Curator’s statement
Siem Reap is such a shock to the senses, and I say that in the best way possible. It is a modern city with all the modern conveniences you could expect, but it lives in parallel with an ancient complex of temples that have withstood the test of time and showcase the beauty of Khmer architecture and design. One of the great wonders of the world, I built my entire Southeast Asia itinerary around spending some time in this incredible city—and it was so, so worth it.
The Fora Difference
Book with Jessica to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in Siem Reap
Unlock perks by contacting Jessica to book your trip.
Things to do in Siem Reap
Exploring some of the less-visited ruins created a much more personal experience within the Angkor complex. Credit: Jessica Newberry
Angkor Wat: The world’s largest religious monument, Angkor Wat is a jaw-dropping relic that has survived the test of time, its intricate carvings still telling the stories it has told for centuries. While impressive, there are SO many ancient ruins and temples in the Angkor complex, and it is worth visiting more than just Angkor Wat. We spent two days exploring the temples, and while there were many we didn’t see, we did get to experience what I believe is the best of them. While the sunrise at Angkor Wat is anything but tranquil (you’ll be watching with a few thousand new friends), it is worth going if for no other reason than to begin exploring the temple when the weather is cool and it isn’t totally overrun by tourists yet.
Walk Pub Street: The main tourist drag in the city, Pub Street is an array of street food, handicraft vendors, restaurants, and bars all lit up by colorful neon lights. While there is a ton to do outside of this area, it is worth going to see and experience it while you are in town.
Sunset on Tonle Sap Lake: For a nice change of pace, head out to Tonle Sap Lake to see the floating village and get dinner at a floating restaurant in the middle of the lake while watching the sunset.
Banteay Srei: While this temple is located the furthest from Angkor Wat, it is the most intricate and best preserved of any of them, and it is widely believed this temple was built by women. If you only have the opportunity to explore one temple outside of Angkor Wat, let it be this one.
Get a massage: After spending my days exploring ancient temples on foot, one of the best treats I was able to give myself in the evening was a foot massage at the night market.
Walk through the night market: Speaking of the night market, there are several great stalls and locations to buy beautiful handicrafts, and an area in particular that is entirely fair trade. Spend your evening trying the delicious street food, admiring the work of local artisans, and observing modern life in this ancient area.
Places to eat & drink in Siem Reap
Lok lak from Tevy’s Place—I went back for this multiple times! Credit: Jessica Newberry
Tevy's Place: Hands down, this is the restaurant we went to the most. It was delicious, walkable from but nowhere near the crowds of Pub Street, and absolutely delivered on authentic and delicious Khmer cuisine.
Khmer Taste Restaurant: Our first meal in Cambodia was at Khmer Taste Restaurant, and I was floored when my pineapple fried rice was delivered to my table in a hollowed out pineapple. It was an incredibly generous serving, delicious, and only $1.
Night market street food: As with any major city in Southeast Asia, one of the great delights is to sample the local cuisine through street food. You’ll find many options here, and while there will be vendors pushing you to try some insects and other critters, these aren’t a critical “when in Rome” experience and you can move along to the foods you actually want to eat.
Rolled ice cream: When walking through Pub Street, you will see a line of vendors selling rolled ice cream. I got this for dessert every night, and it was such a fun experience to watch them make it! Delicious and a great, cool treat after trekking through ancient ruins in the hot sun all day.
Laundry Bar: Loved by locals, ex-pats, and tourists alike, Laundry Bar attracts a wide array of folks in Siem Reap. Make sure you go for karaoke night and have a great time meeting new people!
Brothers Restaurant: Great cafe and cocktail restaurant that also serves traditional Khmer meals. You can’t go wrong with a visit to Brothers.
Need to know
No trip to Siem Reap is complete without trying the best of Khmer cuisine, and my favorite dish is lok lak. Make sure you try some at least once!
Street food is one of the best things about traveling through Southeast Asia, but be smart about what you consume. The general rule of thumb I followed (and that served my stomach VERY well) was to only purchase food from stalls where I could see it being cooked—especially when it came to meats. You don’t want to eat something that has been sitting out for too long or might be undercooked.
For reliable clean water, make sure you’re drinking bottled water. Most hotels and tours will provide this to you, but before drinking water from anywhere ask to be sure it is clean.
While the wats are stunning, if you’re planning a larger trip through Southeast Asia, you will notice they are everywhere. If you visit too many, a common feeling is to be “wat’d out,” so pace yourself in your visits to avoid losing the wonder of these gorgeous temples!
Travel Advisor
Jessica Newberry
Get in touch with Jessica
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can expect a response from Jessica within 1–2 business days. You’ll also be subscribed to our traveler newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Siem Reap page.