Destination Report: Siem Reap (Cambodia): What to do, see, eat and avoid

We chose Cambodia as our next travel destination as I was eager to explore more of Southeast Asia and had never been to this country before. To our surprise, we had an incredible time exploring the Angkor Wat Archaeological site on bikes and trying out some amazing local and international cuisine in Siem Reap. Despite the heat, we managed to adapt and enjoy our month-long stay in the city. In this 2 part series blog post, we’ll share our temple itinerary in Angkor Wat as well as some other must-visit places in the city.

Overall we gave Siem Reap  3.4 out of 5 stars (based on our rating legend). We were pleased with our accommodation, which offered a spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment at an unbeatable price. Although it was a 15-minute walk from the downtown area, it was in a convenient location, and we rented bikes for a month which made everything easily accessible. Groceries were easy to obtain from either the local farmers market or western-style grocery stores. Food wise, we enjoyed the variety of great restaurants offering both Khmer and other cuisines. While there is no public transportation, tuk-tuks can be ordered via Grab for just $1 for a short ride, and $5 to/from the airport, making it an affordable option. Unfortunately, we found the community lacking, which may be a low point for those looking to settle here. However, we did develop a great rapport with our host, who became a friend and made our stay all the more special.

Our five stars rating system:

• 1 star: We hated this place and definitely do not plan to come back.
• 2 stars: We did not like this place and do not plan to come back.
• 3 stars: We liked this place but do not plan to come back.
• 4 stars: We really liked this place & we might consider coming back.
• 5 stars: We loved this place and are actually considering coming back. This is a place we could call home someday. 

With that being said, let’s look into what we liked the most and what we recommend doing in Penang! 

Where We Traveled Siem Reap, Cambodia

Number of Days 28 days (from March 7, 2023, to April 4, 2023)

Type of Travel Married Couple, Slow Travel/Nomadic, Price Conscious

Note: Unless specified otherwise, prices are in USD and were converted from the local currency (KHR or Cambodian Riel) to USD with the following exchange rate: 4,000 KHR = 1 USD. 

Introduction

Siem Reap is a charming city located in northwestern Cambodia, known for being the gateway to the world-famous Angkor Wat Archaeological site. This ancient temple complex is the largest religious monument in the world and attracts millions of visitors each year. Siem Reap offers a unique blend of traditional Khmer culture and modern amenities, making it an ideal destination for travelers looking to experience the best of both worlds.

What did we do, see and eat?

Let’s dig into our favorite places to eat, shop, and get entertained. To help you, we’ve included all the places that we call out below in the following Google Map. 

Our Favorite Sights/Activities

We highly recommend visiting the Angkor Wat Archaeological area as the main attraction in Siem Reap. During our month-long stay, we purchased a 7-day pass to explore the site in the cooler morning hours, avoiding the heat of the day.

To optimize your time, here are a set of temples that can be combined for half a day. Of course, feel free to mix and match them as you wish, depending on the time you have available or if you prefer to explore the temples in a full day. Additionally, we rented bikes to visit the temples, but it shouldn’t matter if you hire a driver, as they can take you to all these locations.

Day 1:

• Eastern Mebon ⭐️⭐️: This temple is located on a small island in the middle of the Eastern Baray. It features impressive elephant statues and intricate carvings. 

• Ta Som ⭐️⭐️: This small, quiet temple features a tree growing out of its ruins, giving it a unique and picturesque atmosphere.

• Neak Peon ⭐️⭐️⭐️: This temple is situated in the center of a man-made lake and features a statue of a horse surrounded by four smaller elephants. It is known for its beautiful reflection in the water.

Day 2:

• Ta Prohm ⭐️⭐️⭐️: This lesser-known temple is located deep in the forest and features beautiful carvings and intricate details. It is a peaceful and secluded spot away from the crowds.

• Ta Keo ⭐️⭐️⭐️: This unfinished temple features steep stairs and impressive architecture. It is said to have been struck by lightning during its construction, leading to its abandonment. 

• Angkor Thom ⭐️⭐️⭐️: This ancient city was once a thriving center of commerce and features large, ornate gates and impressive walls. It is also home to the famous Bayon Temple. 

Day 3:

• Angkor Wat (at sunrise) ⭐️⭐️⭐️: The iconic temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world, built in the 12th century by the Khmer king Suryavarman II. It’s famous for its stunning architecture, intricate carvings, and beautiful bas-reliefs. We woke up at 4am to get there by 5:30am to enjoy the sunrise, which provided a breathtaking view. 

