Flights from London (LON) to Siem Reap (SAI)

About Siem Reap

Discover Siem Reap

Why visit Siem Reap?
Siem Reap is the gateway to the remarkable Angkor temple complex and a welcoming base where history, creativity, and everyday Cambodian life meet. You will find leafy streets, riverside walks, and a relaxed pace that suits both short breaks and longer stays.

What to expect
The town centre is compact and easy to explore on foot or by tuk-tuk, with cafés, galleries, and small hotels set around the river and Old Market area. As evening falls, streets fill with soft light, rooftop terraces open, and the lively night scene contrasts with the calm of the countryside just beyond.

Plan your trip
Many travellers use Siem Reap as a base to explore Angkor Archaeological Park, the surrounding villages, and nearby lakes. It also works well as a starting point for journeys across northern Cambodia or as a relaxing stop on a wider trip through the region.

Top sights in Siem Reap

Angkor Wat

Visit the vast Angkor Wat complex at sunrise or sunset to admire its intricate stone carvings and impressive silhouette reflected in the surrounding pools.

Bayon and Angkor Thom

Explore the walled city of Angkor Thom and the Bayon temple, known for its many serene stone faces and atmospheric jungle setting.

Ta Prohm

Walk through Ta Prohm, where giant tree roots and crumbling stone blocks create one of the most photogenic corners of the Angkor site.

Old Market (Psar Chaa)

Browse Siem Reap's Old Market for local produce, textiles, and souvenirs in a busy yet friendly atmosphere near the river.

Angkor National Museum

Learn about the history, art, and culture of the Angkor era through well-curated exhibits and artefacts at Angkor National Museum.

Tonle Sap floating communities

Take a guided boat trip to the shores of Tonle Sap Lake to see stilted villages and understand life along this vast freshwater lake.

Phare, The Cambodian Circus

Enjoy an evening performance combining acrobatics, storytelling, and live music by talented local artists at Phare, The Cambodian Circus.

Artisans Angkor workshops

Visit Artisans Angkor to watch craftspeople at work on stone carving, silk painting, and lacquerware, and discover high-quality locally made pieces.

Experience Siem Reap's everyday rhythm

Getting around
Tuk-tuks are the most convenient way to move between your hotel, the town centre, and Angkor Archaeological Park, offering an open-air view of daily life. For longer days of temple touring, you can arrange a driver for the whole day, while bicycles and e-bikes are ideal for slower exploration.

Local life & culture
In the mornings, markets buzz with shoppers and stallholders, and the riverside paths see a steady flow of cyclists and commuters. Small galleries, workshop spaces, and cultural centres around town showcase contemporary Cambodian creativity, and you will often find live music or performances in intimate venues after dusk.

Where to unwind
Between temple visits, many visitors take time to relax in shaded cafés, garden courtyards, or hotel pools. The riverside offers gentle walks in the late afternoon, when the light softens and the temperature eases, and nearby countryside tours reveal quiet rice fields and rural scenery.

A taste of Siem Reap

Street food & local specialties
Street vendors and small eateries across Siem Reap serve fragrant noodle dishes, grilled skewers, and rice-based favourites that are full of flavour yet approachable. Around the Old Market and Wat Bo areas, you will find many simple spots where you can sit, sample, and watch the town go by.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Contemporary restaurants and cafés cluster around the town centre, serving a mix of Cambodian, regional Asian, and international dishes. Menus often feature smaller plates and sharing options, making it easy to try a variety of tastes over a relaxed lunch or dinner.

Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable evening, choose a restaurant set in a restored traditional house, a leafy garden, or a rooftop terrace overlooking the town lights. Many hotels also offer refined dining rooms where carefully prepared tasting menus are paired with calm surroundings.

Retail therapy in Siem Reap

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Siem Reap has a small but growing collection of lifestyle centres that combine shops, cafés, and entertainment in one place. These are convenient spots to pick up travel essentials, browse local brands, and pause in air-conditioned comfort during the warmer parts of the day.

Markets & local crafts
Beyond the central Old Market, smaller craft-focused markets and boutiques showcase handmade textiles, ceramics, and contemporary design. Areas such as Wat Bo, Kandal Village, and streets just north of the river are good places to look for thoughtfully made items to bring home.

Evening retail scene
At night, certain streets and markets glow with lanterns and lights, creating a lively setting for an evening stroll. You can wander between stalls and small shops, pause for a drink or snack, and soak up the atmosphere, with tuk-tuks and taxis making these areas straightforward to reach.

Best time to visit Siem Reap

Cool dry season (peak season)
From November to February, Siem Reap enjoys dry, cooler conditions, with average temperatures around 24–28°C (75–82°F). Clear mornings and lower humidity make it a popular time for full days at Angkor, and evenings feel pleasantly mild for exploring the town.

Hot season (shoulder season)
March to May brings hotter days, with typical temperatures of 30–35°C (86–95°F). Early-morning temple visits and relaxed afternoons by the pool work well in this season, and the longer daylight hours are ideal for photography and unhurried sightseeing.

Green monsoon season (low season)
From June to October, brief but intense showers alternate with bright sunshine, and temperatures sit around 27–32°C (81–90°F). The surrounding countryside turns lush and green, temple moats fill, and you can enjoy quieter sites and dramatic skies between rain showers.

Frequently Asked Questions