10 Best Things to Do in Siem Reap

Looking for what to do in Siem Reap? This small Cambodian city is the gateway to the temples of Angkor, but it’s much more than just a base for sunrise at Angkor Wat. Siem Reap blends leafy streets, riverside promenades, markets, cafés and a growing creative scene with easy access to rice fields, villages and the Tonlé Sap Lake.

From days exploring ancient Khmer temples to evenings at night markets, cooking classes, floating villages and countryside rides, you can fill several days without ever getting bored. Here are the 10 best things to do in Siem Reap to help you plan your trip.

1. Watch Sunrise at Angkor Wat

No visit to Siem Reap is complete without seeing Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and the centerpiece of the Angkor complex. Built in the 12th century, its towers, galleries and bas-reliefs are masterpieces of Khmer architecture and symbolism.

Many visitors choose to see Angkor Wat at sunrise, when the temple’s silhouette reflects in the lotus ponds in front. It’s popular and can be crowded, but watching the sky gradually brighten behind the towers is still an unforgettable experience. After sunrise, head inside to explore the galleries and carvings in more detail.

2. Explore the Temples of Angkor Thom and the Bayon

Angkor Thom, the former capital city of the Khmer Empire, lies just north of Angkor Wat and is enclosed by massive walls and gates topped with serene stone faces. Inside, the Bayon temple stands at the center, famous for its towers covered with carved faces gazing in all directions.

Walk through Bayon’s narrow corridors and upper terraces to see the faces up close, then continue to other structures in Angkor Thom such as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Combining these sites with Angkor Wat gives you a broader sense of the empire’s scale and artistry.

3. Walk Through the Jungle Ruins of Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm is one of Angkor’s most atmospheric temples, left in a semi-ruined state with tree roots twisting over walls and courtyards. Strangler figs and kapok trees grow through stonework, creating a striking contrast between nature and architecture.

As you wander its corridors and courtyards, you’ll find collapsed galleries, moss-covered carvings and quiet corners where the jungle feels close. Arriving early or later in the afternoon helps you avoid the biggest crowds and makes it easier to appreciate the details.

4. Visit Lesser-Known Temples and the Countryside

Beyond the headline sites, many smaller temples and outlying ruins reward slower exploration. Places like Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som and Banteay Kdei offer quieter experiences, with long causeways, moats and intricate carvings at a more relaxed pace.

Further afield, you can visit Banteay Srei, known for its pink sandstone and finely detailed reliefs, or combine temple visits with trips through rural landscapes of rice fields, palm trees and villages. Hiring a tuk-tuk or bicycle gives you flexibility to stop for photos and short walks along the way.

5. Take a Boat Trip to the Floating Villages on Tonlé Sap

South of Siem Reap, the vast Tonlé Sap Lake hosts floating and stilted villages that adapt to dramatic seasonal changes in water level. Boat trips from nearby embarkation points take you along channels and out onto open water to see houses, schools, markets and fishing boats built above or on the lake.

Choose operators that work respectfully with local communities and avoid the most heavily commercialized experiences. Visiting around sunset can be particularly beautiful, with golden light over the water and silhouettes of boats and houses against the sky.

6. Stroll the Siem Reap River and Old French Quarter

Back in town, the Siem Reap River runs through the city, shaded by trees and crossed by small bridges. Walking along the riverbanks in the late afternoon or evening reveals a quieter side of the city, with locals exercising, chatting and fishing.

Nearby streets in the old French Quarter feature colonial-era buildings, temples and shophouses that now host cafés, boutiques, galleries and small hotels. Exploring these areas on foot lets you see everyday life beyond the main nightlife strip.

7. Browse Night Markets and Pub Street Area

In the evening, Siem Reap’s central streets come alive with markets, restaurants and bars. The area around Pub Street and its surrounding alleys is the busiest, with everything from simple noodle stalls and ice cream stands to cocktail bars and live music venues.

Night markets nearby sell clothes, handicrafts, souvenirs and artworks at stalls lit by colorful lamps. Even if you’re not looking for nightlife, it’s worth wandering through to soak up the atmosphere, sample street snacks and pick up small gifts.

8. Taste Cambodian Cuisine and Take a Cooking Class

Siem Reap is an excellent place to discover Cambodian (Khmer) food. Restaurants, cafés and social enterprise eateries serve dishes like amok (curry steamed in banana leaves), lok lak (stir-fried beef), fresh spring rolls, grilled fish and a variety of soups and salads.

Cooking classes typically start with a market visit to learn about local ingredients, followed by hands-on preparation of several dishes in a countryside or town kitchen. You’ll finish by eating your creations and taking home recipes so you can recreate Cambodian flavors later.

9. Explore Siem Reap’s Cafés, Galleries and Craft Workshops

Beyond temples and nightlife, Siem Reap has a growing creative and café scene. Independent coffee shops, bakeries and smoothie bars dot the city, often supporting local producers and social projects.

Galleries and craft workshops showcase traditional and contemporary Cambodian art, from sculpture and painting to silk weaving and lacquer work. Visiting these spaces gives you insight into how artisans and artists are preserving and evolving cultural traditions in the post-conflict era.

10. Cycle or Quad-Bike Through the Countryside

Just beyond the city limits, dirt tracks and small roads lead through rice paddies, lotus ponds and villages where life follows a slower rhythm. Bicycles, e-bikes and quad bikes are all popular ways to explore the surrounding countryside.

Guided tours often combine visits to local markets, temples, workshops and sunset viewpoints over the fields. Riding through these landscapes—waving to children, dodging chickens and stopping for photos—offers a grounded perspective that balances the grandeur of Angkor’s stone monuments.