Flights from Amsterdam (AMS) to Siem Reap (SAI)

About Siem Reap

Discover Siem Reap

Why visit Siem Reap?
Siem Reap is the welcoming gateway to the Angkor temple complex and a relaxed base for exploring Cambodia’s rich history. You will find leafy streets, boutique hotels, and a compact centre that is easy to navigate between sightseeing and riverside strolls.

What to expect
The town blends restored shophouses, contemporary galleries, and lively nightlife around the Old Market area. Days are shaped by early-morning temple visits, while evenings bring a softer pace with cafés, spas, and quiet corners along the Siem Reap River.

Plan your trip
Many visitors use Siem Reap as a hub for Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and nearby countryside villages. It also works well as a starting point for wider journeys through Cambodia, with convenient onward links to Phnom Penh and other regional destinations.

Top sights in Siem Reap

Angkor Wat

Explore this vast UNESCO-listed temple complex at sunrise or sunset to appreciate its intricate bas-reliefs and grand towers.

Angkor Thom and Bayon

Wander through the former royal city and admire Bayon’s iconic stone faces and atmospheric, tree-lined terraces.

Ta Prohm

See how towering trees and roots intertwine with ancient walls, creating one of Angkor’s most photogenic and memorable sites.

Old Market (Psar Chaa)

Browse stalls selling souvenirs, textiles, and local snacks in this central market that anchors much of Siem Reap’s daily life.

Angkor National Museum

Gain context for your temple visits with detailed exhibits on Khmer art, sculpture, and the region’s archaeological heritage.

Phare, The Cambodian Circus

Enjoy an evening performance combining acrobatics, theatre, and live music that showcases contemporary Cambodian creativity.

Tonle Sap floating communities

Take a guided boat trip on Southeast Asia’s largest lake to see stilted villages and learn about life on the water.

Siem Reap River promenade

Stroll or cycle along the riverside paths, especially in the early morning or evening when the air is cooler and streets are calmer.

Experience Siem Reap’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Tuk-tuks are the most convenient way to move between your hotel, the Old Market area, and Angkor’s temple gates. For longer temple circuits, many travellers hire a driver for the day, then switch to walking or cycling within the sites for a closer view.

Local life & culture
In the early morning you will see residents heading to markets, students on bicycles, and quiet streets gradually filling with activity. Small galleries, craft workshops, and social enterprises sit alongside cafés, offering insight into contemporary Cambodian design and creative projects.

Where to unwind
When the midday heat builds, many visitors retreat to hotel pools or shaded cafés. Later in the day, the riverside paths and smaller side streets become pleasant places for gentle walks, with soft light and a more relaxed atmosphere as the sun sets.

A taste of Siem Reap

Street food & local specialties
Around the Old Market and smaller neighbourhood streets you can try local noodle soups, grilled skewers, and simple rice dishes. Look for busy spots where residents gather, and ask your hotel or guide to recommend trusted stalls and evening food streets.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Siem Reap offers many relaxed cafés and bistros serving Cambodian flavours alongside international favourites. Menus often feature small plates and sharing dishes, making it easy to sample several tastes in one meal, whether you are near the river or in one of the newer boutique districts.

Signature & scenic dining
For a special evening, consider venues set in restored villas, tranquil gardens, or overlooking rice fields on the town’s edge. Some restaurants offer set menus that gently introduce regional flavours, providing a memorable way to end a day of temple exploration.

Retail therapy in Siem Reap

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Siem Reap’s shopping scene is centred more on small complexes and streets than on large malls, but you will find several lifestyle hubs with boutiques, cafés, and services in one place. These are convenient stops for essentials, clothing, and relaxed browsing between sightseeing.

Markets & local crafts
For handmade souvenirs, explore the Old Market area and nearby streets that house artisan workshops and small galleries. Districts known for creative boutiques and social enterprises offer textiles, jewellery, and homeware that highlight local craftsmanship and contemporary Cambodian design.

Evening retail scene
After dark, the streets around the market and key tourist quarters become livelier, with illuminated shopfronts and late-opening stalls. This is a good time to pick up last-minute gifts in the cooler air, with tuk-tuks and taxis making it easy to return to your hotel when you are ready.

Best time to visit Siem Reap

Cool dry season (peak season)
From November to February, Siem Reap enjoys cooler, drier weather, with average temperatures around 24–28°C (75–82°F). Clear skies and lower humidity make temple visits and countryside excursions comfortable, and this is when visitor numbers are usually at their highest.

Hot season (shoulder season)
March to May brings hotter days, with temperatures often between 29–35°C (84–95°F). The heat encourages slower pacing and midday breaks by the pool, but early-morning and late-afternoon light at Angkor can be particularly striking, and you will often find a calmer atmosphere at popular sites.

Green season (low season)
From June to October, short, often intense showers refresh the landscape, with average temperatures around 27–32°C (81–90°F). The surrounding countryside becomes lush and vivid, moats fill, and temples sit against dramatic cloudscapes, offering atmospheric photo opportunities and a quieter feel in many areas.

Frequently Asked Questions