Siem Reap Cambodia
Things to do in Siem Reap
By Tripsapien Research / Updated May 20, 2026
Siem Reap is the Cambodian base for Angkor Archaeological Park, with the Siem Reap River, Old Market, Pub Street, Wat Bo, and Kandal Village forming the city map after temple hours. The city itself adds Khmer performance, Angkor National Museum, craft workshops, and Tonle Sap village access, so a good route alternates Angkor mornings with Old Market, Wat Bo, and river evenings.
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About Siem Reap
City overview
Siem Reap is the Cambodian base for Angkor Archaeological Park, with the Siem Reap River, Old Market, Pub Street, Wat Bo, and Kandal Village forming the city map after temple hours. The city itself adds Khmer performance, Angkor National Museum, craft workshops, and Tonle Sap village access, so a good route alternates Angkor mornings with Old Market, Wat Bo, and river evenings.
Food & drink
Siem Reap food is gentler than Thai spice but still specific: fish amok is a coconut-curry custard often steamed in banana leaves, bai sach chrouk is grilled pork over rice, and num banh chok is rice noodles with herb-rich fish gravy. Old Market stalls, Wat Bo Road restaurants, Pub Street kitchens, Road 60 vendors, and Sombai workshops add beef lok lak, kuy teav, Khmer curry, palm-sugar sweets, and green mango salad.
Top sights
Ranked for suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Angkor Wat
- 2Angkor Thom and Bayon
- 3Ta Prohm
- 4Angkor National Museum
- 5Phare, The Cambodian Circus
- 6Old Market and Pub Street
- 7Wat Bo
- 8War Museum Cambodia
- 9APOPO Visitor Center
- 10Artisans Angkor
1Angkor Wat
4.8★ · 43,054The 12th-century temple built under Suryavarman II is the Angkor headline, with sunrise views across the moat, long bas-relief galleries, and the central towers north of Siem Reap.
Wikipedia
2Angkor Thom and Bayon
4.8★ · 14,480Jayavarman VII walled capital holds Bayon face towers, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants, and gates reached on the main Angkor loop.
3Ta Prohm
4.8★ · 14,105The late-12th-century monastery is left with large trees growing through stone corridors and courtyards. It pairs naturally with Angkor Thom on a tuk-tuk circuit.
Wikipedia
Show 7 more sights
- 4Angkor National Museum
- 5Phare, The Cambodian Circus
- 6Old Market and Pub Street
- 7Wat Bo
- 8War Museum Cambodia
- 9APOPO Visitor Center
- 10Artisans Angkor
Neighborhoods
1Old Market and Pub Street
This is the busiest visitor core, with Psar Chaa, Pub Street, night-market lanes, bars, souvenir stalls, and tuk-tuk queues beside the river.
2Wat Bo Village
Wat Bo is calmer and restaurant-heavy, with the pagoda, small hotels, cafes, guesthouses, and local streets east of the Siem Reap River.
3Kandal Village
Kandal Village is compact and design-minded, with coffee shops, boutiques, Common Grounds, galleries, and walkable lanes north of the Old Market.
4Taphul Road
Taphul Road is practical and guesthouse-oriented, with budget hotels, laundries, travel desks, small restaurants, and easy airport-road access.
5Sok San Road
Sok San Road runs west from the Old Market area, mixing hostels, massage shops, bars, street food, and late-night movement.
6Charles de Gaulle and Royal Gardens
The Angkor approach road has larger hotels, Angkor National Museum, Royal Gardens, and a quieter route toward the temple checkpoints.
Day trips
37km / 50-60min by tuk-tuk or car from Old Market
Banteay Srei
The pink-sandstone temple has unusually detailed carvings and works best as a morning extension from the Angkor pass route.
30km / 45min by car plus boat from central Siem Reap
Kampong Phluk and Tonle Sap
The stilt village and flooded forest show Tonle Sap seasonal water levels, with the most dramatic lake scenery during high water.
50km / 1.5-2h by car from Siem Reap
Phnom Kulen
The mountain has waterfalls, riverbed carvings, temples, and picnic areas tied to Khmer history outside the main Angkor complex.
Getting around
Tuk-tuks, remorks, taxis, bicycles, and hotel cars handle most movement, with temple circuits usually priced by small loop, grand loop, or day rate. Buy the Angkor pass before temple touring and group Old Market-Wat Bo-Kandal Village on foot after dark.
Things to do in Siem Reap by month
Each month has its own events, festivals, public holidays, and seasonal timing. Pick your month to see what's on and check your plan against those exact dates - December, January, November are the easiest weather.
Check your Siem Reap shortlist against your dates
Tripsapien starts with the sights on this page or places you paste, then checks hours, closures, booking pressure, and neighborhoods for your exact travel dates.
Common questions about Siem Reap
- What are the top things to do in Siem Reap?
- Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon, Ta Prohm, Angkor National Museum, and more. Paste your own list into Tripsapien and it checks each place's hours, closures, and booking pressure for your exact dates.
- Which neighborhoods should I explore in Siem Reap?
- Old Market and Pub Street, Wat Bo Village, Kandal Village, Taphul Road. Tripsapien groups your places by neighborhood so each day stays in one or two areas instead of zig-zagging.
- When is the best time to visit Siem Reap?
- December, January, November balance comfortable temperatures with fewer rainy days. Pick your month below to see that month's events, public holidays, and seasonal timing.
- Will the places on my list be open when I'm in Siem Reap?
- Tripsapien checks each place against the exact dates you're in Siem Reap and flags closures, limited hours, and sell-outs before the trip.