Things to do in Siem Reap

Siem Reap was our destination for Cambodia. The primary reason, as it is for most people, is the famed Angkor Wat. Just as the Angkor complex is much larger and grander than one first perceives, so is Siem Reap much more complex with a vibrant history and story all its own. There are many things to do in Siem Reap aside from just visiting Angkor, you just need to know where to look.

The name Siem Reap means “Defeat of Siam” in Khmer, and originates from 1549 when the Khmer king defeated an invading Thai army. The city experienced a colorful history involving wars with the Kingdoms of Siam, Chiang Mai, and Burma. Siem Reap had become little more than a tiny French colonial village by the 19th century with Angkor all forgotten however. It was rediscovered by French archaeologists and renovation and tourism soon begun. Since then, the amount of things to do in Siem Reap has exploded making the city one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia.

A City with Character and Lots to Do

The city has grown to be a bustling tourist center. Despite having what feels like a small-town charm, this city of over 1 million sees over 2 million tourists annually. We spent two weeks cycling our way through the dusty red streets exploring the things to do in Siem Reap.

Top Attractions in Siem Reap

Angkor – the crown jewel of Siem Reap and let’s face it, the reason you’re going. It is much more than just a ruin, it is the ruins of a major metropolitan area – an entire ancient civilization! Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, and Ta Prohm are just some of the dozens of magnificent sites to visit. Passes allow for 1, 3, or 7-day visits; we recommend at least a 3-day pass to see enough. We also recommend that you give yourself a day’s rest between outings so you do not suffer temple fatigue. Passes provide visit counts, rather than time ranges so you do not have to do 3 days consecutively. (Note: be sure to check as all this could change).
Angkor National Museum – located at Charles de Gaulle street, the museum provides in-depth explanations about Angkor, its history, and its current excavations and reconstruction. It is a great way to find out more information about the ruins you are walking amongst.
War Museum Cambodia – covers the past three decades of war and strife in Cambodia. Guides are Cambodian soldiers, Khmer Rouge fighters, or Vietnamese fighters. As the nation has been deeply affected by the conflict, it will provide an in-depth understanding to Cambodia.
Wat Thmei – a moderate sized temple on the north edge of town. Perhaps the primary draw here is the monument to the victims of the Khmer Rouge – a stupa filled with the skulls of victims. This is a somber but very informative detour to take from the norm.
Wat Preah Prom Rath – is a very old temple in the center of town and still very much actively functioning. It doesn’t take very long to explore but makes for a peaceful break from the business of the central tourist district.
Pub Street and The Old Market – is where you’ll find yourself most nights. With entertainment, night markets, and absolutely delicious food, you will want to return to this area all the time.
Les Artisans d’Angkor – a local enterprise company bringing jobs to rural communities. The market focuses on arts and crafts by local villagers and promoting fair trade of Khmer goods. You can find the silk museum here.
Landmine Museum – much of Cambodia and the region around Siem Reap is still riddled with landmines which causes devastation every year. The museum educates the public and tourists about the issue and aims to help those who have been affected.
Cooking Classes – Khmer food is seriously good, and what better souvenir to bring back with you than the ability to whip up some of the food at home? Cooking Classes are a fun way to immerse yourself in the culture, gain a skill, and get a great meal.
Tonle Sap Lake – a little south of Siem Reap is a large lake that holds great importance to the area. Multiple floating villages still exist today on the lake. Taking a boat tour is a common day trip for those who get temple fatigue. The largest village of which is Kamplong Kleang.
Phnom Kulen – is a national park about 50 km north of Siem Reap. Here you find rainforest and waterfalls – and still more ruins from Angkor.

What to Eat in Siem Reap

One of the biggest surprises for us was just how phenomenal the food in Siem Reap is. Now I don’t mean that we expected the food to be bad – not by any stretch of the imagination. We had already grown used to the fact that food in Southeast Asia was good, but we were totally blown away by just how good it all was. And to top it all off, it wasn’t just local food, there is a wide range of international food offerings, all offered at reasonable prices with insane levels of quality.

Now there are just too many places to try and list them all, you could eat at a new place every day for a year and still would find new gems. We cooked for ourselves some of the time, but there are a few that stood out to us when we did eat out.

