Siem Reap is one of the attractive ancient destinations in Cambodia. It is famous for its beautiful ruins of Angkor Wat and countless structures built in many unique colonial and Asian architectural styles. Traveling to Siem Reap, you can feel the sacred and ancient atmosphere here. Let’s explore the top 07 amazing things to do in Siem Reap with Handspan Travel!

Through this blog post, you can find more detailed information about these experiences below. 

Discovering ancient temples

Discovering ancient temples is one of the most outstanding things to do in Siem Reap that you should not miss. This is also among the reasons why tourists want to travel to Siem Reap. Exploring the ancient temples in Siem Reap is not only historical but also a unique artistic and spiritual experience. If you are looking for things to do in Siem Reap, let’s visit these wonderful temples below. 

Angkor Wat - The Glorious Symbol of the Khmer Empire

• Entrance fees: 37 USD (1-day pass); 62 USD (3-day pass) & 72 USD (7-day pass)
• Visiting hours: 05.00 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.

Angkor Wat is a temple within the Angkor complex, built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II of the Khmer Empire. The architecture and carvings of Angkor Wat are a combination of Hindu and Buddhist worship. With its majestic architecture, perfectly symmetrical layout, and exquisitely carved reliefs, Angkor Wat is not only a natural wonder but also the cultural and spiritual symbol of the Cambodian people. 

One of the special characteristics of Angkor Wat is its main entrance, which faces west towards the setting sun. This unique gate symbolizes rebirth and eternity. When visiting Angkor Wat, don’t miss out on the opportunity to admire the sunrise here. Angkor Wat is famous for its magical beauty at dawn. The sun rises in front of the temple's towers, creating a mystical scene reflected in the pond. Besides, you may want to explore the unique architecture here. Inside the temple are 398 rooms connected by 1,500 meters of corridors. Above, Angkor Wat stands out with 5 towers, of which the central tower is 65 meters high.

Beyond its architecture, Angkor Wat is renowned for its intricate bas-reliefs and carved pillars. Every wall and corridor tells a story, depicting epic myths and historical events that illuminate the culture of the Khmer Empire. Generally, when visiting Angkor Wat, you can admire the ancient architectural beauty and immerse yourself in a unique cultural space. You can also feel the soul and spirit of the Khmer people through each period. 

Angkor Thom

• Entrance fees: 37 USD (1-day pass); 62 USD (3-day pass) & 72 USD (7-day pass)
• Visiting hours: 07.30 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.

Angkor Thom, which is also a temple in the Angkor Complex, is also an attraction you should not miss when you travel to Siem Reap. Angkor Thom is not a single temple, but a vast ancient walled city. Covering an area of about 9 km², it was the final and most extensive capital of the Khmer Empire. It houses numerous temples and monuments within its walls. 

Angkor Thom has five gates, with the South Gate being the most popular and best-preserved. It is impressive with its unique beauty and the giant statues of gods lining both sides of the road leading to the gate. Built of sandstone, the entrance is through 8-meter-high laterite walls, and the gate is about 23 meters high. 

Bayon Temple is one of the most beautiful temples and a must-see tourist attraction at Angkor Thom. The temple is famous for its numerous stone towers, each adorned with four massive, serene faces, totaling 216 smiling faces. These faces are said to represent the god Avalokiteshvara or King Jayavarman VII himself.  As you enter the Bayon temple, you will see reliefs depicting the daily life of ancient Khmer people, from fighting scenes, hunting, to religious ceremonies.

Besides Bayon Temple, Baphuon Temple is also a must-visit place in Angkor Thom. It is located North of Bayon Temple, built in the 11th century. When you visit this temple, you will have a chance to see a massive reclining Buddha statue. It stretches 70 meters long and is constructed from thousands of stacked stone blocks on the western face of the temple's second gallery. 

In short, Angkor Thom is attractive for its historical value and its magnificent and mysterious beauty. With these amazing places, visiting Angkor Thom is one of the things to do in Siem Reap most loved by tourists. 

Ta Prohm Temple

• Entrance fees: 37 USD (1-day pass); 62 USD (3-day pass) & 72 USD (7-day pass)
• Visiting hours: 07.30 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.

Ta Prohm Temple is also among the outstanding temples that make visiting the ancient temples one of the memorable things to do in Siem Reap. This temple was built in the late 12th century under the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It served as a monastery and Buddhist school and was dedicated to the king's mother. 

The temple appeals to tourists with the blend of nature and architecture. The temple's stone roofs and walls are intertwined with giant, ancient trees, creating a magical scene. Ta Prohm consists of three separate areas and 39 towers. The temple is a large architectural structure with functional areas carrying separate courtyards.

Unlike Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm is a living maze. As you wander the paths, you will discover something new around every corner. You can see Apsaras carved behind ancient roots, sunbeams lighting up ruined halls, and the famous "echo wall" that makes a simple clap sound like a strange treble.

