Siem Reap Cambodia Tourism (2024) Travel Guide Top Places

Q: What is the best time to visit Siem reap?

December and January is the best time to visit Siem Reap. The weather is dry and cool during these months due to the winter season. It is also the time for various festivals and celebrations, including the Giant Puppet Parade in February. These are the peak months and see a large number of tourists. If you want to skip the crowds, you can plan your visit between June to October, which also gives you the opportunity to witness the glory of ancient temples with the blankets of green hues all around the ruins. Summertime (April & May) is an absolute no-no! Summers are unbearably hot in Cambodia.Read More

Siem Reap Travel Packages

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7 Days / 6 Nights

Cambodia 7 Day Itinerary With Angkor Wat Visit

Phnom Penh(2N) → Siem Reap(4N)

$ 586

13% off

$505/person

4 Days / 3 Nights

Cambodia 4 Days Tour Package with Temple Hopping

Phnom Penh(1N) → Siem Reap(2N)

$ 301

20% off

$240/person

6 Days / 5 Nights

Cambodia and Vietnam Tour Package from India - ...

Ho Chi Minh City(3N) → Siem Reap(2N)

$ 1,070

15% off

$903/person

8 Days / 7 Nights

Thailand and Cambodia Tour Package - 7 Nights 8...

Siem Reap(3N) → Pattaya(2N) → Bangkok(2N)

$ 719

13% off

$625/person

9 Days / 8 Nights

Cambodia Explorer Package: Temples, Caves & Isl...

Phnom Penh(2N) → Kampong Cham(2N) → Kampong Thom(1N) → Siem Reap(3N)

$ 842

9% off

$764/person

10 Days / 9 Nights

Jewels of Cambodia and Vietnam Tour Package Wit...

Hanoi(3N) → Halong Bay(1N) → Ho Chi Minh City(1N) → Phnom Penh(2N) → Siem Reap(2N)

$ 1,089

3% off

$1,053/person

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Siem Reap Travel Essentials

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Weather:

Ideal duration: 2-3 days

Best Time: November to March Read More

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"The gateway to ancient mysteries"

Siem Reap Tourism

Siem Reap in Cambodia is a paragon of ancient glory and timeless grandeur; proudly being the gateway to one of the most astonishing architectures in world history- Angkor Wat. Although the main reason to stay in Siem Reap is to get yourself ready to explore several ancient temples, the city itself comes with a surprise package of historical and modern blends.

With a population of about 8500 people, Siem Reap is mostly seen as a launching point for visiting the Angkor Archaeological Park and other temple ruins by tourists. One of their own kind, megastructures like these can't be found anywhere else. The mysterious architectural techniques used to construct the temples still amaze the explorers.

The town of Khmers has faced a tough time in the recent past, but despite that, the locals are very warm, welcoming and friendly. Other than admiring the historical sites such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, etc.; you can take a stroll around the city, make your way to Pub Street, explore the local markets, or engage in adventurous activities for an instant adrenaline rush.

Indulge in the fine dining experiences with cuisines from all over the world, buy some inexpensive souvenirs for your loved ones, talk to the locals, and take a lot of pictures - there's a lot to do in the city of historic heritage swiftly emerging as a bustling tourist spot.

Angkor Wat

Ta Prohm Temple

Bayon Temple

Pub Street

Angkor National Museum

Preah Khan Temple

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Currency in Siem Reap

Although Riel is the official currency in Cambodia, US Dollars are majorly accepted everywhere in Siem Reap. Some local currency should be carried to pay for amounts less that USD 1. Credit cards are accepted at several places with some additional charge.

Shopping in Siem Reap

The Old Market or Psar Chaa is among the most popular markets in Siem Reap, where you can find almost everything- from Khmer scarves and other clothing to jewelleries and touristy-souvenirs. Angkor Night Market is another great place to spend 2 - 3 hours at night exploring and buying inexpensive stuff. Also look for Artisans d'Angkor to buy some beautiful handicrafts and get a sneak peek of an adjoining workshop crafting masterpieces. Just remember, there's always a scope getting the prices reduced for anything- so don't hesitate in showing your bargaining skills everywhere you go.

