10 Things To Do In Siem Reap In 2026
Best Things To Do In Siem Reap And Not Just Temples
Siem Reap is not just about Angkor Wat, though I know that is why you are here.
I fell down a Google rabbit hole planning my own trip and kept finding the same five temple photos on every site, with barely a mention of what else the town actually offers. Honestly, that annoyed me enough to write this.
Yes, the temples are worth every bit of hype. But if you only budget one day for Siem Reap, you are doing it wrong. I’ll be honest, some of my favourite memories from there had nothing to do with Angkor at all.
One night I ended up on a plastic stool by the riverside, eating a bowl of noodles that cost about a couple of dollars, with motorbikes buzzing past and a woman frying something two feet away from me. It had more atmosphere than any restaurant I paid triple for.
That is the Siem Reap nobody puts in the headline photo.
I have spent the last 20 months travelling through Southeast Asia, Central Asia, India and Turkey, and Siem Reap is one of the few places I would happily go back to without hesitation. So this post covers when to go, where to stay, and what to actually do once you have ticked off the temples, whether you are travelling solo or as a couple, and working out how many days to give the place.
I’m still torn on whether three days or five is the right amount of time here. I will let you decide once you see everything else this town is quietly hiding behind the ruins.
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Visit Pub Street
Nothing dramatic happens here until nighttime, and that was exactly why I went during the day the first time.
It was not totally empty. A few people were eating in the restaurants, like me.
I had a tasty fruit juice at Temple Club Sports Bar during the day, but at night the vibe shifted to loud music, girls in very little clothing, and it felt far from family-friendly.
I visited around 04.00 PM and again around 11.00 PM, and I could see staff getting busier during the day as they set up for the night. I paid 20,830 KHR ($5.00/€4.39/£3.76) for a drink, but there are loads of options to choose from.
You can choose the kind of experience you want, whether a party or a relaxed meal.
When I came back at night, the streets were full, and the music gave me a headache not long after.
If you want a quieter alternative with no loud music at night and great food, visit Siem Reap Nightly Street Food Market. More on that later.
I did have promoters trying to attract me into the bars, similar to what I experienced on Hanoi’s party street and Bangkok’s Khao San Road. I like the attention, but it can get too much when you keep walking through again and again.
I would revisit, but a daytime walkthrough is very different from drinks and dancing.
Shop At Old Market
You can pick up goods here for a penny if you haggle, but don’t be a cheap skate.
When I visited the Old Market, it was pretty quiet, but that was during the day around 03.00 PM. Most places were empty, but I picked up a small knock-off Fjällräven rucksack for a few dollars. It lasted for months, which surprised me.
This is a traditional market, and prices are very affordable for Western travellers. I visited before walking through Pub Street during the day. It is open from 07.00 AM to 09.00 PM, so you have plenty of time to go and pick something up.
You can watch my video below all about Sieam Reap and the Old Market is featured.
As I passed each stall, lots of the sellers tried to call me in to buy something.
It’s fine. Not a highlight, not a miss.
Walk The Siem Reap Riverbank
I stood on the bank longer than I stood at most of the temples nearby.
The Siem Reap River is not natural.
It is an artificial river built when the Khmer ruled from Angkor. It took over 1,000 years to develop its own ecosystem, and experts still debate whether it should even be called a river, which fascinated me.
The river starts in the Kulen Mountains and runs about 80 kilometres to Tonle Sap. It is not something I would tell you to go out of your way to see, but I do recommend a walk along the banks. I saw locals sitting around, skateboarding, and cycling, and I loved the calm vibe here.
Visit the Elephant Well and the Statue of Magawa, which I found along the way.
The fun part was walking through these bamboo archways with colourful pennants. I found these commonly along the river, which made me smile.
I recommend walking all the way from Fountain Dragons to the Exercise Area at the Royal Garden to see how locals and travellers appreciate the nature in the city.
Siem Reap Nightly Street Food Market
Because the Siem Reap River is one of the city’s best spots, this market ended up being one of my favourites.
The small plastic tables and seats reminded me of Vietnam, where you see the same setup.
