Siem Reap is undoubtedly one of Cambodia’s most fascinating destinations, and if you’re planning a trip here, you’re not alone. This city draws travellers from all over the world. From the infamous temples of Angkor Wat to busy markets, thrilling adventures, and unique experiences, there’s no shortage of places to visit in Siem Reap.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the most interesting places in Siem Reap that will make your trip unforgettable. Whether you’re here to explore ancient history, enjoy cultural performances, or simply relax, we’ve got you covered. By the end of this read, you’ll have a clear plan for the best activities and experiences.
Get ready to discover the iconic temples, museums, wildlife sanctuaries, thriving streets, night markets, and even a cosy cat café!
Angkor Wat Archaeological Park
The Angkor Wat Archaeological Park is enormous, covering more than 400 acres and home to thousands of temples. It stands as Cambodia’s greatest attraction.
The three important temples of the archaeological park are the infamous Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and the Bayon Temple.
- Angkor Wat: Angkor Wat is a Hindu-Buddhist temple built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II. Its impressive design created stone towers that have weathered over time, leaving behind stunning and iconic silhouettes. The temple is also a highlighted symbol on Cambodia’s national flag!
- Ta Prohm: This temple is famous for two main reasons: its unique appearance, where massive trees and roots seem to be swallowing the temple, giving it the look of a jungle taking over, and its spotlight in Angelina Jolie’s 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, which made it even more iconic.
- Bayon Temple: A multi-tiered structure with 54 towers, each with several carved faces, adding up to 216 in total. Visitors often refer to it as the “temple of mysterious faces” because even today, experts aren’t sure of the true identity of those faces. It could be Buddha, Brahma, or King Suryavarman II himself!
Exploring on foot is possible, but the intense Cambodian heat makes bicycles, tuk-tuks, or cars more convenient
Since one day is nowhere near enough to take in the vast temple grounds, the Cambodian government provides multi-day entry passes, called the ‘Temple Pass’.
Note: Tickets can be purchased either at the temple entrance or online through Angkor Enterprise, the official government portal. Any tickets bought from other websites will not be valid.
- Timings: 5:00 am to 5:30 pm
- Cost: 1 Day – ₹3283 / 3 Days – ₹5501 / 7 Days – ₹6389 (Free for kids below the age of 12)
Angkor National Museum
This museum showcases the rich history of the Khmer kingdom, highlighting their architecture, religion, and traditional attire. Inside, you’ll find statues of Hindu deities and an extraordinary portrayal of the Buddha.
Its most renowned section is the “1000 Buddha Gallery”, which displays countless Buddha statues in different poses, each accompanied by explanations of their symbolic meanings. These pieces have been collected not only from across Asia but also from parts of Africa, making the gallery a true cultural treasure.
Visitors can explore multimedia displays, films, and thousands of artefacts, statues, carvings, jewellery, and relics from Angkor.
Note: Make sure to stop here before exploring the temples of Angkor Wat, as it will give you a deeper understanding of their history.
- Timings: 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
- Cost: Adult – ₹1054 + ₹443 (Optional audio guides in eight languages), Child (6-11 years) – ₹527 + ₹439
Apsara Theater
Apsara Theater is an art academy and an interesting place in Siem Reap that has around 30 artists. They are experts in the art of the apsara dance, including the classical, folk, and the Reamker versions. This show will display Khmer dance, along with a traditional dinner (vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and vegan).
- Fishermen’s Dance: A playful dance about young men and women by the river. It shows a cheeky boy trying to get the attention of a reserved and hesitant girl.
- Apsara Ballet: The most famous Khmer classical dance. Inspired by the carved dancers on the ancient walls of Angkor Wat. The celestial dancers were half-woman and half-goddess, performing an elegant dance.
- Legend of the Reamker: A dramatic piece taken from the Khmer Ramayana. It shows the battle between Prince Rama’s army of white monkeys and the demon king Ravana, symbolising good over evil.
- Coconut Dance: A lively folk dance from southern Cambodia. Performers rhythmically clap coconuts together, creating beats and joy. It’s fun and energetic and represents everyday happiness.
- Mekhala’s Dance: A mythical dance showing the goddess of lightning (Mekhala) battling the demon of darkness. Their fight symbolises rain, storms, and the eternal victory of light over dark.
- Timings: Show – 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Dinner – 7:30 pm
- Cost: Starts from ₹2927
Phare Circus
Phare Circus is run by insanely talented artists who are the graduates of Phare Ponleu Selpak, an NGO art school in Battambang. It was founded in 1994 by nine men returning from the Khmer Rouge. So, they built a school to provide free education and, over time, started teaching art, music, theatre, and eventually circus.
It is more than just a circus, combining acrobatics, magic tricks, dance, live music, and live painting to tell a story! And the circus show pays the school and the artists, and that’s why it is referred to as the ‘circus with a purpose’.
Phare Circus on Google has a rating of 4.8 stars, with visitors praising the artists for their skills and talents. Definitely a circus worth visiting in Siem Reap.
The circus has performed worldwide at venues like New York’s New Victory Theatre, Sydney Festival, and Montreal’s La Tohu, earning praise and a Guinness World Record for the longest circus show.
Each show lasts about an hour, with a chance to meet and take pictures with the artists after the show.
- Timings: 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Reach at 7:00 pm to watch a pre-show dance)
- Cost: Starts at ₹886 for kids, ₹1596 for adults
Kulen Elephant Forest
An ethical elephant camp in Siem Reap now serves as a retirement home for elephants that once gave rides at Angkor Wat.
Years of hard work, and they now roam freely across 1,100 acres, with excellent care and conservation. Today, they roam freely in this ethical sanctuary, a haven where they are never chained or put to work.
