Siem Reap – Temple Town and Pub Street

Last Update: December 2022

Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s number one tourist magnet and in its wake the village of Siem Reap became the undisputed jump off point for the notorious temple monument. Over time Siem Reap transformed from a sleepy rural town into a bustling tourist destination in itself, offering ample accommodation, dining options and entertainment. You are in for a treat!

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Siem Reap General Info

Cambodia Highlight

Tourism in Cambodia is on the rise. The number of tourist arrivals is still not up to par with neighbor Thailand, but tourism in the Kingdom of Wonder is growing at a dazzling speed. Except for a temporary dip due to the pandemic there are no signs of a slow down.

Next to Angkor Wat, Cambodia has some exciting highlights to offer that are not (yet) fully on the travelers radar. This has everything to do with the country’s turbulent recent past, which is characterized by oppression and civil wars (plural). As a result, Cambodia was late to open up to visitors and tourism.

That’s all in the past now and finally we can experience Cambodia as a true travelers destination. From historical treasures like Preah Vihaer in the North to the pristine white sand Islands in the South. From untouched nature and abundant wildlife in the Eastern Cardamom mountains to the rural countryside along the Mekong in the West. Cambodia is diverse, interesting and ready to claim its seat at the South East Asia tourism table.

Siem Reap

Man, this town has changed over the past few years! The tourist influx continues to grow under the influence of nearby temple grounds and Siem Reap is desperately trying to keep up with adequate infrastructure. It’s not all bad I admit, but it’s definitely not all good. as well.

Of course the historical value of Angkor Wat makes it the most important attraction in the whole of Cambodia. Fortunately, over time, local and expat tourism entrepreneurs managed to put Siem Reap on the map as an interesting and fun tourist destination. Siem Reap is more than just a jump off point for the temple grounds.

From the hustle and bustle of the infamous Pub Street to the quiet rural countryside and the Tonle Sap floating villages. Siem Reap caters to every kind of tourist need, whether it’s history, culture, nature or partying, you can have it all.

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Reasons (not) to visit Siem Reap

5 Reasons to visit Siem Reap

• The direct vicinity to Angkor Wat is the main draw. This cultural monument is an absolute must see for any serious traveler (and fun traveler for that matter). The town is so conveniently close to the temple grounds that it doesn’t make sense to stay anywhere else really;

  
  

• The infrastructure is completely adapted to receive multiple millions of tourists every year (although there is room for improvement). In any case you will find ample accommodation and eating options catering to every budget. Also, the local tourist industry has ventured beyond just Angkor Wat. There are plenty of interesting things to do in and around Siem Reap that are not temple related;

• The countryside of Siem Reap is definitely worth visiting as well. It’s predominantly flat and agricultural, dotted with small settlements that provide a peek into Cambodian rural life. To the South is the Tonle Sap lake with the floating villages where the Vietnamese minorities live;

• Unlike the quiet and laid-back countryside, the town itself is very lively (and that’s an understatement). Not big metropolis kind of lively, but definitely rocking. It’s all about the tourist here, so expect hotels, bars and restaurants dominating the street view. Yeah, it may get a bit cheesy at times, but it never feels bad though, it’s actually a good vibe. Especially in the center of town, most establishments are small scale businesses that all somehow manage to add real value to the cozy look and feel;

• So yes, Siem Reap is extremely touristy, but that means you will also have the perks of a good and convenient tourism infrastructure in place. At the same time you can still find authenticity here. Apart from the countryside, just take the effort of venturing out to the outskirts of town. I promise that you will be amazed by the authentic visuals and the friendly welcome from the local population.

3 Reasons not to visit Siem Reap

• The town can be extremely busy. All year round and notably during the peak season the crowds and traffic are overwhelming. Of course, you can choose to stay in one of the more tranquil accommodation retreats. However, once you leave for the temple grounds or for a nice dinner in the city center you are bound to run into crowds. At times, the town can be like a carnival;

• If you can’t cope with high temperatures then this is not the place for you. The sun here is truly punishing and even during the rainy season the humidity will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a sauna;

• Although Siem Reap is a major tourist hub, it is not to be compared with South East Asia’s larger cities like Bangkok, Hanoi or even Phnom Penh. If you came to find a cosmopolitan atmosphere, turn around. Siem Reap remains a provincial town with a provincial feel, despite the tourist numbers.

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Best time to visit Siem Reap

Weather wise the best time to visit Siem Reap is in December and January, when it’s generally sunny and dry. Unfortunately this coincides with the peak tourist season, bringing crowds, I mean huge crowds and inflated accommodation rates. Perhaps February might be better when the temperature is still agreeable and the crowds subside (but only by a little).

