15 Amazing Things To Do In Siem Reap Besides Temples (2025 Guide)
Looking for things to do in Siem Reap besides temples? You’re in the right place! While Angkor Wat is undeniably spectacular (and a must-visit), there’s SO much more to this vibrant Cambodian city than ancient ruins.
I’ll be honest—I initially planned just 3 days in Siem Reap for temple-hopping, but ended up staying for nearly two weeks because I fell in love with everything else the city has to offer. From floating villages to incredible food scenes, I’ve discovered there’s enough to keep you busy for days without setting foot in a single temple.
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This guide covers all the unique things to do in Siem Reap that will make your trip truly memorable. Whether you’re templed-out, traveling with kids who need a break from historical sites, or simply looking to experience the authentic side of Cambodia, I’ve got you covered!
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Cultural Immersion Experiences
Want to understand Cambodia beyond its famous temples? These cultural activities will give you a deeper appreciation for the country’s rich heritage and resilient spirit.
Visit the Cambodian Landmine Museum
Educational Historical
The Cambodian Landmine Museum isn’t your typical tourist attraction, but it’s one of the most impactful places I visited in Siem Reap. Located about 25km outside the city, this small museum tells the sobering story of Cambodia’s landmine history and the ongoing clearance efforts.
🌟 My Experience: The museum’s founder, Aki Ra, happened to be there during my visit. Hearing his personal journey from child soldier to demining expert was incredibly moving and gave me a completely different perspective on Cambodia’s resilience.
Why you should visit:
- Provides crucial context to understand Cambodia’s recent history
- The $5 entrance fee supports rehabilitation programs for landmine victims
- Educational exhibits suitable for older children and adults
- Can be combined with visits to nearby Banteay Srei temple
Price Range: $5 entrance fee
Explore the Angkor National Museum
If you want to learn about Angkorian history without battling the crowds and heat at the temples, the Angkor National Museum is your perfect alternative. This modern facility houses thousands of artifacts from the Khmer Empire, beautifully displayed across eight galleries.
💡 Pro Tip: Visit the museum before exploring any temples to gain context about Khmer history and symbolism. I found my temple visits much more meaningful after understanding the stories behind the carvings I was seeing!
The museum’s highlight is the incredible collection of Buddha statues, but you’ll also find intricate carvings, jewelry, and pottery that help tell the story of the once-mighty Khmer civilization.
Why visit: The air-conditioned galleries provide a comfortable way to understand the historical and cultural significance of the Angkor temples. The multimedia presentations are particularly impressive.
Practical tips:
- Open from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM daily
- Tickets cost $12 (audio guide available for an additional $5)
- Visit early in the morning to avoid tour groups
- Photography is prohibited inside most galleries
Attend a Traditional Dance Performance
One of my favorite evenings in Siem Reap was spent watching traditional Apsara dancers perform at a local theater. These graceful dancers, adorned in elaborate costumes and headdresses, perform movements that have been part of Cambodian culture for over a thousand years.
⚠️ Warning: Many budget shows cater exclusively to tourists and lack authenticity. Do your research before booking—the cheapest options often include poor-quality buffets and rushed performances.
🎭 DON’T MISS: Phare Cambodian Circus Show – Best Cultural Performance in Siem Reap!
Adventure and Nature Activities
Siem Reap’s surrounding countryside offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures and connecting with nature. These activities showcase a completely different side of Cambodia than what you’ll see in the temple complexes.
Boat Tour on Tonle Sap Lake
Nature Cultural
Tonle Sap Lake is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake and one of Cambodia’s most fascinating natural wonders. During the monsoon season (June-October), the lake expands to nearly five times its dry-season size!
A boat tour takes you to floating villages where entire communities live on the water, with floating schools, markets, churches, and even basketball courts. I visited Kampong Phluk, known for its towering stilted houses and flooded forest, and was amazed by this unique way of life.
🌟 My Experience: We arranged a private boat tour through our hotel for sunrise, and it was magical watching the community wake up. We were invited into a local home for tea and got to see how families adapt to the rising and falling water levels throughout the year.
What you’ll see:
- Traditional floating and stilted houses
- Local fishermen using ancient techniques
- Incredible birdlife (especially during migration season)
- Daily life in a community completely adapted to life on water
How to Save Money:
- Group tours are significantly cheaper than private boats
- Book through your accommodation rather than from touts on Pub Street
- Combine with other attractions in the area for better value
Price Range: $20-40 depending on tour type
Ride the Bamboo Train
For a truly unique experience, take a day trip to Battambang (about 2 hours from Siem Reap) to ride the famous bamboo train, or “norry.” These improvised rail vehicles consist of bamboo platforms powered by small engines that zip along warped, misaligned tracks at surprising speeds!
