https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/siem-reap/best-things-to-do/10070000599091
Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do near Siem Reap [2025]
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Royal Palace of Cambodia
4.5
/5
903 reviews
5.9
From PHP 635.32
Based on 8,300 reviews
Khan Daun Penh | >100 km from downtown
Phone +85512721915
Address: Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Experience local vibes at dusk
Khmer-style spires & religious colors
Saved by 318 users329 positive reviews
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The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is a stunning complex that serves as the official residence of the King of Cambodia. Built in the 1860s, it showcases traditional Khmer architecture with gilded roofs, intricate carvings, and beautifully landscaped gardens. The palace grounds include the Silver Pagoda, famous for its floor covered with thousands of silver tiles and housing precious Buddha statues, including one made of gold and encrusted with diamonds. Visitors can explore ornate halls, ceremonial pavilions, and serene courtyards while appreciating the blend of historical grandeur and cultural heritage. The Royal Palace remains a symbol of Cambodia’s monarchy and rich history.
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, with its magnificent interior, is well worth a visit in Cambodia. It's small, so two hours is plenty for exploring and making for some stunning photos.
Please be sure to wear long pants or a long skirt when visiting.
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Tonle Sap River
4.8
/5
177 reviews
5.4
Khan Russey Keo | >100 km from downtown
Phone +85577357361
Address: Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Riverbank stroll with Royal Palace Museum views
Witness the spectacle of the Tonle Sap's reversing flow
43% positive reviews
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Lake Tonrisa is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, and its sunset is a famous landscape in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The following introduction for you: Watching experience when the sun sinks, the sky is dyed orange red, the beautiful sunset dyes the lake gold, the water and the sky are the same color, the return fishing boat is dragging the cockroach, and the silver scale and embers on the fishing net are intertwined and twinkling. There are high-footed houses floating around, schools, shops, churches, orange sunsets on fishermen's wooden houses, as if breaking into the magic scene, the atmosphere is full. The best time and place to watch ● season: dry season (December - March the next year) no wind and waves, safer, suitable for viewing. However, the lake is large in the rainy season (May-October), and you can also see the unique water forest and the sunset. ● Location: You can take a boat to the center of the lake or go to Kerong Temple. It overlooks the lake with the hills, which is an ideal place to watch; You can also choose the water restaurant on the shore of the lake, enjoy the scenery while dining. Some travel companies in the related travel projects have launched a private sunset tour of Donglisa Lake, which lasts about 2 hours. It provides transportation, drivers and guides, as well as cold water and beer, but the ferry tickets need to be purchased separately. Visitors can enjoy the sunset and the local fishing industry during the boat ride.
The following is a three-day play guide for Donglisa Lake with Siem Reap as its foothold: Prepare for the best travel time: If you want to enjoy the unique landscape of Donglisa Lake like "Venice of the East" and experience the lively life of the water people, it is recommended to choose the rainy season (May - October) to go; If you like dry weather, dry season (November - April the next year) is also a good choice. ● Tickets: about $15. ● Transportation: ○ You can reach Lake Donglisa by motorcycle or bicycle. A motorcycle with a driver is 12-20 dollars a day. The locals are called "TUTUK". A car can take up to 6 people. It is recommended to take 2-5 people. ○ If there are many people, you can charter a car. ○ You can also choose to drive a motorcycle, but beware of car thieves. First day of the itinerary: Siem Reap city experience and first exploration of Donglisa Lake ● Morning: After arriving in Siem Reap, take a break at the hotel to relieve the fatigue of the journey. After walking to the old market, the houses are low, the shops are dense, and the goods are sold. Here you can feel the local market atmosphere and buy some special souvenirs. You can also go to the vegetable market to see the local fresh ingredients and authentic Aboriginal life. ● Afternoon: Take the transportation to Donglisa Lake. Upon arrival, buy tickets and board the cruise ship and start visiting Lake Cavelisa. Enjoy the unique scenery of the water village, the residents here live on the water all year round, most of the houses are built on the water, except for a few high-foot houses, most of the boat houses are built on a platform made of multiple large gasoline barrels, which can migrate at any time with the lake. Village middle school, shops and other facilities are all available. ● Night: Return to the downtown area of Siem Reap and dine at the Red Piano Restaurant. The environment is elegant and there are many foods. It is a good place to relax. Second day: Deep tour around Donglisa Lake ● Morning: Go to Donglisa Lake again, choose to visit some niche water areas, and observe the daily life of water residents up close, such as fishing, laundry, and picking up children to school. You can also communicate with local residents to learn about their unique culture and lifestyle. ● Afternoon: Find a specialty restaurant by the lake to taste local cuisine such as fresh lake fish. After that, you can take a break in the lounge area by the lake and enjoy the lake view. If you are interested, you can also participate in some water activities, such as boating. ● In the evening: enjoy the sunset view by the lake, the afterglow of the sunset is sprinkled on the lake, sparkling and beautiful. After returning to the city, stroll around the night market in the city and taste a variety of local snacks. Day 3: Tour of surrounding cultural attractions ● Morning: Visit the Rolos site near Donglisa Lake. Rolos site is the original capital site of the Angkor Dynasty, with a long history and unique architectural style, where you can feel the charm of ancient Cambodian civilization. ● Afternoon: After the tour of the Rolos site, pack your bags and prepare for the return trip. Before leaving, you can buy some Cambodian special gifts such as spices and silk products in the city.
