Top 10 Places to Visit in Cambodia

Cambodian heritage spans several of humankind's finest aesthetic achievements and worst atrocities, from housing the massive Angkor Wat temple to the cruel Communist Party of Kampuchea regime (Khmer Rouge) around 1975 and 1979 and the subsequent civil strife. Although the country's rich heritage is the primary lure for tourists, there are several other tourist attractions to see in this beautiful Southeast Asian country if you're planning to take the time to discover and enjoy Cambodia fully.

This fascinating country is a must-see for every tourist heading southeastward Asia, and its charms go well beyond the country's many historical sites. Cambodia's exotic shorelines with shipshape and beautiful bands of white sands are a dream destination for sunbath lovers. Between exciting adventures in the country's wilderness for the bold and the frenetic and intense course of life in the Khmer nation's capital, Phnom Penh, you will embark on a journey of wonder and unforgettable memories.

Our recommended Cambodian tourist destinations will help you make the most of your time on your trip to Cambodia.

Angkor Wat (Angkor Archaeological Park)

In Cambodia, no other destination attracts as many visitors as this city of temples.

The Angkorian temples, which can be reached from Siem Reap, are widely considered among the most impressive and important historical monuments on the planet due to their challenging extent and magnificent architectural structure.

Throughout its creation from the 9th to the early 15th centuries, Angkor was the most incredible metropolis on the planet. It was also the robust and prodigious headquarters of the Khmer monarchs, who competed with one another to build the most aesthetically pleasing structures.

Because over the ages, abandoned habitations made of hardwood were impinged upon and eventually destroyed by the peripheral wilderness, nowadays, only the dominant temples are still standing.

Considered the most prominent religious edifice on the planet, Angkor Wat is just a tiny part of the complex; a visit to the whole complex of temples, which includes Angkor Wat, should take at least four nights so that you may fully appreciate the magnitude of the Angkorian engineering.

After visiting Angkor Wat, you can tour the famous temple of Ta Prohm, where scenes from the movie Tomb Raider were shot, or take beautiful photos of the 216 faces chiseled in stone at the Bayon temple.

Angkor Wat

Phnom Penh

The Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, is the country's beating heart. Yet, at first sight, the town's fervid streets and constant blare of motorcycle and automobile horns might be overwhelming.

Despite being utterly abandoned and allowed to shrivel and rot throughout the Red Khmer Empire, the picturesque city of Phnom Penh has made a remarkable recovery and is now among the most vibrant towns in southeastern Asia.

In terms of nightlife, shopping, and dining options, the frenzied and beautiful capital city of Cambodia is the most urbanized and popular tourist spot.

In addition, a great number of significant historical landmarks that shed light on contemporary and historical Cambodian heritage may be found here as well.

Visit the Cambodian National Museum to see a large collection of stone sculptures from the Khmer Empire. These sculptures tell interesting stories about life in the country from before the classical era of the city to the god-kings of Angkor, who lived in a world of their own.

For your visit to Phnom Penh to be complete, the Royal Palace is a must-see. Once the King's residence, the scenic and sumptuous complex of buildings features interesting layouts like the throne hall (preah tineang), mural paintings, stupas (chedei), and way more to discover. History lovers might want to visit the Museum of Genocidal Crimes, mostly called the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which in late 1970 served as a place of detention, interrogation, and execution for the Khmer Rouge regime, and the Choeung Ek killing fields, which attest to the terror and cruelty endured by the population of Cambodia during the reign of the Red Khmer.

Phnom Penh

Koh Rong Samloem

The eastern part of Cambodia is full of exotic islands that tourists rarely visit, but they are just as beautiful as the white sand beaches in Thailand.

Cambodian islands provide a more relaxed version of summery paradise than other shorelines like the famous Phuket and bustling Koh Samui, where high-rise hotels and nightlife have taken over.

Of all Cambodia's charming islands, Kho Rong Samloem stands out for its exotic and well-maintained landscape, great warm beaches, and a few facilities that will make you feel at home.

