[This post has been updated see: 2023/24 Things to do in Siem Reap] Siem Reap is famous for the amazing ancient temples of Angkor but beyond that, what other things are there to do? A lot. The city is a melting pot of cultures with influence from the French, a little from Vietnam, Japan, Korea, and China. Most of all, Khmer culture stands out strongly and so beautifully. There is much more than temples. So, stay longer, it is one of the best value places in the world for experiences.
In this list for 2020, we have culture, crafts, experiences, tours, nature, shopping, and dining. Just to get you started. Please check back from time to time as we’ll keep on updating.
Free Things to Do (and almost free)
Explore the Pagodas
A hidden gem in Siem Reap is the vast number of functioning pagodas, many of which as fascinating, peace instilling, and beautiful. There is a lot, with a pagoda in each village. The picks are Wat Damnak, Wat Preah Prom Rath, Wat Kesararam, Wat Brasart Entrear, and Wat Po Banteaychey. See our guide for even more and map.
Explore a traditional daily market – Phsar Leu
Phsar Leu is the major traditional market in Siem Reap and packed within its nooks, crannies, lanes and surrounding street is just about anything you could imagine. It has fabrics, tailors, dressmakers, shoes, bags, fashion, electronics, currency changers, jewellery, homewares, DIY and hardware, hairdressers, beauticians, fruit sellers, bakers, wet market and on and on. If you have never been to an Asian market, the wet market area could gross some out a bit but I highly recommend this place as a genuine undoctored experience of daily life.
Rent a bike and explore the city
For a couple of dollars a day you can rent a decent bike and pedal your way around and explore different sides of the city. A nice one hour ride with cafes and pagodas along the way is the river circuit from Old Market Bridge up Archa Sva Street and follow the river all the way to Nagas Bridge and come back along the other side. It gets a bit bumpy but sealed roads all the way. Another option is to ride south from the city, again along the river, to the Lotus Farm or Phnom Krom depending how keen you are.
Check out the Royal Residence and Royal Independence Gardens
The Royal Independence Gardens is a popular place for morning and evening walkers, along with being a popular meeting place later in the evening. There is a fountain at the center which is cornered by lions, a dividing street lined by tall trees that are home to a large colony of bats who get active around dusk. The Royal Residence is across from the park, as is the grand and elegant Raffles Hotel and Victoria Hotel. You can also check out the regular stream of worshipers to the King Master Statue and Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm pagoda.
Markets and Shopping
Night Markets
There are several night markets in Siem Reap all located centrally. The larger night markets are Angkor Night Market and Siem Reap Arts Centre Night Market. There are also market stalls in Pub Street, Siem Reap Night market across from Pub Street, and Noon Night Market on Night Market St. See our guide to the markets for map.
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Old Market
Old Market, or Phsar Chas, is perhaps the most famous market in Siem Reap. It still features a wet market and produce in its inner main laneway which is surrounded by other pokey lanes jammed with stalls selling lots of knock-off sports fashion wear. Towards the riverside end of the market you’ll find lots of art, crafts, locally made beauty products etc. It’s a unique and characterful mix of daily needs for Khmer life and tourist wares. See our guide to the markets for map.
Heritage Walk
Siem Reap’s new modern mall with Starbucks, Domino’s, cinema, restaurants, supermarket, Zando (men and women’s fashion), Noble Market (imported wines, etc.), bookstore, sportswear stores, and more.
Explore Kandal Village
Somebody labeled it hipster central but don’t let that turn you off (or on). Here you’ll find several overpriced cafes, numerous boutique fashion stores, herbal tea store, and spa.
Explore Pub Street and its cool laneways
Most will go to Pub Street and see bars, generic restaurants and get harassed for a tuk-tuk ride or massage. Cut sideways and head into the laneways and you’ll find lots of boutique stores selling local crafts and some far more interesting bars and restaurants.
Local Crafts
Senteurs d’Angkor
Senteurs d’Angkor offers free guided tours of their workshop where you can see handmade soaps made from coconut oil, natural cosmetics, subtly scented balms, aromatic candles, local spices, coffee bean roasting, tea, and how they make lovely boxes from sugar palm leaves.