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Tonlé Sap
4.4
/5
906 reviews
5.0
Based on 2,335 reviews
52.2 km from downtown
Phone +85512832812
Address: Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Experience local fishermen's life
Unique lake culture & charm
171 positive reviews
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Today, we took a boat tour of Tonle Sap Lake and Anbanglu Village. Although I didn't take any photos, the entire trip was well worth it. The driver and guide were patient and friendly, and the arrangements were very organized. The village's stilt houses, the lake, and the mangroves were all impressive. The tranquil and natural atmosphere made it a very relaxing and unique experience.
Tonglisa Lake can see the Khmer water family, feel the life of the local poor, you can also take a boat to visit the mangrove forest, explore the water world, of course, the most beautiful is the sunset on the lake, feel the sunset process on the lake!
No.
4
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Phnom Penh Night Market
4.2
/5
103 reviews
4.9
Based on 843 reviews
Khan Daun Penh | >100 km from downtown
Phone +85523222839
Address: HWFG+JV8, Preah Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
Highlights:
Taste Cambodian cuisine & crafts
Rich stalls & themed shops
Saved by 242 users33% positive reviews
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Plenty of foods available for all local and international tourists. Near the market, you can enjoy sightseeing along the Mekong river with vibrant bars and pubs
Phnom Penh Night Market is located by the Tonle Sap River, between Road 102 and Road 106. It is an open-air night market, rebuilt from a street garden. The original grass was replaced by a cement brick floor, covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, surrounded by iron pipe railings. There is a constant stream of people every night, especially during the peak tourist season. There are many kinds of goods in the night market, including clothing, shoes and hats, flowers, food, jewelry, cosmetics, daily necessities, and a large number of stone carvings, bamboo and wood products, and Khmer-style Buddha statues and other handicrafts. It is also close to the Tonle Sap River and the bar street with many foreigners, so you can also go there for a stroll.
No.
5
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Independence Monument
4.3
/5
363 reviews
4.7
Based on 1,822 reviews
Sangkat Chakto Mukh | >100 km from downtown
Phone +855965638118
Address: Norodom Blvd, 41, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 hour
Highlights:
King's grand celebration on National Day
Landmark at Phnom Penh's intersection
Saved by 151 users108 positive reviews
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Cambodia🇰🇭Phnom Penh【Independence Monument】
The Independence Monument was built to commemorate Cambodia's independence from French colonial rule on November 9, 1953. It was completed in March 1958, 37 meters high, with 7 floors, and 100 snake gods (symbols of Cambodian culture) on it. Every year during Independence Day, the Cambodian king or the king's representative holds a grand celebration here. Many visiting foreign heads of state also come here to lay wreaths.
In 1863, Cambodia was invaded by France and occupied by Japan in 1940. After Japan surrendered in 1945, the French colonists returned and invaded Cambodia again
Address: Norodom Blvd, 41, Phnom Penh
Considered the center of Phnom Penh, the independence Monument is iconic. It's te city's heartbeat- people exercise, dance, relax or shop.
No.
