Cambodia Things To Do in Siem Reap Beyond The Angkor | Travel Guide
If you’ve always thought that Siem Reap is all about the ruins of Angkor, we’re here to tell you what else this gorgeous city has in store! From exploring the rural life to enjoying the culinary delights, rare flora and fauna, as well as getting in tune with your spiritual side, there’s so much that Siem Reap has to offer the travellers! We were in Siem Reap for 3 days, exploring the temple complex, but we tried our best to tick off all that was there on our bucket list!
If you’re looking for a taste of the real Cambodia, Siem Reap won’t disappoint. Walk into a local restaurant, cook your own Khmer BBQ, and enjoy the bold, smoky flavours fresh off the grill. Or head out to the Tonle Sap fishing villages, where you’ll see traditional stilt houses and meet local fishermen. Some may even invite you into their homes for a lunch made with fish caught just moments before — simple, fresh, and unforgettable.
How to reach Siem Reap?
Most travellers reach Siem Reap by flying into Siem Reap International Airport. The airport is well-connected to major Southeast Asian cities such as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Kuala Lumpur. From there, the city centre is just a short drive away.
Siem Reap is best known as the gateway to the iconic Angkor Wat, but it’s much more than that. With its rich history, welcoming locals, and lively food scene, it’s a place that invites you to slow down and truly experience Cambodian culture.
Check out the best things to do in Siem Reap, other than exploring Angkor Wat.
1. Enjoy living like a local in an Airbnb!
If you’re wondering whether staying in an Airbnb is worth it — trust us, it absolutely is. Our Airbnb experience in Siem Reap was so good, it left us wanting more. We stayed in a beautiful villa hosted by Phalla, our lovely local host, and it instantly felt like home.
Our room was huge, with a private bathroom and a swimming pool literally right outside the door (yes, really). Siem Reap is hot, dry, and dusty for most of the year, so having a pool to jump into after a day of temple hopping or market wandering was pure bliss.
To make things even easier, our host arranged our pickup from the airport and helped us plan our itinerary around the city. The location couldn’t have been better either, as everything was within walking distance of Pub Street and the night market. Comfortable, convenient, and genuinely welcoming — we honestly couldn’t have asked for more.
Note: If you plan to travel to Siem Reap, you can book a room at Phalla’s place, here!
2. Experience a ride on the tuk-tuks as you explore the city!
Tuk-tuks are the local taxis, and the easiest way to get around Siem Reap. Every time we hopped out of our Airbnb, we always had Sunly, our amazing friend cum tuk-tuk driver, waiting for us! To say the least, it’s a quintessentially Cambodian ride.
Tuk-tuks have become an important part of Cambodian culture, and when you’re there, you can’t miss them in any way. If you tip the driver well, you’ll have a friend for life, plus an eager tour guide who will show you the best of Siem Reap.
3. Hop around Pub Street & the Night Market!
The nightlife in Siem Reap may not be as wild as Khao San Road in Bangkok, but it still knows how to show you a good time. Things stay lively well past midnight, so there is no rush. Take a slow walk through the streets, sip on a cold Angkor Beer, and soak in the easygoing local vibe.
Start your evening at Red Piano, just around the corner from Pub Street. The French food is good, but the place is best known as one of Angelina Jolie’s favourite hangouts while filming Tomb Raider. Do not miss her signature drink, a refreshing mix of Cointreau, lime, and tonic, now named after the movie.
As you wander around, you will find plenty of street-side stalls and restaurants serving affordable Western and local food. On Pub Street itself, Angkor What? and Temple Club are among the most popular clubs. That said, if you prefer a quieter evening as we do, it is perfectly fine to skip the crowded dance floors.
Just down the next alley, the Angkor Night Market is well worth a visit. Browse through charming shops selling handmade crafts, paintings, clothes, bags, and souvenirs. It is a relaxed way to end the night and take a little piece of Siem Reap home with you.
4. Get a foot massage & fish pedicure at the best prices!
Of course, this is something you should not miss. After a long day exploring the ruins of Angkor, a foot massage or fish pedicure is the perfect way to relax and recharge.
