Se hva du kan gjøre og oppleve i Siem Reap

This is the former capital of the Khmer Empire, which ruled this region between the 9th and 12th centuries. Angkor Archaeological Park evokes the rich historical, architectural and cultural past of the Khmers. The majestic Angkor complex offers temples galore, which is a marvel to explore. Each temple is unique, from the grandeur of Angkor Wat to the beauty of Bantey Srei, this dynastic ’village’ is spellbinding. You need a minimum of two days to explore. As the temples are spread out, transportation is required. Bicycles, motorbikes, tuk-tuks and air-conditioned cars are at your disposal. Guides can be sought through most hotels and guesthouses.

Tonle Sap Lake is the largest fresh-water lake in Southeast Asia. This vast expanse of water is at the heart of Siem Reap’s past and present lure. Cruising through the most popular village, Chong Khneas, you can see floating markets, a school and a bar. They look even more charming under the sunset. Not to forget that around the lake’s mangrove forests live over 100 different waterfowl. So go discover more.

Revel in 360-degree views of temples, hovering high and low on a thrilling hot-air balloon ride. From 200 metres height you can see the Angkorian ruins and the neighbouring countryside in all its splendour.

This Disney-styled village recreates Cambodian culture and history. From hill tribes to Phnom Penh’s Central Market, this tour gives you an original insight into the country’s past and present.

Dy Proeung has, over the years, laboriously replicated Angkor’s famous temples. His passion for these Khmer marvels and his craftsmanship have been recognised by former King Norodom Sihanouk, who awarded him a special prize for his contribution to the Cambodian arts.

Browse around this workshop as craftsmen work and then cross the garden to the shop, which offers the finest silk designs and famous carvings. The Silk Centre will also give you an interesting insight into the steps needed in the production of scarves and fashion fabrics.

This outdoor circus is built to keep and encourage the careers of Cambodian artists. Different performances with music, dance, juggling and acrobatic tell the stories about the life and society of Cambodian. When you visit this theatre, you can also contribute to their wishes of having an indoor venue one day.

The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) can only be visited through booking a guided tour for one and a half hour. This centre rescues and rehabilitates local animals and offers visitor a chance to learn about Cambodian wildlife.

This park is welcoming break from temple-watching and is filled with beautiful butterflies and tropical flowers. Thousands of native species fly around the park and the professional guides will introduce you to the project and the park.

Cambodia still suffers from landmines spreading out in the country. This is not only a museum but also a home and school for at-risk youth and landmine affected children. It tells the story of the 35 year war and how the inhabitants are still working to get rid of these cruel hidden weapons.

This temple is located close to the Old Market area and the Royal Residence. This is one of the oldest pagodas in the town and it is known for being unusually colourful compared to other temples, as well as unusual sculptures and beautiful gardens.

After a lot of walking among temple ruins, you might enjoy a relaxing massage. Sokkhak Spa also offers a wide array of different treatments such as facials and scrubs in a tranquil atmosphere. After a visit here you are ready to climb the temples again.

If you are planning to visit the temple ruins of Angkor Wat, this museum is a perfect start. It will equip you with a lot of valuable information shown in galleries and artifacts so you can easily understand history and beliefs behind the temples.

To get into this national park, foreigners must pay a toll fee. This place sits magically on the top of mountains that have been used to build the temples of Angkor Wat. The water running from the beautiful waterfall is said to be holy and locals often bring a bottle of it with them home.

Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. It is a compound containing many temples created by and for King Jayavarman VII. At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, one of the most impressive temple. The tour is like walking in the past offering you a glimpse of the earlier civilization.

This temple is a must-see in Siem Reap. The photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing in the ruins of the temple make it one of the most favorite tourist attractions. It was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VIIas as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university.

One of the greatest treasures of Cambodia is Preah Kahn. It was build by King Indravarman I and has a mysterious and untouched aura. There are many gigant trees growing in and around the temple structures. Tour guides make the visit even more special as they can give insights into the details and history of the site.

The architecture, the grand entrance and the beautiful reliefs give this place a real sense of peace and tranquility. It is a wonderful temple with plenty of corridors, rooms and walkways. Take your time to enjoy the beautiful carvings and the skills of craftsmen that built the complex.

If you are looking for a sunset location, Pre Rup is your fit. The temple is one of the highest in the area and also a combined construction of bricks, laterite and sandstone, in similar architectural style as that of the East Mebon. Wandering through the paths at Pre Rup is an extraordinary experience.

Set in a well maintained garden, this mini golf course with 14 holes opened in 2012 and is fun for the whole family. Miniature temples work as hurdles and make the golf round exciting and unpredictable and the view of open greenery rice fields surrounded by friendly local villagers is also wonderful.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts are Siem Reap institutions which offer one of the finest dining experiences in town. You will be served with ancient Royal Khmer cuisine with one of the finest wine selections in Asia.

