Home in the World

Last Updated on February 20, 2026 by Home in the World

When thinking about things to see in Siem Reap, most people’s minds immediately jump to the obvious choices such as Angkor Wat (it is the 8th Wonder of the World, after all), other incredible Angkor temples like Ta Prohm and Bayon, or the famous Pub Street with its colourful lights and vast array of restaurants and clubs.

But if you’re looking to go beyond this and experience what else the beautiful town of Siem Reap has to offer, I’ve got some great recommendations that include artisanal wonders, a leafy café garden and a stunning temple set in one of Asia’s coolest neighbourhoods. Read on to find out more!

You can also download my free quick guide to Siem Reap, which concisely summarises everything you need to know before you go.

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Theam’s Gallery

I’m going to start off with one of my favourite things to see in Siem Reap. It is no exaggeration to say Theam’s Gallery is one of the most stunning galleries/museums I have ever visited anywhere around the world. A small, unassuming exterior on a small, dusty side road just a short tuk-tuk ride from the heart of Siem Reap belies the sprawling labyrinth of exquisite pavilions and lush gardens that unfurl before you as you set foot through the main entrance.

The gallery is the creation of visual artist Theam Lim, whose family fled genocide-ravaged Cambodia as refugees in 1980, heading to France. Later in life, Theam returned to Cambodia (a rare returnee) to help rebuild his native country and, through his teachings and learnings, also help perpetuate and promote Khmer craftsmanship and culture. On display are both his own works and those of his local artisan apprentices. An absolutely stunning collection that pays tribute to Cambodia’s rich artistic heritage and ancient Khmer culture.

I highly recommend spending time admiring Theam’s striking paintings in the multi-level gallery, on the ground floor of which is also a workshop and gift shop. It is fascinating to watch the artisans in the throes of their creative endeavours. If you’re lucky, you might also see Theam himself there, though I hear he is a very quiet humble man who prefers to keep to himself.

The rest of the complex is made up of a network of breathtaking, airy pavilions, each one as thoughtfully and elegantly presented as the next, albeit with their own unique aesthetic. Some take the form of small arcades, some as treasure-trove-like rooms and others as secret attic rooms. The latter was something I stumbled upon purely by accident when I saw a little nook in one of the rooms, only to discover it led up a narrow stone staircase to a room that appeared to replicate the interior of a cosy home, with writing table, old photos, antique hat stand, lounger chairs and coffee table.

I really appreciated the care with which every space was laid out; walls coloured in rich turquoises, reds, greens, blues and purples, muted lighting shining strategically on various artefacts to accentuate their beauty, and great use of levels and textures made for a visually stimulating journey. Almost every pavilion has open windows and/or doors leading onto the lush central courtyard or fairy garden, so you never get that musty ‘museum’ feel. And speaking of the courtyard, that’s where you will likely encounter some of the resident kitties. There is also a small kiosk selling snacks and refreshments.

I definitely recommend allowing yourself a couple of hours at Theam’s Gallery. It seems to be a really underrated gem, as there was hardly a soul there when I visited (which was during Siem Reap’s high season), so there is a good chance you will have a lot of these incredible spaces all to yourself. For an entry fee of USD 5.00, it is well worth the money.

• Address: Street 30 (100 m from MOK NEAK high school), Phum Veal, Kokchack District, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Opening hours: 8am – 5pm daily
• Entry fee: USD 5.00 for non-Cambodians

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Made in Cambodia Market

Another place to definitely add to your list of things to see in Siem Reap is the Made in Cambodia Market. The Cambodians are extremely talented artisans; traditional Khmer craftsmanship dates back centuries – in everything from stunning silk products to stone and wood carvings, ceramics, paintings and much more. That artisanal spirit is alive and well in Siem Reap, and one of the best places to go to experience this and buy some products for yourself is the Made in Cambodia Market.