I ate here for as little as 8,330 KHR ($2.00/€1.76/£1.50) per dish, with BBQ meats, rice, and vegetables that were as good as anything I tried in Southeast Asia.
The moment I reached the Fountain Dragons roundabout, I could smell the food from metres away. Strangely, some days were packed, and others had hardly anyone eating, and I still do not know why. You can also try coconut cakes, rice cakes, and shakes.
For me, it was the perfect place to eat and end my day in Siem Reap doing something that does not involve temples.
Before or after your meal, make sure to cross the Art Market Bridge and the Old Market Bridge. They are beautiful, especially when the river is very green.
Royal Independence Gardens
After walking along the river, I recommend seeing the Royal Independence Gardens.
The Cambodian royal family stay just opposite the gardens in the royal residence.
I will be honest, the royal residence itself was a little underwhelming. From the gate, it looks a bit run-down and nothing like the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, but I would not mind living there.
While the residence is closed to travellers, you are free to walk around the gardens and enjoy the green space.
I found loads of bats in the trees (I could hear them) when I visited and discovered this is why locals call it Bat Park. I also saw lots of locals playing badminton here, plus a few fellow tourists.
I visited around 05.00 PM, and there were not so many people around.
Make sure you see Ya Tep Shrine, which is close to the Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm Shrine.
It should take about 10 minutes walking from the Old Market to get here. Oh, and it’s free to walk around the gardens.
Honestly, all the attractions around the Royal Independence Gardens are easily worth visiting.
Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm Shrine
I’ve seen a lot of gold leaf and incense, but this still managed to feel different.
What I loved was the live music performed by locals, sitting on the floor with a pinpeat ensemble, a skor and a kong vong.
It stopped me in my tracks, and I stood with others listening because it was so attention-grabbing.
I gave a small donation, and it felt like an authentic cultural experience and a unique thing to do in Siem Reap.
The smell of incense was strong, and it added to the experience.
I did not spend much time here, maybe 30 minutes, to take in the music and the temple, and that was enough.
I went around 11.00 AM and had no issue with crowds.
Wat Preah Prom Rath
The detail up close of Wat Preah Prom Rath completely changes how you see it from a distance.
I visited around 11.00 AM, and the place was almost empty. Entry is free, but you will need to cover your shoulders and knees to show respect when visiting.
The coolest feature I found here was the naga statue, a multi-headed serpent and one of the most common figures at Khmer Buddhist temples. It was pitch black and carved beautifully.
The temple is around 500 years old, and the name translates to Temple of the Sacred Garland Monk. I later read the story behind it: a monk named Preah Prom Rath travelled by boat across the Tonle Sap to collect rice from Long Vek, then the capital of Cambodia. In one telling, his boat was attacked.
In another, it was made of iron, and he survived a pirate attack against the odds.
Inside, there is a large reclining Buddha made from a single piece of sandstone, and the grounds are decorated with beautiful animal statues.
I also saw statues of a man being attacked by vultures, as a Khmer Rouge memorial, which is shocking.
I would come back to this place any time I am in Siem Reap for its beauty.
Angkor National Museum
The Angkor National Museum was the perfect primer before visiting Angkor Wat.
If I am honest, I was expecting a boring museum that lacked excitement, and I could not have been more wrong.
When I visited, there was a school tour, and the kids were fascinated by us.
They all wanted to talk to us rather than see the museum, which I thought was funny. We got distracted by them at first, but later we got to see why the region of Siem Reap is so special.
The museum opened in 2007 and costs 62,500 KHR ($15.00/€13.16/£11.29) per person to enter.
The size blew me away.
There are eight themed galleries that take you through Khmer history in roughly chronological order, which I loved. My personal favourite was the Gallery of 1,000 Buddhas. Sadly, photography is not allowed, so I cannot share many pictures. I recommend getting the audio guide, which was genuinely insightful for each gallery.
This is the single most important thing to do in Siem Reap before you visit Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is easy to photograph and hard to actually capture.
This was my favourite place in all of Cambodia, including Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Koh Rong Samloem.