Khmer Ceramics & Fine Arts Centre
All of their products are handmade by local artisans from raw and natural materials with each piece being unique. They have a large range of dinnerware, vases, sculptures, tea sets, along with wood and bronze works.
Artisans Angkor
They offer free guided tours of their workshops where they make a diverse range of traditional products. In their store, the items are really high quality and there is a large selection of silk fashions, scarves, silver jewellery and trinkets, traditional wooden crafts, tableware, and home crafts. Open daily from 8am to 5pm
Angkor Silk Farm – Artisans Angkor
Artisans Angkor also has a silk farm at Pouk (20 mins from Siem Reap center). They offer free guided tours of the silk-making process and you can purchase the goods you watched being made. Open daily from 8am to 5pm.
Learn a new skill and culture
Khmer Gourmet Cooking Class
Offering daily morning and afternoon cooking classes.
Khmer Ceramics & Fine Arts Centre
They offer pottery classes where you can learn to make an Angkorian bowl and ceramic painting classes. You can also take home what you make. Classes start at $25.
Angkor Pottery Center
They offer free guided tours and pottery classes starting from $7 with a chance to try the potters’ wheel.
Museums
War Museum
The museum has been running since 1999 and collecting a large range of items from the war period. Highlights include the T-54 Tank, MiG-19 jet, Mi-8 helicopter and more.
Cambodia War Remnant Museum
The collection and story are very touching, retracing some very hard years in Cambodia’s struggle. Open 7:30AM–5:30PM
Angkor National Museum
Angkor National Museum showcases the Khmer civilization from creation to the heights of the ancient Angkorian Empire offering insight into customs, traditions, and beliefs. It’s a great primer before heading out to the temples. Open 8:30am–6pm.
MGC Asian Traditional Textiles Museum
Featuring exhibits from Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam related to the natural fiber textile industry. Entrance is $3 and it’s open from 8.30am to 4.00pm and closed on Tuesdays.
Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum
The museum houses three exhibitions of objects found during an archaeological excavation in the park of Angkor, many from Banteay Kdei. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 8am – 5pm. Entrance $3
Landmine Museum
The Cambodia Landmine Museum and Relief Center serve to educate the public on the dangers of landmines, and in addition, it supports education for Cambodian youth. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 7.30am – 5.30pm. Entrance $3
Miniature Replicas of Angkor’s Temples
The miniature temple replicas are the work of local master-sculptor Dy Proeung and its a great way to get a different perspective. Hours 9am-5pm. Entrance $2
Enjoy a Show
Apsara Theatre & Restaurant
Dinner and show. The one hour show features one of Siem Reaps best performances of traditional Apsara dancing depicting Khmer folklore.
Phare: The Cambodian Circus Show in Siem Reap
The must-see show in Siem Reap. More than just a circus, Phare performers use theater, music, dance and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories; historical, folk and modern. You can get show tickets or dinner and show tickets. Nightly 8:00pm performances year-round, with additional 5:00pm performances seasonally.
Koulen II Restaurant – Buffet dinner and show
The show includes traditional Apsara dance, Sovann Machha dance, Tep Monorom Dance, Cardamom Picking Dance, Bamboo Clappers Dance, Gum-Lacquer Pounding dance, Fish Harvest Dance and the Peacock of Pailin dance.
Smile of Angkor – Buffet dinner and show
Large buffet dinner with multiple stations and options. The 70-minute show, reliving life in the city of Angkor at the time of Suryavarman II, is divided into six chapters: “Dialogue with God”, “Glorious Kingdom”, “Resurrection of the Gods”, “Churning the Sea of Milk”, “Prayer for Life and “Smile of Angkor”.
Rosanna Broadway
An international cabaret show featuring traditional Khmer dance. It’s located in its own recently renovated dedicated 900 seat theater.
Angkor Dynasty
Located in its own new dedicated theatre, the 75-minute performance showcases Khmer legends and the historic ups and downs of Cambodia’s past.