Set in a leafy street just a short tuk-tuk ride from central Siem Reap, the market is small, but has a lot to offer under its tin roof. Its intimacy is in fact precisely one of things that make it so nice. The wares sold at its stalls range from knitted toys, to jewellery, to artwork, to honey.. the list goes on.

I personally bought quite a lot of stuff there, and, with each purchase I made, I would admire the unique bags they were put in for me – sometimes it was beautifully made cloth bags that were themselves cute enough to be sold, other times it was unique carry-bags made entirely out of Korean (!) newspaper (handles included), almost like some kind of origami. I initially didn’t think much of this other than to admire how lovely they all were, but I later saw a sign explaining the philosophies behind the market, one being that no plastic packaging was allowed; all packaging had to be made from recycled materials or canvas.

This is one of several fantastic initiatives that make this market so special and why I recommend it as one of the top things to see in Siem Reap. Its overall purpose is to promote local artisans and Khmer culture and create more Khmer jobs. As such, all products must be made in Cambodia (as the name suggests), and each stall must sell something different (often totally unique to any other market) at a fair price. Traditional dance performances are sometimes also run, but unfortunately that was not the case during my visit.

Another pillar of the market’s philosophy is the fact that stallholders are not allowed to be pushy with visitors. I had noticed that no one hassled you after the initial ‘you buy from my shop?’, but it was not until I read the sign that I realised this was part of the market’s policy. It makes for a very positive market experience, and I actually found I was more likely to stop and browse (and buy) when I wasn’t being constantly asked to make a purchase (as has been my experience in other parts of the world).

Indeed, I got talking to a number of stallholders and even became social-media friends with one. And the stall I bought my artwork from was run by the young artist’s cousin, who was half-Australian but born and raised in Cambodia and spoke incredible English. Honestly, everyone at the market was so friendly, talented and gracious, and, coupled with the lush, tranquil setting, it made for a lovely couple of hours. I cannot recommend it highly enough and I’m confident you will love it as much as I did.

• Address: Oum Khun St, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Opening hours: 12-9pm daily
• Entry fee: None

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Chocolate Garden

Chocolate Garden may not have cropped up on your radar of things to see in Siem Reap but if you want to enjoy coffee, handicrafts and a general social hub in a serene, walled environment of leafy trees and chalet-like buildings that almost makes you feel like you’re somewhere in Europe, definitely add it to your list.

While I’d love to tell you the name is literal, it purely – and more mundanely – comes from the fact that the venue is located on Chocolate Road, an unassuming residential street in the south-eastern corner of the town.

If you happen to visit on a weekend, you’ll also find a small artisan market, selling local handmade goods by micro-entrepreneurs who are still struggling to recover after the pandemic, which really affected the tourism-driven town of Siem Reap (I spoke to several locals from various areas of the hospitality industry elsewhere in the town who echoed these struggles). This is all in keeping with the facility’s mission to be a collaborative space fostering Cambodian start-ups, creativity and social change. As per its slogan, it’s a bit of ‘simply everything’.

I caught the tail end of the craft market, and also enjoyed the relaxing vibe of the gardens. There was soft music playing, a children’s play area and an artisanal gift shop, in addition to the quaint coffee shop. Groups of young people were chilling on the grass and there was just a general sense of local community and tranquillity, away from the hectic traffic, the tourist crowds and the bright lights of Pub Street.

I believe they even run DIY workshops for making natural products such as coconut oil, soaps and balms using the natural resources for which Cambodia is famous. Definitely worth enquiring if that sounds like something you’d be interested in!

• Address: 56 Chocolate Road, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Opening hours: 7am-7pm daily (with craft market on Sat & Sun)
• Entry fee: None

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Wat Bo

Obviously if you’re only going to see one temple complex in Siem Reap, then it needs to be Angkor Wat and the other sites within the Angkor Archaeological Park. But if you’re not too templed-out and want to see one of the town’s largest pagodas, then add Wat Bo to your list of things to see in Siem Reap.

