Itinerary for Siem Reap

What to do in Siem Reap

Siem Reap is famously home to Angkor Wat and a collection of other awe-inspiring ancient temples, but Siem Reap is also a place of great food, amazing spas, and dedicated non-profit organizations worth visiting. Having lived there over eight months, I know my way in and out of the city and I have compiled especially for you this 3 days itinerary of all my favorite highlights! From animal conservation centers to the best restaurants in Siem Reap, I have you covered for an unforgettable and wholesome experience with this itinerary for Siem Reap!

Itinerary for Siem Reap // DAY 1

WHAT TO DO IN SIEM REAP

This is your first day in Siem Reap and instead of rushing out to the temples and taking a deep dive into history, I would rather recommend you soak in the flavors of Cambodian modernity and spend the day in and around the city.

Enjoy a delicious brunch at one of my favorite brunch spots in Siem Reap. Check out this article to learn more about my favorite food options in Siem Reap: The Best Food in Siem Reap, where to eat & when!

The Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop is a hidden gem in Siem Reap. There, you can discover the manufacturing of handmade soaps, cosmetics, and candles. Using locals spices and products, the workshop is also a great place to get immersed in some traditional practices such as palm weaving. The insider tip: visit the workshop to get a 10% discount on all their products. To get a free tuk-tuk and visit the workshop, head directly to their in-town shop, or simply email at sda-shop@senteursdangkor.com to get information.

Book a cooking class or a pottery class! The Khmer ceramic fine arts center offers some great classes and showcases some beautiful Cambodian culture-inspired ceramics.

If you’re feeling like a coffee break, grab a tuk-tuk and make your way to Bang Bang Bakery, one of my favorite coffee spots in town! Bang Bang offers a wide range of baked goods, including gluten-free options, and is absolutely home to the best bagels in Cambodia.

Visiting the Old Market is an absolute must-do, and although I would not buy any of the manufactured souvenirs there, it is a great place to get immersed in the market culture, which is very strong in this part of the world. The Old Market, “Psar Chaa”, that is right in the heart of time is the original one, and I would recommend paying a visit to that one. Their food section is fascinating and very lively! Head to the fruit section and buy dragon fruit and mangosteens at the local prices.

End your day at one of my favorite places in all of Siem Reap: The Phare Circus. As much as recommending a circus show may sound strange, Phare blends art, music, and gymnastic to give a unique insight into the modern Cambodian society. This project grew out of a Cambodian non-profit founded by ex-refugee artists and each sale supports free education, professional art training, and social support programs.

Itinerary for Siem Reap // DAY 2

TEMPLE DAY

Today is the day! Today, you are off to see the mesmerizing Angkor temples. In my opinion, this one of the few places I wish every human on this planet could experience at least once in their lifetime. These large alternatively Buddhist and Hindi temples are some of the most incredible structures I have ever seen and as you can imagine, they draw a very large crowd of tourists every day.

The temples usually get most crowded at sunrise and sunset, and unless you really feel like waking up early, I would actually recommend skipping the whole Angkor wat sunrise experience and instead get a nice and hearty breakfast in town before heading to the temples for the rest of the day.

Favorite breakfast places: Footprints, Sister Srey, and New Leaf Eatery

As to whether or not you would like to hire a guide, this is obviously up to you, but I will say the history is quite fascinating, and hiring a guide for the day is a great way to both support the local economy as well as interact with locals directly. The accredited Angkor guides are immensely knowledgable and usually fluent in many languages. If you would rather explore on your own, you can hire any tuk-tuk in town and they will take you around the different temples for a day rate of about $30.

In terms of which temple to visit and in which order, here are my personal recommendations: sunrise at Angkor Wat is definite must do and I would actually save that temple for last, I would absolutely check out Bayon, my favorite, and also Angkor Thom, and Ta Prom. Nestled in the jungle, these temples make the perfect setting for a spontaneous photo shoot, so don’t forget your camera and hit the road!

After a long day of running around from temple to temple, I would recommend unwinding at one of my favorite two bars and restaurants: Miss Wongs and Soul Kitchen. If you still have it in you to shop around, the Made in Cambodia Market is a great alternative to the chaotic, imported-goods night markets around town. This market showcases some of the best handmade items Cambodia has to offer!

For dinner: Head to Khmer 652 for some authentic affordable and delicious Cambodian flavors! The restaurant prides itself on using fresh, organic, and local ingredients. Don’t forget to visit GelatoLab for the best gelato in town.

Itinerary for Siem Reap // DAY 3

NATURE & SPA DAY

Today is a day for doing good and feeling good: the best of both worlds! Start off with breakfast at one of the best cafes in town: Little Red Fox and Vibe are absolutely up there on my list and make sure to check them out if you get the chance.

Now, it’s time for you to make a decision: two options.

Option 1: Outdoor Escape on the Kulen Nature Trails & Waterfall

For an active and jungle-filled day, hail a tuk-tuk and ask him to take you to the Kulen Nature Trails. These rainforests trails offer hidden gems such as monasteries, rushing waterfall, and lush jungle walks. You can absolutely swim in the waterfall but please but culturally mindful and do so in pants and a shoulder-covering t-shirt. You can always bring a set of clothes to change into afterward, although I guarantee it will not take long for you to dry in the Cambodian heat.

Option 2: A Dip into the Cambodian Biodiversity

If you are an animal lover, this one is for you! Get respectfully and ethically up close and personal with gibbons, butterflies, cranes, and other incredible species of the Cambodian fauna by visiting the Angkor Center for Conservation of Biodiversity as well as the Banteay Srei Butterfly Center. These two organizations are little ways out of town but the drive is gorgeous and it will give you a glimpse of the rural lifestyle of Cambodia. You can go by tuk-tuk and the price should not exceed $35. Both centers focus on preserving the wildlife of Cambodia by means of breeding efforts, conservation, and in the case of the biodiversity center, rehabilitation. Visit both for an in-depth insight into the fragile and threatened Cambodian fauna.

Last but not least, treat yourself but indulging in some of the best spa experiences I have had in South East Asia and make your way to either of my favorite spas in Siem Reap: Kaya and Bodia. These two spas are a bit pricier than the city’s average but the extra dollars go a very long way. If you are looking for something a bit more affordable, check out Lemongrass, another great option in the heart of Siem Reap.