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Siem Reap is a city that is rich in Cambodian culture & history and is well-equipped for the masses of tourists that visit each year. There’s no denying that most tourists come to Siem Reap to explore the Temples of Angkor Wat. Which are amazing, but this guide will show you that there are other things to do in Siem Reap besides temples.
Come to Siem Reap with a thirst for historical knowledge & local beer, awesome food plus interactions with some really beautiful people.
Things To Do In Siem Reap Besides Temples
Pub Street
Pub street is probably the most touristy place in Siem Reap but for good reason. From 5 pm onwards the road is closed to traffic. And like many other south-east Asian cities, walking streets are the best place for nightlife.
I visited Siem Reap only weeks after Cambodia reopened quarantine free. So I feel like I didn’t get the best Pub Street experience. I’d heard it gets pretty wild at night!
Nevertheless, everything was open, the brightly coloured neon decorations were shining and there was plenty of delicious food & countless drink deals being offered. There just weren’t the tourist numbers to really make the street pop.
The Paper Tiger restaurant is an awesome place to start your night, so much good food (including vegan options). Grab a table at the front so you can see the street come alive.
Markets in Siem Reap
One of the best things to do in Siem Reap, besides temples, is to explore all the local markets.
There are 3 main markets in Siem Reap, all slightly different. The Siem Reap Art Center Night Market was my favourite but expect to be hassled by every store you pass.
Siem Reap Art Center Night Market
This market is open from 4-11 pm every day except Sunday. Here I found the best clothing and beautifully local made homewares. Plus some really unique handpainted t.shirts, wallets and bags.
The Siem Reap Art Center Night Market is located across the road from the river.
Old Market / Psar Chaa
This market is perfect if you’re looking for souvenirs or fresh fruits, vegetables & herbs. Psar Chaa is the oldest Khmer market in Siem Reap so definitely one of the things to do in Siem Reap if you’re looking for more authentic local experiences. Although I’m sure they’ll charge you more than they would a local.
The market is only a short walk from Pub Street and is open every day from 6 am – 9 pm.
Also, during the day a section of this market operates as a wet market so be aware if you are a bit squeamish or sensitive to certain smells.
Made in Cambodia Market
This market stands on its own as the place to find high-quality locally made products including jewellery, silk scarfs and homewares.
You won’t find any cheap knockoffs, everything about the Made in Cambodia Market has a more luxurious feel compared with the other markets in Siem Reap. Plus here you won’t be hassled by store owners to purchase their products.
The market is open every day from 12 pm – 8 pm and it’s located on Oum Khun street.
Walk Along The Siem Reap River
Taking a walk along the Siem Reap river is nice at any time of day. The river runs through the city centre and there are multiple bridges along the river so it’s easy to cross over.
Research has recently uncovered that the Siem Reap river is actually an artificial watercourse, created by the Khmer Empire but either way this is a free & relaxing activity to do in Siem Reap.
Later in the afternoon and into the night the river gets lined with street food stalls, so a great opportunity to grab a quick and cheap dinner.
City Night Life
In general Siem Reap is very lively at night. During the day things are a bit quieter as most tourists are out of the city centre (like at Angkor Wat). So at night, it comes alive with street food, markets, bars and restaurants.
Along with the places I’ve mentioned above, these are a few more spots to find yourself after dark in Siem Reap.
Elephant Bar at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
Laundry Bar.
Wat Bo Neighbourhood; On the east bank of the Siem Reap river (opposite side to pub street) is Wat Bo. A neighbourhood with heaps of restaurants that have outdoor dining, a food truck sense and plenty of bars that will ensure you never go thirsty.
If you are arriving by foot, check out Achar Sva Street first. This street is adjacent to the river so very easy to find, or you will see all the bright neon signage.
Tour The Countryside by Bike
Just minutes outside of Siem Reap city is so much wide open space, with every shade of green you could imagine. If you’re comfortable riding a bike and want to see this stunning countryside and get more of an insight into rural life, a guided bike tour would be perfect.
These types of Siem Reap activities show travellers areas they may not otherwise visit and will usually introduce them to locals who are excited to share their life’s work.
Get Your Guide has a highly-rated bike tour for $25.
Get a Traditional Khmer Massage
One of the things I always try and do while travelling in southeast Asia is to take advantage of the cheap massages available. If I was at home I’d be paying 10x the price!
A traditional Khmer Massage in Siem Reap will start from $6 and aims to relieve stress and relax the body. Similarly to Thai massages, they don’t use any oils. The therapist will use everything from their feet to knees, getting into each pressure point on your body.
It sounds brutal but these kinds of massages are so satisfying. And, would be the perfect way to end a busy day of exploring the temples of Angkor Wat.
