Siem Reap

Why visit Siem Reap?

If Siem Reap was a character, it would be cosmopolitan, with funky clothes and a lot of sass. It would be a great dancer, always up for some fun. Vibrant, colourful and rarely boring, Siem Reap is the kind of place that can hold you under its spell…if you give it a chance.

Sure, the dusty, pot-holed streets, brimming with tuk tuks and motorbikes, can be overwhelming at first. The sheer amount of colours, noises and aromas radiating from the night market – and particularly, the neon-lit chaos of Pub Street Siem Reap – may not appeal to everyone. But you can’t deny, this place has got attitude, and personality. The kind that intrigues, thrills (even scares you a little!), but one that’s so fascinating, it’s hard to turn away.

Best things to do in Siem Reap

With the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport opening in 2023, Siem Reap has cemented its place as the gateway to Angkor Wat Cambodia. The ancient temples are a short tuk tuk, taxi, motorbike or cycle away from downtown, making it a great base for a tour of Angkor Wat. You could get up early to see the sunrise over the temples, or travel late in the afternoon, when it’s less hot and the crowds have started thinning – the temples are free to visit after 5pm so you can enjoy sunset with a view, too.

Psst…Our local guides know the main complex and smaller temples around Angkor Wat Cambodia inside out. And we can tailor-make a tour that includes the best spots, without the crowds, to enjoy at your own pace.

Travelling to Siem Reap with a family? There’s a huge amount of activities on offer: from the unique Phare Cambodian Circus – a mesmorising show of storytelling, dance and acrobatics – to visiting floating villages, the butterfly centre, making shadow puppets or getting active with ziplining, quad bike tours and wakeboarding.

If you’re with friends, your partner or travelling solo, there’s lots on offer, too. Siem Reap is home to amazing boutique shops and jewellers. The night markets are packed with handicrafts, bargain clothes (and great BBQ street food!) and there’s plenty of affordable spas dotted around for a foot massage after hitting the streets.

Pub Street, one of the busiest areas in downtown Siem Reap, is well worth a visit – even if just to walk its length before seeking somewhere more peaceful! With plenty of bars, restaurants and shops lining both sides, it’s great for a cheap beer and people-watching. Alternatively, you could book a street food tour from the back of a Vespa, to sample local dishes in style.

Ready to reap what you sow?!

If you want to use Siem Reap as a stopover to visit the temples before moving on, that’s ok. If you want to hang around longer, taking in a few extra sights in and around the city, that’s great, too!

At Wide Eyed Tours & Travel, we’re here to help you build the kind of trip that matches your interests, needs and budget. So whether you’d like a flying visit or a longer experience that includes a jeep tour to Kulen Mountain or boat trips on Tonle Sap Lake, a cute family hotel or a 5-star resort, we’ll make sure to sow the perfect seeds for an amazing Siem Reap tour.

Chat to our team, and we can arrange your transport, your activities and your accommodation – remember, everything is customisable, so you can mix things up later, if you like. Our driver can pick you up from Siem Reap International Airport to take you where you need to go; we can also arrange private transfers from elsewhere in Cambodia.

All you need to do is bring sunscreen, your walking shoes and plenty of camera space for those incredible sights.