The night markets and Pub Street are lined with plenty of small massage shops offering both. A 30-minute reflexology session usually costs around $5 and feels amazing after hours of walking around temples.
If you are feeling adventurous, try a fish pedicure. Tiny fish gently nibble away dead skin from your feet, leaving them feeling fresh and surprisingly relaxed. It costs about $1 for 15 minutes or $3 for 20 minutes, often with a can of Angkor Beer included. It is a fun, affordable, and very Siem Reap way to end the day.
5. Treat yourself with some insects (maybe)!
On our very first night in Siem Reap, a walk through the night market led us to one of the most unexpected food experiences of the trip. We met a young boy named Pho, confidently running his own little cart stacked with snacks that were definitely not for the faint-hearted. Think snakes, worms, scorpions, frogs, and even tarantulas.
A handwritten banner above his cart proudly read, “Fear Factor Foods of Cambodia.” While my friend happily crunched on a roasted tarantula, Pho tried his best to tempt me, repeating, “Never try, never know!” I admired his enthusiasm, but I decided to sit this one out and watched from a safe distance.
Eating insects is surprisingly common in Cambodia and is considered both a snack and a source of protein. In places like the Angkor Night Market, these crunchy treats are part of everyday street food culture and a curiosity for travellers. Love it or fear it, insect-eating definitely adds a bizarre and memorable twist to the Siem Reap food scene.
6. Try your hand at cooking an authentic Khmer BBQ!
Even if you skip the insects, Khmer cuisine has plenty of delicious surprises waiting for you. One experience you truly should not miss is Khmer BBQ. Our friend Sunly recommended a Cambodian BBQ restaurant on Pub Street, and when we walked in, we had no idea what kind of experience awaited us.
After placing our order, a lady arrived at our table with a large metal vessel and set it onto a stove built into the table. She explained that we would be cooking our own meal right there. It sounded unusual at first, but it quickly became part of the fun.
We were served two types of noodles, a selection of raw meats including pork, beef, chicken, and even crocodile, along with fish, prawns, and a generous bowl of fresh vegetables. The vessel was filled with simmering broth, and we added the ingredients ourselves, waiting as everything slowly cooked to perfection.
The food was fantastic, but what made it truly special was the experience itself. Until that night, we had never imagined walking into a restaurant and cooking our own meal. It was interactive, memorable, and one of our favourite food experiences in Siem Reap.
7. Explore the floating villages of Tonle Sap!
It is a soothing escape from the chaos of the city. Located on the outskirts of Siem Reap, Tonle Sap is a vast and beautiful lake that is home to several floating communities. There are four main villages here: Chong Kneas, Mechrey, Kampong Phluk, and Kampong Khleang.
We chose a half-day trip to explore Kampong Khleang, which included a peaceful boat ride across the lake. Along the way, we passed rows of stilt houses, floating shops, small schools, local hangout spots, and busy little markets, offering a glimpse into everyday life on the water.
Kampong Khleang is home to nearly 6,000 people, most of them from fishing families. Depending on the season and water levels, parts of the village can also be reached by land. It is the only floating village in Cambodia where local communities directly benefit from ecotourism, making the visit both meaningful and memorable.
8. Watch a traditional Apsara Dance show!
It is not only the ruins of Angkor that UNESCO has recognised. The graceful Apsara Dance has also earned global acclaim as the Royal Ballet of Cambodia. When you are in Siem Reap, watching these performances is a must. The dancers beautifully express emotions such as fear, rage, love, and joy, all through slow, elegant movements.
The word “Apsara” means “heavenly dancers,” and the performance is deeply inspired by Hindu and Buddhist mythology. You may come across short, free performances while walking around the Angkor Temple Complex, but for a complete experience, it is worth attending a full-length show.
One of the best places to do this is the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. They regularly host evening shows paired with buffet dinners, featuring traditional Khmer dance and martial arts performances. It is a memorable way to experience Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage in a relaxed and elegant setting.
Apart from all this, there were still so many things on our list that we simply ran out of time. Honestly, three days in Siem Reap just are not enough. If you are staying longer, set aside a day to explore Phnom Kulen and cool off under the refreshing Kulen Mountain Waterfall.
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