While the allure of the Angkor temples lies in the mystical beauty of their iconic brown and grey stones, the labyrinthine chambers housing mythological carvings dating back some 900 years, and the sense of abandonment (despite the tourists) embodied by the crumbled stones from bygone eras at complexes like Ta Prohm, Wat Bo is a vibrant orange structure with stunning gold ornamentation and lush, tranquil gardens. It was built in the 18th century, making it much newer than the Angkor temples, and it is still a working pagoda to this day, so it is not uncommon to see monks around the complex or other people coming to pray.

When I visited in the peak season of January, there was not another tourist in sight, whereas, just the day before, I had been one of the thousands of tourists at Angkor Wat. You obviously won’t need to spend anywhere near as long at Wat Bo as you would at the Angkor temples; around 30 minutes should suffice.

But it is definitely worth wandering around the complex, admiring the architecture and enjoying the serenity of the weeping trees and vibrant bougainvillea that surround it. A pair of young novice monks seemed to find our presence quite fascinating, and kept shyly walking near us and waving to us, although they spoke no English. It was a really lovely experience. Apparently if you visit between 4.30pm and 6pm, you can often even hear the monks chanting!

It’s crazy to think the pagoda is barely a kilometre from the famed Pub Street, yet the vibe couldn’t be more different. But, funnily enough, it is actually in a hip ‘hood of its own – because a Time Out survey conducted in 2022 found Wat Bo Village, located just across the Siem Reap river from Pub Street, to be the coolest neighbourhood in Asia and the third coolest neighbourhood globally! Filled with trendy bars, novelty restaurants, boutique hotels and chic cafés, it’s a destination in itself, and one you can definitely explore after visiting the pagoda.

• Address: 0092 Street 22, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
• Entry fee: None, but donations welcomed

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Royal Independence Gardens

Of all the things to see in Siem Reap that I have mentioned in this article, this was probably the one where I noticed the most tourists, most likely due to its central location in the very heart of Siem Reap.

Situated right by the Siem Reap River, at the junction where National Road 6 meets Preah Sihanouk Avenue (the road that leads straight to Angkor Wat) at the Goddess Statue Roundabout, it is hardly a ‘hidden’ gem and therefore possibly not really an underrated thing to do, but as it’s still not something I had seen a lot of people write about when looking up things to see in Siem Reap, I thought I would throw it in here for good measure!

As a large, beautifully manicured public space between the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor and the Royal Residence, it is a lovely place to spend 30 minutes to an hour, wandering among the trees and admiring the copper statues of historic military leaders (at the foot of whom mini garlands of fresh flowers appeared to be left every day) and the intricate green wrought-iron gates bearing the faces of deities. You will find all of this in the area immediately in front of the Royal Residence. And that is as close to the Royal Residence as you will get, as the public are not allowed in.

Just next-door and still within the grounds of the gardens, however, is the Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm Shrine, where a number of locals were worshiping amongst the sweet incense smoke and traditional music, leaving offerings of fresh flowers. The shrine is said to be popular among newlyweds hoping to conceive a child, and indeed we spoke to one couple who had just had their first child (who was also there) and had thus come to give thanks.

Just beyond this is a line of small market stalls selling all kinds of refreshments, and, in the tall trees surrounding the complex, there is also a resident colony of fruit bats who start to emerge at dusk. Thankfully I was not aware of this, because I was there in the late afternoon and am quite terrified of bats!!

The paved square (a rarity in Siem Reap) at the other end of the gardens appeared to be a very popular gathering place for locals, particularly young people and school students, who increasingly descended upon it later in the day to exercise and play badminton. It’s a great place to people-watch and take in the local recreation vibes.

• Address: Intersection of National Road 6 and Preah Sihanouk Avenue, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Opening hours: 24 hours
• Entry fee: None

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Getting around

For everything I have mentioned above, the best way to get around is by tuk tuk or Grab, as Siem Reap is not a huge place and nowhere is more than about a 10 or 15-minute ride away if you’re staying anywhere within the main metropolitan area. If using Grab, consider trying an eSIM like this one.