Peace Cafe – one of our favorite places that we visited many times. The menu is local but also features some Thai dishes as well as a few other international Asian dishes. The cafe is also safe for vegetarians and vegans, as the entire menu is 100% vegetarian. Yoga classes are also offered here.
Curry Walla – an Indian place we visited a few times as well. They have a wide range of Indian cuisine, but our favorite was the thali sets. Meat is offered here, but being Indian you can find vegetarian items as well.
Lily Pop – a little off the main road, but still close enough to the main scene. You’ll find traditional Cambodian offerings.
Viva – being away from home for so long, we had cravings for Mexican and Viva hit the spot. With excellent traditional options, Tex-Mex such as chimichangas, and margaritas you can’t go wrong.
River Garden – located along the Siem Reap river, River Garden is actually a hotel, but it has a restaurant open to the public that offers traditional Cambodian cuisine as well as cooking classes. Their fish curry is excellent, but then so is their entire menu. *Our sources show that River Garden is now permanently closed.
Happy Pizza – sometimes you just want a pizza, and here they do it well. Ask for it “happy” and they’ll throw some special “herb” on top that is a traditional part of Cambodian cuisine. Just be sure you’re home before the “happy” hits.

Getting Around Siem Reap

Because there are so many things to do in Siem Reap now it has become such a tourist hub, there are numerous ways to get in and get around. In fact, it was actually one of the easiest places we came across in Southeast Asia to get around. It is worth noting however that while the area directly surrounding Angkor is safe, you should never venture out into the woods. There are still millions of landmines in Cambodia and people do get hurt and die every year. So how do you get around?

Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport – is located 7 km outside of the city and is where you will fly in or out of if you are traveling by air. We did not enter by air, but we did leave and were pleasantly surprised at how clean and modern the terminal was.
International buses – are a great option to take coming in or out, especially for backpackers. While we took a bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap, you can take the bus from multiple cities such as Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, and Luang Prabang. You can also take the bus from Siem Reap elsewhere.
Tuk-tuks – are the most common method of getting around. We avoided them as the drivers we encountered didn’t seem the nicest but allegedly some are. However, they will get you where you need to be quickly at a relatively cheap cost and can be hired for the whole day.
Bicycles – were our preferred method of travel. We rented ours from the White Bikes, but there are multiple options. The great thing about riding the bikes is that you can take the town and the ruins at your own pace without spending the time it would take to walk, or worrying about arranging/getting a tuk-tuk.
Hired car – is the way to go if you are looking for a little luxury. Although we considered it unnecessary, some may enjoy the ability to get in a cool car with water between different ruins.
Elephants – please don’t ride an elephant. It is cruel and the animals are treated inhumanely. This is a tourist trap as locals don’t actually use them. While we were in Siem Reap, an elephant died due to dehydration and exhaustion from the 105F day, while carting around tourists.

Where To Stay?

With over 2 million tourists finding their way into Siem Reap each year, you know that there are going to be numerous places to stay. But where you decide to go is all about the experience you want to get.

Airbnb – is our favorite method. We stayed in a place very close to Angkor, and just two miles from Pub Street. It was a great location to ride bikes from. In general, Airbnb is one of the best ways to interact with locals and find good homestays. It allowed us to feel less like we just visiting, and more like we living in town.
Hostels – just as you’d find everywhere around the world, hostels are going to cater to the basic needs of the backpacker. A bed, a communal bathroom, and a place to keep your stuff. You aren’t getting luxury, but you are getting a deal and the chance to interact with other travelers. Some hostels offer private rooms.
Hotels – While there may be a bit of local charm, most are operated by large western chains, so you expect a bit more of a westernized type of place. That being said, we don’t know for sure as we didn’t stay in one. Probably still a good option for those who need a bit of familiarity while abroad.
Boutique Hotels – awesome choices for those who want a more unique experience that really embraces the fact that they are in Cambodia. You can expect these hotels to be just off the main strip in quieter areas but still near the action. Many will have restaurants and pools as well as other amenities. They aren’t quite resorts, but you might just feel like you’re at one.
Resorts – lining Charles de Gaulle Street and the other main roads with more are being built, you can’t miss them. Probably a more luxurious option.

Make your Stay more Enjoyable

You’ll enjoy your time in Siem Reap, it’s almost guaranteed. But there are always little things you can do to make sure you enjoy yourself just a little bit more. A big part of that is being prepared.

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Travel Pack – Carrying the right pack can make a huge difference when out and about. Our ultimate guide to choosing a travel pack will help ensure you get off on the right foot.
Bug Repellant – The jungles of Cambodia are full of mosquitos and other nasties that bite. No one wants to come down with any of the awful diseases these bugs bring. Unfortunately, there is no way to deal with these really other than to be proactive. These are small enough to come in your carry-on. Off! Deep Woods Towelettes
Headlamps – Much of Siem Reap is unlit, so if you get caught after dark, you’ll want a hands-free way to see where you’re going. Or at least a flashlight! Foxelli Rechargeable Headlamp
Kindle Paperwhite – Siem Reap will provide you with some time to simply sit back and relax. This is a perfect time to catch up on some reading and the Kindle lets you bring all your books in a lightweight and easy to carry format. If you want to learn about the local history, we recommend First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers (P.S.), available on paper or digital.

Married with Maps

Things to do in Siem Reap