SIEM REAP

Giza has the Pyramids, Pisa has the Leaning Tower – and Siem Reap has Angkor. Throughout its history, the second largest city in Cambodia has been practically synonymous with those storied temples – one simply does not travel to Siem Reap without visiting Angkor. On the contrary, Angkor is usually the one and only reason travellers initially choose to visit Siem Reap. More often than not, first time visitors have no preconception of the city beyond its UNESCO protected temples. All the better for Siem Reap as this charming city thrives on the element of surprise.

Every year, Angkor is visited by over 2 million people. This staggering number becomes all the more startling when you consider that Siem Reap has a population of just 245,000 people. The city’s one of a kind surroundings and a steady influx of international visitors have given Siem Reap a unique appeal all its own, striking the perfect balance between small town charm and cosmopolitan glamour.

Practically every trip to Siem Reap is planned around Angkor, the imposing giant that looms large over the city. As general wisdom has it, you need at least three days to fully take in the temple complex. Three ticket types or Angkor Passes are currently available with visitors able to choose between a 1 day, 3 day and a 7 day pass. Note that you don’t have to spend the multi-day passes on consecutive days, meaning you can enjoy a “cheat day” or two in between temple visits. Once you’ve decided how many days you want to spend at Angkor, it’s time to start planning the rest of your itinerary. Perhaps you want to focus on the sights and sounds of Siem Reap proper or maybe you want to squeeze in a daytrip or two? Our Siem Reap travel guide aims to give you the essential information, list the most popular things to do in Siem Reap, provide more information on locations you want to visit, and finish with some inspiration from our travel writers.

Siem Reap Weather

Weather wise, the best time to visit Siem Reap is between December and January. This is when the weather is at its driest and sunniest – but it’s also when the city sees the biggest crowds. April and May tend to be the hottest months, giving way to the rains that generally last from June until mid-November. Though visiting during the wet season might not sound ideal, it’s worth noting that it rarely rains all day, every day but rather in shorter showers during the afternoon. Keep in mind that the weather in Siem Reap stays hot and humid throughout the year – an important consideration as you’ll most likely be spending a couple of days out and about exploring Angkor. Remember to keep hydrated and protected from the sun!

The splendours of Angkor are more than enough reason to visit Siem Reap. After you’ve taken in the temples, you’ll discover that this laid-back city is well worth exploring in its own right. The perfect Siem Reap itinerary balances visits to ancient temples and jaw dropping monuments with restaurant hopping, retail therapy, heavenly Khmer massages and lazy afternoons spent luxuriating by your private villa pool.

Temples

The ancient temples of Angkor are unequivocally the main draw at Siem Reap. The site is often colloquially referred to as Angkor Wat but in fact, Angkor Wat is just one of the temple structures located at the massive, 400 km2 Angkor Archaeological Park.

Angkor, also known as Yasodharapura, was the capital city of the Khmer Empire which flourished between the 9th to the 15th centuries. The ruins of Angkor are located amid forests and farmland. The temples of the Angkor area number over one thousand, ranging in scale from nondescript piles of rubble scattered through rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat. Many of the temples at Angkor have been restored, and together, they comprise the most significant site of Khmer architecture.

The entire expanse, including Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom is collectively protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to the sheer size and scope of the site, most people spend at least three days exploring the area. Here are just a few of the most renowned temples at Angkor:

• Angkor Wat: This iconic 12th century temple spans 160 hectares, making it the largest religious monument in the world.
• Bayon: A majestic temple built by King Jayavarman VII in the 12th century, featuring imposing towers depicting enigmatic faces.
• Ta Prohm: Known as the Tomb Raider Temple, Ta Prohm features dilapidated structures that have been taken over by the jungle.
• Banteay Srei: The epitome of Khmer art, the Citadel of Women’s stone walls feature incredibly intricate carvings.
• Beng Mealea: Located an hour from Angkor Wat, this crumbling and remote temple has been stunningly swallowed by the jungle.

Shopping

Siem Reap offers vibrant markets, inspiring galleries and bijou boutiques for visitors to peruse through. A great place to begin your shopping expedition is the area surrounding the Old Market and Pub Street where you will find an eclectic mix of souvenirs, fresh produce, Burmese gemstones, summer fashions and more. When shopping at the markets, remember that bargaining is part of the experience.

There is a number of art galleries dotted throughout the city that are well worth seeking out, displaying works by local and international artists alike. Owing to Cambodia’s harrowing past, a number of social enterprises give back to the local community. Seeking out souvenirs that are made locally in Cambodia is a good way to ensure your money supports the local population. As the local economy continues to grow, Siem Reap is also seeing a handful of glistening new shopping malls including The Heritage Walk and Lucky Mall, though with limited tenants, these are still a far cry from the fully loaded malls of Singapore, Bangkok and the like.