Siem Reap Museums
To take a deep dive into the heartbreaking history of Cambodia, I would recommend visiting some, if not all of these museums.
I know when you’re on holiday it’s not always nice to see & hear about such tragedies, but I also think it’s important to learn the history of the country you’re visiting. And, once you know the past you can better understand the local people today.
Four of the museums in Siem Reap that educate visitors on the civil war & even the ongoing struggles with landmines are;
Siem Reap War Museum
Cost: $4
Open: Every day from 9 am – 5:30 pm
The Cambodia Landmine Museum
Cost: $5
Open: Every day from 8 am – 5 pm
Wat Thmei Killing Fields
Cost: $5
Open: Every day from 11 am – 2 pm
This is more of a memorial than a museum & it’s recommended to enquire regarding open times before visiting.
Food Tour
If you’re like me and crave trying local dishes whenever arriving in a new country, a food tour is usually the best way to start off.
I’ve done these tours in a few cities around the world and always think it’s best to have one booked shortly after arriving. This way you’ll get your bearings on the new city and learn about all the dishes you’ll want to eat over & over again.
I’m not affiliated with this company, I came across them while having a google of things to do in Siem reap besides temples and was also impressed that they’ve been featured in the New York Times.
If a food tour isn’t within your budget. You could also ask locals or staff at your hotel if there are dishes or restaurants they recommend. Our Angkor Wat tour guide recommended we try Cambodian Sour Soup and Amok Curry.
Cambodian Cooking Class
If you want to recreate your favourite local dishes from Siem Reap when you get home but have no idea how, booking a cooking class would be perfect.
Local chefs will share all the secrets to cooking authentic Cambodian food and usually use only locally sauced ingredients.
This tour with Get Your Guide is rated 4.9/5 based on over 135 reviews.
Yoga in Siem Reap
Why is it that when you come to a country like Cambodia you get the urge to do a Yoga class, even when you don’t do them regularly at home? Or is it just me?
But I find it’s a beautiful way to find inner peace during your travels.
I didn’t get the chance to do a yoga class in Siem Reap although I did one in Kampot and it always feels much more meaningful practising Yoga in a more spiritual country like Cambodia.
Classes in Siem Reap start from only $5 and I recommend checking out a site called ‘movetocambodia’ to find more details on locations & prices.
Angkor Wat
I know I said things to do in Siem Reap besides temples but a travel guide about Siem Reap wouldn’t be complete without at least mentioning the incredible temples of Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world and it’s awesome to see how beautifully preserved this site is.
There are hundreds of temples in the Angkor Wat complex but my two favourites are; Ta Prohm & The Bayon.
If you would like to read my full post on spending one day at Angkor Wat, click here.
Accommodation in Siem Reap
Budget
Garden Village Guesthouse & Pool Bar
The Siem Reap Chilled Backpacker
Mid-Range
The Twizt – Lifestyle Hostel
Side Walk Hotel
Luxury
Damrei Residence & Spa
Riversoul Boutique
In Conclusion
Siem Reap is a beautiful city and the perfect introduction to Cambodia. I would recommend staying at least 3 days in Siem Reap. This will give you just enough time to tick Angkor Wat off your bucket list, enjoy the nightlife, shop at the local markets and also have time to relax.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my list of 13 things to do in Siem Reap (besides temples) and it’s helped you put together your own Siem Reap itinerary.
Also, if you’re arriving in Siem Reap by air avoid any hassle with taxi drivers at the airport and pre-book a private airport transfer. They aren’t expensive and will save any stress after your long flight. Click here to be taken to Get Your Guide.
Thanks for reading,
Happy Travels
One last thing, if you’ve found this information helpful, please consider booking your trip via my affiliate links. This wouldn’t be at any extra cost to you & will help fund this blog, thank you.
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Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.
Taking a cooking class sounds like a great way to take a little bit of your travel experiences home with you!
This is a great list of things to do. I love the pictures and the nightlife looks like fun!!
Cambodia has such rich culture and history…..and the food looks amazing..thanks for the inspiration.
This looks like a lovely place to visit. The food especially looks awesome to me. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
After seeing all your pictures I’m ready to head to Cambodia right now! I love this! Thanks for sharing!
Massages starting at 6$? That sounds like heaven! I definitely need to go to Siem Reap, soon. Thanks for the inspo 😊
Thank you so much for highlighting all the other things you can do Siem Reap. Personally, I would be really interested to learn more about the history, so the Siem Reap War Museum, despite being a sad subject, would be good to see.
I would love to visit a market, grab something to eat and have a massage! IT wounds perfect! And then on the next day have a cooking class. Although, I have to admit that seeing Angkor Wat is on my bucket list.
I’ve only ever heard of Siem Reap in relation to Angkor Wat, so it’s good to know that there are lots of other things to do there! I will definitely be saving this post for future reference