Visit Siem Reap: Top 10 must-sees and must-do

Gateway to the majestic temples of Angkor, the dynamic and lively Siem Reap City is an essential stopover during your trip to Cambodia. Make your stay in Siem Reap a success by taking inspiration from the 10 must-see sites and visits to make your trip unforgettable.

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1. The temples of Angkor

The discovery of the mythical and majestic temples of Angkor is an essential activity that justifies a stay in Siem Reap and even in Cambodia. This exceptional archaeological site is not only a national jewel but also a world heritage site since it is recognized by UNESCO. You will be dazzled by this breathtaking architectural ensemble famous for its mountain temples, the most famous of which is Angkor Wat. Don't miss admiring Angkor at sunrise or sunset, it is an unforgettable travel memory!

2. Take a hot air balloon ride

Take a hot air balloon ride over the majestic temples of Angkor for a memorable travel experience. Flying over the archaeological site of Angkor, you will enjoy a breathtaking aerial view of the entire site and the magnificent Cambodian countryside, its rice fields extending to infinity, its small traditional villages, and the peaceful Tonle Sap Lake and its picturesque aquatic life.

3. Discover a floating village in Tonle Sap

This is a superb and interesting excursion to do from Siem Reap. At the city gates is the Tonle Sap which is home to several floating villages. It’s a great opportunity to go and discover this immense freshwater lake recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO where many fishing communities live on floating villages on stilts. A life at the surface of the water that is quite fascinating, and close to local traditions.

4. Explore the countryside by bike

10 must-sees to visit in siem reap bike ride

The sublime countryside of Siem Reap offers beautiful bike rides for half or a full day. It is a real pleasure to cycle through the large expanses of rice fields, cross small typical villages, observe Cambodian rural life and discover some temples away from the tourist flows, hidden in lush vegetation. This activity accessible to children makes for a great family outing during your vacation in Cambodia.

5. The Angkor National Museum

10 must-see places to visit in Siem Reap National Museum

A visit to the Angkor National Museum will perfectly complement your discovery of the temples of Angkor. This magnificent museum traces the entire history of the Khmer civilization and its rich cultural heritage. You will be able to admire beautiful, unique collections of Khmer art objects, including some of the most beautiful sculptures on the Angkor site. Do not miss the magnificent gallery of 1000 Buddhas. The explanations are also in English.

6. Discover local crafts

10 must-see places to visit in Siem Reap crafts

At the market, in the shops or more particularly in the workshops, you can discover the incredible wealth of local crafts. You will be seduced by the traditional techniques of Khmer arts while admiring the craftsmen at work, perpetuating ancestral know-how. Silk clothing or accessories, basketwork, cotton linens, lacquer or wooden objects, elegant statues... the choice is endless!

7. Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary

10 must-see places to visit in Siem Reap bird sanctuary

This is a nature-oriented excursion to the heart of this nature reserve which is considered one of the most important sites in Southeast Asia for the protection of endangered species. By boat, through a vast flooded forest, you can observe hundreds of species such as herons, storks, marabou storks, ibises or pelicans. It is best to go there during the dry season when thousands of birds flock to the sanctuary to nest. This excursion to Prek Toal combines perfectly with a visit to a floating village in Tonle Sap.

8. Get pampered in a spa

10 must-see places to visit in Siem Reap spa

After a beautiful excursion to the temples of Angkor, there is nothing better to relax than to go to one of the many spas in Siem Reap where expert hands await you for a great moment of relaxation. Khmer massages, exfoliating treatments with traditional herbs, mud wraps, rice treatments, sauna, hammam... fill up with energy to continue your trip to Cambodia!

9. Take a cooking class

10 must-sees to visit in siem reap cooking class

This is a fun and friendly activity that will allow you to discover the secrets of Cambodian gastronomy and learn how to cook some Khmer culinary specialties. With the help of a local chef, you will go to the market to buy ingredients and learn their particularities, then you will learn local culinary techniques before tasting your creations. This is a gourmet activity that always leaves a very good memory.

10. Visit the city's royal gardens

10 must-sees to visit in siem reap royal gardens

A true haven of peace that allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center during your stay in Cambodia. We particularly appreciate the manicured gardens with their carefully trimmed hedges, the fragrant frangipani and bougainvillaea, the flowerbeds filled with irises, and the majestic trees that provide welcome shade. From the garden, you can admire the legendary Raffles Grand Hotel Angkor which hosted many celebrities such as Charles de Gaulle, Princess Margaret and Jackie Kennedy.

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