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Things to Do in Siem Reap
Activities to Do in Siem Reap
Visit Angkor Wat, Shop From Old Market, Explore Cambodia Landmine Museum, Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity, Rejuvenate yourself at Spa, Marvel at Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre, Get a Fish Spa Pedicure, Visit Kulen Nature Trails, Watch Traditional Apsara Dance, Go to Cambodian Circus and more.Planning a trip to Cambodia will be incomplete without ticking off the many interesting things to do in Siem Reap. This ancient city with a glorious past offers more than just history. A simple search for Siem Reap compulsively recommends Angkor Wat temple but there is certainly more to this Cambodian city than just the temple complex. B Siem Reap Province encompasses its culture through every aspect - architecture, museums, handicraft markets, or nightlife.
Every tourist to the country flocks to witness the primitive temples, but Siem Reap has also evolved to offer a range of experiences that tick rejuvenation along with learning. Be it getting some retail therapy in the old market, relaxing with spas or fish pedicures, going on nature trails, dining to dig in local cuisine, or enjoying the nightlife, there are so many activities to do in Siem Reap. For the adventure junkies, there is no dearth of activities like dirt biking, quad biking, hiking, nature trails, taking a hot air balloon ride or just exploring the city on bicycle tours. There are enough deserving reasons for this Cambodian city to find a place on every tourist’s itinerary.
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Highlights – Part of the well-protected temple complex of Angkor Thom, the Terrace of Elephants was the platform which King Jayavarman II used to witness his successful army returning. All through the 300m long structure, one can find stunning and rare bas-reliefs covered with small figurines and statues of elephants, dancers, lions, horses, soldiers and more. The entire terrace is about 2.5m tall. Of the three main platforms here, the carvings on the north platform are the most gorgeous. As you walk past the life-size sculptures of elephants, you cannot help but get awestruck at the skill of the local artisans.
Location – Angkor Thom complex, Siem Reap.
Timings – 5AM to 6PM.
Price – USD20, USD40 and USD60 for 1-day, 2-day and 7-day pass respectively. If tickets are bought for Angkor Thom, you need not pay again for Terrace of Elephants.
Highlights – Lots of plants and trees grow around the Preah Khan temple, which makes it look lovelier than ever before. Lord Buddha, in the name of Avalokiteshwara, is the main deity of this temple. The temple complex is quite huge and there are two gates leading into the temple. Prior to becoming a temple, this complex was used as the residence of the royal clan who ruled over this place, which gives a majestic look to this place.
Location – Towards the western side of the Jataka Baray and north east of Angkor Thom, this temple is situated in close proximity to the Ta Prohm Temple.
Timings – 5AM to 6PM every day.
Price – Temple entry pass of USD20 (one day), USD20 (3 days) and USD60 (7 days).
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Location: Sangkat Nokor Thum, Siem Reap, Cambodia Price Free
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Location: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Price: $20 for a day
Location: Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia
Price: $5 per person
Location: Hariharalaya, Roluos, Cambodia
Price: Free
Location: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Price: Free
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Highlights – When you visit the floating village of Me Chrey on Tonle Sap Lake, you should mandatorily get to know about the lifestyle of the locals living here. Planting rice plants and fishing are the main occupations of the locals. Come here during the early hours to witness live action of fishing. You can take boats or tuk-tuks from Siem Reap to reach Me Chrey. Location – Bank of Tonle Sap Lake, about 9km from Siem Reap.
Timings – Can be visited all through the year; however visiting this place during sunrise is considered ideal.
Price – While the boat ride costs just about USD20 per person, eco-tourism packages cost around USD70 per person.
Highlights – Set up over 42000 hectares, the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is located in the Battambang Province. A popular eco-tourist destination, Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is the abode of rare species of water birds that come here from different parts of the world during the migratory period. The sanctuary is located within the Tonle Sap Biospere Reserve. Some of the birds that you can spot here are Black headed Ibis, Painted Storks, Milky Storks, Spot-billed pelicans, Fish Eagle, Greater Adjuncts, Lesser Adjuncts and many more.
Location – Battambang Province, Siem Reap.
Timings – Come to the park during the dry season between December and March to witness lots of birds.
Price – USD25per person towards entry into the park. Boat tours are available here.
If there is one place where you can witness Khmer majesty in full form, it is the Angkor National Museum.
Highlights – Constructed during the 12th century by King Jayavarman II, Srah Srang is a massive lake (700x300m). The major highlight of this reservoir is that it contains water all the time and has a canopy of greenery surrounding it always. The Angkor Archaeological Park is clearly visible from the courtyard of this lake. Laterite and sandstone were used in abundance for constructing this lake. The platform which leads into this lake is flanked by two lions at the entrance. Sculptures of a Garuda and serpents are also found near the lake. Come here during sunrise/sunset for best views.
Location – Angkor, Siem Reap.
Timings – Sunrise to sunset.
Price – Part of Angkor Archaeological Park. So entrance fee of USD20 (1-day), USD40 (2-day) and USD60 (7-day) applies here as well.
Highlights – One of the newer tourist spots in Cambodia’s Siem Reap Province, Banteay Srei Butterfly Centre, shortly known as BBC, consists of thousands of butterflies in one single place. It is the biggest butterfly exhibit centre in South East Asia and is definitely worth a visit for nature lovers. When you visit BBC, you can get introduced to butterfly farming, life cycle of butterflies, butterfly conservation and other ecological details. The amount collected by tourists goes towards the welfare of the local people. There are expert guides to take you through the farm.
