Angkor National Museum🏛 museum
The Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap exhibits artifacts detailing the history of the Khmer Empire.
🌐 angkornationalmuseum.com🕒 Apr-Sep 08:30-18:00; Oct-Mar 08:30-18:30
Plizio Visual Lab
Siem Reap
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Siem Reap
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Buy your Angkor Pass in the afternoon to get a free sunset viewing that day.
- Negotiate tuk-tuk prices firmly before your journey starts.
- Visit popular temples like Ta Prohm at lunchtime when tour groups leave.
- Dress appropriately covering shoulders and knees for temple visits.
- Download the PassApp for easier ride-hailing around town.
🍽 Food
🍽
Fish Amok
Widely available at traditional Khmer restaurants in the Wat Bo area.
🍽
Khmer BBQ
A highly popular evening dining option near the Old Market.
🍽
Kuy Teav (noodle soup)
Find it at local breakfast stalls scattered around town early in the day.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Made in Cambodia Market
Excellent for authentic, locally crafted souvenirs and gifts.
🛍
Phsar Chas (Old Market)
A bustling hub for spices, textiles, and true local market vibes.
🧘
Royal Independence Gardens
A leafy park featuring a large bat colony hanging in the trees.
🧘
West Baray
A massive ancient reservoir great for a peaceful sunset.
Water temperature…
Siem Reap, located in northwestern Cambodia, serves as the primary gateway to the world-renowned Angkor Archaeological Park. The city's name translates to 'Siam Defeated,' referencing a 16th-century victory over the neighboring Thai kingdom. Over the last few decades, Siem Reap has transformed from a quiet provincial town into a premier international travel destination, blending French colonial charm with modern hospitality. Its heart is the animated Old Market area and the bustling Pub Street, which comes alive after sunset. Beyond the ancient temples, the city is a hub for exploring the Tonle Sap lake, famous for its unique biodiversity and stilted fishing villages. Siem Reap is also a center for the revival of traditional Khmer arts, including silk weaving, lacquerware, and Apsara dance performances. The infrastructure has seen massive upgrades, culminated by the opening of the state-of-the-art Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport in 2023, designed to accommodate the growing influx of global visitors.
- Location: Cambodia
- Top sights: Angkor National Museum · Angkor Conservancy · Miniature Replicas of Angkor
- Nearby: Kampong Phluk (13 km)
- Population: ~139.458 (2026)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 27 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
| Rain mm | 12 | 16 | 46 | 75 | 140 | 168 | 197 | 195 | 231 | 138 | 37 | 7 |
Geography
Facts
- Angkor Wat is located just 6 kilometers from the city center.
- The name 'Siem Reap' commemorates a battle victory in 1549.
- The city is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2023.
- Home to the Landmine Museum, founded by activist Aki Ra.
- The Tonle Sap Lake nearby provides 60% of Cambodia's protein.
- The new airport (SAI) is located 40km east of the city.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Siem Reap (13)
The Nature Discovery Center of Cambodia - by Fauna in Focus🌿 nature
An educational center in Siem Reap with live animal exhibits and interactive nature displays.
🌐 faunainfocus.org🕒 Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
Artisans d'Angkor📍 landmark
A workshop and showroom in Siem Reap for traditional Khmer handicrafts, including stone carving and silk weaving.
🌐 artisansdangkor.com🕒 Mo-Su 07:30-18:30
Sacred Dancers of Angkor📍 landmark
A landmark in Siem Reap dedicated to the celestial dancers of Angkor, with a statue ensemble.
🌐 nkfc.org🕒 We, Su 19:00-20:00
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Angkor Wat?
At least 3 days are good to see the main temples of the vast complex.
What is 'Pub Street'?
The heart of Siem Reap's nightlife, with many bars, clubs, and cheap drinks.
Can you visit Angkor Wat for sunrise?
Yes, it's a must-do; the gates open at 5 AM for the sunrise.
Are there floating villages nearby?
Yes, on Tonle Sap Lake there are several villages like Chong Kneas or Kompong Phluk.
Which currency is preferred?
US Dollars are accepted almost everywhere, with Riel used for small change.
Siem Reap: where is it located?
Siem Reap is located in Cambodia.
Siem Reap: what is there to see?
Highlights include Angkor National Museum, Angkor Conservancy, Miniature Replicas of Angkor.
Siem Reap: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.
Siem Reap: why is it worth visiting?
Siem Reap, located in northwestern Cambodia, serves as the primary gateway to the world-renowned Angkor Archaeological Park.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Asia
More places in Cambodia →
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
Phnom Bakheng
A temple mountain in Angkor, famous for its breathtaking sunset views over Angkor Wat.
Baphuon
A massive three-tiered temple mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Terrace of the Elephants
An impressive viewing terrace decorated with life-sized elephant reliefs, once used for royal ceremonies.
Phimeanakas
A Hindu temple in the shape of a step pyramid, located within the royal palace enclosure of Angkor Thom.
Thommanon
A small, well-preserved Hindu temple in Angkor, known for its detailed Devata carvings.
Ta Keo
An unfinished, massive sandstone temple mountain that stands out due to its simplicity and lack of external carvings.
Banteay Kdei
A fascinating Buddhist monastic complex in Angkor, whose ruins are peacefully shaded by tall trees today.
Pre Rup
Pre Rup is a brick and laterite temple mountain in the Angkor area.
Nature
More places
Chreav Village Organic Farm
A community-based agricultural project that promotes sustainable farming methods and supplies Siem Reap's markets with fresh vegetables.
Angkor Wat
The largest religious monument complex in the world and the national symbol of Cambodia, originally built as a Hindu temple.
Bayon Temple
A Buddhist temple in Angkor Thom, famous for its massive stone faces looking in different directions.
Preah Khan
Preah Khan is a large temple complex in Angkor that once served as a Buddhist monastery and learning center.
Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm is a jungle temple in the Angkor area, known for tree roots growing over its walls.
Neak Pean
Neak Pean is a small temple on an artificial island in Angkor.
Siem Reap Lotus Farm
A fascinating farm where lotus flowers are grown to extract fine and eco-friendly natural fibers from their stems.
Ta Som
A small Buddhist temple whose eastern entrance is famously engulfed by the massive roots of a sacred fig tree.