Spa Treatments

With a focus on gentle pressure and light stretches, Khmer massage is among the most relaxing massage techniques in the world. There are many highly rated spas in town offering massages, facials, hair treatments and elaborate treatment packages at incredibly affordable prices. For the ultimate indulgence, you can also enjoy massages and other spa treatments in the privacy of your villa.

Tours & Activities

Most daytrips from Siem Reap have one destination and one destination only: the imposing expanse of the Angkor Archaeological Park. Visitors flock to Angkor Wat right at daybreak to capture the perfect shot of the iconic temple reflected from the surrounding ponds as the sunrise paints the scene a flaming shade of red. Beyond this near mandatory photo, there are many options for exploring Angkor. You can choose between a 1, 3 or a 7 day pass to visit the park. You can make your way around Angkor on a bicycle or an ebike or you can hire a tuk-tuk or a private car for the day. Every visit to Siem Reap is centred around Angkor so your accommodation will be more than happy to make all the arrangements for you and advise you on the particulars.

Though often overshadowed by mighty Angkor, there are some fascinating cultural landmarks right in the centre of town as well. Angkor National Museum offers intriguing insight into Khmer history and works as a great introduction before visiting Angkor itself. The museum is located close to the Royal Independence Gardens, a lush green space nestled in the heart of the city. A little further out of town, the Cambodia Landmine Museum is an important and impressive monument dedicated to the country’s war torn past.

Siem Reap is surrounded by lush green landscape and vibrant waterways. Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Asia, is located about 30 minutes south of Siem Reap. The lake is famed for its stilted houses and floating villages built right on the water. Heading northeast from the city, Phnom Kulen National Park offers another stunning opportunity to explore Cambodia’s lush nature and ancient past with beautiful waterfalls (as featured in the Tomb Raider movies), hidden temples and a sacred mountain (which is considered the birthplace of the Khmer Empire) nestled amid the greenery.

Siem Reap has long attracted visitors from far and wide wanting to experience the awe-inspiring ruins of Angkor firsthand. Thanks to this steady stream of international visitors, the city has cultivated a thriving culinary scene that weaves together vibrant local flavours, eclectic international influences and more than a few traces of French cuisine harking back to colonial times.

It’s a common misconception that Cambodian cuisine is just another “version” of Thai or Vietnamese food. In reality, Cambodia has a rich culinary heritage all its own. In fact, the history of Khmer cuisine goes back more than a thousand years. Joining a local cooking class in Siem Reap is the best way to fully appreciate local Cambodian flavours and culinary traditions.

Restaurants

Thanks to the city’s compact size, restaurant hopping in Siem Reap is a fun and rewarding exercise. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that there are so many great options to choose from, ranging from laidback local eateries to ritzy fine dining venues. For relaxed meals, you can simply stroll along Pub Street and take your pick from the local and international offerings – you can even sample some fried insects if you’re brave enough!

Following the facelift the city’s infrastructure received during the pandemic, present day Siem Reap is also seeing a growing number of trendy new eateries with many of them focusing on vegetarian and vegan cuisine. In places, the scene calls to mind Bali’s trendy Canggu neighbourhood circa 2015. There are also some exquisite fine dining options in the city of temples with many of them focusing on Khmer, French and pan-Asian cuisine.

Besides serving delicious food, many restaurants in Siem Reap are contributing to the greater good. You will find many venues that support the local community by providing training and job opportunities for vulnerable local youth and/or donating a portion of their proceeds to local charities. Dining at these ethically minded venues is an easy (and delicious!) way to ensure that the money you spend in Siem Reap goes to the people who need it most.

Nightlife

Pub Street and its immediate environs are the heart of Siem Reap’s nightlife. This lively strip is a riot of neon lights and live music. You can eat a full hearty meal, snack on some street food (fried tarantulas, anyone?) or simply down dirt cheap beers while taking it all in – or maybe you’re up for some karaoke? Siem Reap being a small and walkable city, hopping from bar to bar and pub to pub is very easy to manage – the incredibly affordable prices also help! Overall, Pub Street feels like the low key version of Phuket’s Bangla Road – you’re guaranteed a good time but it’s unlikely that things will get too far out of hand.

In recent years, Siem Reap has been experiencing something of a metamorphosis – or perhaps a renaissance would be a more apt description. As international travel grinded to a halt during the pandemic, far from resting on its laurels, this Cambodian city sprang into action and repaved 28 roads, including those leading to Angkor. The city now feels more vibrant than ever. Another sign of the changing times is the new airport which is set to make Siem Reap all the more accessible pending its scheduled opening in November 2023.

