Siem Reap is a place that is not only famous for the beautiful ruins of Angkor Wat – the largest religious monument in the world, but it also owns countless works built in many colonial and Asian styles. The most characteristic feature that you can feel when coming here is the sacred and ancient atmosphere. So, where to go in Siem Reap and where to visit in Siem Reap? Let’s check out our suggested 9+ best places to visit in Siem Reap, must visit places in Siem Reap, top places to visit in Siem Reap, best places to see in Siem Reap, must see places in Siem Reap as follows!
- Siem Reap tourist attractions — Top 10 best places to visit in Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Top things to do in Siem Reap — 16+ must do in Siem Reap & best things to do in Siem Reap
- Siem Reap travel blog — The fullest Siem Reap travel guide for first-timers
- Shopping in Siem Reap — Top 10 best shops, markets & shopping malls in Siem Reap
- What to buy in Cambodia? — Top 29+ souvenirs & best things to buy in Cambodia
Visit the temples around Angkor Wat (#must visit places in siem reap)
If you’ve ever heard of the fame of the beautiful ruins of Angkor Wat – the world’s largest complex of temples and religious monuments, you’ll be even more surprised because it’s right next to us (Vietnam). One of the best places to visit in Siem Reap is home to majestic stone temples, historical sites, Tonle Sap lake and the most popular tourist attraction in Cambodia.
When you come here, you will feel a strange and magical sacred space. What’s even more amazing is that you can watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. And remember that when you come to this complex, it is convenient for you to visit the temples of Bayon, Baphuon and Ta Prohm.
Kbal Spean
Kulen Mountain and the River of a thousand lingas of Kbal Spean will be the next Siem Reap tourist destination that you must add to your itinerary. This is a holy place of the ancient Khmer people, famous for being sacred with relics associated with legends. Therefore, tourists from all over the world want to come here to pray for good things.
Lake Tonle Sap (#top places to visit in siem reap)
Associated with the floating village of Kampong Phluk, a particularly interesting Siem Reap check-in place that you can go to right away is Tonle Sap lake. The most chill activity here is that you can ride a boat around the lake to fully see the beauty of the charming space.
In addition, on the way around the lake, you remember to stop by the conservation for extremely rare birds. And many tourists have decided to rent a boat to explore all the floating villages of Kampong Phluk, Chong Khneas, or Kompong Khleang to the fullest, you can also try it.
Phnom Kulen National Park (#best places to visit in siem reap)
As an ancient and sacred place believed by the people to be the most sacred in Cambodia, Phnom Kulen park will be a place to visit in Siem Reap that will bring you special experiences. After passing the majestic scenery picture, you will come to a mountain peak. There is a giant reclining Buddha for you to admire and pray for.
Wat Damnak (#top places to visit in siem reap)
Address: 9V25+M4G, Wat Bo Rd, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Wat Damnak used to be the royal palace under King Sisowath. So far, the pagoda has become the center of Khmer Studies with a library containing more than 11,000 documents. Not only that, this place is also a place to visit in Siem Reap that is visited by many tourists because of the peaceful and pure atmosphere it brings.
Ta Prohm Temple (#best places to see in siem reap)
Address: Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Hours: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM
In the mid-12th century, King Jayavarman VII built the monastery of Ta Prohm in memory of his mother. This is a large building and the architecture was built in the popular Bayon style at that time. With its beauty, the temple has been selected as the scene for the movie The Grave Digger, and is now a tourist place in Siem Reap not to be missed.
Cambodian Cultural Village (#must see places in siem reap)
Address: National Road #6, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
If you want to better understand the traditions, customs and beliefs of the Cambodian people, you should go to the Cambodian cultural village. It holds thousands of precious ancient statues and artifacts. In addition, if you are lucky, when you come to this Siem Reap tourist destination, you will be able to see many interesting festivals.
Pub Street
If you want to refresh your life, you can immediately come to Pub Street when the evening comes. If you come here during the day, you can only enjoy coffee and food, in the evening you will be able to relax at lively bars and nightclubs.
To become a tourist destination in Siem Reap that is visited by many domestic and foreign tourists, you can understand the excitement here, right? Once in a while, we only “drink” once, then just drink to the fullest to renew our lives.
