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Almost everyone knows Siem Reap for being the base for exploring the 8th Wonder of the World, Angkor Wat. But did you know that Siem Reap is a charming Cambodian city with much more to do outside of exploring ancient temples? You can easily spend a few days exploring Siem Reap, visiting off-the-beaten-path temples in the Angkor Wat complex and connecting with local Khmer culture. From shopping at locally sourced markets and visiting rural villages to taking a cooking class and going to the community circus, Siem Reap is a place that deserves significant time on your Cambodia itinerary.
Things to Do in Siem Reap: FAQs
When to go to Siem Reap?
The best time to visit Siem Reap is from November to March, which is the dry season. Cambodia is a hot country year-round, but this is when temperatures are the most moderate and rainfall is minimal. Visiting Angkor Wat requires hours of being outside with no cover, so you don’t want to visit when it’s too hot or rainy.
How long to spend in Siem Reap?
I recommend spending at least three full days in Siem Reap. I’ve laid out how to spend these three days in my 2-week Cambodia itinerary. This gives you enough time to visit Angkor Wat twice, seeing both famous and less-visited but just as impressive temples. It also gives you time to explore outside of Angkor Wat, connecting with local culture and seeing what else Siem Reap has to offer. To do all 10 of these top things to do in Siem Reap, you will need four to five days.
Where to stay in Siem Reap?
Siem Reap city center is the most convenient place to stay. You’ll be within walking distance from many attractions and restaurants, while only a short 15-20 minute drive to Angkor Wat.
Do yourself a favor and book accommodation with a pool! No matter what time of year you visit Siem Reap, you will return from Angkor Wat dripping in sweat. There’s no better feeling than returning from Angkor Wat and jumping into a cold pool.
How to book the best hotels in Siem Reap?
The best booking platform for finding and reserving great hotels in Siem Reap is Agoda. It’s owned by the same company as Booking.com but is based in Southeast Asia, making it great for finding any hotels you need. If you’re a backpacker staying in hostels, then Hostelworld is consistently the best hostel booking platform worldwide, and Siem Reap is no exception. Book your Siem Reap accommodation on Agoda today:
Don’t want to search for the best option, or just don’t have time? That’s what I’m here for! As a professional travel advisor, I’ve vetted or personally stayed at these suggested properties. Properties marked with “$$$” are 4 or 5-star luxury properties, “$$” are 3 and 4-star mid-range hotels, and “$” are hostels. And yes, they all have swimming pools!
How to book the best activities and excursions in Siem Reap?
The best activity and excursion booking platforms for Cambodia are Klook and GetYourGuide. Both websites have thousands of trustworthy travel experiences with verified user reviews. I use Klook and GetYourGuide to book almost all my excursions in Asia, and you’ll find links throughout the article to great experiences I’ve personally vetted or experienced myself.
How to get around Siem Reap?
The easiest way to get around Siem Reap is by tuk-tuk. These small, motorized three-wheel vehicles are a fun, cheap, and efficient way to get around short distances in Southeast Asia. You can easily catch one on any major road just by waving them down, or you can download the Grab app (Cambodian Uber).
The best way to get around Angkor Wat is also by tuk-tuk. While you can join big shared tour groups, I highly recommend hiring your own tuk-tuk driver so you can avoid crowds as best as possible. Hire your private tuk-tuk tour here or reach out to my kind and safe driver, Mr Honey, on WhatsApp at +855 97 653 9874.
Where else to go in Cambodia?
Cambodia is a beautiful, unique, and diverse country with so much to offer beyond Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Many travelers make the mistake of only visiting Cambodia for Angkor Wat, but they’re missing out on so much. If you’ve come all this way, I highly suggest also visiting Koh Rong, an island with stunning beaches, Kampot, a countryside town with authentic culture, and Phnom Penh, the capital with important history that all visitors need to learn about. Check out my 2-week Cambodia itinerary to pack a big punch into a small time frame.
Is Siem Reap good for solo travelers?
Yes, Siem Reap is good for solo travelers. As a solo female traveler, I had a great experience exploring Siem Reap on my own. The locals are friendly, it’s easy to meet other people, there are so many interesting things to do, and I never felt unsafe. Always take standard safety precautions, like watching your belongings and not walking alone at night, but you should have a comfortable and rewarding time solo traveling in Siem Reap.
I had a great stay at Onederz Siem Reap as a solo traveler. It’s a huge hostel with THREE pools, social events, tours, and comfortable rooms with strong air conditioning.
10 Best Things to Do in Siem Reap
1. Small Circuit of Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is so iconic in Cambodia that it’s on the Cambodian flag. You can’t visit Siem Reap without dedicating at least one day to exploring this 900-year-old massive temple complex. Many people don’t know that Angkor Wat is just the name of one temple, but there are 71 other temples in the Angkor Wat area!
There are two main routes to take: the Small Circuit and the Grand Circuit. The Small Circuit includes the iconic Angkor Wat, along with Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm, and other smaller temples.
