16 Epic Things to do in Siem Reap – Full Guide 2025

In this article, we are going to share the best things to do in Siem Reap in 2025. If you are planning a trip to Siem Reap, look no further. 

We have written this article to tell you everything you need to know for an amazing trip, pulling together information from lots of different websites. It can be time-consuming and confusing, so we have put all of the information in one place. 

The activities and information that we share in this guide are fresh, relevant, and up-to-date. The aim of this article is to both inform and inspire. For each of the activities that we share, we will give full details, including tips, visiting times, prices, and how to arrange your trip.

We have lived in Siem Reap for many years, and we have also visited Cambodia many times over the years. So, Siem Reap really is a second home to us. Over the years, we have acquired a lot of experience and insight. We really hope that our experience and tips help people plan a meaningful, memorable, and fulfilling trip.

How do you fit everything in? Learn more in this 3 day Siem Reap itinerary

Summary of the best things to do in Siem Reap

1. Explore Angkor Wat – One-day pass $37, and a three-day pass $62.
2. Try wakeboarding – ICF Wake Park 2 hours: $24, 1 day: $32, 2 days: $49.
3. Inflatable obstacle course – ICF Wake Park $8 Full Day Access
4. Visit the Morning Market – Situated in the Old Market 6am
5. Watch a Movie at Cinemax – Private Room – $8 Pick a Movie 
6. Take a Khmer Cooking Class – Around $20 – $30 
7. Get a relaxing massage – $2 – $3 foot massage and $3 – $5 full-body massage
8. Shopping in the night markets
9. Angkor Eye Ferris Wheel – $12 adult, $6 kid, Infants FREE
10. Try out a fish spa – $1 – $2
11. Explore Tonle Sap – $20 – $30 for a floating village tour
12. Temple Design Restaurant
13. Cocktails around Pub Street
14. Enjoy a cultural performance – Apsara Theatre $30 dinner & performance
15. Take a walk along the river
16. Explore the villages – $10 – $15 for a tuk tuk

Map of the best things to do in Siem Reap

How to get around in Siem Reap

Don’t miss this Comprehensive Guide to The Best Ways to Get Around in Siem Reap

Before we share an in-depth guide on things to do in Siem Reap, we just wanted to share a little information about traveling around the area. Siem Reap does not have a public transport system, so you will need to arrange your own transportation.

1 Rent a motorbike

If you are confident riding a motorbike, it is possible to find several places offering motorbike rental in Siem Reap. Motorbike rental is fun, affordable, and very convenient. Bike rental prices range between $8 – $16 per day depending on the size and type of bike. You will generally need to leave a deposit. We also recommend being reliable and experienced if you are planning to travel around Siem Reap by motorbike.

2 Rent a bicycle

Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle and cycle around Siem Reap and its surrounding areas. It is even possible to use bicycle rental to explore Angkor Wat if you are fit and determined. Many hostels and guest houses in Siem Reap offer bicycle rental starting for as little as $1 for an older bike. You can rent newer bikes for around $2 – $3 per day.

3 Take a tuk tuk

Finally, you can also use the local tuk-tuk taxis to explore Siem Reap. This is a small car pulled by a motorbike, and it is a fun and convenient way to travel around the area. You will need to agree on the price with a local driver. Short journeys around town start around $1 – $3. A long, full day around Angkor Wat should cost around $20. If you are planning to travel by tuk-tuk, you will need to be able and willing to barter with a driver to get a fair and reasonable price. Make sure that it is clear exactly where you want to go and how long your driver will need to wait before you agree on a final price. Find out more about How to take a tuk tuk in Cambodia.

PREPARE & PLAN FOR YOUR TRIP – Siem Reap: Everything you need to know before you go

1 Explore Angkor Wat 

Don’t miss our FULL and in-depth guide to Angkor Wat

No guide on Things to do in Siem Reap is complete without Angkor Wat. We have put this one first because it is generally the biggest reason that people come to Siem Reap. But if you are looking for more unique gems then skip forward. 

Planning your Angkor Wat Trip

If you’re planning to explore this extensive Temple complex, we recommend planning your day carefully. Many people start their day watching the sunrise over the main temple (Angkor Thom). This is a very early start (you will probably need to be up by 4.30 am to make it for sunrise). If you have enough time in your itinerary, you may want to visit Angkor Wat over three days (you can get a 3-day pass) rather than trying to cram all of the temples into a single day.