Night market
Besides the vibrant nightlife for extroverts, introverts can go to Angkor night market. Coming here, you can buy yourself and your loved ones some typical Khmer gifts and enjoy street food that is both delicious and cheap. So, remember not to miss this Siem Reap tourist attraction.
Some tips before you go
Getting to Siem Reap
Currently, there are many direct flights from Vietnam to Siem Reap airport operated by Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, etc., with fares of only about $106-$129. And the flight time is only about 1 hour. But to own a cheap plane ticket to Siem Reap, you have to book early. To find cheap airfare you can go to Google Flights, Skyscanner or Kayak.
In addition, you can choose to take a bus from Saigon to Siem Reap directly by two bus operators Sorya and Sapaco. The ticket price for each trip is only about $17 – $25 and it takes about 11-12 hours.
Hotels in Siem Reap
You do not need to worry about the shortage of quality hotels in Siem Reap because the system of hotels, motels and homestays is almost everywhere. But you have to worry about running out of cheap rooms, so finding and booking a hotel as early as possible is still the best.
Below are some best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.
The Privilege Floor by LOTUS BLANC: A 5-star hotel with room rates from $62/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Shinta Mani Shack: A 5-star hotel with room rates from $94/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Park Hyatt Siem Reap: A 5-star hotel with room rates from $150/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Jaya House River Park: A 5-star hotel with room rates from $148/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Shinta Mani Angkor: A 5-star hotel with room rates from $107/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa: A 5-star hotel with room rates from $59/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).
You can find, check rates, availability & booking for Siem Reap hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com.
The best time to visit Cambodia
The weather in Cambodia has quite distinct rainy and dry seasons. However, when the weather is cool and dry from November to May is the most suitable time to travel to Siem Reap. Or if you want to join the famous festival atmosphere in Cambodia, come at the following time:
- April 13 – 15: Chol Chnam Thmay Festival – Traditional New Year
- April 13 – 15 of the solar calendar every year: Bom Chaul Chnam Water Festival
- November 24 – 26 of the solar calendar every year: Racing festival
Specialties not to be missed when coming to Siem Reap
If you do not know what to eat when coming to this city, you can refer to Siem Reap travel experience for the complete journey to choose for yourself the most complete food suggestions here. Or right now you can pocket the following list of delicacies:
- Fried crickets with chili
- Nam Vang noodles
- Fried ants with beef
- Fish amok
- Sticky rice cooked in Bamboo tube
- Tomyam Papaya Salad
- Nom banh chok fish curry noodles
- Jaggery beef cake
- Jaggery sweets
Above are some suggestions about the best places to visit in Siem Reap that you must definitely try once in your life if possible. With a relatively close distance and not too much cost, this will surely be a trip with many interesting experiences waiting for you.
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Siem Reap you can refer to
- Private Siem Reap International Airport Transfers (REP) for Siem Reap
- Private City Transfers between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
- Shared Bus Transfer between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh by Giant Ibis
- Shared Bus Transfer between Siem Reap and Bangkok by Giant Ibis
- Private Siem Reap International Airport Tuk-tuk Transfers (REP) for Siem Reap
- Siem Reap Private Car Charter
- Angkor Temples Tour
- Angkor Temples Sunrise Tour
- Angkor Custom Tour in Siem Reap with Optional Guide
- Kompong Phluk Floating Village Half-Day Tour
- Classic Angkor Wat Full Day with Sunset Tour
- Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour with Monk Blessing
- Siem Reap Half Day City Tour
- Angkor Wat Private Tour by Tuk-Tuk
- Kulen Mountain National Park and Waterfall Day Tour
- Angkor Wat Sunset Tour
- Angkor Wat and nearby temples day tour
- Phare, The Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap
- Kampong Phluk Floating Village Tour
- 4G SIM Card (HK/MO/TW/CN Delivery) for Cambodia
- 2 Day Angkor Exploration Private Tour by Tuk-Tuk
- Angkor Temples Small Circuit Private Tour by Tuk-Tuk
Are you looking for more Siem Reap travel guide and top things to do in Siem Reap: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Siem Reap itinerary 4 days — What to do in Siem Reap in 4 days?