Many people wake up for sunrise at Angkor Wat and then continue the Small Circuit, but I don’t recommend this. While sunrise can be beautiful, it’s often very cloudy, so you can’t guarantee that it’ll be a good one. This also puts you on track to be surrounded by tourists all day, as you’re going at the most popular time. Here’s how I avoided crowds by doing the Small Circuit later and in the opposite direction:
- 8:30am: left Siem Reap town and headed to Ta Prohm
- 10:00am: Bayon Temple
- 11:30am: Angkor Wat
We also stopped at some smaller temples on the way, but we focused most of our time and energy on these heavy hitters. By doing the Small Circuit in reverse and at a later time, we hardly had any other tourists with us. The only downside to doing it this way is that by the time we got to Angkor Wat, it was getting pretty hot. You can choose what’s more important to you: seeing the sunrise and having cooler temperatures, or avoiding the crowds.
2. Grand Circuit of Angkor Wat
If you have time to go back to Angkor Wat for another day of exploring, you’re in for a treat. Many people only visit the Small Circuit, but the Grand Circuit is equally incredible yet very different. These temples are less famous but no less impressive.
The Grand Circuit includes Preah Kahn, Ta Som, Pre Rup and more. After successfully seeing the Small Circuit with fewer crowds, I set out to do the same today. Here’s how I avoided crowds on the Grand Circuit by starting early:
- 7:30am: left Siem Reap town and headed to Preah Kahn
- 9:30am: Ta Som
- 10:30am: Pre Rup
We also stopped at some smaller temples on the way, but we focused most of our time and energy on these heavy hitters. Not only did we successfully avoid crowds, but we also avoided most of the heat.
For both the Small and Grand Circuit, I highly recommend hiring your own tuk-tuk driver so you can time your sightseeing exactly as you want. Hire your private tuk-tuk tour here or reach out to my kind and safe driver, Mr Honey, on WhatsApp at +855 97 653 9874.
3. Tour the APOPO Center
Did you know that rats are saving lives in Cambodia by detecting unexploded landmines and bombs? Cambodia is one of the most mine-affected countries in the world, with millions of unexploded munitions that can injure and kill locals. There are unexploded bombs from the US bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War and unexploded landmines from the Cambodian Civil War and Genocide. While humans and dogs can help in detecting these, NGO APOPO is training rats because they’re light enough to not set off the landmines. Together, dogs, rats, and humans are saving Cambodian lives. To learn more about this and see the rats in action (and even hold one!), take a tour of the APOPO center in Siem Reap.
4. Go to the Cambodian Circus
Phare, the Cambodian Circus, is an experience that I recommend to anyone visiting Siem Reap. Don’t worry, this circus is a great organization that trains underprivileged people in music, arts, and acrobatics. There are no animals involved. They do different shows throughout the year, with each show telling a story. It’s an impressive, entertaining, and funny show that’s more than worth seeing. Get your tickets in advance here, as it sells out during high season!
5. Bike through the countryside
The time I spent in the Cambodian countryside is one of my fondest memories of my time in Southeast Asia. There’s something so unique and special about biking through rice paddies, local villages, and experiencing rural life and culture. There’s no better way to get off the beaten path than by going on a bike tour of the countryside, with local guides taking you to rice fields, mushroom farms, temples, markets, and more. If you love authentic experiences, book your countryside bike tour here.
6. Visit a floating village
Tonle Sap, Cambodia’s largest lake, is home to several floating villages where locals live their daily lives above the fluctuating water of the lake. The best-known of these unique communities is Kampong Phluk, where you can see stilted houses, fisheries, a floating hospital, and more. This is an off-the-beaten-path adventure for those who want an authentic look into local Khmer life. Join this Kampong Phluk Floating Village tour by boat to see a beautiful mangrove forest and learn about the culture and community of the village.
7. Go shopping at the markets
Siem Reap has lots of markets, but the most notable are Made in Cambodia Market and Old Market. Made in Cambodia Market is a great place to get authentic souvenirs while supporting local artists and business owners. Everything is locally made and sourced, and many artists are making their art right in front of you. Old Market is a more traditional market, where you can find clothes, food, and more typical souvenirs. Both are great places to shop in Siem Reap.
8. Take a cooking class
I believe that cooking classes are one of the most rewarding ways to learn about local culture, so I try to do one in every country I visit. Cambodia is no different, and Siem Reap is a great place to learn about local cuisine. Not only will you learn the culture behind delicious Khmer food, but you’ll be able to take your knowledge home and share it with loved ones through the power of cooking. I highly recommend booking this Khmer cooking class, where you’ll learn to make four traditional dishes in a local’s home.
9. Get a Cambodian massage
You’ve certainly heard of Thai massages, but what about Cambodian massages? I got at least two massages in every country I visited in Southeast Asia, and I have to say that Cambodian massages deserve more hype. With just the right amount of pressure and amazing technique, it was pure bliss. I can’t recommend Majestic Spa enough for affordable yet incredible massages.
10. Experience nightlife on Pub Street
Pub Street has gotten popular with backpackers who want to experience nightlife in Cambodia. It’s a lively street that comes alive at night with bars, restaurants, and a social environment. If you’re lucky, you can catch live music and street performances.
After experiencing the best things to do in Siem Reap, you’ll see why it was one of my favorite stops on my 6-month Southeast Asia trip. Angkor Wat lives up to the hype, especially if you explore beyond the most famous temples, and it’s a great place to get in touch with local Khmer culture. You won’t regret spending at least three days going beyond a typical tourist’s experience in Siem Reap.
Keep reading:
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