• Bayon Temple ⭐️⭐️⭐️: Known for its enigmatic smiling faces carved on its towers, Bayon is a well-preserved temple located in the heart of Angkor Thom. It was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII.

• Ta Kav Gate ⭐️⭐️⭐️: Also known as the Victory Gate, it’s the southern entrance to Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire. The gate is famous for its four giant faces carved in stone, similar to those at Bayon.

• Prasat Chrung⭐️⭐️: A small temple located within the walls of Angkor Thom, built in the late 12th century. It’s famous for its well-preserved carvings depicting the Hindu gods Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. 
• Tonle Om Gate (Southern Gate) ⭐️⭐️⭐️: One of the five gates of Angkor Thom, the Southern Gate is famous for its well-preserved carvings of elephants and lions, as well as its imposing towers. 

Day 4:

• Banteay Srei ⭐️⭐️⭐️: A beautiful 10th-century temple made of pink sandstone, known for its intricate carvings and beautiful bas-reliefs. It’s located about 25 km northeast of Siem Reap and is considered one of the best-preserved temples in Cambodia. 

• Bakong Temple ⭐️⭐️: One of the earliest and most significant temples in the Angkor complex, Bakong was built in the late 9th century by King Indravarman I. It’s famous for its massive size, beautiful carvings, and peaceful surroundings. 

Day 5:

• Angkor Wat ⭐️⭐️⭐️: We came back to this temple to explore it entirely.

• Baksei Chamkrong Temple ⭐️⭐️: This small but beautiful temple is located near the south entrance of Angkor Thom. It was built in the late 10th century and is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple has a unique design with five levels and is adorned with intricate carvings. It’s a great place to visit if you’re interested in ancient architecture and history. 

Our Favorite Restaurants

Here are our top recommendations:

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️My Little Cafe – This cozy cafe offers very authentic and delicious Cambodian dishes. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is basic but comfortable. Highly recommend trying their famous fish amok!
  Cost: 6,000 KHR – 10,000 KHR for a dish

• ⭐️Indian Classic Restaurant – A must-visit for Indian food lovers in Siem Reap. The menu is extensive, and the food is authentic and flavorful. The restaurant is also clean and well-maintained, and the staff is attentive and friendly. Dosa was one of our favorite dish. (UPDATE: Downgraded from ⭐️⭐️⭐️ to ⭐️because on our last visit the owner charged us an outrageous conversion rate which felt borderline scammy).
  Cost: 10,000 KHR – 12,500 KHR for a dish

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️Gelato Lab – This gelato shop offers a wide range of flavors, all made with natural and high-quality ingredients. The ice cream was creamy and delicious and reminded us of the gelato in Italy. Plus you can sample the flavors.
  Cost: 6,000 KHR for 1 scoop, 10,000 KHR for 2 scoops
• ⭐️⭐️⭐️Urban Tree Hut – A trendy cafe with a cozy, treehouse-like atmosphere with great Khmer cusine. The menu features healthy and organic options, as well as tasty desserts and drinks. The staff is attentive and friendly, making it a great spot to relax and unwind.
  Cost: 10,000 KHR – 12,500 KHR for a dish
• ⭐️⭐️⭐️Temple Coffee n Bakery – This cafe serves up delicious drinks and baked goods, perfect for a snack. The decor is modern and chic, and the staff is friendly and efficient, plus the A/C is great!
  Cost: 8,000 KHR to 16,000 KRH for a drink
• ⭐️⭐️⭐️The Source Cafe – A hidden gem in Siem Reap, The Source Cafe offers a menu filled with fresh and healthy options. From smoothie bowls to vegan sandwiches, there’s something for everyone. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxing, and the staff is welcoming and attentive.
  Cost: 16,000 KHR per dish

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️Chanrey Tree – OUR DATE NIGHT RECOMMENDATION! Chanrey Tree is a must-visit restaurant in Siem Reap for those looking to try authentic Khmer cuisine. The restaurant is located in a beautiful outdoor garden setting with a relaxed atmosphere. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including traditional Khmer favorites such as fish amok and beef lok lak. Each dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The service was also exceptional, with friendly staff who were happy to make recommendations and ensure our dining experience was enjoyable. Overall, Chanrey Tree exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Siem Reap.
  Cost: 36,000 KHR per dish

Our Favorite Sweets Spots

Here are our top recommendations:

