Experience the best things to do in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Explore these top tourist attractions in this popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia! Featured photo of Angkor Wat via Adobe Stock.
One of the best backpacking destinations in the world is the breathtaking city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. It is the second-largest city in the country which also serves as the melting pot of culture, tradition, and tourism. Many people are falling in love with this amazing city thanks to the overwhelming combination of the nostalgic old-world vibe and modern architecture of the city.
As one of the country’s commercial and cultural capitals, expect to see tons of establishments perfectly depicting Cambodia’s impressive development in terms of infrastructure and tourism. From towering skyscrapers, beautiful skylines, and perfectly preserved heritage sites like the Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Bayon Temple, you certainly wouldn’t run out of things to do!
For those many reasons and more, join me as we discover the 10 Best Things to Do Siem Reap, Cambodia!
Visit the Ever-Famous Angkor Wat
First on the list and definitely the place you wouldn’t want to miss is one of the most important archaeological sites in entire Southeast Asia, the Angkor Wat. This UNESCO World Heritage Site spans an area of about 400 square kilometers. The site features perfectly preserved infrastructures like temples, dams, dykes, and canals constructed by the Khmer Empire.
The Angkor Wat is a must-visit destination in Siem Reap. In fact, it is the face of Siem Reap. The temple and the spectacular structures of the Khmer Empire are like a portal to the ancient civilization that once thrived on the face of the earth. You will simply be amazed and even forced to wonder how our descendants managed to build these gigantic structures with such primitive technology.
Angkor Wat is a primary tourist destination not only in Cambodia but also in the whole world. Trust me, you will love every bit of moment during your stay here. So be sure to check it out!
Fall in Love with Butterflies
Another thing you definitely shouldn’t miss in Siem Reap is the Butterfly Paradise. Just as the name suggests, this place is the haven of colorful and lovely butterflies and is indeed one of the aesthetically pleasing places in the country.
The Butterfly Paradise of Siem Reap features tropical flowers, waterfalls, and of course, several local butterflies. The world’s largest caterpillar structure named the Terpilla served as the landmark of Butterfly Paradise. The institution also runs an orphanage so while you’re at it, support their cause by buying some of their products such as plants and pots.
Learn More About Pottery
Siem Reap takes the preservation of its culture and tradition seriously. That being said, they intend to pass these traditions to the next generations to come! And one of the impressive things to do here in Siem Reap is learning more about pottery. So while you’re at it, you can take pottery classes and even take home your own creation!
One of the recommended places to learn pottery in Siem Reap is the Angkor Pottery Center. It is a school and pottery workshop that teaches everyone who wants to learn more about pottery. Moreover, it also serves as a museum, art gallery, cultural center, and souvenir shop all at the same time!
Reward Yourself with a Relaxing Foot Massage
Siem Reap is also a top destination for those who want to have a relaxing vacation. A foot massage is one of the favorites for tourists so you might as well try that, too! The best place to have a foot massage in Siem Reap is the Siem Reap Villa Suite. It’s a spa center and a hotel at the same time featuring traditional Cambodian massage treatments, so not only you will be relaxed, but also be accommodated with the highest degree of comfort and convenience!
Wander Around the Villages Near Tonle Sap Lake
Another best thing to do in Siem Reap is to visit the famous Tonle Sap Lake. It’s a freshwater lake where most of the locals earn a living. What tourists love to see in the Tonle Sap Lake are the iconic floating villages around. Moreover, the sunsets in the area are also magnificent so you should do your best not to miss them!
Show Your Guts at the Angkor Archaeological Park
Ah, yes! The tour in Angkor Archaeological Park is not only about admiring the breathtaking creations of our ancient civilizations because there are also lots of other fun and exciting activities to look forward to!
Tourists can expect to enjoy walking across hanging bridges and several platforms and zip lines. What a lot of people really look forward to here in Angkor Archaeological Park is the amazing zipline adventure! Just imagine flying through the park like an eagle and passing about 14 trees and 21 platforms. Pretty exciting!
Try the Famous Angkor Balloon!
One of the newest and trendiest adventures waiting for you in Siem Reap is no other than the Angkor Balloon. Just a mere visit to the ever-famous Angkor Archaeological Park is already breathtaking. Well, just wait until you have a whole new perspective of the UNESCO World Heritage Site from 120 meters above!
That’s what’s waiting for you in the Angkor Balloon. Get to have an exclusive 360-degree view of the surrounding landmarks such as the Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, and Tonle Sap Lake!
Have a Night to Remember at the Pub Center
Ah, definitely one of the best places in the world to have the best night of your life is located here at the Pub Center in Siem Reap. It is basically the haven of international backpackers who want to crash a party, have plenty of drinks, and just have the time of their lives until the morning.
The Pub Center is a 100 meter stretch of road where you can find countless restaurants, cafes, and bars offering you the best culinary and cultural experience in all of Cambodia!
Enjoy A Scenic View of Siem Reap From Above!
Want to level up your experience in Siem Reap? Well, I think I’ve got the best solution for you, and it’s something you can’t decline! Instead of touring around the hustle and bustle of the city in a tuk-tuk, how about having an exclusive perspective from high up above? That’s right! You can tour the entire city while riding a helicopter.
The helicopter tour usually takes around 14 minutes for you to enjoy the breathtaking view of all the temples and landmarks of the city. How about that? Be sure to check it out!
Score Great Deals at the Angkor Night Market
Finally, the best thing to do to make the most out of your vacation in Siem Reap is by visiting the Angkor Night Market! Known to be the first-ever night market in Cambodia, expect to score great deals here such as souvenirs, tasty treats and delicacies, and many more from over 240 vendors selling high-quality goods!
jokertrekker under creative commonsYou can also score several Cambodian Crafts and local goods such as t-shirts, pants, shoes, figures, and many more. Once you’re done wandering around the market, you can also take a break and have an indulging food trip! Sounds good, huh?
