Siem Reap is a city located in the northwestern part of Cambodia, belonging to the Siem Reap Province. This city is one of the most visited and popular cities in the world due to its rich history and cultural heritage. But, is Siem Reap worth visiting?
The city is located right in the heart of the ancient Khmer kingdom and it is home to the iconic Angkor Wat temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site and surrounding ancient ruins.
Siem Reap is not only famous for its stunning landscapes and fascinating history, but also because of its vibrant culture.
This lively culture is evident everywhere in the city, from the French colonial architecture and bakery to the vibrant markets, street food and bustling nightlife.
Siem Reap has in the last decade grown and developed quite a bit and nowadays is seeing a thriving tourism industry. This is patent in the diverse accommodation range from lux hotels and villas to budget plans like hostels and guesthouses.
Even though it is a city that is flourishing, still maintains its traditional character and charm.
Yes. Siem Reap is absolutely worth visiting. It is known to be home to one of the most ancient landmarks in Southeast Asia, an icon of the Khmer Empire. This is the Angkor Wat and surrounding ruins. Not only those but also other highly interesting activities are worth the trip to Siem Reap, such as The Old French Quarter, Tonle Sap Lake, and floating villages and the city itself is lively and vibrant. Visiting Pub Street is a must, where all pubs, bars and clubs are located! Siem Reap is home to traditional Khmer food which is favourable and delicious food influenced by neighbouring countries in the continent. Lastly, the locals are delightful! they are kind, friendly, warm and love meeting new people. Their sense of hospitality and community is well ingrained in their nature.
WHY SIEM REAP IS WORTH VISITING. TOP REASONS TO VISIT SIEM REAP.
SIEM REAP IS A BUDGET PARADISE.
One of the main reasons why Siem Reap is a great ex-pat and touristic destination is its affordability. Accommodation is very low cost, even the luxury hotels and villas can be pretty affordable if you are not too tight on budget. However for those who travel to Siem Reap on a “tight belt,” it is possible to find hostels and guest houses at 12 $ US a night!
Food and drinks are ridiculously cheap! We are talking about 1-2 $ US for a big fruit smoothie or a dish with meat and rice.
Activities are also very cheap, rounding 10- 15 $ US, except for visiting Angkor Wat and nearby ruins. This is expensive in comparison. It costs around 72$ for a two-day pass. The rest of the things to do are way cheaper.
It is absolutely possible to go by on a 10 $ US a day if eating and drinking locally! Which is one of the main reasons why we absolutely believe Siem Reap is worth visiting.
1. BROAD RANGE OF ACTIVITIES.
- Visiting The Angkor Archaeological Park, home to the iconic cultural landmarks of Angkor Wat temple. It is not only gorgeous and will look great in your pictures but also it is of high importance in the history of South East Asia.
- Visiting other interesting places in Siem Reap. These include The Old French Quarter and the Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the floating village and where the fish comes from in Siem Reap and nearby cities.
- Visiting the Landmine Museum, which has exhibits on the history of landmines in Cambodia and the work being done to clear them.
- Experience the active and vibrant part of the city by strolling around Pub Street, which is the entertainment district in Siem Reap. All the active atmosphere and nightlife goes on there, there are tons of pubs, restaurants and clubs. There are many places with live music and dance performances as you can enjoy amazing cocktails. It does look a bit grotesque though!
- Experience the local culture. Visit the shops, markets and local silk farms, where they sell clothes and handcrafts from local artisans. In fact, you can visit a workshop where you can see traditional crafts being made. Siem Reap is a great destination for shopaholics!
- Going to a traditional Khmer dance performance.
- Taking a Khmer cooking class, as Siem Reap is home to great cooking schools, where you can learn how to make the best classic Khmer recipes.
- Siem Reap offers an amazing outdoor space to do activities. Not only strolling around the city to intake the Cambodian vibe is possible, but also you could hire a bike and cycle on the lush countryside outskirts of Siem Reap. There are several rice paddies forests, and small villages surrounding the rural paths that are worth the visit.
- In fact, you might get invited for lunch by some locals if you engage in conversation. They are really friendly. In addition, this gorgeous city is a fantastic destination for families. This is because it is safe and small and the city offers a number of other outdoor activities like a picnic in the many amusement parks, go-karting, mini-golf, and zip-lining.
