9 Awesome Things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Discover 9 awesome things to do in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap is definitely the type of place I would describe as a tourist town, and it is not surprising since it is the gateway to the world famous archaeological site of Angkor Wat.

We went to Siem Reap for 5 nights and the only thing we had planned to do there was Angkor Wat. The rest of the time we kind of just chilled by the hotel pool, walked around town, and ate lots of good food.

This list of 9 awesome things to do in Siem Reap gives a short review of each of the things to do in Siem Reap as well as links to more detailed reviews (where applicable). It also has other useful information about Siem Reap such as accommodation in Siem Reap and how to get to Siem Reap.

Featured Picture: Aerial view of Angkor Wat miniature sculpture.

9 Awesome Things to do in Siem Reap1. Angkor Wat

I would say that 99% of tourists in Siem Reap are mainly there for Angkor Wat, and a good chunk may have this as the only reason to be in Cambodia itself. It is very impressive, more-so (in my opinion) than Machu Pichu.

2. Visit a Wat

There are a couple of Wat’s (Buddhist Temples) around Siem Reap. This picture was taken inside Wat Damnak which is located near the river. Very peaceful to just walk around.

Inside one of the Wats in Siem Reap.

3. Markets

There is an immense amount of market places in Siem Reap, and at night there are even more!

Mostly, they all contain the same tourist merchandise. Bargain a little to pick up some deals.

Inside one of the many markets in Siem Reap.

4. Pub Street

As the name suggests, pub street is a street full of pubs, most of which also sell food.

We were there on New Years Eve. It was like being in a packed nightclub with the bass pumping through your body and no chance of getting a drink any time soon. I hadn’t experienced that atmosphere in a while.

Normally it is not so busy.

Pub street on New Years Eve.

5. Ladyboy Show

Inside one of the night markets, at the back of it, there is a nightly ladyboy show that you can watch for free. Not only that, for $2 you can get a fish massage (where the fish eat the dead skin off your feet) and it comes with a free beer or soft drink.

A free ladyboy show in one of the night markets.

6. Massage

Massage in Cambodia is the cheapest I have seen anywhere in the world. In one place we found a 60minute foot reflexology massage for $1.

Be sure to try a traditional Khmer massage which is like a softer version of Thai massage. We got 60 minutes for $5.

There are also many fish massage places (where the fish eat the skin off you feet) for pretty cheap.

7. McDermott Gallery

A small gallery displaying mainly photo’s of Angkor Wat before it was a massive tourist attraction. Free with pieces for sale.

Front of the McDermott Gallery.

8. Mini Angkor

On my GPS I saw this thing called Miniture Angkor Wat and then after a quick google search discovered that it also in the lonely planet guidebook. It was only $1.50 to go in so we decided to check it out.

It was pretty cool. Whoever made the sculptures put some time into them and the lady was really nice.

Anchor Wat miniature sculpture.

9. Angkor National Museum

The final thing on this list of things to do in Siam Reap we didn’t actually do. Had we have spent a few more days there we would have. I hear it is very good, although somewhat pricey for Cambodia.

$12usd.

Entrance to the Anchor National Museum.

Getting to Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a fairly important city for tourism and getting to it should not pose any real problems.

You can fly in domestically and internationally.

We caught a bus from Phnom Penh. It cost $15usd each and took 5 hours. This was the fastest and most expensive bus (it was a minivan). You can get a ticket for as little as $8 on a big bus and it only takes an extra hour (apparently).

Accommodation in Siem Reap

Whilst doing all these awesome things to do in Siem Reap we stayed at Earthwalkers.

Cost:15usd/night. Double room with air-conditioning.

Address: NR6, Krong Siem Reap. earthwalkers.no.

Earthwalkers was a great place to stay for us since we had a week in Siem Reap and the only thing we really wanted to do was go to Angkor Wat for a day. Mostly for the rest of the time we just chilled by the pool.

Staff are friendly and very helpful. They arranged our bus to Sihanoukville and even let us stay until 6.30pm instead of the usual noon checkout.

Pool is awesome as is the internet. Lots of cheap food close-by and walking distance into town (just).

Book your stay at the Earthwalkers Hotel or some other accommodation in Siem Reap.

Getting to Earthwalkers Hotel

We paid $3usd from town (where the bus dropped us off from Phnom Penh) to get there, but you can get it for $2usd if you really haggle.

Got anything to add to this list of awesome things to do in Siem Reap? Let us know them (or anything else you want to say) in the comments