From March the heat starts to build up and April/May are usually scorching hot. Come June, rainy season starts and from September to October it can rain a lot. Don’t think however, that the rain brings cooler temperatures. I mean, it does a little, but the high humidity will make you feel like you’ve entered a Turkish steam bath. With that in mind, it’s a good thing that Siem Reap is sometimes also dubbed the swimming pool capital of Cambodia for a reason. So choose your accommodation wisely.

On another note, rainy season is not a bad time to visit, since the landscape is lush and green. The rain usually comes in brief showers and is alternated with sufficient sunlight for great photos of the temples. Just don’t forget to pack an umbrella. Note that there’s another notable spike in visitor numbers during July and August.

Traveling to Cambodia? Quick-check the up-to-date entry requirements

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What to see/do in Siem Reap

Obviouly we have to kick off the list of things to see/do with Angkor Wat. It might very well be the sole reason you came to Siem Reap in the first place. However, you will be pleasantly surprised by the many other interesting and fun activities that Siem Reap has to offer. Below is a short description of activities, but I also wrote an article with a more comprehensive list.

Read: “11 things to do in Siem Reap – and 5 things to skip” – A comprehensive and detailed list of activities in Siem Reap.

Angkor Wat

The City of Temples is the largest religious monument in the world. The total site measures a staggering 1,626,000 m², that’s almost 230 soccer fields people! With over 2 million international visitors each year (and counting) it’s also one of the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world.

For the record, Angkor Wat might be the most significant temple, but the Angkor Archeological Park houses numerous other temples that are also worth visiting. Next to Angkor Wat the other must see temples include Angkor Thom (Bayon), Ta Prohm, Phnom Bakheng and Baphuon.

It’s perfectly possible to visit all these highlights in one day, so a $37, 1-day ticket to the park should be sufficient for the average visitor. If you have a special interest in archeology/history or you just can’t get enough there are 3-day ($62) and week long ($72) tickets available as well.

Grab a tuk-tuk for the day with some friends for $15-$20. It will take you to the ticket center first and then straight to the highlights of the archeological park. If air-con transport is more your thing you can also opt for an organized tour. Prices start at $16 p/p for a full day tour in an air-conditioned minivan including lunch and a trustworthy English speaking guide. Book a recommended tour.

The cheapest option is to rent a bicycle, but make sure that you’re ready for exercise, because it will be a full day of pedaling!

Read: Angkor Wat – Overrated!

Museums

Siem Reap has plenty of museums and although most of them are but small, some of them are unique and quite interesting. Two of them are an absolute must-see.

Angkor National Museum: Dedicated to the Khmer era from the 9th to the 14th century and displaying many Angkorian artifacts and sculptures. Most ideal would be to visit the museum before you go to see the temples. The context provided will truly add value to your temples visit. If you’re at peace with the rather high $12 entrance fee, I do recommend forking out an extra $5 for the excellent audio guided tour.

Landmine Museum: Impressive initiative by a former child soldier that had to plant landmines himself. After decades of conflict there are still numerous amounts of UXO in Cambodia claiming new victims on a regular basis. This museum tells the story of Cambodia’s recent violent past. Proceeds of the museum go towards landmine clearing, the funding of a new school and a relief center for child victims. Even without these admirable causes this is a place worth visiting for the history lesson it provides.

Markets

Old Market: Wherever there are tourists, there is a market and the Siem Reap Psah Chas (Old Market) is no exception. Still, the local population very much favors this market as well. They shop here for fish, meat, vegetables and household items. There’s also a large section where jewelry, clothes, shoes and trinkets are sold. The food stalls in the center of the market attract locals for breakfast and tourists for snacks.

Night Market: There are several night markets in Siem Reap, which all seem to target tourists. Most notable is the night market near Pub street, with t-shirts, souvenirs and street food. Another market is the Art Center Night Market over the bridge at Makara street, offering local handicrafts and art objects.

Pub Street

This street deserves its own chapter. There’s nothing like it, or even close to it, anywhere else in Cambodia. The street is completely dedicated to drinking, dining and partying. If you came looking for a peaceful retreat in one of Cambodia’s provincial towns, well….this ain’t it, and that’s an understatement if ever there was one.

Clearly Pub street is not for everyone, but it serves a purpose. The abundance of flashy neon lights and the cacophony of loud blaring stereos can certainly have a disorienting effect. But why not surrender yourself to a night (or two) of unrestrained party. For the record, I don’t advocate excessive alcohol consumption, but if ever you wanted to let your hair down, do it here since beers are as low as fifty cents during happy hour. Just saying.

Food is cheap as well with plenty of choice, although not of a very high standard. It’s tasty enough though, so it will do the trick. Relax to digest your food in one of the lounge areas outside the bars or else, dance the night away in one of the many clubs.

Beware, beware, enjoying yourself while partying is nice, but do behave! The local authorities are cracking down on tourists that demonstrate misconduct. This includes a lack of respect towards locals and Buddhist religion.

