Things to Do in Siem Reap, Cambodia

I’m sure most of you have heard of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and know that it’s a must-see on any itinerary for Southeast Asia. But have you heard much about Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat? And did you know there are plenty of great things to do in Siem Reap aside from visiting Angkor Wat?

In this post, I’m going to share my travel tips and recommendations, including 10 great things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Where is Siem Reap in Cambodia, and Why Stay There?

Siem Reap is a small, tourist-focused city located in the northwest of Cambodia. It’s a quick, 1-hour flight from Phnom Penh, the country’s capital.

It is where most people stay when visiting Angkor Wat because it’s situated just a few kilometers down the road from the famous ancient temple and the other historic sites in the region.

But more than a jumping-off point for the historic ruins in the area, it’s a great destination in its own right. While Siem Reap might seem to pale in comparison to it’s beautiful, ancient neighbor, there are many things to do here as well.

10 Great Things to Do in Siem Reap

1. Angkor Wat

When it comes to things to do in Siem Reap, of course, we’ll start with the most famous site, and that is the ancient and alluring temple, Angkor Wat!

Angkor Wat is an ancient temple that was the crown jewel of the mighty Khmer empire. It was built in the 12^th century, originally as a Hindu temple but later transformed into a Buddhist one. It is considered the largest religious monument in the world.

This ancient temple is the main attraction in the region and draws millions of tourists annually. I recommend visiting the temple itself at least twice. For your first visit, come during the day, taking the time to learn about the history of the monument and exploring all its many passageways and courtyards. For the second time, come for either sunrise or sunset. But beware of the crowds you’ll face at sunrise!

You can learn more about Angkor Wat and all of my tips for visiting this historic site in my post, 5 Things To Know Before you Visit Angkor Wat.

2. Angkor Thom – The Royal City

After visiting Angkor Wat, you might think you’ve seen it all, but there’s so much more to explore, including Angkor Thom.

Angkor Thom was the last great city of the Khmer Empire. While much of the city no longer exists because the structures were built of wood, there are still many remaining stone monuments within the city walls that are a testament to the wealth and power of the Khmer regime.

The city was laid out in a square, each side about 1.9 miles long. The entire complex is about 360 acres. There are quite a few temples and structures to explore at Angkor Thom.

Here are some of the highlights worth seeing:

Bayon Temple (My favorite!)

The Bayon temple is a centerpiece of Angkor Thom with over 200 smiling carved faces and more than 50 gothic towers. I recommend visiting towards sunset when the evening light plays across the many faces of the temple.

Terrace of the Elephants & Terrace of the Lepers

The stone carvings of both of these terraces are a marvel to see. Take your time wandering through the area, admiring the skill and ingenuity of the multitude of carvings here.

The South Gate

This is another unique site at Angkor Thom that is worth seeing. The South Gate to the ancient city is a bridge that is lined on either side with large, commanding statues. It’s a great place to snap a photo but watch out for the oncoming traffic!

3. Ta Phrom – The Tomb Raider Temple

Located within the Angkor archeological park but outside of the city walls of Angkor Thom, Ta Phrom is arguably the second most famous temple in the Siem Reap area after Angkor Wat. Why? Well, we have pop culture to thank for that! This is the temple where they filmed the movie, Tomb Raider, hence its nickname as the Tomb Raider Temple.

The Ta Prohm temple is indeed worth visiting because it gives you a chance to see how nature has taken over again, with large trees entwined in the stone foundations of the structure. It almost feels like you’re getting to see what the archeologists and historians must have witnessed when they rediscovered these ancient structures. Preah Khan is a second temple (within Angkor Thom) that has also been largely reclaimed by the jungle. If you like Ta Prohm, then you’ll want to visit this temple as well.

For visiting Ta Prohm, I recommend going early in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat. We went in the mid-afternoon and the combination of the heat and humidity was stifling.

Pro Travel Tip: Remember to dress appropriately when visiting these ancient temples. Women must cover their knees and shoulders. I was wearing a dress that mostly covered my shoulders and a guard stopped me, asking me to fully cover my shoulders before entering.