Nightlife in Siem Reap

Pub Street and Pub Street Alley are a must to head to if you're looking for an amazing nightlife in Siem Reap. Some of them are built in a very unique way, which instantly compels people to get inside. Some of the exciting bars and pubs in and around Pub Street are - Angkor What? (being a favourite among backpackers), Asana Bar (setup in a traditional wooden Khmer house), Miss Wong Cocktail Bar (Inspired from Shanghai) and Mezze Lounge and Night club (they also offer a salsa instructor to give basic training lessons on Sunday).

History of Siem Reap

If folklores are to be believed, Siem Reap got its name from King Ang Chan, who took over Siam (Siem in Khmer) victoriously; the battle being fought in Siem Reap. The literal meaning of Siem Reap is said to be 'Defeat over Siam'. Cambodia has had terrible tug of wars in the past several times, result of which is a poverty - struck nation now striving for a better future. Siem Reap started to develop when French acquired Angkor in 1907, but the civil war in 1975 sent the prestigious glory of Angkor behind the curtain. If that was not enough, the Khmer Rouge Regime worsened the conditions. However, after the death of Pol Pot (leader of Khmer Rouge) in 1998, Siem Reap has been revived and now is emerging as a buzzing tourist spot.

Language of Siem Reap

Khmer is popularly spoken language in Siem Reap, but due to emerging massive tourism, locals have managed to learn decent level of English to interact with the tourists. When you see a need to refuse a shopkeeper or tuk-tuk driver, say "At-tay"(no thanks) politely to avoid any hassle.

Siem Reap Customs

Dress modestly during the daytime to avoid the scorching heat and chances of any remarks by locals; though it's quite okay to wear revealing clothes while going to the Pub street in night hours. Strictly decent dressing-up is mandatory when you visit any temple. Cover your knees and shoulders, especially if you want to get to the top of Angkor Wat. People usually greet here in the traditional Cambodian way (Som Pas) - bowing with your joined hands closer to the chin. Showing affection to your partner in public won't please the sexually conservative locals. It can be a nice gesture to tip for a good service or meal, though tipping is not common in Siem Reap.

Religion of Siem Reap

Theravada Buddhism is followed by 95 % people in Cambodia

Daily Budget for Siem Reap

For meals, transportation and a beer or two, a budget traveller can manage with USD 25 - 30. Some shopping and expensive dining can add up this charge to be USD 60, while a luxurious day spent in Siem Reap might cost you USD 100 (or more).

Exchanging Money in Siem Reap

There are plenty of banks and ATMs available in the city allowing cash withdrawals through Debit and Credit cards. Currency exchange is possible at almost every bank, but you might get better exchange rates at local shops for money-changing.

Best Time to Visit Siem Reap

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How to Reach Siem Reap

How to Reach Overview

You can land directly at Siem Reap International Airport from certain International airports, and also some major nearby-towns. You can also ride a cross-border bus to enter Cambodia from Laos, Thailand or Vietnam; then heading towards Siem Reap bus station. There are no rail services currently available for Siem Reap.

How to reach Siem Reap by flight

You can fly directly to Siem Reap airport, or take a flight from Phnom Penh (the capital city of Cambodia).

How to reach Siem Reap by road

You can reach Siem Reap by hiring a taxi, mini-taxi, or a shared taxi from nearby cities.

How to reach Siem Reap by bus

Buses and mini buses are available from Kompong Thom, Phnom Penh, Battambang and other cities in Cambodia to reach Siem Reap.

