Witness the grandeur of the Unesco-listed Angkor Archaeological Park and its stunning ancient temples from above. One of the top-rated Siem Reap attractions, a helicopter tour offers breathtaking views of the entire area, followed by the chance to see the ruins up close with a private guide. Alternatively, a cycling tour around the temples will take you through jungles to discover lesser-known sites, as well as the most famous landmarks like Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon.

Cambodian food is a melting pot of culinary influences, including nods to nearby Thailand, Vietnam, and French gastronomy. Get to know this delicious cuisine with an adventure through the city’s bustling food markets, where you’ll encounter everyday staples. Try the national dish amok – a pillowy steamed fish curry bursting with flavour – before tucking into delicacies like num krok (coconut rice balls), nom banh chok (Khmer noodles), chilli-fried tarantulas and red ants.

Add a spark of whimsy to your Siem Reap holiday at the Phare Circus, an evening performance blending dizzying acrobatics with live music, dance, and storytelling inspired by a mix of Cambodian folklore and modern life. Run by Phare Ponleu Selpak, a non-profit vocational art school, the modern cultural performance has lifted many marginalised youths out of poverty and helped them establish careers. After the show ends, stick around to talk with the performers and snap a few selfies.

The pulsating heart of Siem Reap is the Old Market, known locally as Psah Chas or Psar Chaa, where locals and tourists alike haggle over everything from spices and fresh produce to handmade crafts and textiles. Whether enjoying a tasty breakfast, sampling tropical fruits, getting your fortune told or picking up some well-priced souvenirs, visiting this bustling bazaar isn’t just a shopping trip – it’s an authentic peek into daily life.

Landmines are a tragic remnant of Cambodia’s war-torn past. Belgian non-profit APOPO devised a novel solution to this problem: training African giant pouched rats to sniff out undetonated mines, speeding up the clearing process and saving human lives. Learn about these pint-sized heroes at the NGO’s visitor centre, where you can take a tour, watch a live demo and meet one of these surprisingly adorable rodents up close.

For beautiful handicrafts, Artisans Angkor ranks among the top places to visit in Siem Reap. The social enterprise preserves traditional Khmer crafts, such as silk weaving and stone and wood carving, through Les Chantiers Écoles vocational training centre. Not only can you watch artisans skilfully transform raw materials into works of art, but you can also shop for stylish goods, from intricate jewellery to replicas of Angkorian statues to household furnishings.

Where to go near Siem Reap for authentic Khmer culture? Try a local homestay in the Banteay Srei district. While experiencing life in the Cambodian countryside, visit the famous namesake temple – famed for its pink sandstone and intricate carvings – partake in farm visits, or go trekking, cycling and boating. By supporting the Banteay Srei homestay program, visitors can directly support an underprivileged community.

Believed to be the birthplace of the Khmer empire, Cambodia’s most sacred mountain makes for a memorable day trip on any Siem Reap holiday. While exploring Phnom Kulen’s nature trails in the surrounding national park, you’ll stumble upon towering waterfalls, a giant reclining Buddha, remote temples, and a river filled with thousands of sacred carvings. With such a scenic atmosphere, it’s no surprise the park featured in the 2001 blockbuster Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

For a glimpse of local culture, visit Tonle Sap Lake’s floating and stilted villages with a guide. A testament to the resilience of Cambodia's rural communities, these unique aquatic settlements are home to Vietnamese, Cham and Khmer ethnic groups who navigate the waterways to fish, farm, worship, sell their wares, and visit friends and family. Some communities are also home to floating restaurants, mangrove forests, temples and even a bird reserve offering eco-tours.

A unique thing to do in Siem Reap, this quirky mini golf experience brings Cambodia’s majestic temples to life with 14 fun-filled holes. Navigate through mini replicas of the most iconic structures as you test your putting skills in a lush garden atmosphere with a refreshing cooling mist on steamy days. Best of all, those skilled enough to shoot a hole-in-one are rewarded with a free beer or drink.