Best Things to Do in Siem Reap (2026 Guide)

The best things to do in Siem Reap begin before dawn at Angkor Wat. Watching the sunrise reflect in the temple’s moat is one of the most iconic travel moments in Asia. Angkor Wat itself — the world’s largest religious monument — takes several hours to explore fully. The Bayon temple (37 towers carved with giant face sculptures) and Ta Prohm (tree roots consuming the stone ruins, used as a film location for Tomb Raider) are the other essential Angkor temples. The Angkor Archaeological Park spans more than 400 square kilometres; hiring a tuk-tuk driver for a full day is the standard and best way to cover multiple temples. Tonle Sap Lake’s floating villages, reachable by boat from Chong Kneas, show a way of life built entirely on water.

Best time to visit

November to March is the dry season: cooler temperatures (25-30°C), no rain, and the best conditions for temple exploration. This is peak tourist season — book accommodation well in advance, particularly for December-January. April-May is very hot (35-40°C) but temples are far less crowded. June-October is monsoon season: heavy afternoon rains, lush green vegetation around the temples, and significantly lower hotel prices. The moat at Angkor Wat is most impressive full of water in the wet season. Avoid Cambodian New Year (mid-April) if you dislike crowds.

Getting around

Tuk-tuks are the primary mode of transport in Siem Reap. A full-day tuk-tuk hire to Angkor temples costs $15-20 USD. Angkor Pass (one day $37, three days $62, seven days $72) must be purchased at the official Angkor Enterprise ticket office before entering the park — do not buy from any other source. Electric bikes and bicycles can be rented from guesthouses for independent temple exploration. The Old Market (Psar Chas) and Pub Street are walkable from most central hotels. Siem Reap International Airport connects to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Hanoi.

What to eat and drink

Siem Reap’s food scene is far more sophisticated than its backpacker reputation suggests. Amok (fish or chicken in lemongrass coconut sauce, steamed in banana leaf) is Cambodia’s national dish and best eaten at Mahob Restaurant or Cuisine Wat Damnak (one of Asia’s top restaurants). Lok lak (wok-tossed beef or chicken with lime-pepper sauce) is the quintessential Khmer street meal. The Old Market has the best street food concentration — grilled corn, nom banh chok (rice noodle soup), and fresh tropical fruit. Pub Street’s bars serve Angkor Beer and fruit shakes from 5am (catering to post-sunrise temple returnees). Coffee culture is strong: Sister Srey Cafe and Blue Pumpkin serve excellent Cambodian coffee.

Neighborhoods to explore

Old Market Area (Psar Chas) — The historic centre: French colonial shophouses, the covered Old Market, the riverside promenade, and most independent restaurants. The most atmospheric part of Siem Reap.

Pub Street & Alley West — The tourist entertainment district. Loud but lively from sunset; the surrounding alleys have better food than the main strip itself.

Wat Bo Village — The residential neighbourhood east of the Siem Reap River, with Buddhist temples, local cafés, and less tourist infrastructure. Wat Bo pagoda has well-preserved 19th-century murals.

Angkor Archaeological Park — Not technically a neighbourhood but the core reason to visit. Sunrise at Angkor Wat (5:30am), Bayon (midday for face carving light), Ta Prohm (late afternoon), Preah Khan, and Banteay Srei (pink sandstone, 37km from town).

Floating Villages (Tonle Sap Lake) — Chong Kneas is the closest floating village (15km from town). Kompong Khleang is more authentic and less visited. A half-day boat trip reveals a community of 3,000 people living entirely on the water.