One Day Angkor Wat itinerary 

If you only have one day to visit Angkor Wat, then we recommend visiting these temples in the following order (anti-clockwise loop): 

1. Angkor Thom (sunrise – busy but amazing), 2. Ta Prohm Temple (Tomb Raider Temple), 3. Neak Poan, 4. Preah Khan, 5. Bayon (Temple with faces). If you have the energy, you can also visit Bakheng Temple (popular sunset temple). Visiting the temples in this order means that you will see some of the more impressive temples before the crowds get there (most people do a clockwise loop of the Angkor Wat site). 

Additional temples to see

If you have three days to visit Angkor Wat then slow down and take your time. Cramming too many temples into a day can be tiring and you can get “templed out”. If you get a three day pass we recommend visiting these temples: East Baray Temple, Baphuon Temple, Pre Rup Temple, and Banteay Srei Temple (further away but worth it!).  Also for a quieter and more impressive sunrise consider a visit to Phnom Krom Temple (this is South of Siem Reap and around 45 minutes from the main Angkor Wat complex)

Buying your tickets  

You can buy your tickets online or at the ticket office in the morning (which opens at 5am so you can visit for sunrise) A one-day pass costs $37, and a three-day pass costs $62. The ticket offices accept card payments. Children under 12 years old do not require a ticket (but bring a passport to prove their age). Children over 12 years old need a full adult ticket. Remember to arrange your tuk tuk at least one day in advance. It should cost around $10 – $20 to explore Angkor Wat. You can also buy your Angkor Wat ticket online in advance. 

2 Try wakeboarding

Find out Everything you need to know about the ICF Wake Park

Wakeboarding may not be the first thing you associate with Cambodia! However, there is a new wake park situated around 5 km from Siem Reap town center. It is called the ICF Wake Park, and it offers an affordable and fun introduction to the world of wakeboarding. This is a great activity if you are traveling with active and adventurous teenagers. Wakeboarding is not suitable for younger children. The facilities at the wake park are excellent (showers, lockers & changing rooms).

There is also an artificial Beach area and a bar & restaurant serving a tempting menu of Cambodian and international dishes. The prices for wakeboarding are as follows: 2 hours: $24, 1 day: $32, 2 days: $49. This includes kit rental and an instructor. No need to pre-book, just show up. Here are the open hours for the ICF Wake Park: Tuesday to Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday: Closed. The ICF Wake Park is also part of the ICF charity organization. Not only is this a fun day out, but it is also a great way to support a fantastic ethical project. 

3 Have a go at an inflatable obstacle course

If you are looking for something unique, fun, and challenging to do in Siem Reap, we highly recommend the awesome Aqua Land inflatable obstacle course situated at the ICF Wake Park. This is a lot of fun and great value for money. Aqua Land has a range of inflatable obstacles, including platforms, slides, and balancing tubes. You need to wear a life jacket and helmet on the inflatable obstacle course. You can visit the Aqua Land inflatable obstacle course for $8 per person, including a life jacket and helmet (full day access). This is a great activity for families with kids!

4 Visit the Morning Market

The morning market in Siem Reap is one of the most authentic, impressive, and immersive experiences in the area. If you are looking to genuinely connect with the culture and experience something special, then get yourself along to the old market in Siem Reap around 6 am. By this time, the fresh morning market will be in full swing, with locals selling a wide range of tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, and there is also a fish and meat section. Taking a walk around the morning market is a multi-sensory experience; you can see a wide range of strange and unusual local foods.

The morning market goes from mouthwatering to repulsive and back within seconds. You can also get a unique glimpse into the Cambodian culture and worldview. For example, you will see locals selling fresh fish. For increased freshness, the fish are generally alive in the market. If a local comes to buy fish, they may actually purchase a fish alive because it is slightly cheaper to buy it alive (the local market sellers do not want to inherit the bad karma of killing the fish before they sell it, so they are willing to reduce the price if someone is happy to buy a live fish!). It is fascinating insights like this that make the morning markets such a unique, special experience. You can also sample a local breakfast from the morning market; most local dishes range between $0.5 – $3 in the old market.

5 Watch a Movie at Cinemax

If you’re looking for a more relaxing and laid-back activity in Siem Reap, then check out Cinemax. This is a unique and innovative cinema that shows individual movies in private rooms (and they are super comfortable!) so you can relax and enjoy a film with your family. They have a wide range of movies to choose from (it costs $8 for a movie). It is important to recognize that this is not a cinema showing new release movies; rather, they have a library of popular films. You can pay to watch a film anytime with your family. This is a great activity during the hottest hours of the day when all you want to do is rest and stay out of the intense midday heat.

