What to see in Siem Reap in Cambodia

Situated in northern Cambodia, Siem Reap is a fantastic city brimming with unforgettable experiences, picturesque nature, welcoming people and lots of activities.

Siem Reap is often associated with the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex. And while the golden wonder is a must-see when visiting Siem Reap, the city and area around it have so much more to offer.

We’ve put together 8 memorable, fun and exciting sights that you can experience on your tour in Siem Reap.

Cool off in the waterfall at Phnom Kulen Mountain

Phnom Kulen Mountain is located in Kulen National Park around a 2-hour drive from Siem Reap. The national park is packed with unique nature experiences you’ll never forget.

The mountain is considered the holiest mountain in Cambodia, and locals flock to the area at the weekend to pray, stroll in the jungle or enjoy a picnic.

The national park’s main attraction is the breathtaking and cascading waterfall on top of the Kulen Mountain. You can swim here or relax in one of the hammocks in the shade while enjoying a drink from one of the small stalls around the waterfall.

When you’re in the national park, be sure to head past the incredible Preah Ang Thom Pagoda to see the large, golden reclining Buddha.

Visit Siem Reap’s many markets

In Siem Reap, you will find a whole host of exciting markets where you can explore the local food, Cambodian fashion, find the perfect souvenir or gain an insight into local life.

Some of the most characteristic and popular markets are the Angkor Night Market, The Old Market (Phsar Chas) and The Upper Market (Phsar Leu).

• Angkor Night Market consists of lots of bamboo stalls, and the market exudes a cosy atmosphere. In the stalls, you’ll be presented with everything you can imagine and more, including an array of handicrafts made by locals.
•  The Old Market is situated in the heart of Siem Reap and sells everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, colourful lacquer bowls and fragrant spices to silk fabrics and wooden items made from coconuts. You’ll also see locals shopping there, and it’s not unusual for the city’s chefs from fine restaurants to buy their ingredients at The Old Market.
• Siem Reap’s largest and perhaps most authentic market is The Upper Market. Among other things, you’ll find fresh meat hanging from hooks from the ceiling and freshly caught fish on ice, which the locals try hard to get the best deal on. In addition to food, the market also offers electronic goods, hairdressers, souvenirs and home accessories. Prices are lower at this market, but not a lot of English is spoken here.

Immerse yourself in Siem Reap’s village life

A visit to a village is a completely unique way to gain an insight into the lives of the locals.

Experience the authentic atmosphere and the welcoming people, both on land and on the water. Visit, for example, a Khmer village just outside Siem Reap, or take the wet option and sail around a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake.

Both visits give you an insightful understanding of what it’s like to be a local in Cambodia.

A visit to a village gives you the opportunity to participate in the everyday life of families – you might help the family with their daily chores such as harvesting, or perhaps you’ll help them with the craft that they make a living from producing and selling.

If you choose to experience a floating village, you’ll be greeted by everything from colourful and rustic floating houses, locals who sail around to each other and restaurants on the water to floating schools, where the local children go about their everyday life.

Learn how to do pottery

Pottery was once one of the most common art forms used to express oneself in Cambodia.

Today, there are several places in and around Siem Reap where you can sign up for a pottery course and let your creative abilities unfold while being guided in the techniques and methods.

The locals will show you how to throw the wet clay on a pottery wheel to create beautiful creations. The locals will often show you how to carve patterns into your pottery to make it completely unique.

Your work of art will be fired, so you can take it with you immediately, and your work will be an everlasting memory of an educational and exciting experience.

Spend a culinary day in a Cambodian kitchen

What better way to get to know a country than through your stomach?

There are lots of cooking schools and cookery courses to choose from in and around Siem Reap.

Choose, for example, a half-day excursion to a cooking school on an organic farm.

On an organic farm, you get the opportunity to experience the ingredients being purchased at the same time that you yourself harvest and gather some of the delicious fresh vegetables, which you’ll use later for the day’s culinary pursuits.

A skilled chef will guide you, and you’ll learn about traditional Cambodian food culture. Finally, you’ll enjoy the food you’ve cooked yourself, and you’re guaranteed to return home a wonderful, authentic experience the richer.

Be captivated by Cambodia’s Landmine Museum

About 28 kilometres from central Siem Reap is one of Cambodia’s most influential museums.

Although it has been decades since the Vietnam War and the Khmer Rouge regime ravaged the country, Cambodia, and its landscapes in particular, are still marked by its harsh past. Millions of landmines still lie hidden in the scenic Cambodian countryside to this day, to the great danger of the Cambodian people.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history at Cambodia’s Landmine Museum and learn about the landmines, where they came from, how they work and their presence and impact in Cambodia today.

In addition to learning about the history, you’ll also have the opportunity to see detonated landmines. Overall, the experience gives you an enormous respect and understanding for the locals and how the remnants of the wars affect the Cambodians’ everyday lives.

Let your hair down on Pub Street

Flashing neon lights, eager food vendors, drinks in buckets and lots of music are just some of the things that characterise the colourful Pub Street.

After an eventful day of learning about Siem Reap’s incredible history and fantastic culture, it can be nice to switch off a little to process it all. And that’s precisely what you can do on Pub Street, which stands in contrast to some of Siem Reap’s other activities.

The narrow, lively street offers cheap beer and various food stalls. You’re pretty much guaranteed a fun time or to be entertained when relaxing with a drink at one of the many outdoor bars while watching the nightlife unfold around you.

Combine your visit to Pub Street with a culinary experience at the Cambodian street kitchen.

Enjoy the sunset on a gondola ride

It doesn’t get much more relaxing than watching the sun set with some cool refreshment in your hand after a day of exploring Siem Reap.

With a gondola ride around the wide moat that surrounds Angkor Thom, you get to end your day in a beautiful, breathtaking and romantic way, enjoying the lush, green vegetation that adorns the riverbanks.

The gondolas you sail in are unique, traditional Khmer boats that give you an authentic, historical and memorable experience while you relax and are captivated by the beautiful scenery around the beautiful temple.

Please note that we generally recommend that you research and book tours from home to avoid the risk of your selected activities being sold out when you get here.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller