Cambodia captivates with its beguiling past and ever-changing present. In between are dark years under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime that decimated lives and left scars that run deep. Far from broken, Cambodians are resilient and forward-looking people, immensely proud of their rich Khmer culture and happy to welcome visitors into their beautiful country. From crumbling carved temples, rich craft traditions and idyllic rural life to remote sun-dappled beaches, culinary adventures that straddle lively night markets and inventive restaurants – Cambodia, known as a ‘Kingdom of Wonder’, offers a mosaic of excellent cultural and natural experiences through some of its most beautiful tourist places for the traveller to relish.
Also, remember to check out this selection of offbeat destinations to explore in Cambodia.
Best time to visit Cambodia
Although the heat and humidity are constant in Cambodia, they see a slight dip from November to February. This is also the busiest time to visit, with most tourist places in Cambodia crowded. March to April are the driest months, with high temperatures and humidity but lesser crowds. The Cambodian New Year, known as Chaul Chnam Khmer, falls in April and is an excellent time for festivities across the country.
The rainy season lasts from May to October. While it can be wet, it turns the parched countryside into an iridescent green. This is also the least busy period and the perfect time to get great hotel deals.
Best tourist places and cultural experiences in Cambodia
Phnom Penh
Spread out around the Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers’ confluence, Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s heady capital, is often overshadowed by cultural heavyweight Siem Reap. Still, it deserves to be on every Cambodia itinerary as one of the most important tourist places. Dive into its regal past at the sprawling Royal Palace near the riverfront, which has traditional Khmer architecture, a grand Throne Hall, and impressive frescoes. View the palace from afar on a sunset cruise down the Tonlé Sap or from one of the city’s many chic rooftop bars.
Life on the streets can be chaotic, but look closer to catch sight of the city’s lingering French architectural influence. Enjoy Phnom Penh’s contemporary side on Street 240, which has street art and eclectic boutiques. Phnom Penh’s nightlife is coming into its own, and the best way to experience this is to go bar hopping through trendy Bassac Lane.
How to reach: Fly directly to Phnom Penh or connect via Bangkok or Singapore.
Best places to stay: Plantation Urban Resort, La Chronique
Best time to explore: November to March
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Siem Reap
Synonymous with Cambodia, Siem Reap is the perfect tourist place and base for exploring the magnificent treasures of the Khmer dynasty and offers some of the country’s best cultural and culinary experiences. Watching the sun come up from behind the corn cob spires of Angkor Wat as the cicadas signal the start of a new day is nature theatrics at its best. Explore the many temples set deep within towering trees and delve further into the genius of the Khmer Empire. From the baffling Bayon with its large Buddha faces to the eerie Ta Prohm, you can spend days, if not weeks, exploring the historical wonders of the region.
Once you have had your fill of temples, move to crafts and food. Siem Reap offers plenty of opportunities to slow down and immerse yourself in Khmer culture, from food tours and cooking classes to watching artisans work on their craft. Explore more with our guide to some of the best things to do in Siem Reap.
How to reach: Fly into Siem Reap from Phnom Penh or get there by road. Siem Reap is connected to most major Southeast Asian cities via direct flights.
Best places to stay: Treeline Urban Resort. Indulge in the ultimate opulence of our selection of the best hotels in Siem Reap.
Best time to explore: During the dry months of November to March
Tonlé Sap
The patchwork of floating villages along the edges of Tonlé Sap, a natural floodplain reservoir, offers a rare glimpse into life tied to the elements, most notably the monsoons. Every rainy season, when the water levels rise, the homes built on stilts appear to float on the water’s surface, and adults and children commute on boats.
On leisurely boat rides, you can explore the waters further past wooden homes, watch villagers fishing or tending to their boats, and experience a unique way of life.
How to reach: 30 km by road from Siem Reap
Best places to stay: Stay in Siem Reap and explore Tonlé Sap on a day trip.
Best time to explore: The water levels are at their highest from June to October when it rains. However, ensure your itinerary allows for flexibility when factoring in rain-related delays.
Koh Rong
Swaying palm-fringed coves, wooded hillsides, gentle surf and waters teeming with marine life, Koh Rong Samloem could well be Cambodia’s best-kept secret and an off-the-beaten-path tourist place. While nearby Koh Rong is popular with the backpacker crowd, only a fraction of visitors make it here. Home to fishing families and a small expat community, Koh Rong Samloem is the island getaway everyone is after.
There’s no better thing to do on an island than be a beach bum, and in Koh Rong Samloem, there are plenty of beaches to choose from. Start with Saracen Bay for a curl of fantastic beach and a lively vibe. Sunset Beach, as the name suggests, is the ideal spot to watch the sun sink into the ocean, with plenty of drama. Quieter Lazy Beach is an excellent pick for those who enjoy sun and surfing in relative isolation.
How to reach: By boat from Sihanoukville
Best places to stay: The One Resort, Sara Resort, SunBoo Beach Bungalows
Best time to explore: All year round except during the monsoon period from May to October
Kampot
A riverside dream, Kampot entrances those who make it here with its stuck-in-time streetscapes and endless options of things to do: explore wide boulevards and a riverfront lined with striking colonial architecture and Art Deco gems on the back of a cycle, bed down in stylish hotels, set off on jungle excursions inside Bokor National Park, take a plantation tour to learn all about the prized Kampot pepper, visit salt pans, visit a Hindu temple hidden inside a cave or kick back with a cold beer and take in Kampot’s pause-worthy sunsets.
A bonus is the option to escape to the seaside when the desire strikes. The French favoured this seaside escape, and Kep has found a resurgence of interest due to its easy charm and a clutch of excellent boutique hotels.