Though life in Siem Reap essentially revolves around Angkor, the temple complex is actually located about six kilometres north of the city. As a testament to Angkor’s magnetic pull, many of the city’s most luxurious resorts are located along Charles de Gaulle, the main road connecting the city to the temple complex. But there really is no need to fret about your exact address in Siem Reap. Thanks to the city’s compact size, different neighbourhoods are generally within easy walking distance of each other.

The Old French Quarter sits at the heart of the city. This charming district is nestled just west of the river and boasts old French buildings, Chinese shophouses and Buddhist temples beautifully enveloped by tropical greenery. There are plenty of shops and restaurants in the area and you’ll also enjoy easy access to local landmarks, including the National Museum and the Royal Residence. Just south of the French Quarter is the lively area surrounding Pub Street and the Old Market. This jumble of bustling streets and narrow laneways offers vibrant nightlife, eclectic shopping and countless dining options.

Taphul Village is located just west of the French Quarter and again, it’s easy to walk from one neighbourhood to the next. Taphul is best described as “family friendly” as it is a more relaxed and quiet area compared to the busy centre of town. On the east side of the river, the Wat Bo area is generally favoured by budget travellers as it offers numerous hostels and small boutique hotels. The neighbourhood’s top rated restaurants are well worth exploring, regardless of your budget.

Siem Reap & Surrounds

Punching well above its diminutive size, Siem Reap has long thrived in a symbiotic relationship with imposing Angkor. Just as staggering as the visitor numbers – over 2 million annual visitors in a city of just 245,000 residents-is the sheer size of the archaeological park which sits about six kilometres from the city centre. The main temple, Angkor Wat, is located about three kilometres from the famous face statues of Bayon and a whopping 30 kilometres from the intricate carvings of Banteay Srei. The takeaway? Angkor is absolutely enormous and just as all the guide books and travel blogs suggest, you really do need at least three days to absorb even some of its splendour.

Cambodia is, to a large extent, a rural country. Besides Siem Reap, Battambang is the only city in this northwest part of the country with a population that exceeds 100,000. While Battambang is a good three-hour drive from Siem Reap, most visitors would agree that the city is well worth the drive. With its lush riverside setting, historic architecture and cute cafés aplenty, Battambang offers small town charm with a unique Cambodian twist.

Owing to the city’s conveniently compact size, most Siem Reap villas offer easy access both to the city centre and the mighty temples of Angkor. Most Siem Reap villas are set amid large private gardens with plenty of room to roam and enjoy yourself away from the noise and traffic, while still being within easy reach of all the action and attractions.

Prices start at around USD $600 per night for a four-bedroom villa and range to over USD $2,000 per night for a six-bedroom luxury villa. All of our villas come with professionally trained staff. Many villas offer personalised services including: butlers, chefs, nannies, 24-hour security personnel, drivers and other services you won’t find in a hotel.

Getting There

Siem Reap International Airport (REP) is located about 9 kilometres from the city centre. The airport is connected to several major cities across Asia. Direct flights to Siem Reap are available from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Shanghai, Seoul and more, with carriers including Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, China Eastern, AirAsia and more. A new airport is set to open in late 2023.

Citizens from most countries (including Australia, USA and member states of the European Union) will require a visa to visit Cambodia. A tourist visa, or visa type T, is easy to obtain, either online or upon arrival at the airport. This 30-day tourist visa costs around USD $30. Citizens of the ASEAN nations can visit Cambodia visa free. Regardless of your nationality, your passport must be valid for at least six months prior to the date of entry to Cambodia.

AIRPORT TRANSFER

With no public transport operating from the airport, the only option for reaching your accommodation is to use a private driver, a taxi or a tuk-tuk. Ministry of Villas can arrange a chauffeur to greet you upon arrival and escort you to your villa. This is by far the easiest way to transition from the airport to your accommodation.

AIRPORT TAXI

Alternatively, you can take a taxi or a tuk-tuk from the airport to your accommodation. Both forms of transport usually offer a flat rate from the airport to the city so you won’t have to worry about a meter. A tuk-tuk is slightly cheaper than a taxi but the latter is usually more convenient, especially if you are travelling with a bigger group and/or more substantial luggage. While getting a taxi from the airport is usually relatively straightforward due to local regulations that discourage competition and undercutting among drivers, it’s always easier to have a car arranged beforehand.

Getting Around

There are plenty of options for getting around Siem Reap, so we’ve ranked them according to our recommendations for first-time travellers.

ON FOOT

Being a small city, you can easily navigate Siem Reap on foot. If you are staying in or near the centre of town, you can reach most destinations and landmarks on foot. The one notable exception is Angkor which is located about 6 kilometres from the city centre.