This restaurant sets in a beautiful garden is part of the Ecole d’Hotelerie et de Tourism Paul Dubrule, which is a unique training school for underprivileged children. They offer a weekly set menu and high quality French cuisine with attentive service. Don't miss it.

Abacus Garden Restaurant and Bar is a small eatery in a traditional Khmer house, serving excellent European and Asian food. The design has been made by two award-winning French-Khmer architects and features a luminous dining room as well as an alfresco terrace.

This small, family-run side-street restaurant offers what some people would say is the best food in town. Delicious food such as coconut fish soup and baked pumpkin are served with quality service.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in this bustling market. While browsing through the endless supply of souvenirs with high value for money, take the chance to enjoy inexpensive local food including fruits, vegetables, spices, seafood, fish and meat.

This restaurant school has educated more than 900 young people with a majority of girls since 2002. You can support this project by coming here for a lunch. The menu has a few selected Asian and French dishes that changes on a regularly basis.

The Hashi is known as one of the best restaurants in town serving Japanese cuisine. The ambience is elegant, the menu offers a wide array of delicious south east Asian-dishes and service holds high standard.

This is a place where you can hang out all day. At Kanell you can enjoy more than just tasty French and Asian food, they also offer a cooling swimming pool with sunbeds in a lush garden to relax on. When it's time for dinner you can choose to sit on the terrace, inside their lounge or in a private lounge just for you and your company.

This restaurant is one of the newest restaurants in the programme TREE, a global alliance of training restaurants for underprivileged youth. When you choose to eat your dinner here you support the project. The food served is a local dishes with a creative twist.

For a breath of luxury you should make a visit at Heritage Suites Restaurant and enjoy a meal there. With a Khmer chef, educated in western kitchen, the menu offers different options of both international and Cambodian dishes, all cooked to perfection.

This restaurant serves schnitzel together with other Austrian and German dishes. For reasonable prices you can enjoy large portions of dishes with non-Asian flavours.

This restaurant offers a combination of flavors from around the world. They have an outdoor bar with a number of cocktail creations and a range of flavored rums. Here you can get great homemade chutneys, chili and jams.

This restaurant is located in the heart of Siem Reap, away from the hustle and bustle of Pub street. The premise is beautiful with a wide variety of flavorful Asian and Western food like Khmer Curry and fish amok.

Wat Damnak uses only local fresh seasonal products and creates excellent traditional Cambodian food. The restaurant has been designed to offer three contrasting seating areas providing a tranquil ambience.

Belmiro is a nice little restaurant on a street parallel to pub street in Siem Reap. The menu offers authentic American pizza and savory subs. Take a seat, grab a drink and eat delicious food in a great atmosphere.

Popular with the expat community, this establishment offers good fruit smoothies and a relaxing ambiance. Angelina Jolie frequented here when she was filming Tomb Raider. Breakfast is served from 7:00 AM and the restaurant/café stays open until midnight.

Great pastries, good fruit smoothies and ice cream, these are a few good reasons to visit the Blue Pumpkin Café. Comfortable seating and free WiFi in the lovely coolness of an air conditioned room makes it even better.

This Australian owned and run cafe has become one of the most popular coffee shops in Siem Reap. The Hive is a social hub that attracts both expats and tourists alike and it is well known for its superb coffee, breakfast, lunch, home-baked goods and specialty juices.

You can find everything your heart desires at Footprint Cafes. With a simple and beautiful interior design, cosy atmosphere, books to read and buy, as well as a wide selection of food and drink like smoothies, pancakes, French toast, and Khmer food.

Set in the most luxurious hotel in town, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the Elephant Bar serves some of the best cocktails in town. Live piano and comfortable seating makes you relax and enjoy life.

Angkor What? Bar is probably the most popular drinking spot in town. This institution rocks until the early hours of the morning and here you will get great drinks and loud music to dance to.

Temple Club turns into a pub and club after dinnertime. They have a high-quality dance show upstairs, providing a great insight into Cambodian culture. The drinks are cheap, and the dance floor is where it's all happening.

The Martini Lounge is located at the luxurious hotel La Residence d'Angkor. An extensive martini menu and carefully selected international wines are served in a stylish but relaxed setting with beautiful views over a tropical garden and the river.

A traditional Khmer wood house with a nice relaxed atmosphere. They offer fresh and tasty cocktails with a variety of local ingredients. Next to beer, wine and cocktails you can enjoy excellent food. Here you can relax on comfortable seating or in swinging hammocks which give it a real lounge feel

FCC Angkor is a lovely bar restaurant with a French colonial vibe, as well as serves you a night that is different than usual. It has a great view of the Siem Reap River and the tall trees. They feature a selection of wine from many countries and amazing cocktails.

This modern and stylish bar restaurant serves selected quality dishes from the region. They have a well-known wine cellar and offer a wide selection of beers with friendly and attentive service.

