The best things to do in Siem Reap
Of course the temples at Angkor are the highlight, but there are plenty of other attractions in Siem Reap to keep you busy.
When you’re considering what to do in Siem Reap, I recommend you give yourself a few days to explore the food and arts scene, head off on an adventure, or immerse yourself in some of the local life.
There was a time when Siem Reap was just a small dusty town. Before Angelina Jolie arrived to make Tomb Raider and before the busloads of tourists followed in her footsteps to see the weathered temples of Angkor, it was just a sleepy community in the north of Cambodia.
My first trip here was almost 20 years ago and I still remember arriving into the town centre by tuk tuk one evening, and having to wander the streets for a while to find somewhere to stay. These days, every second building is a hotel.
I also recall having a drink at a small bar on a dirt road that has now turned in the neon-lit centre of the nightlife known as Pub Street. Backpacker Michael would not recognise what has become of Siem Reap – but I don’t think he would be too disappointed. This was inevitable, with such an important World Heritage Site on its doorstep.
The city is now heaving with visitors, and all the tourism infrastructure that goes along with that. In someways it’s become a bit too crowded, but the good news is that there are now so many things to do in Siem Reap.
Where Phnom Penh feels like the political and business capital of Cambodia, Siem Reap is its artistic hub. This is where you’ll find the country’s best artisans, incredible performances, and some wonderful insights into local life.
There’s also a vibrant food scene here and visiting the top restaurants, taking a food tour, or joining a cooking class are some good places to start when you’re planning what to do in Siem Reap.
Adventure tourism has also boomed in Siem Reap, with local businesses creating experiences for visitors who want a day away from the temples. The bonus is that a lot of these Siem Reap tours will take you out into the countryside to see that part of the region as well.
There was a time when people would visit Siem Reap for just a couple of days, spend a day at Angkor Wat, and then fly out of the country again. With a large suite of attractions in Siem Reap, the city is now a destination in its own right, and somewhere you can use as a base to then see even more of Cambodia.
The quaint town of my memory may be gone, but what has grown…
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