Things to do in Siem Reap
Siem Reap has been on my list for a long time, and we finally got to visit! I absolutely loved staying in this little gem of a town.
If you’re planning a trip, you’re most likely coming to see Angkor Wat. And you should make that your priority. It’s incredible and totally worth it. It’s not just a tourist trap.
But then, there’s this whole other side to Siem Reap. We met a few travellers that were just in town for a few days on a tour, but if you have the chance to stay longer you definitely should. There is just so much to see and do here!
Here’s what else you need to include in your itinerary for Siem Reap. Take your time, slow down and enjoy this beautiful spot.
Temples of Angkor
Let’s be honest; this is why you’re in Siem Reap. And the temples are totally worth it.
Firstly, you need to get tickets. You can do single, three-day or seven-day pass. The multi-days are valid for 30 days, so depending on your schedule, you can space out the days you spend at the temples. I’d strongly recommend this.
We got a three-day pass and did a day or two in between each day at the temples. This gives you enough time to digest what you’ve seen, learn a bit about what you’re going to see and have a day where you’re not in the sun all day.
Next, you need to plan how to get around the temples. Most people will have the three-day pass and do the Small Loop and the Large Loop on the second day. On the third, we chose to go to Kbal Spean, but the third day allows you to revisit your favourite places or see less well-known spots.
We had an excellent driver, Mr Kim (Whatsapp: +855 12 589 955). He collected us from our hotel, helped us decide which temples to visit, dropped us off and collected us from each. He shared his knowledge and gave us helpful advice. He had a car so the journey to Kbal Spean was comfortable. He also had cold water and towels on board, which was a refreshing delight after the heat and dust of the ruins.
You could order Grab tuk-tuks to get you around, but you must carry all your stuff for the day on you. I also prefer giving money directly to drivers rather than through a large corporation. You can also cycle the Small Loop from Siem Reap, but the Large Loop might be a stretch.
Angkor National Museum
If you’re only briefly in Siem Reap, you might be tempted to dive straight into the temples. But if you have time, you must check out this museum before you go.
The museum covers Buddhism, the ancient Angkor culture and more. If you’re not planning on getting a guide to take you around the temples, this museum will help you understand the different architecture styles, iconography and religious aspects of the temples. There are incredible artefacts here from the temples, kept away from the elements so they remain in good condition.
Pay a little extra and get the audio guide. It’ll help you dive into deeper details of the exhibits. Allow a few hours to visit the entire museum, especially if you listen to the audio guide. A cafe is handily placed about halfway through the tour so you can recharge yourself.
The museum is located on the outskirts of town, so you can get a tuk-tuk to and from it. The heat in Siem Reap can be relentless.
Cost: $12 USD
Phare Circus
I love heading to the theatre and was not expecting to include a live performance as part of our trip to Siem Reap.
Phare Circus performers are students and graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak’s vocational training centre in Battambang. Young men who returned from camps after the Khmer Rouge set up the training school. The circus allows them to perform these new skills in front of a live audience.
The shows mix art, dance, circus techniques and storytelling. They usually perform a show for a few weeks before switching to something new. We watched a story about a young man learning to balance the demands of the modern world, community and Buddhist teachings of moderation.
Tickets, especially in the A and B Reserves sell out, so make sure you book your tickets in advance.
Create a whole evening of the experience. A friendly open-air food court has a range of food available - from local food to burgers. There is also beer and cocktails available. There is also a gift shop with ethically made local crafts. Before the show begins, local children also perform some traditional Cambodian dances.
Cost: Tickets start from $18 USD. We purchased B Reserve seats with a better front-on view than C Reserve.
Made in Cambodia Market
Like most places in Southeast Asia, there are plenty of places to pick up cheap souvenirs in Siem Reap. However, most of these are made in Vietnam. There’s not enough capacity to manufacture within Cambodia.
However, you can directly support local artisans at the delightful Made in Cambodia Market. The market is small and we were disappointed there was no food there. So make sure you eat before you go!
The stalls include gorgeous jewellery, clothing, local photography, and Buddhist statues. This is the perfect place to purchase your souvenirs and gifts for loved ones, knowing that the money is going directly into the pockets of local Cambodians.
Riverside Dining
There is some really great food in Siem Reap. But if you’re also looking for a distinctly local atmosphere, you should head down to the riverfront at dusk. Here, local food trucks have plastic chairs and long tables set along the riverside. You can find classic dishes like fried rice and also noodle soup.
As a vegetarian, food carts aren’t always suitable. But I found vegetarian food to be readily available at nearly all the carts. Some even specialise in it!
Don’t forget your mosquito spray!
Pub Street
If you’re after a lively atmosphere as the sun sets (or well after it has), then you’ll want to head to Pub Street and the surrounding area. Here, you’ll find many restaurants and bars, massage parlours, trinket shops and market stalls.
It’s a great spot to sit, have a drink and watch the world go by. We found some great meals here - specifically Elia Greek Kitchen. The local food we ate on Pub Street wasn’t as good as what we had just outside of town. I guess the places here are a little more like tourist traps.
Main Street Market
The main market in Siem Reap is worth a visit. The stalls facing the streets are lined with knock-off football shirts, Buddha relics, and cheap souvenirs. As mentioned above, if you’re looking to buy items I would recommend buying them from stalls you know locals are creating the items. However, it’s always fun to visit these stalls and see what’s on offer.
Then, venture into the narrow walkways and you’ll discover the local fruit, vegetable and prepared food market. We visited the market several times before realising that inside was something completely different. So make sure you don’t just skirt the outside stalls here.
Support Local Social Enterprises
We stayed just across the river from the central part of town, and it was such a great decision. So many restaurants here were set up to run as social enterprises. This means they’re not only providing great food and coffee but also supporting local people.
Some of our favourite places are:
New Leaf Eatery
Footprints Cafe
Tevy’s Place
The Muffin Man
Tevy’s Place
New Leaf Eatery
Footprints Cafe
APOPO Visitor Centre
Cambodia’s history is dark and complicated. Their land is contaminated by unexploded landmines, making it dangerous and impossible to farm. Clearing the ground is a slow process.
However, the African Giant Pouched Rats can be trained to help with this process. It's a wild idea, but it is a project running worldwide to help with this challenging work.
At APOPO Visitor Centre, you can learn more about this work. Buy your ticket online in advance as you need to join a specific time for the tour.
Cost: $10 USD
Floating Villages
The floating villages are another popular activity in Siem Reap. There are four communities based on the nearby Tonle Sap Lake. The tour allows you to visit them and see the beautiful Cambodian countryside.
We didn’t have a chance to do this experience, but I wish we had.
First up is the drive, seeing the lotus farms, rice paddies and local farmers. Then you transfer onto a boat where you learn about the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The water here is home to so much flora and fauna. Then you reach the local villages to see how people live in this unique landscape.
Cost: $49 USD
Apsara Theatre
When visiting the temples, you’ll immediately notice how revered the apsaras are. These celestial nymphs are a big part of Cambodia's Hindu and Buddhist myths. This has led to the traditional Cambodian dance style, which you can see at the Apsara Theatre.
The theatre gives you a chance to eat fabulous food and delight in the culture of the Cambodian people.
Final Note
I’m sure there are plenty of other gems hidden in Siem Reap. Let me know if I’ve missed anything you think should be included!
If you’re planning your trip, let me know in the comments below which activities you’d include in your itinerary. And have a wonderful time in Siem Reap!