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sugar Cane Juice – There are plenty of sugar cane vendors in Siem Reap. We can’t locate them on Google Maps but you won’t miss them. We had sugar cane juice almost every other day. So good, especially when it is hot outside.
  Cost: 2,000 to 4,000 KHR per glass

Our Favorite Grocery Stores/Markets

Here are our top recommendations:

• (3/7) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Angkor Market – This is the place to go for all imported foods that are westerner friendly (think about olive oil, nuts, spice, frozen food). This is a large supermarket which is next to an ATM. Feel like home 🙂
• (3/10) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Phsar Leu Thom Tmey – This is the local market where all locals go. It is huge and is divided into two parts. The outdoor section of the market will sell produce and the inside section of the market will sell other goods. Feels are laid out on the floor and you will see fish and meats being cleaned in front of you.  

• (3/9) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Siem Reap Farmers Market – This is a good medium between the previous two options. It offers local food that are beautifully presented at a very affordable price. 

Our Favorite place to take care of ourselves

Here are our top recommendation:

• (3/12) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Siem Reap Spa Wellness Center – MrsNN and I visited the Siem Reap Spa Wellness Center for a one-hour couple Balinese massage, and it was a great experience! The staff was friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere was relaxing and calming. The massage therapists were skilled and attentive to our needs, and we both left feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. One unique aspect of the spa is that it’s located within a hotel, and they’ve repurposed some of the hotel rooms into massage rooms. This gave the spa a cozy and intimate feel that we really enjoyed.Overall, we would highly recommend the Siem Reap Spa Wellness Center for anyone looking for a peaceful and rejuvenating spa experience in Siem Reap.
  Cost: 32,000 KHR for a 1 hour cambodian massage

• (3/7) ⭐️ Fish spa – A popular tourist attraction you can find on Pub Street. I decided to try it as I was always curious about it. Fun for the first time, probably won’t come back for more.
  Cost: 12,500 KHR for 1 hour + beer or water.

What to avoid

While it’s great to call out what to check out, we think it is as important to also include what NOT to do. These are things/activities/places we stayed away from. Of course, the taste is personal and so your preference might vary.

• Avoid the hottest month! The hottest months in Siem Reap are generally from March to May, with April being the hottest month. During this time, the average temperature is around 33-35 degrees Celsius (91-95 degrees Fahrenheit), with high humidity levels. We visited in March and learned our lessons 🙂   
• Avoid Scams: Be aware of scams that target tourists, such as tuk-tuk drivers who offer to take you on a tour but then take you to overpriced shops or restaurants where they receive a commission. Always negotiate the price of transportation or services beforehand and make sure you agree on the terms.

Our Slow Travelers Tips

Slow travel is part of our philosophy. It gives us the opportunity to really connect with a place by not having to experience FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and getting unnecessarily stressed for being on a schedule. With slow travel, we can see all the iconic sights and have time to spare to find the more offbeat spots that most tourists miss. Most of the time, those are the absolute gems. And as this blog post explains, we spend much less by leveraging “local” pricing and being able to get long stay discounts.

Here are some tips to maximize a nice and enjoyable stay in Siem Reap:

• Dig into the Cambodian/Khmer cuisine. The Khmer cuisine is truly wonderful and packed with unique flavor. Make sure to try it, whether via an expensive restaurant or by splurging on a fancy place.
• Try Cambodian massages. They are very different from Thailand or Balinese massages, and we found them quite relaxing. Make sure to find a good establishment and ask for the name of your masseuse if you like the treatment you’ve got, as they can vary greatly between therapists.
• Don’t be afraid of the local markets. While not all stalls are equal, you don’t want to miss out on trying out some of the local produce, especially the fruits: mangoes, watermelon, sugar cane… You are in for a treat! Do check, however, for cleanliness.

What about the cost? 

To make our destination reports more manageable, we’ve split them into two parts. In part one (this post), we covered what to do, see, eat, and avoid. In part two (linked at the end of this post), we’ll delve into the costs and reveal all the juicy details about our budget and how much we spent during our stay. If the post isn’t linked yet at the bottom of this article, be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you can receive our cost of living post (and any future ones) as soon as they’re published. In the meantime, if you’re interested in numbers, feel free to check out our past destination reports.

Would you be interested in going to Siem Reap? Do you know of a more peaceful and relaxing destination to spend an entire month at? Feel free to share your experience and ask questions by leaving a comment below.