💡 Pro Tip: The bamboo train is best visited as part of a day trip to Battambang, where you can also see the stunning bat caves at Phnom Sampeau at sunset. The sight of millions of bats emerging from the cave is absolutely spectacular!
The 7km journey takes you through beautiful countryside, stopping at a brick factory and small village before returning. When another train approaches from the opposite direction, the one with fewer passengers quickly disassembles to let the other pass—an entertaining process to witness!
Visit an Elephant Sanctuary
Cambodia’s elephant tourism is gradually shifting toward ethical experiences, and a visit to a true sanctuary can be both educational and heartwarming. I spent a day at the Elephant Valley Project in Mondulkiri Province, where retired working elephants roam freely through the forest.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid ANY attraction that offers elephant riding, bathing with elephants, or performing elephants. These activities are harmful to these intelligent animals. Choose only sanctuaries that focus on observation and education.
🐘 SUPPORT ETHICAL TOURISM: Visit Kulen Elephant Forest Sanctuary
Cycle through the Countryside
One of my favorite days in Siem Reap was spent on a bicycle, pedaling through rural villages, rice paddies, and jungle paths. Cycling allows you to experience local life at a relaxed pace, with plenty of opportunities to stop and interact with friendly villagers.
🌟 My Experience: During my countryside bike tour, we stopped at a family home where the grandmother taught us how to weave palm leaves into intricate baskets. She didn’t speak English, and I didn’t speak Khmer, but we communicated through smiles and hand gestures—a highlight of my entire trip!
Culinary Delights
Cambodian cuisine is criminally underrated! These food-focused activities will introduce you to the complex flavors and traditional techniques that make Khmer cooking so special.
Take a Cooking Class
Culinary Cultural
I’m convinced that cooking classes are the best way to truly understand a culture, and Siem Reap offers excellent options for budding chefs. Most courses begin with a market tour where you’ll learn about local ingredients before heading to a kitchen to prepare classic dishes like fish amok (coconut curry), beef lok lak, or nom banh chok (Khmer noodles).
The best part? You get to eat everything you make, usually in a beautiful garden setting!
What you’ll learn:
- Traditional Khmer cooking techniques
- How to select and prepare authentic ingredients
- Cultural significance of different Cambodian dishes
- Recipes you can recreate at home
💡 Pro Tip: Ask about dietary restrictions in advance. Most cooking schools can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets with advance notice. My class easily substituted tofu for fish in the amok curry!
Price Range: $20-30 per person
Street Food Tour
Navigating Cambodian street food independently can be intimidating, which is why guided food tours are so valuable. I joined a small group tour that took us to hidden food stalls and markets I never would have found on my own.
🌟 My Experience: Our guide took us to a tiny family-run stall down a dark alley that served the most incredible num banh chok (rice noodles with fish curry). The grandmother had been making it the same way for 40 years, and it was the best $1.50 I spent in Cambodia!
🍲 FOODIE MUST-DO: Evening Street Food Tour with Local Guide
Fine Dining Experience
For a special night out, Siem Reap’s fine dining scene offers exceptional value compared to similar restaurants in Western countries. Innovative chefs are reimagining Khmer cuisine with modern techniques while maintaining traditional flavors.
My splurge meal at Cuisine Wat Damnak was unforgettable—a tasting menu showcasing seasonal Cambodian ingredients prepared with French techniques. For something equally impressive but more casual, Embassy Restaurant offers creative food in a charming setting.
Shopping and Markets
Forget generic souvenirs! Siem Reap offers fantastic shopping opportunities where you can find unique handicrafts while supporting local artisans.
Explore Siem Reap’s Markets and Art Galleries
Siem Reap’s markets are colorful, chaotic, and completely captivating. The Old Market (Psar Chas) in the city center is perfect for daytime shopping, while the Night Market and Angkor Night Market come alive after dark with food stalls, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
| Market | Best For | Opening Hours | Bargaining Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Market (Psar Chas) | Souvenirs, Clothing, Spices | 7 AM – 8 PM daily | Start at 60% of asking price |
| Angkor Night Market | Handicrafts, Street Food | 5 PM – Midnight | Better prices than day markets |
| Theam’s Gallery | Original Art, Home Decor | 8 AM – 6 PM (Closed Sundays) | Fixed prices, no bargaining |
| Made in Cambodia Market | Certified Authentic Products | 12 PM – 10 PM (Weekends only) | Higher quality but higher prices |
💡 Pro Tip: For authentic Cambodian crafts, visit Artisans Angkor workshop where you can watch skilled artisans create beautiful silk items, woodcarvings, and stone sculptures using traditional techniques. Their quality is outstanding and every purchase supports their vocational training programs.
