From dipping into Khmer culture and exploring the city’s heritage to visiting the must-see Angkor Archaeological Park (and an option to zipline over it), here are the top things to do in Siem Reap…
MUST DO
Visit Angkor (Archaeological Park)
Angkor Archaeological Park represents the pinnacle of ancient Khmer architecture, art and civilization. It is undoubtedly one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia and is where you can find Siem Reap’s iconic Angkor Wat. There are also 50 Hindu and Buddhist temple sites here that were constructed between the 9th and 12th centuries.
This park was once the largest pre-industrial city in the world and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992. Another important site here is the Terrace of the Elephants – a 300-metre-long wall decorated with fine sculptures of elephants, garudas, a 5-headed horse, Khmer dancers, and warriors.
Tip: Visitors looking to explore the entirety of Angkor Archaeological Park are encouraged to purchase the multi-day passes as there are so many sightseeing opportunities here.
MARKETS & SHOPPING
Visit The Old Market
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Locally known as Psah Chas, the Old Market in Siem Reap is located right in the heart of the town – on the west side of the river. It’s the oldest Khmer market in Siem Reap and is popular with both locals and tourists. Many locals visit here in the early mornings to shop which is an experience to see if you fancy getting there for sunrise! On sale at the market, you’ll find souvenirs, t-shirts, silk, wood & stone carvings, and Cambodian street food.
Explore Art Night Market
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Located on the east bank of the Siem Reap River, right opposite the Old Market (Phsar Chas), the Siem Reap Art Center Night Market is one of the newer night markets in the area. The market opened in 2012 and has become a popular spot amongst tourists. You’ll also find the usual handicrafts, clothes, and souvenirs on sale here. The market also has a couple of restaurants on-site which offer both Khmer and Western food.
Tip: The market has free wifi
Go to the Angkor Night Market
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The Angkor Night Market, commonly known as the Original Night Market, was the first night market to open in Siem Reap. Established in 2007, it has been copied countless times – but never replicated. Stroll through over 200 bamboo huts and shop the thousands of souvenirs on sale. There’s even an inside bar with live music.
Visit Made in Cambodia Market
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As its name suggests, The Made in Cambodia Market brings together the most exciting examples of craftsmanship in Cambodia today. They heavily promote Cambodian goods, rather than imported goods from countries like China. The aim of this artisan market is to help locals – from making the goods to selling them. You’ll find here: wood and stone carvings, bars, restaurants, clothes, bags, accessories, recycled products, and more. There’s even live acoustic music and traditional dance shows on the weekend evenings.
HISTORY
Learn at the Landmine Museum
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Just like its neighbouring country, Laos, dozens of Cambodians are injured or killed each year due to leftover landmines or other unexploded bombs leftover from the 20th century.
In 1997, tourists began hearing stories about a young Khmer man and ex-soldier, Aki Ra, who cleared landmines with a stick. He also had a house full of defused ordnance. Ra began charging to see his collection, which then became the landmine museum.
The museum relocated in 2007, 25km north of the city, and currently houses a four-gallery museum – as well as being the home to 27 children. The Cambodia Landmine Museum aims to tell Aki Ra’s story, tell the world about the horrors of landmines and explain that war is only half the problem, and care for the children who live at the museum.
Free time recommendation: Cambodia Tour (Day 7)
Explore the Angkor National Museum
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Before you explore the famed Angkor Wat complex in Siem Reap, we recommend visiting the Angkor National Museum. This archaeological museum will take you back to the golden era of the ancient Khmer Kingdom. Learn from the interactive displays, exhibits, and collections mainly dated from the 9th-14th century.
The museum shares useful information on the temples, particularly about the famed Angkor Wat, as well as the Khmer art, culture, and architecture. The building itself is beautifully designed, resembling a temple itself, and has a state-of-the-art showpiece on the majestic history of Angkor.
Free time option in Cambodia Tour (Day 4)
Visit the War Museum Cambodia
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Located West of the city, War Museum Cambodia features outdoor displays of old, broken-down military hardware. Such as fighter jets, tanks, helicopters, and artillery guns – taken straight from the battlefield. The main aim of the museum is to keep the memory of the civil war alive.
There are even free tour guides available for those who are ex-veterans, eyewitnesses of the war, and landmine victims. So you’ll get to learn about their personal experiences and stories of the civil war. You can even hold some of the small arms like M16s, AK47s, and rocket-propelled grenades!
Free time option in Cambodia Tour (Day 7)
NATURE
Visit the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity
Located 45km north of Siem Reap, the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity is a non-governmental organisation in Cambodia.
It is one of the first nature conservation and endangered wildlife rescue and breeding centres in the country. It rescues, rehabilitates, and releases threatened wildlife into Cambodian forests. There are also breeding programs for some threatened species to help preserve them from extinction. There are a couple of tours available each day.
Tip: ACCB is located on the walk from the highway to Kbal Speanon – so it’s worth doing both at the same time.
Half-day option in Cambodia Tour (Day 7)
Explore Phnom Kulen, National Park
Located in the Phnom Kulen mountain massif in Siem Reap Province, Phnom Kulen National Park is famed for its two stunning waterfalls. In fact, there are two waterfalls which vary in size depending on whether it’s the rainy season. One is 5 metres tall and the other is over 15 metres tall. Legend has it, this national park was the birthplace of the Khmer empire, where the King proclaimed independence from Java. There is also a Kbal Spean archaeological site located on the mountain.