- Relaxation. Siem Reap is a phenomenal place to unwind. The city has a number of massage places, spa parlours and of luxury hotels with spas to simply spend the day off to treat yourself. They usually offer a wide range of relaxing body and facial treatments.
- Spiritual connections. Siem Reap is predominantly Buddhist. Prayers and meditation in all their forms, as well as yoga practices, are important aspects of Siem Reap culture.
2. FOOD CULTURE.
When in Siem Reap, trying traditional Khmer food is a must-do! Touring around the city and trying out all the local street food stalls and markets is more than enough reason to visit Siem Reap!
Street food is an essential part of Siem Reap’s culture, it is quite a vibe especially every night around the river. Don’t forget to eat the best local food paired with locally-produced beverages, such as rice wine and fruit smoothies! Incredible natural and freshly made fruit smoothies.
Exploring Siem Reap's street food scene means diving deep into the Khmer culture which goes beyond just eating. It is about visually seeing the all the fresh produce and ingredients and the locals make it on the spot for you whilst having a friendly chat. Try eating your food like locals do, using your hands, and sharing different dishes with family, friends or partners.
Siem Reap is famous for its delicious, favourable and diverse food. This wonderful city has a rich culinary history that impacts the rest of the city's cultural heritage.
The traditional Khmer cuisine is the result of the influence of surrounding countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar to a less extent. This extraordinary local cuisine focuses on fresh ingredients mainly, like lots of spices and herbs, such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chilli peppers, garlic and ginger. They also use a fair bit of coconut milk, tamarind and turmeric.
Some of the must-try dishes in Siem Reap that beautifully explains what Khmer cuisine is about, is a curry made with fish or chicken, also known as amok. Marinated beef stir-fries are also a must-try, they are also called Lok lak locally.
Lastly, one of our favourite dishes is called bai sach chrouk, which is a delicious pork and rice dish, super popular around the city. Locals normally eat it for breakfast but they are kind enough to make it for visitors at any time.
Khmer food is based on meat, whether pork, chicken or beef or seafood. However, they do offer a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options and dishes nuts free or dairy-free if required.
In addition, Siem Reap also offers a wide range of international and fusion options for those who feel less adventurous or feel shy about trying Khmer food. These alternatives to local food include French and Italian, Chinese and Indian-inspired cuisine.
3. LOCALS ARE UNIQUE.
Another reason to visit Siem Reap is the local people. Siem Reap is known for its friendly and welcoming locals, which treat everyone with high warmth and hospitality.
Despite the challenges of poverty and underdeveloped conditions that the country faces, Siem Reap is famous for its positivity and resilience, the result of its Buddhist culture and welcoming nature. They have a strong sense of community and spiritual connection, making their kindness a unique trait of the city's exclusive charm and character.
Siem Reap locals are very proud and cherish their cultural heritage, they love explaining to visitors all about the city and what to see. they are also keen sellers! You will notice the local markets and tuk-tuk drivers trying to score a sale all the time visitors pass by them. They are not too imposing though!
Actually, locals in Siem Reap are quite fluent in English, this surprised us but even locals who do not work in stores, markets or restaurants are able to speak basic English and they love chatting with visitors. They are super kind, and you will feel very much accepted and part of their city through the tons of smiles and greetings exchanged on the streets!
Final thoughts
In conclusion, Siem Reap is a vibrant, fascinating and truly unique city with a rich history and cultural heritage. This is evidenced by the ancient temples and ruins, rice paddies, floating markets, as well as, vibrant markets, lively atmosphere, and delicious food. Whether you're interested in exploring the city in depth or whether you are after simply relaxing and unwinding in spas and outdoors lush parks. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Siem Reap!
Siem Reap is truly an exquisite and unforgettable destination, where the locals are very friendly, welcoming and kind, eager to meet visitors and show their culture.
Siem Reap is a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to Cambodia and Southeast Asia in general. This is because it is not only fascinating but also cheap and very much affordable. Accommodation, food, and activities are of low cost and the value that you get for what you pay is excellent.
We encourage everybody to give Siem Reap a chance as it is a memorable and truly remarkable destination.