6 Take a Khmer Cooking Class

Why not take a traditional Cambodian cooking course? This is a great way to connect with the culture, meet new people, and have a giggle. Check out this fantastic cooking class in Siem Reap on Klook. The class is excellent value for money; it includes Hotel pickup and drop off and a visit to a local home where you learn to cook 4 delicious traditional Cambodian dishes.

Here are some examples of typical dishes you make on this course: Fish Amok, Mango Salad, and Veggie Tempura. We are also very impressed by the flexibility; you can choose from a range of different pickup times throughout the day. So if you are hoping to learn a new skill, have some fun, and connect with the culture, we think this cooking course is the perfect choice for you. You can also buy packets of Cambodian spices from the old market so you can impress your friends with your newfound culinary skills.

7 Get a relaxing massage

If you need some well-earned rest and relaxation, then we highly recommend getting a Cambodian massage. There are lots of small spas situated in the center of Siem Reap. These spas offer a range of different treatments, including head massage, neck and shoulder massages, foot massages, and full-body massages. For an additional cost, you can also have aromatherapy oil massages. It is delightfully cheap to get a massage in Siem Reap; it generally costs $2 – $3 for a foot massage and $3 – $5 for a full-body massage.

8 Shopping in the night markets

If you are spending a few days in Siem Reap, then we strongly recommend spending some time exploring the night markets. Even if you are not bothered about shopping, strolling around the night markets is a fascinating, beautiful, and multi-century experience. The night markets are packed with hustle and bustle and color, and the whole experience feels magical and unique. Siem Reap has several different night markets selling a wide range of local gifts, clothing, art, and craft. We love the friendly and lively atmosphere of the night markets in Siem Reap. If you do buy something on the night market, we recommend bartering to get a fair price. Some of the prices can be relatively high, especially if you don’t barter.

9 Ride the Angkor Eye Ferris Wheel

If you are looking for unique and exhilarating things to do in Siem Reap with your family, then why not take a ride on the impressive Angkor Eye Ferris wheel, which towers a dizzying 85m high. From the top, you can see Dong Rek Mountain Range, Kulen Mountain, Bakheng Mountain, Angkor Wat, and Tonle Sap lake.

This iconic attraction is situated on the Airport Road around a 15-minute drive from Siem Reap town center. It costs $12 for an adult (over 12 years old) and $6 for (under 12 years); it is free of charge for an infant (under 3 years old). You can pay by cash or bank card. The Angkor Eye is open daily from 9 am – 9 pm. The experience takes 18 minutes (one time around the wheel), and you are allowed a maximum of 4 people per cabin. The cabins have air conditioning. The best time to visit is around 5 – 6 pm to enjoy the sunset.

10 Try out a fish spa

If you are looking for a giggle with your family, then why not try a fish spa? Just take a wander around Siem Reap in the evening, and you will see lots of small spas (especially around Pub Street) offering a fish spa for a few dollars. You can sit besides a pool of fish; if you dip your feet in the water, they will nibble the dead skin from your feet. It is a strange and slightly ticklish sensation. If you have a bit more time, you could also consider getting a foot massage, a neck and shoulder massage, or even a full-body massage. Massages in Cambodia are very relaxing and extremely affordable, normally costing around $5 – $8 for an hour.

11 Explore Tonle Sap

Don’t miss our full Guide to the Floating Villages of Siem Reap

If you are hoping to get out of Siem Reap and experience the beauty of rural Cambodia, then we highly recommend a visit to the impressive Tonle Sap. This is a huge inland lake in Cambodia. There are many small villages and communities living around the lake, and you can also see floating villages. Floating villages are houses built on wooden stilts where the locals live over the water and make a living from fishing.

Unfortunately, the main floating village attraction (at Phom Krom) is very touristy and inauthentic. It also has a scam school where tourists are tricked into buying unnecessary stationary and books, which are then returned to the shop and re-sold to the next tourists. The best way to visit Tonle Sap is to take a Tuk Tuk to a small, less-touristy village (for example, Kampong Khleang). You can find a fantastic authentic floating village tour on Klook for a very reasonable price. This trip visits the less touristy Kampong Phluk.

12 Have a meal at Temple Bar & Restaurant

If you are looking for a family treat, then we highly recommend the Temple Bar and Restaurant. There are actually two locations; one is called Temple Sky Lounge on Pub Street (this is the original Temple bar), and the other is Temple Design (on Sok San Road near the Garden Village Hostel). Both establishments are run by the same company. Temple Design has a more peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, and it is more family-friendly. They also have a stone-baked fire pizza oven; watch out for special deals and discounts; this really is a great place for a family treat.