Full-day option in Cambodia Tour (Day 7)
CULTURE
Go to Wat Preah Prom Rath
Located in the centre of Siem Reap, on the west bank of the river, Wat Preah Prom Rath is a local monastery packed with colourful statues and stupas, lush gardens, stunning wall paintings, and replica war boats.
The temple boasts a history which may even date back to as early as the 13th century, and there’s even a sleeping buddha which was said to be installed in 1500. Most of what you see here though was built after World War II. Wat Preah Prom Rath is a great temple to visit if you don’t want to go far from the middle of the city, whilst learning how Cambodian Buddhism is practised today.
Free time recommendation: Cambodia Tour (Day 4)
Visit Wat Damnak Pagoda
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Whilst in Siem Reap, be sure to visit the largest pagoda in the city, Wat Damnak. This unique temple was once a royal palace at the beginning of the 20th century, during the reign of King Sisowath (1904–1927), before serving as a Khmer Rouge military depot between 1975 and 1979.
It now offers a tranquil retreat from the bustling town centre and features traditional Khmer architecture, frangipani trees, stone sculptures of Buddha, and a pond containing colourful water lilies. The monastery is home to many monks and also has a primary school, 2 charities, and a sewing academy for young local women. It’s the ideal place to experience the daily life of its resident monks. In fact, most monks here will be more than happy to show you around and educate you on Buddhism.
Go to Kampong Phluk Floating Village (Tonle Sap Lake)
Kampong Phluk offers a truly unique experience that exposes you to local life in Siem Reap whilst exploring the floating markets and fish farms here. Located 16km southeast of Siem Reap, this cluster of three floating villages features tall, traditional stilt houses. And, if you visit during the dry season, you’ll see the houses suspended by 16-foot stilts.
Depending on what time of year you visit, there are around 3,000 inhabitants. Also, the village is also connected to Tonle Sap lake – the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Optional visit in Cambodia Tour (Day 7)
Visit Angkor Silk Farm
The Angkor Silk Farm produces some of the finest silk work in the whole of Cambodia and is a must-visit when travelling in Siem Reap. At the farm, you can see all stages of the production process, from the cultivation of mulberry trees to the nurturing of silkworms to the dyeing and weaving of silk. Clothing, interior-design products and accessories are all produced here and the farm employs more than 400 local people.
Tip: There are free guided tours available daily as well as a free shuttle bus that departs from Les Chantiers Écoles in Siem Reap.
Included in: Cambodia Tour (Day 7)
Experience Phare the Cambodian Circus
Treat yourself to a night you’ll never forget at the Phare Cambodia Circus. A similar vibe to Cirque du Soleil, Phare is so much more than your average circus. This not-for-profit organisation uses theatre, music, dance, and modern circus arts to tell Cambodian stories, with a social message behind each performance.
Several generations of performers who have graduated through Phare’s original Battambang campus have even gone on to perform in international shows around the world. Many of the performers have deeply moving personal stories of abuse and hardship, making their talents a triumph against the odds. It really is a world-class performance and an inspiring night out suitable for the whole family.
Tip: Each show lasts for around an hour. No animals are used in any performance. All proceeds are reinvested into Phare Ponleu Selpak activities.
Half or full-day option in Cambodia Tour (Day 7)
EXPERIENCE
Get an Adrenaline Boost at Angkor Zipline
Experience the Angkor Archaeological Park from a unique perspective on the treetop zipline adventure inside the UNESCO World Heritage itself. This eco-adventure will see you across four hanging bridges and endless treetops along the 10 zip lines and 21 platforms that make up this adrenaline-boosting course. The course takes about 5 hours to complete and you’ll even have a tasty traditional Khmer meal whilst you’re there.
Free time recommendation: Cambodia Tour (Day 7)
ARTISTIC
Visit Artbox
Prepare to be amazed at Siem Reap’s Artbox museum. Just a few kilometres outside the centre of the city, this museum features over 150 two-dimensional pieces of art that play tricks on your mind and make you feel (and look) like you’re part of the art, too.
Free time recommendation: Cambodia tour (day 7)
Les Artisans d’Angkor
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Artisans Angkor is a Cambodian social business that was created to give young people in the village access to work. As well as reviving traditional Khmer craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
Since it was founded in the late 1990s, Artisans Angkor has focused on providing professional skills, opportunities, and good working conditions to communities with limited educational opportunities. It has now opened 48 workshops in Siem Reap and provides employment to over 1100 people. Free guided tours are also on offer for visitors.
Included in: Cambodia Tour (Day 4)
Join a Pottery Class
Immerse yourself into true Khmer tradition by joining a ceramic pottery class in the heart of the city! Learn how to create your own Khmer pottery and add unique Khmer carvings to it. From shaping it on the pottery wheel to firing and glazing the finished product. Experienced instructors will guide you as you mould your very own Angkorian bowl.
Tip: This class is suitable for beginners or pottery pros – even kids are welcome to join in! Hotel pick-up and drop-off services are also available for your convenience.
Half-day optional tour in Cambodia Tour (Day 7)
