No visit to Siem Reap is complete without spending time in its markets. They are where the city truly comes alive. From the crash and colour of a local produce market at dawn to the lantern-lit stalls of an evening night market, the markets of Siem Reap offer some of the most vivid and memorable experiences Cambodia has to offer. Food, crafts, silk, spices, street art, jewellery, and conversations you did not plan on having. The markets here reward the curious and the unhurried in equal measure.
Siem Reap has markets for every kind of visitor. Locals shopping for the day’s groceries before sunrise. Expats hunting for fresh produce and good coffee. Visitors looking for something handmade and meaningful to bring home. And travelers who simply want to stand in the middle of it all and take it in. Whatever brings you here, the markets will not disappoint.
Shopping at local markets also matters beyond the experience itself. Most vendors are small scale farmers, artisans, and family run businesses. Your purchases go directly to the people who made or grew what you are buying. That is worth remembering every time you open your wallet.
Phsar Chas – The Old Market
The Old Market is the heart of Siem Reap and the most accessible market for visitors. Located between Pub Street and the Siem Reap River, it is a labyrinth of narrow alleys packed with stalls selling fresh produce, herbs and spices, fish from Tonle Sap, meat, silk scarves, krama, carvings, jewellery, and souvenirs. The food section is extraordinary. Nom banh chok, kuy teav, grilled skewers, sticky rice desserts, and dried fish are just a start.
Go early. Between 7 and 8AM the market is at its most alive, with chefs from some of Siem Reap’s best restaurants shopping alongside local families. There is something genuinely moving about standing in the middle of it at that hour. The noise, the colour, the smell of fresh kroeung being ground, the women with baskets on their heads moving with purpose through the crowd. It is one of the most authentic experiences the city offers and it costs nothing to be there. By mid morning it quietens down and makes for better photography. Bargaining is expected for souvenirs. Start around half the asking price and negotiate politely. Open daily from early morning until around 5 to 6PM.
Phsar Leu Thom Thmey – The Upper Market
Siem Reap’s largest and most authentic local market, located on National Road 6 about 3 kilometers from the city center toward Phnom Penh. This is where locals shop rather than tourists and prices reflect it. Almost no English is spoken here but the experience more than makes up for it. Expect raw meats, fresh produce, snacks, clothing, electronics, household goods, and everything in between. A tuk tuk from the center costs around $4 to $6 return. Go with an open mind and a sense of adventure.
Made in Cambodia Market
Exactly what the name promises. Every product at this market is made in Cambodia by local artisans, social enterprises, and ethical producers. Unlike some tourist markets filled with goods from neighboring countries, this one is the real thing. Textiles, artwork, jewellery, specialty food items, organic skincare, and upcycled goods are all represented. Prices are higher than the Old Market but the quality and authenticity justify it. Live performances of traditional Khmer dance and music are regularly held here. Located on Street 27 and held on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays.
Angkor Night Market
Siem Reap’s original and most established night market, located off Sivatha Boulevard. Over 200 bamboo huts selling clothing, handicrafts, silk, artwork, and souvenirs spread across a landscaped garden setting. Street food, cocktails, and live music make it easy to spend an entire evening here. Open daily from 4PM to midnight. A good starting point for evening shopping though as with most night markets do your research on what you want before committing to a price.
Noon Night Market
Located between Sivatha Boulevard and Angkor Night Market, this smaller but worthwhile night market has over 100 stalls selling ornaments, silverware, carvings, clothing, and food. Ten percent of profits go to funding a local orphanage. Silk lamps and fans line the walkways. Bistro Khmer serves fish amok, lok lak, and spring rolls on site. A Khmer massage is available if you need a break from browsing.
Phsar Kandal – Kandal Market
Located along the Siem Reap River near the night market area, Phsar Kandal is a lively evening market popular with locals and visitors alike. Less polished than the dedicated tourist night markets, it has an energy and authenticity that many visitors find more appealing. Street food is the main draw, with vendors selling grilled meats, fresh fruit, local snacks, and cold drinks at prices aimed at the Cambodian market rather than tourists. A great place to eat well for very little and watch local life unfold after dark.
Angkor Handicraft Association – Road 60 Market
Located on Road 60, this fair trade market is particularly recommended for those who want to see local artisans actually working on their products. Twenty stalls sell handwoven silk, silverware, stone and bronze statues, paintings, and bags. One hundred percent of profits go back to the artisans and their families. The chance to watch the craft being made and speak with the people who made it gives this market a different quality from the others.
Artisans Angkor
Not a market in the traditional sense but worth including here. Located a short walk from the Old Market on Stung Thmey Street, Artisans Angkor is Cambodia’s most celebrated craft enterprise. Stone and wood carvings, silk products, lacquerware, and silver work are produced on site by trained Cambodian artisans. Free guided tours of the workshop run daily from 7.30AM to 6.30PM. All profits are reinvested into training programs for young Cambodians. The Angkor Silk Farm in Puok district, a 20 minute drive from the city, shows the full silk making process from silkworm to finished textile.
Shopping Responsibly
Siem Reap’s markets range from genuinely local and community driven to tourist oriented shops selling goods manufactured in factories elsewhere in Asia. The difference matters both for the quality of what you buy and the impact your money has. If buying local and supporting Cambodian artisans and farmers is important to you, Made in Cambodia Market, the Road 60 Handicraft Association, and Artisans Angkor are your best starting points. At the night markets, look for handmade items and ask vendors directly about where their products are made. A genuine Cambodian artisan will be happy to tell you.
Practical Tips
Bring small dollar bills and riel. Most market vendors do not carry significant change and large bills cause unnecessary friction.
Bargain respectfully at local markets and souvenir stalls. A smile and a light touch go much further than aggressive negotiation. Most vendors will meet you somewhere reasonable if you approach it as a conversation rather than a battle.
Go early for food markets. The freshest produce, the best atmosphere, and the most authentic experience all happen before 9AM. By mid afternoon the heat and the hours take their toll on both the produce and the energy.
Carry a reusable bag. Most market vendors use single use plastic and bringing your own is a small but meaningful gesture.
Watch your belongings in busy market areas. Keep bags close and phones out of sight, particularly in crowded sections of the Old Market and the night markets.
Tuk tuks to and from markets are easy to arrange throughout the city. The Grab app offers transparent pricing if you prefer a fixed fare.
The market operators, artisan workshops, and shopping experiences listed on SiemReapLife.com are your best starting point for planning a day of market exploration in Siem Reap.