The temple was built in the early 12th century, around 1122 AD, under King Suryavarman II. When I walked up to the entrance and saw the temple gradually appear as the sun rose, there were hundreds of people around, but it was strangely quiet.
Other temples that left me speechless include Ta Prohm, Tomb Raider Temple, and Bayon Temple, the one with all the stone faces.
Visiting at sunrise made it extra special, but I would have loved to see sunset to compare.
I paid 258,330 KHR ($62.00/€54.41/£46.65) for a three-day ticket, and the tuk tuk from Siem Reap was extra.
My driver stopped at the Angkor Wat ticket office that morning. A one-day ticket costs 154,170 KHR ($37.00/€32.47/£27.84), and a seven-day ticket costs 300,000 KHR ($72.00/€63.19/£54.17).
Both are available.
The seven-day pass would have been ideal, but most people, including me, don’t have that much time for temples alone, so the three-day pass is the realistic sweet spot for most travellers.
Angkor Botanical Garden
Angkor Botanical Garden was genuinely one of my favourite places in Siem Reap.
Again, it is not a temple, but a large botanical garden full of colour, smells, and even monkeys.
When I visited, I held hands with a long-armed black gibbon while it was acclimatising before being released back into the wild. It was a special moment for me.
Another cool part was the large guitar platform sitting on a pool of water, plus ponds of orange fish you can feed and little hobbit-style doors. The garden opened in 2005 and, since May 2022, it covers 15 hectares.
There are five themed sections, including spice and medicinal plants, flower and grass gardens, a palm garden, a fruit and orchard area, and a forest and wildlife zone.
Entry is free, but you can make a donation.
I was there around 11.30 AM, and while there were a few people there, it was very relaxed and comfortable.
I was surprised by how much it felt like a zoo rather than a garden. If I am honest, it felt less pristine and more roughly maintained. However, that gave it character, and I really enjoyed my visit.
Places I Wish I Visited
I missed three attractions that I would visit on my first trip back to Siem Reap.
The Landmine Museum: about 25 kilometres north of Siem Reap. I should have paired it with other nearby stops. Powerful, but heavy. Entry fee is a donation and not a set price.
Tonlé Sap Floating Village: over an hour south of Siem Reap. The posts and videos online make it look like a great place to see a far-scattered community on the water. Book a tour here.
Phare Circus: a few moments’ drive from Pub Street. This can be a fun experience, and performances started in 2013. Tickets vary by seating area.
Where To Eat In Siem Reap
Honestly, the street stalls beat the sit-down restaurants in Siem Reap, but I need to mention a few places.
This place had great food. It felt a little strange when I walked in because it was a large room with no other people, and the staff seemed uninterested in us. But we still got good Korean food.
Siem Reap Nightly Street Food Market
The best food you can find in Siem Reap. Meat, veg, rice noodles, shakes, and other snacks for a couple of dollars.
Bunny Brew
Tasty papaya salad, and it was close to my hotel, which is how I found it.
Loads of great food right in the middle of Pub Street. Worth grabbing food when you are having a few drinks.
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Where To Stay In Siem Reap
If it is your first time visiting Siem Reap, stay in the city centre or the Riverside area.
That way you are close to Pub Street, markets, and restaurants, with plenty of tuk-tuk options for getting to Angkor Wat.
When I stayed in Siem Reap, I recommend Blossoming Romduol Boutique. I paid 69,670 KHR ($16.72/€14.67/£12.58) per night, which felt like a steal. I had a comfy, large room, a swimming pool with an outdoor jacuzzi, and a restaurant where I could work on my laptop if needed.
The staff were very helpful and arranged a tuk-tuk driver to Angkor Wat.
Budget
The Siem Reap Chilled Backpacker
Mid Range
Luxury
How To Get To Siem Reap
You can fly, take a bus, or book a private taxi to Siem Reap.
Siem Reap International Airport opened in 2023 and is about 45 kilometres from the city centre.
Bangkok, Hanoi, and Singapore all have flights into Siem Reap.