They have 10 elephants, each with its own name, such as Chi Mean, Kham Song, and I Block.
Kulen Elephant Sanctuary allows you to assist the staff in preparing food for the elephants, feeding them, walking with them, observing them bathe, and watching them in their natural habitat.
- Timings: Morning batch: 8:00 am to 11:30 pm, Evening batch: 12 pm to 5:30 pm
- Cost: ₹8874/person
APOPO (Rats) Visitor Center
APOPO is an NGO training centre that trains African Giant Pouched rats to sniff out landmines, as Cambodia is one of the most landmine-affected countries.
Cambodia has around 4-6 million landmines scattered across the country. These explosives were laid out during the Vietnam War and US during the US-Vietnamese War, by the Khmer Rouge, and by the Cambodian government as a border defence. Even decades later, some explosives remain active.
APOPO sources the rats from Tanzania to work on three main missions:
- Turn Cambodia into a landmine-free country.
- Rats are also trained to find out trafficked wildlife products such as elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn at international ports.
- And detect traces of tuberculosis in samples from Tanzania and Ethiopia.
When a rat is trained and passes all the tests, it earns the prestigious award of heroRAT.
However, not just rats but APOPO also trains dogs that are brought in from all across Europe to work on these missions. And of course, once they pass the tests, they are given the title of heroDOG.
Apopo offers a tour explaining their mission and training process, where you can meet and even hold these adorable rats for around 45 minutes. Kids and adults love this tour alike, making it one of the best places to visit in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
- Timings: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (Last tour at 4:30 pm)
- Cost: ₹887/person (Free for kids under 10)
Quad Adventures
Quad Adventures is a private company that offers thrilling ATV adventures on the outskirts of Siem Reap.
They provide a bunch of packages that can be chosen to fit every tourist’s preferences regarding the experiences, cost, and time duration. Tours range from 1-hour to full-day adventures, catering to beginners and experienced riders.
You will be picked up by a Quad Adventure staff member from your hotel and taken to their HQ. Once you are settled, you’ll receive a quick briefing about the day and the controls of the dirt bike. Also, they’ll give you a helmet and a mask, given the dusty conditions during the ride.
Once you’re comfortable and confident on your ATV, the adventure begins!
You’ll ride through the picturesque countryside of Siem Reap, passing lush rice fields, local villages, and temples. Some packages even include stops at a crocodile farm and the refreshing Kulen Waterfall if you choose the Kulen Mountain option.
- Timings: Various packages
- Cost: ₹2,839 to ₹21,298 (depending on the package you choose).
Pub Street
Much like the party districts you find in other popular tourist spots, Pub Street in Siem Reap is lined with bars, restaurants, and pubs. This once quiet residential street has transformed into a nightlife hub, providing work for hundreds of locals while entertaining visitors from around the world.
Today, it’s more than just a street; it’s officially known as Street 8 and has grown into a full-fledged entertainment area. When the sun sets, the atmosphere comes alive with music, street food vendors, and souvenir stalls, a perfect place for an evening of fun.
Take a walk through the area and pick a bar that matches your mood. If you’re looking for suggestions, Bar 43, Temple Sky, and Asana Old Wooden House.
Tip: Make sure to sample Angkor Beer, Cambodia’s popular lager, while you’re there!
Siem Reap Night Market
Right across the pub street is Siem Reap’s night market. It’s also called the art center because the market has a collection of paintings, stone-carved statues, and other artistry items.
As you enter, you’ll first cross the Mekong River via a charming bridge designed in traditional Khmer style. Complete with Chofah roof decorations outlined in glowing neon lights, it’s a perfect spot for photos.
Venturing deeper into the market, rows of shops appear selling jewellery, traditional textiles, souvenirs, and even a small massage corner. Other than things to buy, there is also food to eat. The highlight of this market is their insect snacks, ranging from snacks to scorpions to other bugs.
But don’t worry, if you don’t feel too adventurous, other options like fried rice, mango salads, and Khmer-style soup can be found.
Timings: 4 pm to 11 pm (Closed on Sundays)
Coco Cat Cafe
Countries like Thailand, South Korea, and Japan are famous for their cat cafés, but did you know that even Cambodia has a few? Coco Cat Cafe is one of them and the only one in Siem Reap!
This cosy spot, located just a short walk from Pub Street, is home to around 15 adorable cats. Visitors can meet a variety of breeds, including the Hairless Sphinx, Ragdoll, and British Shorthair. Tourists come here to spend quality time with the furry residents, enjoying a day of cuddles, play, and treats.
- Timings: 9 am to 8 pm
- Cost: ₹488 (For playing with the cats + complimentary coffee), ₹87 – ₹177 (For cat treats)
Conclusion
With this guide, you now have a roadmap to the best places to visit in Siem Reap and ideas for making the most of your trip. Whether you’re here for a short getaway or a longer adventure, these experiences will leave you satisfied with your holiday experience.
Still confused about the trip? Don’t hesitate to contact ‘Dimaak Tours’ and we will figure out the travel plan, your visa, transportation, and everything else!
Frequently Asked Questions About Places to Visit in Siem Reap
How many days in Siem Reap are enough?
Typically, 2-3 days are enough if you just want to see the highlights of Angkor Wat and shop at any market. However, if you want to venture deeper into Angkor Wat and see other things like the museum, circus, dance show, and pub street, then you’d need 5 days.
So, depending on your travel style and preference, anywhere between 3-6 days is good.
Which month is best to go to Siem Reap?
November to January offers pleasant weather for exploring Angkor Wat and Siem Reap. The downside is the crowds, though if you enjoy lively streets, this is the perfect time to visit
What to wear to Angkor Wat?
Wear clothing that covers your shoulders, back, and knees. Avoid sleeveless tops and shorts.