Joining local cultural activities

Besides visiting ancient temples, joining local cultural tours is also among the outstanding things to do in Siem Reap. This gives you a chance to learn about the local life of the Khmer people. Here are some activities you can refer to.

Taking a tuk tuk

One of the favorite activities in Siem Reap is taking a tuk tuk around the city. You can easily find tuk tuk in the city and the surrounding areas. Among the things to do in Siem Reap, taking a tuk tuk around the city is both local and authentic, enabling you to learn about local history and daily life. Tuk tuks can take you to most of the tourist attractions in the city and the Angkor temples. Compared to other means of transport, tuk tuk is cheaper, especially when you travel in a group. Besides ancient temples, you can pass through the Old Market and watch the bustling trading scene and stop to enjoy some specialties. When you take the tuk tuk, remember to negotiate the price, especially for long trips or visiting multiple locations. 

Admiring the traditional Apsara dancing

Apsara dancing is a unique traditional dance in Cambodia, expressing the country’s cultural and historical characteristics. This dance impresses audiences with its splendid costume. Each detail of the costume has a symbolic meaning, expressing the power, purity and ideal beauty of Khmer women. 

When you travel to Siem Reap, you can easily catch up with young women coming to temples in front of Apsara reliefs to dance and perform this traditional dance. Tourists may choose to come to Siem Reap to watch Apsara performances with dinner at Khmer restaurants. Dinner usually starts at 6pm or 7pm and the dance performance starts at 7:30pm or 8pm, including 4-5 dances in about 45-60 minutes.

Visiting traditional handicraft villages

One of the most culturally rich things to do in Siem Reap is to visit traditional handicraft villages. This is where you can not only admire the skillful hands of the Khmer people, but also participate in the process of creating local art products. 

Visiting Artisans Angkor, the most iconic and accessible destination in the heart of Siem Reap, you will be taken on a tour of the workshop, where artisans are carefully chiseling sandstone blocks, sculpting wood, engraving silver, or painting silk. Each product here simulates images of Hindu gods, Apsara dancers or ancient motifs from Angkor temples. Besides Artisans Angkor, you can drop by the Pouk Silk Farm to learn about the entire silk-making process from cocoons, dyeing threads, to hand weaving into vibrant fabrics. 

Visiting museums and cultural centers

Besides the magnificent temples, Siem Reap is also a place to preserve the memories and quintessence of Khmer culture through unique museums and cultural centers. If you would like to learn about the history, visiting museums and cultural centers is among the indispensable things to do in Siem Reap for your journey. Here are some outstanding spots. 

Angkor National Museum

• Address: No.968 Vithei Preah Sihanouk Ave, Khrum 6, Phoum Salakanseng, Khom Sveydangum, Siem Reap Province, Kingdom of Cambodia
• Opening hours: 08.30 a.m. - 06.00 p.m. (1 Apr - 30 Sep) & 08.30 a.m. - 06.30 p.m. (1 Oct - 31 Mar)
• Entrance fee: $12 USD for adults and $6 USD for children
• Contact: (855) 63 966 601

Angkor National Museum is one of the modern archaeological museums in Siem Reap. It is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of Angkorian artifacts, primarily from the Khmer Empire's classical period (9th to 14th centuries). It also provides educational resources about the art and culture of the Khmer civilization. 

Visiting the museum, you will have a chance to learn about the history of Cambodia through thousands of precious artifacts, from statues, reliefs, to costumes, ancient musical instruments, etc. The museum is divided into many thematic rooms such as "Khmer Dynasty", "Beliefs and Religions", "Buddhist Art", etc. The museum provides a clear guide map to help you navigate its galleries for a comprehensive experience. For a deeper understanding of each artifact, the Angkor National Museum offers a personal audio tour set available in ten languages: Khmer, English, German, Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, Thai, and Russian.

Cambodia Landmine Museum

• Address: P.O. Box 93084, Siem Reap Angkor, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia
• Opening hours: 07.30 a.m. - 05.30 p.m.
• Entrance fee: $5 per person
• Contact: +855 (0)12 971 198

The Cambodia Landmine Museum educates visitors about the dangers of landmines by sharing the life story of Aki Ra, a former child soldier who became a CNN Hero. The museum displays bombs, mines, and weapons left over from the war, and tells the true stories of survivors, as well as the efforts of the community to remove mines and rebuild lives.

War Museum Cambodia

• Address: Sra Nge Commune, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Opening hours: 08.00 a.m. - 03.30 p.m.
• Entrance fee: $5 per person
• Contact: +855 97 457 8666

War Museum Cambodia is also an attractive museum in Siem Reap. The museum displays an extensive collection of weapons used during the Pol Pot regime, including Soviet and Chinese helicopters, tanks, hand grenades, rifles, and missile wreckage. It also features other military equipment and artifacts from that era.