BICYCLE

Bicycles are a common mode of transport in Siem Reap. They’re also a popular way of exploring Angkor – just remember to keep hydrated and slap on the sun screen as it tends to get very hot during the day! The city is dotted with bicycle rental shops and many of them now offer ebikes as well. Before heading out, remember that the traffic can be very erratic. Always wear a helmet and use a headlamp if you’re biking to Angkor before sunrise.

TUK-TUK

A tuk-tuk (or remork as they are locally known) is a popular and convenient way of getting around Siem Reap. They are also a popular mode of transport for exploring Angkor. Tuk-tuks are prevalent throughout the city and you can find one practically on every street corner. Remember to agree on the price before starting your journey. Alternatively, you can use a ride hailing app to order a tuk-tuk at a fixed price. Grab and PassApp are currently the most popular apps available.

PRIVATE CAR

If you are staying in central Siem Reap, you generally won’t need a private car as most distances are walkable and tuk-tuks are readily available should you need one. However, a car and a driver can be a great option for exploring the wider area, including daytrips to Angkor, Battambang and beyond. You can hire a driver for a full day or for a single trip. Ministry of Villas can arrange a private car and chauffeur for you. This little luxury is remarkably affordable and we can also help you arrange an itinerary, instructing your driver in advance.

TAXI

In Siem Reap’s tropical climate, taxis can be a nice, air-conditioned alternative to tuk-tuks. However, taxis in Siem Reap are pretty informal- think unmarked local cars with no meters. Essentially, taxi drivers are freelancing locals offering rides in their own cars, as opposed to a formal taxi service with official logos and a structured organisation. You should always negotiate and agree on the price before getting in- though ride hailing apps now allow passengers to book rides at fixed prices as well.

Etiquette

Cambodian people are known for their warmth and hospitality. The gracious spirit of the locals is all the more reason for visitors to respect the local culture. For more detailed information about local culture, language and safety in Cambodia, check out our comprehensive Cambodia guide.

SHOPPING & BARGAINING

Shopping in Siem Reap can be an incredibly rich experience. You could easily spend hours simply perusing the local markets and sifting through exotic gemstones, beautiful textiles and quirky souvenirs. However, keep in mind that bargaining is all part of the fun – though it can also feel frustrating. When you find an item you like, first ask for the price. Then counter with an offer lower than what you’re actually willing to pay and then go back and forth from there. If you’re not happy with the price that’s offered, you can walk away, at which point the seller will likely make a better (final) offer. Note that if your offer is accepted, you’re committed: it is considered really bad form to walk away after reaching an agreement.

TEMPLES

The temples of Angkor are the main draw for visitors heading to Siem Reap. But while Angkor has become a major tourist attraction, it is first and foremost a religious monument. It is absolutely essential for visitors to forgo revealing clothing when visiting Angkor. Both men and women should wear clothing that covers both their shoulders and their knees. Light, loose fitting shirts and long pants/skirts are a great option. Overall, treat Angkor with the same level of respect you would any religious monument.

TIPPING

Tipping is not expected but it is encouraged. Expect the leave a 10-20% tip for a job well done in restaurants and villas. The same generally applies for transport and private guides as well.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Cambodia’s country code is +855. Local SIM cards are very affordable and the main providers also offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists. You can purchase a SIM card directly at the airport or at any service centre throughout the country. Most villas provide broadband Internet and free Wi-Fi is common in cafes, restaurants, hotels and shopping malls.

Health & Safety

Compared to many destinations in the world, Siem Reap is generally a very safe place to visit. However, no destination is 100% risk free. Bag snatching is the most common hazard impacting tourists visiting Siem Reap.

THEFT

While violent crime is rare in Siem Reap, bag snatching does occur. Usually a thief will grab your bag while speeding by on a motorbike so either use a backpack or carry your bag across your body and away from the road. Otherwise, take the same precautions you would in any urban area. Only carry the absolute essentials when you’re out and about and leave any valuables in your in-villa safe.

WATER

Tap water in Cambodia is not safe to drink. Bottled water is widely available and cheap, however Ministry of Villas encourages visitors to keep a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic consumption.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is absolutely essential for every traveller. A typical travel insurance policy will have coverage for a traveller’s main concerns, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies, travel delays, and lost luggage. Most policies are built to be comprehensive to protect travellers from a variety of events that may cause financial loss before or during their trip. Some policies specifically exclude ‘dangerous activities’ which can include scuba diving, renting a local motorcycle and even trekking.

Siem Reap is a real box of treasures. With its ancient temples, buzzing markets, vibrant nightlife and incredibly kind people, this Cambodian city really is one in a million. Check out our latest Siem Reap blog posts written by experienced Ministry of Villas travel writers.