I would recommend taking a tuk tuk, as it is a much more unique experience and being ‘open air’ means you get to really feel part of the action. If you’re sensitive to dust or street pollution (it’s not bad at all but may still affect some people), consider wearing a mask for the duration of the ride.

I was surprised at how slow the speed limits were in Cambodia (at least in my observations in Siem Reap and on the 6-hour highway drive between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh). Everyone drove much slower than I was expecting, and it made the tuk tuk experience even better!

We took a tuk tuk from our hotel, as they had affiliated freelance drivers to whom you can pay a flat fee based on your itinerary, and we ended up having the same lovely lady for all our rides. But if you choose to use Grab, you can also book tuk tuks on there (along with normal cars). Needless to say, the costs in both cases are likely to be pretty good value for most Western tourists – but please be mindful that ‘cheap’ for Western tourists is often still expensive for locals.

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Getting to Siem Reap and where to stay

Angkor Wat is located in Siem Reap, which opened a brand new airport (SAI) in 2024 with a view to catering to increased tourist numbers. It is about a 50-minute drive from the town, and is serviced by major airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. You can find suitable flight connections by searching on  Skyscanner or Trip.com to find and compare the best fares.

You will probably need an e-visa to enter Cambodia. As an Australian, I did, but it was a very quick and easy online process. The best place to check this is through the official Cambodian government website. I do not recommend looking anywhere else, as they are likely to be scam sites. You can also get visas on arrival, but I personally think having it all organised beforehand is better.

In terms of accommodation, Siem Reap has options to suit every budget, from ultra luxury to backpacker hostels. I personally stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort and cannot recommend it highly enough. You can read my full review of it here. Otherwise, you can find another property meeting your needs by using the search box below.

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Final thoughts on underrated things to see in Siem Reap

I hope the above has given you some options for things to see in Siem Reap beyond the staples of Angkor Wat and Pub Street.

The exquisite Theam’s Gallery with its collections of stunning local art, the wonderful initiative that is the Made in Cambodia Market, the chilled community space at Chocolate Garden, the rich vibrancy of Wat Bo and its unexpectedly hip neighbourhood, and the majestic public area that are the Royal Independence Gardens are all wonderful additions to any Siem Reap itinerary, and I definitely loved visiting every single one. They were all so unique in their own way, and I particularly loved the first 3’s focus on promoting and supporting Cambodian art, craftsmanship and businesses.

Siem Reap is a veritable treasure trove of arts and culture, and there is so much more I could have seen if I’d had more time. It’s definitely somewhere I’d love to return to. If and when I do, I’ll be sure to update this post with new discoveries! In the meantime, if you have any other suggestions or recommendations on underrated things to see in Siem Reap, feel free to leave a comment below.

** This post, like everything else on this website, has been written entirely by me. No ChatGPT or any other AI tool has been used. It takes longer to create, but I value 100% human-generated content and I hope you do too! **

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Before you go…

This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Siem Reap on GPSmyCity.

You can also read more about the GPSmyCity concept in this blog post.

Plus, consider following me on Instagram, where I post regularly about travel around the world, and subscribe to my monthly newsletter for travel inspiration, news and book recommendations delivered straight to your inbox.

Please also check out my free, one-page guide to Siem Reap, concisely encapsulating everything you need to know before and during your trip. And if you need a private driver/guide for your Cambodia travels, I have the perfect recommendation for you.

Visiting Phnom Penh as well? Read my post about some of its cultural and art treasures, as well as my reviews of the Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh and the Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh, which I recommend considering as accommodation options.

For more Asia travel content, feel free to check out my other posts from Cambodia, as well as  Japan, South Korea and China, plus my older travel memories (more narrative style than blog style) from Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore.

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