From the airport, the shuttle is usually the most affordable way to reach town, or you can book a private taxi or a shared minivan, the most popular for 59,910 KHR ($14.81/€13.00/£11.16) per person.
Using Giant Ibis transport, you can get a bus ticket from Phnom Penh that takes 6 hours and costs 73,730 KHR ($18.23/€16.00/£13.73).
You will need a visa to get to Cambodia.
I got mine at the border crossing from Vietnam. I needed to have a passport photo with me and the cash. It felt shady, and an official tried to bribe me, but I refused. You can get a 30-day single-entry visa on arrival costing 125,000 KHR ($30.00/€26.36/£22.58), including the processing fee.
I would recommend getting the e-visa to avoid any potential risk at the border.
It costs 150,000 KHR ($36.00/€31.63/£27.09). Along with the visa, you need to do the Cambodia e-arrival 7 days before, which is free.
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How Many Days To Spend In Siem Reap?
Three days is enough to see Siem Reap, including a visit to the Angkor Wat complex.
If you want more time at Angkor, which many travellers do, then five days or even nine days is better.
On temple days, I came back exhausted after leaving at 04.00 AM and returning late, so plan for some recovery time.
I stayed in Siem Reap for nine days, and a few of those were totally dedicated to work. You can shape your trip around that, but I would still allow at least three days for proper exploration.
How To Get Around In Siem Reap?
The best way to get around Siem Reap is on foot, by bicycle, tuk-tuk, or motorbike.
A tuk-tuk will cost anywhere from 4,170 to 12,500 KHR ($1.00 to $3.00/€0.88 to €2.63/£0.75 to £2.26) in the city, or up to 104,170 KHR ($25.00/€21.94/£18.81) for a full day trip to Angkor Wat.
You can rent a bike from as little as 8,330 to 20,830 KHR ($2.00 to $5.00/€1.76 to €4.39/£1.50 to £3.76) daily.
If you feel lazy, I recommend hiring an e-bike for 62,500 KHR ($15.00/€13.16/£11.29). It saved my body from so much pain in Laos. I found walking around the city a great option, and I saw plenty of people cycling past too.
Grab or PassApp are options, but they are more expensive and usually safer.
Money In Siem Reap
I mostly used USD in Cambodia, including in Siem Reap.
Of course, you can use local Cambodian riel too, but I found USD easier for some reason.
Make sure the bills are undamaged, clean, and crisp. When I was in Cambodia, someone rejected a damaged note on Koh Rong Samloem, so check your cash when you get it.
There are loads of ATMs in Siem Reap, and you can also withdraw at the airport, but the airport is usually more expensive. Bringing some cash with you is a good option if you have a safe fanny pack and want to avoid using ATMs altogether.
Sometimes I was charged between 16,670 and 41,670 KHR ($4.00 to $10.00/€3.51 to €8.78/£3.01 to £7.53) for a transaction, which felt high.
Conclusion
I thought Siem Reap would feel like a bad version of Phnom Penh, with only temples nearby, but I was so wrong.
There are loads of unique things to do in Siem Reap, which is why I think people should stay for more than a couple of days.
Sure, Angkor Wat gets all the glory, and rightly so, but there is more to Siem Reap than the temples. You can find great food that’s on par with Phnom Penh. You can have party time on Pub Street, and you can enjoy nature along the Siem Reap River.
If you liked this post and will visit Cambodia, I have a guide about the best things to do in Phnom Penh.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
What Is There To Do In Siem Reap Besides Angkor Wat?
Besides Angkor Wat, you can explore the Angkor Museum, Pub Street, walk along the river, eat great street food, and visit the Royal Independence Gardens. There is much more to do in Siem Reap than travellers think, and many regret not spending longer in the city.
What To Be Careful Of In Siem Reap?
Watch out for beggars pretending to need help, as some will pickpocket you. They are often around markets and tourist sites. Official guards at Angkor Wat offered to take my picture, then asked for money, so be aware.
What Should I Do In Siem Reap?
You should see Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples, visit Tonle Sap Lake, see the Angkor Museum, and eat the best street food in Cambodia. Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm were some of my favourites.
