Blog Update
Things to do in Siem Reap
Oct
Looking for the best things to do in Siem Reap? This northern Cambodian town is far more than a gateway to Angkor Wat. It blends ancient temples, rich history, local craft, floating villages and genuinely memorable wildlife. Here is a simple guide to the top things to do in Siem Reap, whether you have two days or a full week.
Top things to do in Siem Reap
- Visit Angkor Wat: a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest religious monument in the world. Go at sunrise to beat the heat and the crowds.
- Explore other ancient temples: beyond Angkor Wat, do not miss Angkor Thom, the tree-covered Ta Prohm and the quieter Preah Khan.
- Take a bike tour: many operators run guided cycling tours of the temples and the surrounding countryside.
- Watch a traditional Apsara dance: a graceful classical dance performed in Cambodia for centuries, often paired with dinner.
- Visit the Landmine Museum: a moving museum that explains Cambodia’s landmine history and ongoing clearance work.
- Take a Khmer cooking class: learn to cook traditional Cambodian dishes with fresh local ingredients.
- Shop at Artisans Angkor: a social enterprise reviving traditional Cambodian handicrafts, from silk to stone carving.
- Take a hot air balloon ride: see the temples and countryside from a completely different perspective.
- Explore Tonle Sap Lake: Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, home to stilted and floating villages.
- Enjoy the Night Market: a lively market full of street food, souvenirs and live performances.
The most memorable thing to do in Siem Reap: meet rescued elephants
If you add just one wildlife experience to your list, make it an ethical elephant visit. At Cambodia Elephant Sanctuary near Banteay Srei there is no riding and no chains. Instead you prepare the elephants’ food, join them for a mud bath and help bathe them in the river. It is hands-on, respectful and one of the most rewarding things to do in Siem Reap for families and animal lovers alike, and hotel pick-up from Siem Reap is included.
With temples, culture, food and wildlife all within easy reach, Siem Reap rewards slow travel, so leave room in your itinerary to enjoy it.
Visit the elephants yourself 🐘
Spend a hands-on, ethical half-day with our rescued elephants near Siem Reap — feed them, join a mud bath and bathe them in the river. Hotel pick-up from Siem Reap included.
Book your elephant experience →