Apsara Terrace
Staged on Apsara Terrace at Raffles Grand Hotel, the show features traditional Cambodian dances and Khmer martial art paired with a dinner selection of pan-Asian barbeque cuisine.
Get closer to nature
Phnom Kulen National Park & Waterfall
Along with an impressive waterfall and rock pools, Phnom Kulen National Park offers nature trails, old temples, rock carvings, and more. Read More
Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity
ACCB offers guided tours from Monday to Saturday, where you can see a variety of their animals and learn about their efforts to save Cambodia’s wildlife. Starting at 9:00 and at 13:00 sharp, from the ACCB entrance gate next to the car park at Kbal Spean. The tour lasts approx. 1 hour 30 mins and requires a minimum donation of 3 USD.
Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre
The Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre (BBC) features a live display of Cambodian butterflies. Revenue generated by tourist admissions provides support for local poverty alleviation and conservation projects. Open 9am – 5pm.
Tonle Sap, Prek Toal Floating Village and Bird Sanctuary with Osmose
Osmose offers a number of tours of Prek Toal Village on the Tonle Sap, with transport from Siem Reap city, including Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, homestays, weaving classes, and more. While visiting the Prek Toal Reserve, you will also participate in the funding of the Bird Sanctuary Protection Program.
Get adventurous
Angkor Balloon
Angkor Balloon is a tethered balloon that rises straight up and overlooks Angkor Wat. Whilst near to Angkor Wat, It is located just outside the ticketed area of Angkor Park so an Angkor Pass is not required. The ride is ten minutes and you can take in Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, West Baray, Tonle Sap Lake, Phnom Khrom, Phnom Bok, Kulen Mountains, and countryside.
Angkor Zipline
Angkor Zipline is built within Angkor Park featuring 9 different ziplines, 3 suspension bridges, abseil area, and a spiderman bridge. The whole tour is around 2hrs on the canopy tour and 5-6 hours in total.
Scenic Flights with Helistar Cambodia
Helistar Cambodia offers a range of flight tours over Angkor Wat and the temples. longer flights take in Kulen Mountain, Tonle Sap, and Phnom Krom.
Get closer to Art
Тheam’s Gallery
Theam’s Gallery is the home, atelier, and gallery of Master Cambodian Artist, Lim Muy Theam. Featuring gallery, craft workshop, pavilion, and garden.
Tribe
Showcasing international street art whilst nurturing and supporting local Khmer talent. They also have a gallery at FCC.
Batia Sarem
Batia Sarem is a contemporary art gallery presenting the works of Cambodian artists to an international audience. The gallery is open from Monday to Saturday from 11am to 7pm and admission is free.
Get Healthy
Hit the Gym
Siem Reap is fitness lovers heaven with a large range of quality gyms offering weights, cardio, classes, trainers, and more. Best of all, there are no crazy subscription plans, you can pay by visit, or month as you wish. See our list of Gyms in Siem Reap
Visit a Spa
Spa Treatments, beauty services, and massages are great value in Siem Reap and there are several professional standard options to check out. Read More
Go for hit
Surprising to some, but Siem Reap has three really excellent golf courses See our list of Golf Courses in Siem Reap
Unique culinary experiences
Siem Reap’s Top Restaurant Experiences
Check out our list of 15 amazing dining experiences in Siem Reap for unique experiences and places with views and ambiance. Read More
Try Cambodia’s unique fruits
Cambodia has a lot of delicious and interesting seasonal fruits that you may never get the chance to experience back home so be sure to try before you go. Heres a guide read more.
Street Foods and Khmer Cuisine
Khmer cuisine is rich and varied so be sure to try out all the top dishes including all the amazing noodle variants. Heres an extensive picture guide to Cambodian Cuisine read more.
Unique luxury experiences
Unique Luxury Accommodation Experiences
Recently, Siem Reap has become home to some world class and very unique luxury hotel experiences, best of all, they are amazing value and experiences you won’t find elsewhere. Read More
We hope you enjoy the list and keep it bookmarked as we continue to add new and exciting attractions that are soon to open in 2020/21.