Local transport in Siem Reap

Hire a bicycle, E-bike or a motor bike for cheap transporting options ranging from USD 1 - 10 per day. Riding a tuk-tuk can be another option to get in and around the city; just make sure you and the driver both are clear about the destination and the total cost to avoid being fooled (in a rare case). You can also hire a car with driver, but that would end up being a relatively costly affair (USD 25 - 30).

Most frequently searched routes to Siem Reap

Route Name	Distance	Time	More Information
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap	318 Km	5 Hours 30 Mins	View Details

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FAQs on Siem Reap

What is the best time to visit Siem reap?

December and January is the best time to visit Siem Reap. The weather is dry and cool during these months due to the winter season. It is also the time for various festivals and celebrations, including the Giant Puppet Parade in February. These are the peak months and see a large number of tourists. If you want to skip the crowds, you can plan your visit between June to October, which also gives you the opportunity to witness the glory of ancient temples with the blankets of green hues all around the ruins. Summertime (April & May) is an absolute no-no! Summers are unbearably hot in Cambodia.
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What are the places near Siem reap?

The top places near to Siem reap are Phnom penh which is 232 km from Siem reap, Kep which is located 319 km from Siem reap, Battambang which is located 84 km from Siem reap, Banteay chhmar which is located 112 km from Siem reap, Kampong thom which is located 134 km from Siem reap

What are the things to do in Siem reap?

The top things to do in Siem reap are Angkor Archaeological Park, Kompong Khleang, Angkor National Museum, Cambodia Landmine Museum, Tonle Sap Lake, Flight of the Gibbon Angkor. You can see all the places to visit in Siem reap here

What are the top hotels in Siem reap?

There are 751 in Siem reap which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Siem reap are Steung Siemreap Residences & Apartment, Bosba Villa - Vacation Rental, City Angkor Hotel, Villa Agati, Reasey Boutique Villa, De Sarann Villa. You can see all the hotels in Siem reap here

How much does a package cost for Siem reap?

The packages for Siem reap start at INR 45493 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

What is the best way to reach Siem reap?

What is the local food in Siem reap?

Although the Cambodian cuisine is not as fascinating as the other ones bordering the country, Khmer food is definitely a must-try. The traditional Khmer dishes Amok (a steam-cooked fish curry) and Lok lak (stir-fried beef) are the most popular ones (Try them at 'Khmer Kitchen'). The unbelievable prices for delicious food in the city are definitely going to amaze you. There are a number of restaurants offering international cuisines, so if Khmer taste doesn't please your buds, you've got a lot of other options!
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Cambodia 7 Day Itinerary With Angkor Wat Visit

Cambodia 4 Days Tour Package with Temple Hopping

Cambodia and Vietnam Tour Package from India - ...

Thailand and Cambodia Tour Package - 7 Nights 8...

Cambodia Explorer Package: Temples, Caves & Isl...

Jewels of Cambodia and Vietnam Tour Package Wit...

Siem Reap Travel Essentials

"The gateway to ancient mysteries"

Siem Reap Tourism

Things To Do In Siem Reap

Top Hotels In Siem Reap

More on Siem Reap Travel

Currency in Siem Reap

Shopping in Siem Reap

Nightlife in Siem Reap

History of Siem Reap

Language of Siem Reap

Siem Reap Customs

Religion of Siem Reap

Daily Budget for Siem Reap

Exchanging Money in Siem Reap

Best Time to Visit Siem Reap

Top Stories about Siem Reap Tourism

Nearby Places

How to Reach Siem Reap

How to Reach Overview

How to reach Siem Reap by flight

How to reach Siem Reap by road

How to reach Siem Reap by bus

Local transport in Siem Reap

Most frequently searched routes to Siem Reap

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FAQs on Siem Reap

What is the best time to visit Siem reap?

What are the places near Siem reap?

What are the things to do in Siem reap?

What are the top hotels in Siem reap?

How much does a package cost for Siem reap?

What is the best way to reach Siem reap?

What is the local food in Siem reap?

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