Top 10 best things to do in Siem Reap

What to Do in Siem Reap

TOP 10 BEST ACTIVITIES


1. Spend at Least a Day Exploring the Temple

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. Spend at least a day getting lost amongst the giants. I recommend saving Angkor Wat for sunset and touring Bayon, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prom during the day. Don’t forget to buy your ticket before entering the Angkor complex, the ticket booth is in the opposite direction of the temples.

2. Visit a Floating Village on the Tonle Sap 

There is a lot to be said about cultural tourism, and making sure you are having a positive impact while visiting a village or cultural minority site is extremely important. If you would like to visit a floating village, which I highly recommend you do, I would urge you to do some in-depth research to chose which organization to support. Personally, I trust Osmose when it comes to ensuring fair and sustainable distribution of costs, and their tour of the Prek Toal Reserve is both informative and engaging. Your participation in their project also funds their Bird Sanctuary Protection Program. Find more information on their website: https://osmosetonlesap.net/wp/index.php/en/eco-tours-uk/. 

3. Get a Massage at my Favorite Spa

I have a few favorite spas in Siem Reap, with ranging prices, but my number one go-to will always be Bodia. It is pricer than most, but compared with Western prices, you are still getting an amazing deal and the service and facility well exceed their pricing. This spa is definitely a space of physical, mental and spiritual healing with dim lighting and an overall spell-bounding atmosphere. My second favorite is Kaya Spa, another great place to relax and get one of the best massages in town. I would even recommend Kaya over Bodia if you are going exclusively for a massage. Lastly, Lemongrass Garden is another of my favorites. Slightly more affordable, this spa offers great treatments at a great value. 

4. Eat a bug meal at the Bugs Café

If you want to eat bugs, don’t do it on Pub Street! The sellers on Pub Street provide no guarantee on the sourcing of the insects and snakes they sell, and buying from them will only encourage the flourishing of new, unregulated wildlife markets. Instead, find your way to Bugs Cafe, a fun restaurant in the heart of Siem Reap focusing on this modern, ecological and low impact nutrition source: insects! Insects are a fantastic source of protein and could be one of the solutions to feeding our growing population. I personally recommend the spiders.

5. Visit the Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop 

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 them to get information.

6. Explore the Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre

A heaven of peace and tranquility in the chaos of Siem Reap. The Banteay Srey Butterfly Center is an absolute paradise for butterfly lovers! The exhibit consists of a netted tropical garden with thousands of free-flying butterflies, all of which are native species to Cambodia. The revenue generated by the admission—which is $6 per person, supports various conservation projects in the region. 

7. Check out the Old Market and the Made in Cambodia Market

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. On the other hand, 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!

8. Eat at the Best Restaurant in Siem Reap

Follow my foodies’ guide to Siem Reap and uncover all the culinary secrets this city has to offer. Having traveled to a lot of South East Asian cities, Siem Reap is one that has particularly great and diverse food options. Follow this link for more information: The Best Food in Siem Reap, where to eat & when!

9. Visit the Angkor Center for Conservation of Biodiversity 

The Angkor Center for Conservation of Biodiversity has a very special place in my heart. In 2018, I spent two months living there and volunteering as a photographer and videographer. A wildlife rehabilitation, breeding center, and conservation center, the Angkor Center for Conservation of Biodiversity is a great place to learn about and see the endangered wildlife of Cambodia. Watch gibbons plays in the high trees and meet Franky, the most comical sarus crane in the world. 

 10. Wander Pub Street 

Pub Street is a world of its own! Wander around, soak into the Cambodian nightlife by dancing the night away at Angkor What, or simply grab a one-dollar draft beer at one of the many bars along the avenue and do some people watching.