The City Next to Angkor Wat – One of the World's Most Incredible Ancient Sites

A. About Siem Reap 

Nickname: Temple Town

Siem Reap is an incredibly special city on our list. The city serves as a hub to visit the nearby temples of Angkor — one of the world's most incredible ancient sites.

The thing you may not realize when you look at those temples on paper is (1) that there are numerous amazing temples apart from Angkor Wat, (2) that these temples are hugely different in style (Bayon has its trademark faces, Ta Prohm comes with giant roots, etc.) and (3) how widespread the entire ancient site of Angkor truly is.

Overview Siem Reap

The Good:

Siem Reap is very affordable for food and hotels (although the entrance to the temples of Angkor and the transportation [tuk-tuk] to visit them don't come cheap).

In addition, the city is safe, and due to its amazing neighboring temples, it features world-class attractions.

The Not-So-Good:

The city of Siem Reap itself has no outstanding sights (it's all about the nearby Angkor Archeological Park) and is not clean.

Furthermore, shopping and climate score low.

 

B. Best Things to Do in Siem Reap in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than twenty-five sights in Siem Reap. The following sights and attractions contribute to a score of 7.50/10 in this most important category:

# ANGKOR WAT 10 5 out of 5 stars

With its five lotus-like spires, this highly iconic, awe-inspiring 65.5-meter (215-foot) -high temple complex is, without doubt, one of the world's most incredible ancient sites. At 162 hectares it is considered the largest religious building in the world.

Marvel at the magical sunrise over the temple, the harmonious proportion of the complex, extraordinary bas-reliefs, and nearly 2000 stone carvings of Apsaras (celestial dancers).

Temple World Heritage Site: Since 1992 | Distance from Siem Reap: 10 km | Circuit: Both circuits | Allegedly Erected: Around 1140

by Pierre Andre Leclercq / CC BY-SA 4.0

# BAYON TEMPLE 9 4.5 out of 5 stars

This astonishing three-level Bayon Temple features fifty-four stone towers, each adorned with four giant faces of the Hindu creator God Brahma with a serene but haunting smile (216 faces in total).

Decorated with 1.2km of extraordinary bas-reliefs the temple complex is considered among the most impressive ancient structures in the world.

Temple World Heritage Site: Since 1992 | Distance from Siem Reap: 12 km [Central Angkor Thom] | Circuit: Both circuits | Allegedly Erected: End of 12th century

by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / CC BY-SA 2.0

# TA PROHM 7 3.6 out of 5 stars

World-known for its giant silk-cotton trees growing out of the ruins, Ta Prohm (aka Tomb Raider temple) is highly photogenic. Don't miss the small carving, which resembles a stegosaurus.

Hindu/Buddhist Temple World Heritage Site: Since 1992 | Distance from Siem Reap: 13 km | Circuit: Small circuit | Allegedly Erected: 1186

by Jasoneppink / CC BY-SA 2.0

# PREAH KHAN 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Left in a largely unreconstructed state and with numerous trees growing among the ruins, the moated Preah Khan (Sacred Sword) temple is one of the largest (56 hectares) complexes at Angkor. It is both a Buddhist and Hindu temple.

Hindu/Buddhist Temple World Heritage Site: Since 1992 | Distance from Siem Reap: 15 km | Circuit: Big Circuit, Northeast of Bayon | Allegedly Erected: 1191

by Marcin Konsek / CC BY-SA 4.0

# PRE RUP 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Reminiscent of a miniature Angkor Wat, the shining red Pre Rup temple is composed of five towers with fine stucco moldings. Devoted to Shiva, it commands a delightful view over the palm-studded countryside, especially at sunset. 

Hindu Temple (dedicated to Shiva) | Viewpoint World Heritage Site: Since 1992 | Distance from Siem Reap: 15 km | Circuit: Big Circuit | Allegedly Erected: 961

by Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 2.5

# BAPHUON 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Immediately north of Bayon, this massive pyramid-shaped black sandstone temple can be climbed for a beautiful panoramic view across the site.

Originally a Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva the complex was converted into a Buddhist temple in the 15th century.

Hindu Temple (dedicated to Shiva) | Viewpoint World Heritage Site: Since 1992 | Distance from Siem Reap: 14 km (Angkor Thom) | Circuit: Small Circuit | Allegedly Erected: around 1060

by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Angkor National Museum 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Opened in 2007, this vast state-of-the-art museum houses several of the relics found in the Angkor temples and the surrounding areas. Displays are themed by era, religion, and royalty and provide a valuable overview of the early Khmer royals.

Museum Established: 2007

# Pub Street and the Passage 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Full of neon lights in the evening, this lively street (officially known as "Street 8") and the somewhat hidden parallel alley called the passage are Cambodia’s answer to Bangkok’s (in)famous Khaosan Road.

Pedestrianized after 5 pm, Pub Street is home to Khmer and Western restaurants, bars, nightclubs, street food, shops, market stalls, and massage salons.

Street | City District

# BANTEAY SAMRE 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Built presumably during the same period as Angkor Wat, this masterfully restored large temple with a fine tower and carvings of Hindu and Buddha depictions is rarely visited due to its location, further out from the main temples.

Temple World Heritage Site: Since 1992 | Distance from Siem Reap: 19 km (Angkor Thom) | Circuit: No circuit, location further out from the main temples | Allegedly Erected: around 1150

# (PRASAT) TA SOM 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Featuring iconic well-defined four-faced gates and bas-reliefs, as well as powerful roots, this largely unrestored atmospheric temple seems like a more intimate, quieter version of Ta Prohm.

Temple World Heritage Site: Since 1992 | Distance from Siem Reap: 14 km [Angkor Thom] | Circuit: Small circuit | Allegedly Erected: End of 12th century

by Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Siem Reap

    • EAST MEBON and EAST BARAY (temple, Big Circuit) 5.5
    • BANTEAY KDEI (temple, Both Circuits) 5.5
    • SOUTH GATE ANGKOR THOM (gate, Small Circuit) 5.5
    • NORTH GATE ANGKOR THOM (gate, Small Circuit) 5
    • VICTORY GATE ANGKOR THOM (gate, Small Circuit) 5
    • NEAK PEAN (temple, Big Circuit) 5
    • ELEPHANT TERRACE and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING (Angkor Thom, Small Circuit) 5
    • PRASAT KRAVAN (temple, slightly isolated [no circuit] / 20 min from Siem Reap by car) 5
    • BAKONG (temple, Roluos Temple Group) 5
    • PHNOM BAKHENG (temple, Both Circuits) 5
    • THOMMANON (temple, Small Circuit)5
    • ROYAL SRAH SRANG POOL (monument and pool, Big Circuit) 5
    • TA KEO (temple, Small Circuit) 4.5
    • Angkor Night Market 4.5 

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Siem Reap

 BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE (35.5 km [40-minute tuktuk ride] from Siem Reap) 7

 TONLE SAP LAKE (16.6 km from Siem Reap) 6

 Kulen Mountain National Park (48 km from Siem Reap) 6


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Siem Reap (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Siem Reap for at least three entire days:

  ANGKOR WAT (10 km away) 10

  BAYON TEMPLE (12 km away) 9

  TA PROHM (13 km away) 7

   BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE (35.5 km away) 7

  PREAH KHAN (15 km away) 6

  TONLE SAP LAKE (16.6 km away) 6

  PRE RUP (15 km from away) 5.5

  BAPHUON (15 km away) 5.5

 Angkor National Museum 5.5

 Pub Street and the Passage 5.5