Location – Siem Reap.
Timings - 9AM to 5PM on all days of the week.
Price – USD4 per adult and USD2 per kid.
Highlights – Set up during the 12th century by King Jayavarman II, Angkor Thom was the last and most reputed capital of the Khmer Kingdom. Built in pure Bayon style, this site was constructed using a large amount of laterite and massive naga-carrying figures on its 5 towers, each 23m tall. The gates opening to this site has massive representations of “Churning of the Ocean” episode from Hindu mythology. The gate on the south is often used by tourists who come from Angkor Wat to Angkor Thom. Traditionally, the Khmers addressed this as Prasat Angkor Thom. By 1609, many parts of Angkor Thom started getting damaged and what is left today are just the colossal remnants.
Location – Siem Reap.
Timings- 5AM to 6PM.
Price – Part of Angkor Archaeological Park; therefore prices are USD20 (one day pass), USD40 (2-day pass) and USD70 (7-day pass).
Highlights – Apart from witnessing the flowers, you can get first-hand experience of how lotus plants are cultivated, how they are converted into various purposes. Do not miss to see the lotus fabric production when you come here. This is a process where selected lotus stems are cleaned thoroughly and then cut open to bring out the fibres. These fibres are then spun nicely into a thread by the weaving experts found here. Thee threads are very fine and resemble silk and the added advantage of these lotus threads is that no worms or other living beings are disturbed in this process.
Location – Kamping Poy, Battambang.
Timings – Open all through the day.
Price – Entrance is free of cost here.
Highlights – This is one of the most important architectural hubs in South East Asia. Though there are many temples here, the most famous ones are Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple and at Angkor Thom. Built in traditional Khmer style of architecture, these temples attract millions of foreign tourists all through the year. The park is set across 400 sq. km. and it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site during 1992. Angkor Wat Temple is considered to be the oldest temple in the world.
Location – North Cambodia.
Timings - Most of the temples in this area are open from 5AM to 6PM.
Price – One day, 2-day and 7-day passes are available for USD20, USD40 and USD60 respectively.
If you have a passion for history, you must visit the War Museum in Cambodia. This is the place where you will be transported back into a world which introduces you to the historical reigns, struggles, successes and wars of Cambodia in the most comprehensive manner possible.
Highlights – Soldiers who served in the war previously act as tourist guides here. How better can it get than this? It is also one of the first kinds of museum in Cambodia and takes guests through the last 30 years of Cambodian war history with an exotic and impressive collection of jet fighter planes, helicopters, artillery guns and other war machines of various models.
Location – Siem Reap.
Timings – 8AM to 5.30PM on all days of the week.
Price – USD1 for Cambodian tourists and USD5 for foreign tourists. Entrance fee includes tourist guide, parking, photography and filming.
Must Checkout: Cambodia Tour Package For 4 Days
Highlights – This is probably one of the very few places in the world, where you will know about landmines, their dangers and risks, how it impacts kids, how it kills people and ways to disarm these landmines. There is a farm right behind the museum, where kids who are saved from landmines are put in relief camps and cared for. The museum is a repository of excellent tools, guns, weapons and other equipment that were used for mining in those days.
Location – Situated at about 25km distance from Siem Reap, this museum is located in close proximity to Banteay Srei.
Timings – 7.30AM to 5.30PM every day. Professional guided tours are available in English and Japanese on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9AM to 5PM.
Price – Foreign adults – USD5. Cambodian citizens and kids below 10 years of age – free of cost.
Highlights – Brunch, dinner and impressive variety of cocktails and drinks are served here to attract international and local tourists to a great extent. This bar was constructed in 1998 and has the distinction of being the first ever bar on Pub Street. With excellent drinks, reasonable prices, pool tables, loud music, great ambience and a lively atmosphere, Angkor What? Bar is a perfect hang-out spot for tourists after a tiring visit to the 1000 year architectural ruins.
Location – Pub Street.
Price – Angkor Beer-USD1.5, Long
Island Pitcher – USD10.
Timings – 5PM until late night.
Highlights – This is the place where you get to know about the end to end process of sericulture through lots of workshops on silk farming. When you come here, you will be introduced to new processes like mulberry cultivation, cocoon formation, application of natural dyes to silk worms and all the process of silk cultivation. Here you will also get to know about the ancient weaving technology of Ikat weaving.
Location – Puok district, about 20minutes away from Siem Reap Centre.
Timings – The Angkor Siolk Farm is open from 8AM to 5PM on all days of the week.
Price – Free guided tours are available and entrance is also free of cost.
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Siem Reap Things To Do FAQs
What are the best 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.
What are the best things to do in Siem Reap at night?
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?
What are the adventurous things to do in Siem Reap?
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.
What is Siem Reap known for?
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.
How many days should I spend in Siem Reap?
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.
Is Siem Reap worth visiting?
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.
Is it safe to walk around Siem Reap at night?
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.
What is the best time to visit Siem Reap?
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.
How to reach Siem Reap?
By Air: Flying to Siem Reap is the best option. Siem Reap has its own International Airport, well-connected with other international airports.
Which are the best historical places to visit in Siem Reap?
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.
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