Floating Village

If Angkor Wat has left you templed out, visiting one of the floating villages at the nearby Tonle lake is a nice way to see more of local Cambodia. The lake is the largest in South East Asia and harbors several floating and stilted fishing villages to observe daily rural life.

You can join a tour or you can venture on your own. Just note that at one point you will have to make use of a rented boat and it won’t be cheap. Also note that not all villages guarantee a satisfactory experience. Scammers are on the prowl! Read up on my article “Outrageous Cambodia Scam” to learn which villages to avoid.

Travel Insurance

No, no, no, I know you think travel insurance is boring, but don’t you dare to skip this chapter! What if you fall off a temple? You think I’m joking? Think again, it happens way more often than you think.

Anyway, just realize that healthcare in Cambodia is hopelessly underdeveloped. Any serious injuries or ailments will probably involve medical transport to Bangkok or Singapore. A costly event and without proper insurance you will have to pay upfront. Better have that rich uncle on speed-dial.

Make sure to include medical care abroad, evacuation and repatriation. Read more about travel insurance, or get a non-committal instant quote right now!

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Where to sleep in Siem Reap

There are so many accommodations in Siem Reap. Hostels, boutique hotels, guesthouses, airbnb, eco and luxurious resorts, you name it, it’s here. How to pick the right place to stay?

If you’re new to Siem Reap it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the incredible amount of lodging options. To choose the right accommodation for you, start with determining three things: First, desired area, then your desired luxury level and next is the price level. Agoda.com conveniently allows you to filter these three criteria in their search engine.

Don’t forget to check the reviews on the Agoda site to see whether the accommodations actually live up to their offerings. Or, simply go with my recommended places to stay below.

Recommended by Walkaboutmonkey.com

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Where to eat in Siem Reap

I won’t go as far as saying that Siem Reap is a foodie heaven, but fact is that you can do some serious munching here. Sure, it’s a tourist town and that’s often a recipe for poorly executed, overpriced Western and toned down local food.

However, the large size expat community demands more than just mediocre tourist grub. Also, the many Cambodians, lured by jobs, from all over the country settled in Siem Reap bringing with them their local cuisine. All in all, Siem Reap has a pretty good and varied food scene.

Recommended by Walkaboutmonkey.com

Temple Coffee n Bakery Such a cool place to hang out for breakfast, lunch, dinner and after-dinner. Ok, so maybe I am a little biased as we stayed right next door so visiting here was oh so convenient. The atmosphere is great though, with high quality food, even if the menu is somewhat limited.

Urban Tree Hut Definitely one of the better restaurants in Siem Reap. Both Western and Asian options, executed to perfection by the competent kitchen staff. The restaurant has a wonderful garden setting with special swing chairs that makes one really relaxed. Prices are reasonable for a restaurant of this level.

Read: “Where to eat in Siem Reap – 23 restaurant tips”

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How to get to Siem Reap

Siem Reap has a small, but busy international airport with flights coming in from all over South East Asia and an incredible amount of flights from China. I recommend using the Skyscanner website to check the full schedule of incoming and outgoing flights.

Buses find their way to Siem Reap from all over Cambodia and even from as far as Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. Do not book your bus ticket on Khaosan Road or Pham Ngu Lao! Don’t be that guy that got scammed! Book your ticket online and secure your seat through a trustworthy specialist. For bus trips to/from and within Cambodia I always use BookmeBus.com. Skip the lines at the bus station!

Getting around in Siem Reap

From Siem Reap airport to the city center is pretty straightforward. Just outside the airport is a taxi booth that sells taxi tickets for a fixed price of $10. Tuk-tuks charge a fixed price of $9 or else you can venture beyond the airport parking to negotiate a $5-$6 deal.

Likewise, motorbike taxis charge a fixed price of $9, but at the exit of the airport parking you should be able to bargain down to as low as $3. Either transport options take approximately 20min to the city center.

In the city center everything is well within walking distance, even when it’s hot, just walk slow. However, you’re probably here to see the temples, and maybe you also want to roam around the countryside a bit. Outside of town activities require a tuk-tuk or a taxi.

Tuk-tuks are literally anywhere and they are always up for daily hire. $15-$20 is the usual going rate for a day. Taxis are more expensive, from $25 per day or more depending on the type of car. Your guesthouse or any travel agent will be able to find you a driver.

Normally, I advocate renting a motorbike and self drive. Unfortunately, the local tuk-tuk mafia lobby has been successful in banning motorbike rental to foreigners. This rule is not always enforced, but every once in a while there will be police crackdowns. If they confiscate the motorbike you’ll have to compensate the rental company. It’s a real pity, since the roads around Siem Reap are perfect for motorbiking. Alternatively, you can rent an expensive e-bike for $10 per day.

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