13 Enjoy some cocktails around Pub Street

This may not sound like the most authentic cultural activity in Cambodia; however, if you love a good cocktail and a good bargain, then we highly recommend you make the most of the bars in Siem Reap. If you take a walk around some of the small alleyways around Pub Street, you can often find small bars offering tasty cocktails. Watch out for happy hour deals and special discounts; it is possible to find cocktails for around $3 with a buy one get one free discount. The only problem is knowing when to stop! Alternatively don’t miss the Asana Old Wooden House Cocktail bar located close to Pub Street. This is a herbal cocktail bar situated in a traditional-style wooden Cambodian house.

14 Enjoy a cultural performance

Cambodia has a very rich, beautiful, and unique culture and heritage. One of the best ways to connect with the traditional Cambodian culture is to attend a traditional dance performance. There are various places around Siem Reap where you can watch a traditional Apsara dance; this is a very unique and fascinating experience. Apsara dancers tend to wear vibrant traditional clothing; the dancers generally perform to local musical instruments, and their dances tell traditional folk stories, giving you an insight into Cambodian culture and history.

Apsara dance is characterized by contorted and yet beautiful movements of the hands and body. The costumes are particularly impressive. So if you get the chance, definitely make sure a dance performance is part of your itinerary in Siem Reap. There is a free dance performance at Temple Bar on Pub Street every evening at 7.30 pm (just buy a drink or a bite to eat and enjoy the show). Alternatively, Check out the stylish Apsara Theatre. They offer dinner and a cultural performance with tickets starting at around $30. They have performances each evening from 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm.

15 Take a walk along the river

If you’re looking for a more relaxing and calming activity in Siem Reap, can we highly recommend a stroll along the river? There is a lovely walk up the river northbound, starting from the old market and following Pokambor Avenue. There are lots of trees along this section of the river, which provides natural shade. So you can do this walk any time of the day.

16 Explore the villages

If you’re looking for a more intrepid and authentic experience, then we highly recommend taking a visit to some of the rural villages on the outskirts of Siem Reap. You don’t have to travel far from Siem Reap to find yourself immersed in authentic rural Cambodian life. There are some very beautiful villages in the Pouk District, situated around 10 kilometers to the west of Siem Reap. If you are exploring in the monsoon season, be aware that some of the roads can be challenging and potentially closed. To get around, you could rent a motorbike, a bicycle, or we could arrange a trip with a local tuk-tuk driver.

If you plan to explore the villages by Tuk Tuk, you may need to show the driver your preferred destination on a map. It should cost around $10 – $15 to take a few-hour tour of the villages by tuk-tuk (the exact price depends on the distance and time, so it is important to share a plan with your driver before you agree to a price). Once you get away from the main roads and away from Siem Reap, you will see and experience rural Cambodian life very quickly. Some of the villages around this area are extremely poor. You may want to stop at the market on the way and pick up some supplies. Once you get into the villages, local kids and families will be very excited to come and greet you. Having a bag of goodies is a great way to connect and build bridges.

Ethical ways to give back in Cambodia 

Don’t miss the full guide – Ethical ways to Help in Siem Reap

And finally we wanted to share a short section on giving back. Cambodia is genuinely a stunning country with plenty of things to see and do. However, it is also a developing country with a lot of poverty and social problems. So if you are taking a trip to Siem Reap we would encourage you to find ways to give back and support the community. 

Many charities and NGOs in Siem Reap do not accept short-term volunteers. There are, however, still plenty of ways that you can give back and help out in Cambodia. 

In Siem Reap town, you are likely to encounter a lot of people begging. In some cases, children have been sent on to the streets to beg. Giving money directly to these children is equipping and enabling the people who send them out (and the kids are very unlikely to get anything from the money). 

Instead you could buy lots of hot street food meals and give these to kids begging on the streets. Hot fresh food cannot be returned or exchanged so you are giving these kids a meal that they actually get to enjoy! Or what about ice creams? Just buy a load of ice creams to give out! The kids will be grateful if you open the ice creams before you give them to the kids so that can’t be returned to the shop. 

Also look out for real needs in Siem Reap. You may see very poor families collecting plastic bottles around town. This is often extremely poor people who come from the villages. If you see people like this they have real needs so donate generously.