Generally, the museums in Siem Reap preserve the memories, identity and spirit of the Khmer people. If you want to fully explore and understand Siem Reap, don't miss this meaningful experience in the list of things to do in Siem Reap. 

Exploring the night market and vibrant Pub Street

Exploring the night market and vibrant Pub Street is also among the amazing things to do in Siem Reap. Pub Street is a walking street located in the center of Siem Reap. This is also an attractive spot you should visit when you travel to Siem Reap. This is a neighborhood with both sides full of bars, Western and Khmer food shops, and luxurious and elegant. Most of the bars here are open all day, but they only really operate from 05.00 p.m. to 12.00 a.m. and even all night. 

Besides trying delicious food, you can enjoy an exciting experience with fish massage services. You just have to sit with your feet in the water tank and let the small fish nibble at them. You will feel excited with this experience. The area outside Pub Street is a night market with many different items for visitors to choose from and shop. You can choose from clothes, shoes, scarves, fabrics, and gold and silver jewelry. 

Experiencing adventure & eco activities

Besides historical temples and buildings, Siem Reap also offers many exciting outdoor experiences for visitors who love to exercise and explore nature. This is an exciting activity in the list of things to do in Siem Reap. 

One of the most popular experiences is the Angkor Zipline. You will have a chance to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime zipline experience, offering a unique perspective of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. From above, you can admire the lush green landscape. This activity is exciting, even when you travel alone, with your friend, or with your family, as there are different levels of difficulty for you to choose from. Let’s try hanging on cables through the dense forest canopy surrounding the Angkor temple complex!

Besides the Angkor zipline, cycling is also ideal for exploring Siem Reap’s scenery, Angkor temples, and the surrounding countryside. There are various cycling tours, from short day trips to longer ones, taking you through small roads, traditional villages, and lush green rice fields. Cycling allows you to explore Siem Reap at a slower pace, allowing you to immerse yourself in local life and discover interesting things that you might miss when taking a bus or tuk-tuk. Besides cycling to Angkor temples, you can also cycle to traditional villages, green rice fields, and experience the life of local people.

Watching the sunset on Tonle Sap Lake is one of the highlighted things to do in Siem Reap. You will take a boat ride through floating villages such as Kampong Phluk or Chong Kneas, witnessing the rhythm of life on the river and the moment the sun gradually disappears behind the horizon. In addition, you can also try kayaking, visit the Prek Toal bird sanctuary, or climb Phnom Kulen mountain to explore the waterfall, giant Buddha statue, and stone carvings in the middle of the stream. 

Relaxing and taking care of your health

After exploring temples and participating in outdoor activities, you may want to take time to relax. This is also one of the things to do in Siem Reap that many tourists love, especially those who want to combine tourism with relaxation.                                                                                  

Siem Reap is famous for its traditional Khmer spas that use massage therapy combined with local herbs. Treatments often include massage, acupressure, and hot stone therapy to relax muscles and relieve stress after a long day of traveling. Some spas also incorporate Thai massage techniques or aromatherapy massage for a more complete experience.                     

Besides, foot massage is a popular service and is available in most night markets and central streets. If you want to combine relaxation with exercise, you can join yoga or meditation classes at quiet centers located on the outskirts of the city.

Generally, relaxing in Siem Reap is not only about taking care of your body, but also an opportunity for you to slow down and feel more deeply the beauty of Siem Reap. Let’s put it into the list of things to do in Siem Reap for a wonderful journey!

Joining a traditional Khmer cooking class

Joining a traditional Khmer cooking class is among the most exciting things to do in Siem Reap that you should not miss. This is not just a culinary experience, but also a journey of cultural discovery through the flavors, ingredients and stories behind each dish. 

Most classes begin with a trip to a local market with the chef. You will be guided through the process of selecting fresh vegetables, spices, and traditional Khmer ingredients. They are prohok fish sauce, turmeric, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, coconut milk, etc. This experience provides an intimate glimpse into the daily lives of the people of Siem Reap. 

Joining a cooking class, you will have a chance to learn to to prepare popular dishes. They include Fish Amok (steamed fish in banana leaves and coconut milk), Beef Lok Lak (stir-fried beef with black pepper sauce, served with fried egg and rice), or Nom Banh Chok (Khmer vermicelli noodles in a rich curry broth). The instructors will often share traditional cooking secrets passed down through the generations, ensuring your dishes retain their authentic flavors. Let’s add this to your list of things to do in Siem Reap if you want to bring a taste of Cambodia home. 

In conclusion, you have just known about the top 07 things to do in Siem Reap. If you want to join a tour package or tailor your itinerary, don’t hesitate to contact our team.