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How to reach: Kampot is 148 km from Phnom Penh, and the two cities are well connected by buses.
Best places to stay: Hotel Old Cinema, Pippali Boutique Hotel, Amber Kampot
Best time to visit: From November to February or the shoulder period towards the end of the monsoons from September to October to beat the crowds.
Cardamom Mountains
Revel in the untamed beauty of the Cardamom Mountains, one of Southeast Asia’s last remaining expanses of rainforest. Home to unique flora and fauna, a trip here is a chance to see nature at its finest. Experience the wild on curated tours organised by nature-focused companies such as Wildlife Alliance, which champions community-based tourism projects. Stay at a local homestay in the heart of the forest and go kayaking down gushing rivers, swimming in waterfalls, hiking and mountain biking, or joining rangers on their patrols.
How to reach: By road from Phnom Penh
Best places to stay: Cardamom Tented Camp, Shinta Mani Wild
Best time to visit: November to February
Battambang
Battambang delights with its cinematic setting along the Sangkae River, laid-back vibe, and excellent culinary options. In 2023, the city joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network to recognise its development as a ‘creative city of gastronomy’. Expect to feast like royalty here, for food is more than sustenance.
Unlike crowded tourist places like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Battambang feels like the Cambodia of yore with its well-preserved French colonial buildings and Chinese shophouses. When the outdoors beckon, you can head into the countryside on bicycles to explore temples that pre-date Angkor Wat or venture deep into the jungle on the enchanting bamboo train.
How to reach: Battambang is 290 km by road from Phnom Penh and 164 km from Siem Reap.
Best places to stay: Battambang Resort, The Sanctuary Villa
Best time to visit: November to February
Places to enjoy the best of nightlife in Cambodia
If Angkor Wat is one of Cambodia’s most popular tourist places during the daytime, Siem Reap’s Pub Street takes over at night. Its soaring popularity means it tends to be overcrowded and can feel sleazy. To escape the crowds, seek out the laid-back restaurants and bars in Wat Bo Village or the colourful and classy Miss Wong on Street 26.
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Phnom Penh surprises with its bevvy of rooftop bars that offer excellent drinks with unhindered views of the city’s skyline and riverfront. Closer to sunset, the boho Sundown Social Club overlooking the tin roofs of the Russian Market in the hipster Toul Tom Poung neighbourhood is the place to be. Juniper Gin on the 12th floor of the Point Hotel is a good choice with its Art Deco decor and on-point cocktails. For a more elevated experience, head to the Sora Sky Bar at the Rosewood Phnom Penh, which has a stunning rooftop deck bar and the most extensive collection of single malts in Cambodia.
What to eat in Cambodia
Cambodia’s ancient cuisine might not be as popular as Thailand’s fiery curries or Vietnam’s heartwarming Pho, but discovering its highly nuanced flavours and textures is a definite highlight when exploring its many tourist places. The country’s lively street markets are a good starting point for getting acquainted with Khmer ingredients and produce. For a truly immersive experience, sign up for a cooking class to learn the basics of Khmer cuisine. Here are some dishes to try:
- Samlor Korkor: A hearty soup made with a medley of vegetables, catfish and pork belly. The soup gets its distinctive flavour from adding prahok or fermented dried fish.
- Amok: Traditional amok is Cambodia’s most popular dish. It features fish wrapped in banana leaf parcels and cooked to a mousse-like consistency.
- Bai sach chrouk: Cambodia’s version of pork and rice is best enjoyed from street carts in the morning. Juicy pork strips are marinated with palm sugar, garlic, and fish sauce, grilled to perfection, and served with a generous portion of rice, pickled vegetables, and a bowl of warm broth.
Places to shop in Cambodia
If shopping ranks high on your agenda, then Cambodia, with its rich craft traditions, delivers. To ensure money goes to the right hands, buy authentic pieces straight from the craftspeople or from organisations that are known to work with them. ‘Daughters of Cambodia’ in Phnom Penh is a social enterprise that helps women leave the rampant sex trade by imparting skills such as tailoring, screen printing, jewellery making, etc. Visit the centre to learn about their work and browse their onsite boutique. For art, antiques and designer clothing, head to Street 240.
Shop the best travel experiences here
At ‘Artisans Angkor’ in Siem Reap, take a guided tour of the facility and see craftspeople at work chipping away at stone and wood or deftly using the loom. The visit ends at their large, stylish boutique, where you can buy exquisitely carved statues, silk stoles, traditional balms, bags and more. Wander through Siem Reap’s popular markets, but buy handicrafts at the Made In Cambodia community market, which has colourful stalls and focuses on creating Khmer jobs. Compact Kandal Village is a perfect spot to browse boutiques selling everything from spices to custom clothes.
(Feature image credit: kolibri5/Pixabay)
Related | In Cambodia, Tourism Feels Like A Force For Good
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Tonlé Sap, a natural floodplain reservoir, is a popular lake to visit.
A week to 10 days is perfect to take in the highlights of Cambodia.
Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem are some of the most beautiful islands to visit.
Banteay Chhmar, Kampong Thom, Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri are some off-the-beaten-path destinations worth exploring in Cambodia.
Many adventure activities are available, such as mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and diving.
Khmer New Year, or Chaul Chnam Khmer, is marked with feasting and playful water fights throughout the country. The Angkor Wat International Half Marathon has become an annual event that draws running enthusiasts worldwide.
Cambodia has a good network of roads and buses, making it easy to commute between the big cities and towns.
Written By
Chaitali Patel
Chaitali Patel is happiest under a tree. She's passionate about all things travel and the environment. ..Read More