If you want to explore the local liquors of Siem Reap, check into Georges Rhumerie. Here you can get delicious jams, chillis and join in a special rum tasting session. The event takes between 30 minutes and two hours, and it is best enjoyed with some friends. In the end, you can take home your favourites and hang out with the owner.

In downtown Siem Reap you should go for a drink or two in this bar with an artistic touch. Here you can meet an international crowd of twenty somethings enjoying a fun night out. Don’t miss out on the happy hours and check for ongoing events within.

Relax in the laid back lounge setting of this chic bar in the heart of Siem Reap. The low light setting and glamorous décor make this gay-friendly bar a must visit for nightlife enthusiasts. If you step in between 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM you can enjoy the happy hour together with a great selection of cocktails, beer and wine.

This hidden gem in Siem Reap nightlife boasts with an outstanding interior of leather furniture and a wide selection of mixed drinks. Try the variations of tea or delicious cocktails, it’s always a good idea to stop by at Miss Wong.

For local artists, browse into the Asasax Art Gallery (Pub Street). Paintings of all kinds are also available, mainly around the Old Market, depicting the temples or the former grandeur of the Angkorian Empire.

Silk is very popular in this provincial town - for high-end silk products head to Artisans d’Angkor, Couleurs D’Asie (Sofitel Royal Angkor) and Carnets D’Asie (Sivatha Street.), which all offer designs made from Cambodian silk.

Want to buy authentic Cambodian souvenirs from fair trade? Then visit this handcraft association in the Trang Village. The non-profit organization supports craftspeople in the region who creates traditional products such as silk, woodcarvings or pottery. Don’t miss this place on your shopping list.

Traditional Khemer pottery can be found everywhere in the area and make an ideal souvenir. Stop by at this shop and get glazed pieces of art, plates, pots and much more. The friendly staff will even pack your purchase for a safe journey home.

This is not an usual coffeeplace, neither is it a common shopping boutique. Pages is a combination of art gallery and café where you can relax and enjoy artworks of recycled lamps or interior design. If you like an object you can purchase it directly. What are you waiting for?

Experience Siem Reap by night and drop by at Angkor Market. This evening shopping opportunity offers you clothes in bright colours, fabrics from all over Cambodia as well as locals crafts. Take your favourites home and grab a bite at one of the many food stalls. You shouldn't miss this night market.

This supermarket offers you everything for your daily needs. Be it fruit or toothpaste, you can just drop by and do a quick shopping. Within the spacious building you also find pizza places and cafes for a quick refreshment.

This shop tailors everything to your taste. Come in and get a perfectly fitting dress and enjoy the soft touch of silk against your skin. There is a wide selection of colours and fabrics so you will have a hard time choosing just one.

Visas for Cambodia are available at airports and land borders, and are easy to obtain for citizens of most countries. In order to obtain one, make sure you can provide a passport valid for at least six months and a passport-sized self photo for your visa. Citizens from the following countries will need to make advance arrangements for their visa: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Sudan. Visitors from an ASEAN member country do not need a visa to enter Cambodia, as long as they have a valid passport. Be aware that overcharging can be an issue at land borders with Thailand and Laos. To avoid that, you may want to arrange a visa in advance. Online e-visas are only accepted at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, and at the land borders of Bavet/Moc Bai (Vietnam), Cham Yeam/Hat Lek (Thailand) and Poipet/Aranya Prahet (Thailand).

Dry season runs from November to April, and temperatures are at their most comfortable from December to February (which is around 25°C), with the least rainfall in December and January.

Siem Reap International Airport opened in 2006. The airport is located 6 km away from the centre of town. There is an official taxi rank, so when you arrive you can get a taxi or a motor-taxi to town. Independent taxis and motorcycles wait just outside the airport. Most hotels offer free transportation from the airport, but you must notify them in advance of your arrival.

Siem Reap’s transportation consists mainly of motor-taxi drivers or tuk-tuks, most of whom speak English. Renting a motor-taxi driver costs between $5-10 and tuk-tuks between $12-15. Tuk-tuks are convenient because they are covered and can seat at least two passengers. Bicycles are also available for rent and are a pleasant way to explore the temples and town. Most transportation can be organized through you hotel or guest house. No tourist is allowed to rent or drive a motorbike/tuk-tuk or car in Siem Reap.

It is common to book a taxi with a driver for a whole day and this is the easiest way to travel to different sights. One of the taxi companies in the city is Siem Reap Taxi.

UCare Pharmacy is the newest pharmacy with the largest stock of medicine (from France) in town. They have two outlets in town, one is located in the Old Market Area just off Pub Street and the other one in The Lucky Mall on Sivatha Boulevard.

The postal system in Cambodia claims for patience from its users. It can take up to several months for a post card to reach the receiver. The main post office of the town is located at:

Country Code: +855 Area Code: 063

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