4. Banteay Srei

This temple is located about 50 kilometers from Siem Reap but the hour-long drive is worth it. While this temple won’t impress you in terms of its size or stature, it is the intricate stone carvings that are an incredible thing to see. This is another Hindu temple and it is sometimes referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art’.

5. Indulge in a Spa Treatment

Now that you’ve finished exploring all of the incredible temples and archeological sites of Angkor, it’s time to relax! What better way to do so than indulging with a spa treatment? I recommend heading to Kaya Spa. The prices might seem higher compared to other spas in the area, (although they are still a steal compared to spa services in NYC), but you’ll be rewarded with clean facilities, professional staff and a beautifully designed and zen-like space.

I opted for a traditional Swedish massage but if you’re feeling more adventurous, book a traditional Khmer massage, which I’ve been told is similar to a Thai massage.

6. Experience Khmer Classical Dance

When I was offered the chance to experience a traditional Cambodian dance performance, I was skeptical. I didn’t want to get roped into a very touristy experience. But I’m happy to say I was wrong!

This art form, also known as Robam Preah Reach Trop, originates from the royal courts. The dancers are all women, and they play both male and female roles.

I was mesmerized by the dancers, especially the way the women moved their hands and fingers. I know it sounds strange, but there is a unique way in which they move their fingers that requires extraordinary flexibility and I was in complete awe.

7. Have a Drink on Pub Street

Another fun thing to do is have a drink on Pub Street, which yes, is exactly as it sounds. It’s a small street in the center of town that is lined with pubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants. As night descends, it gets loud and raucous. But it’s also a lot of fun, and a great place to people watch. The only challenge is picking which bar to sit at while you watch the crowds pass you by!

8. Check out Artisans Angkor

Another great thing to do in Siem Reap is to explore Artisans Angkor. This socially inspired business was created to help the young Cambodian people, particularly from rural areas. The business has revived traditional Khmer craftsmanship, teaching Cambodians these valuable skills and providing job opportunities.

When you visit the center, you get to watch the artisans at work, creating stone sculptures, metal jewelry, silk scarves, painting scrolls and more. Of course, there is also a store attached to the center. The prices are much higher than what you’ll find at the old market in town, but the quality is much higher as well.

9. Explore and Shop in Downtown Siem Reap

Speaking of shopping, a visit to the old market is a must, even if you’re not looking for souvenirs. Wander through the stalls and surrounding shops. The vendors sell everything from woven basket bags, silk and cotton garments, sarongs, silver trinkets, statues and more.

If you’re looking for something more unique, I highly recommend the store Graines de Cambodge. Owned by a local artist and designer, I loved everything in this store, from her whimsical basket bags with colorful pom-poms to the chic, beaded lanyards, and bracelets. And I’m always happy to support a local business, so yes, I bought a lot here!

10. Treat yourself to an amazing meal at Malis

There are many fantastic places to eat in Siem Reap, but I had to mention Malis here in this post because the entire experience is so special. From the moment you walk into this modern space with soaring ceilings, (inspired by the design of the ancient temples), you feel like royalty.

The high-end design of the space translates to the service and food. Everything here is impeccable. And the modern spin on Cambodian cuisine is a welcome change, especially if you’ve been indulging in the street food. Even though this is a high-end restaurant for Cambodia (There is also a Malis restaurant in Phnom Penh), it’s still incredibly cheap compared to NYC prices.

Are You Ready to Visit Angkor Wat and Siem Reap in Cambodia?

There you have it. 10 great things to do in Siem Reap.

I hope this round-up inspires you to book your trip to Cambodia! And if you do, make sure Siem Reap is on the itinerary. With so many things to do – besides taking in the famous and historic Angkor Wat – I promise you won’t be bored!

Have more questions about Angkor Wat? I’m here to help! Comment below with your travel inquiries.

And don’t forget to check out my post 5 Things You Need to know before visiting Angkor Wat.

Plus, check out some of my other Southeast Asia travel guides:

6 Things to Do in Luang Prabang, Laos

Why You Should Stay at Maison Dalabua in Luang Prabang, Laos

The Best Restaurants in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Best Coffee Spots in Chiang Mai, Thailand

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