Located between rice paddies and flanking the Siem Reap River, the small provincial capital of Siem Reap serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Wat. Being a tourist destination for over 100 years, Siem Reap has plentiful accommodation, ranging from simpler guesthouses around the old market to five-star resorts nearer the airport.The town is actually the result of a conglomeration of several small villages built around several pagodas and subsequently united under the French, and Siem Reap's architecture reflects this influence. Despite its rural location, the town has a healthy nightlife and good restaurants are not hard to find.

Siem Reap is not only the closest ‘big’ city to Angkor Wat; it also has a lot to offer in a matter of excursions. From an exciting balloon tour above Angkor to a visit to the flooded forest, it's educational, it's entertaining, it’s worth the visit.

The area can be a little intimidating if you explore it alone therefore it is recommended to take an organised tour if you want the best out of your visit. You can even book a bicycle tour through the temples and relics and reap the double benefits of exercise and culture at the same time.

Known as the gateway to Angkor Wat and other ancient sacred sites around it, Siem Reap is a major tourism hub for Cambodia and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.

It has everything to offer visitors including hotels of all ranges from upscale and trendy hotels to budget accommodation. A good start might be near the town centre around the Old Market Area as well as along the road No.6.

In addition to the magnificent ancient temples of Angkor, there are many other interesting attractions in Siem Reap to see. The attractions available are and varied, and range from museums, to traditional Khmer dance, to visits to a silk farm. Many package tours to Cambodia include several of these attractions.

The descriptions here are provided to help you plan which attractions you would like to see during your visit. Please see the Activities Page for things to DO in Siem Reap.