🎨 DISCOVER LOCAL CRAFTS: Art and Artisans Tour with Workshop Visits
Relaxation and Wellness
After busy days of exploration, treat yourself to some rejuvenating experiences that blend traditional Cambodian healing practices with modern wellness concepts.
Traditional Cambodian Massage
Wellness Cultural
One of the best ways to recover from temple-hopping (or simply to treat yourself) is with a traditional Khmer massage. Unlike Thai massage, which focuses on stretching, Cambodian techniques emphasize pressure points and gentle kneading to release tension.
Spas range from budget-friendly storefronts to luxurious retreats, so there’s something for every preference and price point. Many also offer treatments using local ingredients like lemongrass, turmeric, and coconut oil.
🌟 My Experience: After three days of temple exploration, my feet and legs were incredibly sore. I treated myself to a traditional Khmer massage followed by a cooling cucumber foot treatment at Bodia Spa. The entire 90-minute experience cost $35 and completely revitalized me for the rest of my trip.
Popular spa treatments:
- Traditional Khmer massage (1 hour, $10-25)
- Aromatic oil massage with local ingredients (1 hour, $25-40)
- Herbal compress treatment (90 minutes, $35-50)
- Coffee or salt body scrubs (30-45 minutes, $20-30)
Price Range: $10-50 depending on spa quality
Yoga or Meditation Classes
Siem Reap has embraced the wellness trend with several excellent yoga and meditation centers catering to visitors of all levels. I attended sunrise yoga classes at Peace Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant with an open-air yoga studio, and found it the perfect way to start my day.
💡 Pro Tip: Meditation classes are sometimes offered inside lesser-known temple complexes. Ask at The Peace Cafe or check bulletin boards at yoga studios for these special sessions—they’re an incredibly atmospheric way to practice mindfulness!
Unique Activities
Looking for something truly different? These one-of-a-kind experiences will make your Siem Reap trip unforgettable.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Seeing Siem Reap from above offers a completely different perspective on the landscape. Hot air balloon rides provide spectacular views of the countryside, with Angkor Wat and other temples visible in the distance on clear days.
🌟 My Experience: I splurged on a sunrise balloon flight over Angkor, and it was worth every penny! Floating silently above the temples as the first light illuminated them was absolutely magical. Our pilot pointed out hidden structures and water features that aren’t visible from the ground.
🎈 BUCKET LIST EXPERIENCE: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
Discover Local Art and Crafts
Siem Reap has a thriving creative scene, with numerous workshops where visitors can learn traditional crafts from master artisans. Artisans Angkor is the most established, offering free guided tours of their workshops where you can watch craftspeople creating silk paintings, wood carvings, and silver jewelry.
⚠️ Warning: Be cautious about buying “antiques” in markets, as genuine antiques cannot legally leave Cambodia. Many shops sell clever reproductions as authentic pieces. For ethical shopping, stick to contemporary pieces from reputable artisans.
FAQs
What to do in Siem Reap except Angkor Wat?
Beyond Angkor Wat, top activities include visiting the Cambodian Landmine Museum, taking a boat tour on Tonle Sap Lake, exploring the Old Market, enjoying a traditional dance performance, and cycling through the countryside. For relaxation, try a traditional Khmer massage or a yoga class.
What to avoid in Siem Reap?
Avoid unethical wildlife attractions like elephant riding or performances with captive animals. Instead, visit legitimate sanctuaries that prioritize animal welfare. Also be cautious about “orphanage tourism”—many establishments exploit children for profit. Research responsible ways to support local communities.
Is 3 days in Siem Reap enough?
Yes, 3 days allows you to see the main highlights of Siem Reap, including major temples and several non-temple activities. One day for the main Angkor archaeological park, one day for outlying temples or Tonle Sap Lake, and one day exploring the town and markets makes for a good introduction to the area.
However, I’d recommend 5-7 days if you want to explore at a more relaxed pace and include some of the unique activities mentioned in this guide.
What should you not miss in Cambodia?
Beyond Siem Reap, consider visiting Phnom Penh for its historical sites and vibrant urban culture, Battambang for colonial architecture and rural experiences, or Koh Rong for pristine beaches. Within Siem Reap, don’t miss a sunrise at Angkor Wat, a meal at a local restaurant, and a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake.
Ready for an Unforgettable Cambodia Adventure?
Siem Reap offers so much more than just temple-hopping! From floating villages and authentic cooking classes to ethical elephant sanctuaries and hidden art galleries, your Cambodia experience will be filled with unique memories that go far beyond Angkor Wat.
What was your favorite non-temple experience in Siem Reap? Or if you’re planning a trip, which of these activities are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments!
Suggested Meta Description: Discover 15 amazing things to do in Siem Reap besides temples! From floating villages and cooking classes to ethical elephant sanctuaries and hidden markets, this guide reveals the best non-temple activities in Siem Reap for 2025.
