Most people come to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to see just one thing: Angkor Wat. It’s not hard to see why. This monument is one of the world’s most stunning architectural wonders and often tops lists of the best landmarks in the world to visit.
Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples are indeed Siem Reap’s crown jewel. Of course, you can’t miss sunrise over the Angkor temples or a chance to see the tree-covered Ta Prohm, also known as the Tomb Raider Temple. However, there’s so much more to this ancient city than its most famous temples.
Cambodia itself is often referred to as a “sticky” country, a place where people find themselves staying longer than planned. A visit to Siem Reap proves why. There are so many reasons to extend your stay beyond just a day or two of temple-hopping.
Here are 10 things to love about Siem Reap besides Angkor Wat!
1. The Vibrant Food and Café Scene
Siem Reap is a foodie’s paradise, with plenty of opportunities to explore traditional Khmer flavours. Amok is one of Cambodia’s most famous dishes, and you’ll find delicious vegan versions made with coconut cream, lemongrass, kaffir lime, garlic, and aromatic spices. The city is also home to numerous vegan restaurants, cafés serving excellent coffee, and plenty of places to enjoy smoothies, ice cream rolls, and street food. From traditional Khmer dishes to international cuisine, there is something for every taste.
For those who love bars, the Pub Street and Night Market areas offers many chances to dance and party into the wee hours. Cambodia also has a thriving live music and entertainment scene. There are plenty of places to enjoy an evening out, whether you want a lively night or a more relaxed drink.
2. The Relaxed Atmosphere
Siem Reap offers everything you could possibly want from a metropolis, from shopping and high-end restaurants to parties, cultural events, limitless massage shops, and 24-hour pharmacies. Yet, it has all of this without the hectic and touristy feel of larger nearby cities like Ho Chi Minh City or Bangkok. Plus, a ten- or fifteen-minute walk will take you out to the villages or rice fields. This gives you plenty of time to fit both nature and city life into a single day.
Because of a rule that buildings cannot be built higher than Angkor Wat, the city has remained free of congestion, pollution, and overcrowding. This has given it a calm and open atmosphere, which is one reason many people extend their stays. You can enjoy the energy of the city while still having plenty of space to slow down and breathe.
3. Affordable, Safe, and Welcoming
Siem Reap offers excellent value for travellers, with a wide range of accommodation, from affordable guesthouses to beautiful luxury hotels at surprisingly reasonable prices. You can also enjoy delicious meals at local restaurants without spending much, making it easy to travel here on a budget. Siem Reap is a safe and relaxed city, and it’s easy to explore on foot or by tuk-tuk, even in the evening. Tuk-tuks are readily available throughout the city and easy to book through the Grab app.
Beyond the practical side of travelling here, it’s the warmth of the Khmer people that often leaves the biggest impression. Respect and friendliness are deeply valued in Cambodian culture, and many locals are happy to welcome visitors. A conversation with a local guide can easily turn into sharing stories, having a drink together, or learning more about everyday life in Cambodia. These small moments of connection can become some of the most memorable parts of your stay.
4. Tonle Sap Lake, Phnom Kulen, and Extraordinary Nature
A ten-minute tuk-tuk ride from the city center of Siem Reap will take you right into the depths of the jungle. Soon, you’ll find yourself face-to-face with many exceptional natural wonders.
From the city, you can easily take a day tour or an adventure of your own out to the lush hiking trails of Kulen Mountain. You can also spend a day boating through the mangrove forests and floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake, or enjoy afternoons sipping coconuts among the wild butterflies at the Phnom Kulen waterfall. For a taste of nature without going far, visit the Banteay Srey Butterfly Center or the Angkor Botanical Garden. There’s no shortage of tropical nature to enjoy, and you can escape into nature and still be back in the city for dinner.
5. Lotus Farms, HeroRATs, and Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures
Siem Reap has tons of character and is home to many unique opportunities to dive more deeply into Cambodia’s culture. You might pay a visit to a nearby lotus farm to learn more about how local artisans weave lotus fibers into silk and take a boat ride through a lush lotus pond. It’s a peaceful way to experience traditional crafts while enjoying the beauty of the countryside.
