siem Reap, they include flights, bus, boat, and taxi. Which you choose will depend on whether you are travelling internationally or coming from Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
Flights to Siem Reap
The most convenient way to reach Siem Reap is by air. There are direct flights to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh and other international flight hubs such as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Singapore.
Check below for flight prices ⬇️
Bus to Siem Reap
Siem Reap can be reached by bus from Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and Bangkok in Thailand.
- Phnom Penh to Siem Reap bus takes 6 hours
- Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap bus takes 6.5 hours
- Bangkok to Siem Reap bus takes 8.5 hours
Check below for bus prices ⬇️
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap By Boat
If you are beginning your Cambodian trip in Phnom Penh, a novel way to travel to Siem Reap is to take a luxury cruise and road tour from Phnom Penh via the Mekong River and Tonle Sap River.
This nine-hour cruise will give you time to immerse yourself in Cambodian river life. Along the way you may see fishing boats, houseboats, and stilted village houses. As you float along the river be on the lookout for water birds and wildlife.
This cruise and road tour also departs from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh which is convenient for those planning to visit the Killing Fields near Phnom Penh Cambodia.
Click here for Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by boat tickets
Do You Need a Cambodian Visa?
You may be required to obtain a visa to travel to Cambodia. Our go to visa agents for all our international travel is iVisa. They are experts in all visas and are available 24/7 to assist with all visa applications.
Check here to see if you need a visa to visit Cambodia
A quick Google search will unfortunately display many fake or unscrupulous Cambodia visa sites, so our advice is to always use reputable companies such as iVisa.
Currency for Cambodia
Cambodia has two currencies, the United States Dollar (USD) and the local Cambodian Riel. When you visit you will find that the preferred currency is USD.
Be aware that USD notes need to be in pristine condition, or they will not be accepted, so ensure that the currency you take has no defects.
Last Words on what to do in Siem Reap
There you have it, now you know what to do in Siem Reap. If you have a visit to Angkor Wat on your bucket list, make sure to spend an extra few days more exploring this fascinating part of Southeast Asia.
We enjoyed our time in Cambodia and I am sure you will too. So, start planning your dream trip to Cambodia now.
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