6
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Wat Phnom Daun Penh
4.6
/5
232 reviews
4.6
Based on 2,973 reviews
Khan Daun Penh | >100 km from downtown
Address: ផ្លូវវត្តភ្នំ, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
Panoramic Phnom Penh view & tower
Sunset view over Phnom Penh
42% positive reviews
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Wat Phnom is a landmark building in Phnom Penh with a profound historical and cultural background. Wat Phnom is located on the top of Mount Phnom in Phnom Penh, about 100 meters above sea level, and is the highest point in Phnom Penh. The temple was built in the 14th century and was originally named Phnom Penh Temple. It is the origin of the name of Phnom Penh and is worth a visit!
Wat Phnom is a landmark building in Phnom Penh and a place where locals pray. At the entrance of the temple, there is the same strong smell of incense smoke and the same devout believers kneeling in worship. What is different from the scenery in China is that there are vendors selling lotus flowers for worship. Clusters of beautiful lotus flowers are about to bloom.
No.
7
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Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
4.6
/5
271 reviews
4.5
Based on 12,979 reviews
Chamkar Morn | >100 km from downtown
Phone +85577252121
Address: St 113, Phnom Penh 12304, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
Daily Khmer Rouge documentary screening
Face-to-face with Holocaust survivors
Saved by 137 users122 positive reviews
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Only had the chance to stay for an hour, wish I had the chance to stay longer. $10 dollar entrance with an audio guide$5 without If you dont have a guide with you, audio is highly recommended. Definitely worth it and made me understand the history easier. I entered the museum not knowing a lot of information about the incident. But I left with a lot of knowledge.
Cambodia🇰🇭Phnom Penh [S21 Prison Museum]
(Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum)
The S21 Prison Museum is located in the south of Phnom Penh. It was originally a high school. During the reign of Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge, it was used as a concentration camp for prisoners. More than 17,000 intellectuals, civilians, women and children were imprisoned here. Countless people were tortured to death every day. Until the Hengshanlin regime entered Phnom Penh in 1979, there were only 14 bodies and 7 survivors left in this concentration camp. The torture instruments and introductions exhibited in the museum are horrifying. In the short 3 years and 8 months of the Khmer Rouge’s rule, Cambodia’s population dropped by one-third, which is unprecedented in history.
Address: រាជធានី, សង្កាត់បឹងកេងកង៣ ខណ្ឌចំការមន, St 113, Phnom Penh 12304Cambodia
Transportation: Bus No. 1A goes there
Tickets: US$10; includes Chinese audio guide
Time: 08:00-17:00
No.
8
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Banteay Srei Temple
4.6
/5
1685 reviews
4.3
Based on 7,313 reviews
29.5 km from downtown
Phone +85593633030
Address: Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17000, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
One of Cambodia's top temples
Ancient reliefs & red architecture
194 positive reviews
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Cambodia🇰🇭Siem Reap [Banteay Srei]
Banteay Srei means "Woman's Castle", also translated as Banteay Srei, Queen's Palace, Banteay Srei, is a Hindu temple located about 21 kilometers northeast of Angkor, Cambodia, next to Phnom Dei. It is dedicated to Shiva, one of the three major gods of Brahmanism. It was built in 967 and completed in 1002.
Address: Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap 17000 Cambodia
Transportation: Take a taxi or rent a motorcycle
Time: 7:30-17:30
Tickets: Same as Angkor tickets
Banteay Srei Temple is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction.These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a"precious gem", or the "jewel of Khmer art".
No.
9
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National Museum of Cambodia
4.3
/5
448 reviews
4.1
Based on 4,384 reviews
Khan Daun Penh | >100 km from downtown
Phone +85523217643
Address: Preah Ang Eng St. (13), Phnom Penh 120211, Cambodia
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
Open design & artificial lotus pond
Guide explains exhibits' cultural background
Saved by 150 users111 positive reviews
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Only stopped for about 20 mins. Definitely recommend staying longer. Outer structure is amazing and great historical artifacts inside. $10 USD Entrance fee for foreign adult guests. Cheaper for ages 17 below, unfortunately forgot the actual fee😂Stopped by the museum before heading to the Royal Palace. But I recommend doing the other way aroubd. Head to The Royal Palace then move to the Museum, afterwards, there's a cafe in the vicinity if you'd fancy some snacks/coffee.
When you visit Cambodia don't forget to spend around 1hr to see inside of the National Museum which is indicated about ancient stuff, sculpture, art, culture, custom... beautiful view also a cafe restaurant with food & drink menu too
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