Or, enjoy a day trip hanging out with the heroic rats that can sniff out landmines, which are relics of the Khmer Rouge era. These remarkable animals play an important role in Cambodia, helping to detect landmines and making areas safer for local communities. It’s a fascinating and unusual way to learn more about Cambodia’s recent history while meeting some very special four-legged heroes.
6. Museums, Art, and Markets
Siem Reap is more than temples. It’s also a great place to discover Cambodian art, history, culture and local crafts. Visit the Angkor National Museum to learn more about the history and heritage of the Khmer Empire, explore contemporary Cambodian art at Theam’s Gallery, or browse locally made products and souvenirs at the Made in Cambodia Market.
For a deeper look at Cambodia’s artistic traditions, take some time to explore the city’s smaller galleries, workshops and craft spaces, where you can find everything from paintings and sculpture to handmade textiles, ceramics and traditional crafts. Many local artists draw inspiration from Cambodia’s history and landscapes while creating work that feels distinctly modern.
The markets are also a wonderful way to experience everyday life in Siem Reap and support local makers. Instead of only looking for souvenirs, you can discover handmade jewelry, natural products, artwork, clothing and Cambodian handicrafts, often made by local artisans. Whether you love history, art or traditional crafts, there is plenty to discover in Siem Reap. You can also find meaningful souvenirs and support local artists and makers.
7. Religious Monuments and Overgrown Temples
Siem Reap is deeply shaped by the traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism, which have influenced Cambodian culture and temple architecture for centuries. Today, you can visit Buddhist temples where orange-robed monks chant prayers and the sound of gongs fills the air.
Beyond Angkor Wat, explore places such as the River of 1,000 Lingas (Kbal Spean), where ancient carvings dedicated to Shiva can be found along the riverbed. For something further off the beaten path, visit Beng Mealea, an atmospheric temple complex surrounded by jungle, moss-covered ruins and a sense of timeless mystery. These places offer a chance to experience a quieter and more spiritual side of Cambodia.
8. Khmer Culture
Despite the Khmer Rouge’s devastating efforts to destroy Cambodian culture between 1975 and 1979, Cambodian traditions continue to thrive today and are easy to experience in Siem Reap. From dance and music to food, crafts and spiritual traditions, the city offers many ways to connect with Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. Many of these traditions are still part of everyday life in the city and surrounding villages.
You can watch a traditional Apsara dance, experience the unique Phare Circus, join a Cambodian cooking class, explore local arts and crafts, or step back in time among the Buddhist and Hindu temples and monuments found throughout the region. Taking the time to experience these traditions offers a deeper understanding of Cambodia and the people who have kept its culture alive through generations.
9. Healing and Wellness Experiences
Siem Reap is also becoming a destination for healing, wellness and self-care. From affordable traditional massages and spa treatments to yoga, meditation and holistic therapies, there are plenty of ways to slow down and recharge during your stay.
You can enjoy a relaxing four-hands massage, visit one of the city’s many spas, or explore treatments offered by local Khmer healers and international practitioners who bring different traditions and approaches from around the world. For a more active wellness experience, some gyms and wellness centers also offer steam rooms, saunas and cold plunges. You can also discover shamanic healing and traditional Khmer healing modalities for a deeper and more immersive experience.
Whether you are looking for simple relaxation or a more transformative wellness experience, Siem Reap offers plenty of ways to take care of your body, mind and overall well-being.
10. Life-Changing Retreats
Siem Reap offers many ways to practice yoga. You can also explore inner growth and self-development. At Hariharalaya, our six-day retreats bring together yoga, meditation, breathwork, conscious living and holistic wellness in a supportive environment designed to help you slow down and reconnect with yourself.
Set in the peaceful countryside outside Siem Reap, Hariharalaya combines Khmer traditions, plant-based food and warm Cambodian hospitality with the ancient wisdom of yoga and meditation. Rather than simply taking a break from everyday life, the retreat invites you to step outside of your usual routines and into the present moment, creating space for reflection, connection and transformation.