Even though scuba diving and other water sports are popular among visitors, relaxing in a hammock is the best thing to do here.

The port city of Sihanoukville serves as a jumping-off point for the islands.

Kho Rong Samloem

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the primary gateway to Angkor Wat and, as such, is often included among the best Cambodian tourist destinations. But there is a lot more to do in Siem Reap than look at the impressive monuments at the historical sites.

The city serves as the country's cultural epicenter, hosting a wide variety of excursions ranging from bike rides through the verdant hinterland to lessons in traditional Cambodian cuisine.

Over the years, Siem Reap, the second-largest city in Cambodia, has stylishly recreated itself. The city is teeming with places like shops for local arts and crafts so that bargain hunters will be satisfied, hip hotels, world-class gastronomy, sumptuous spas, and nightlife parties. Furthermore, the city has a unique architectural blend of French colonial style and Chinese style, so you may enjoy strolling around the French Quarter and the Old Market.

Before seeing Angkor Wat, it's recommended that you spend some time visiting the Angkor National Museum, where you may learn more about the temple's background. The displays here present a wide range of Khmer artistic production.

If you're not the party type and are looking for some evening entertainment, it is highly recommended that you check out the Cambodian Circus Phare. The performances of this circus company, which doubles as a charitable organization, are known worldwide for their innovative fusion of live theater, musical performance, and acrobatics.

Night Market

Ratanakiri

Visitors who have seen too many temples will find the natural beauty of Ratanakiri refreshing.

The unending crimson routes of the province, which connect to settlements inhabited by ethnic minorities, are a dream come true for the adventurous tourist in remote Cambodia.

Ratanakiri is a fantastic spot for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts, with attractions such as Virachey National Park, one of the two ASEAN Heritage Parks in the country with an area of 3,325 square kilometers, which houses numerous wildlife such as clouded leopards, elephants, sun bears, pangolins, and rhinos. The Veun Sai-Siem Pang Conservation Area (VSSPCA), this time much wilder with 55,000 hectares of tropical jungle and evergreen, is where visitors can spend the night in hammocks and get up before dawn to follow animals' tracks and observe them as the day goes on.

In addition, there are leisurely activities to choose from in the area. Yeak Lom Crater Lake, situated close to Ban Lung town, is a peaceful swimming location. Chaa Ong waterfalls, with their picturesque rubber plantations along the canal, crystal-blue falls, and Ka Tieng waterfall, are entertaining distractions that allow even more chances to get soaked.

Prasat Preah Vihear

While Angkor Archaeological Park temples get every tourist's attention, Prasat Preah Vihear is where you'll find remarkable, stunning scenery.

Prasat Preah Vihear is an enormous religious multiplex of ornately carved pavilions connected by long bridges, initially constructed to worship the deity Shiva. It is located on top of the Dângrêk Mountains, on an elevation with breathtaking views over the Cambodian wet forests.

There has long been disagreement between Cambodia and Thailand about ownership of the temple because of its proximity to the Thai border. Around the years 2008 and 2011, because the conflicts erupted between the two countries, the International Court came out in favor of Cambodia in 2013.

With the easing of hostilities over recent years, Prasat Preah Vihear (called Khao Phra Wiharn by the Thais) may once again play a prominent part in international tourism.

Once in Siem Reap, many tourists often opt for a day excursion to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site. But Sra Em, which is only 200 kilometers south of Prasat Preah Vihear, is the fastest way to get there.

Battambang

The northwestern Cambodian city of Battambang is surrounded by a peaceful rural environment, including rice paddies, small villages, and a wealth of historical treasures.

As a result of these factors, the city now often appears as a planned stop for vacationers.

The beautiful, sleepy city of Battambang is full of attractions. However, the one that stands out the most is the bamboo norry train, a platform railway initially intended to transport people and their goods from city to city, which today has become the favorite tourist attraction in the town of Battambang. These are small cars made of bamboo that allow you to travel in a green setting with magnificent panoramic views. Lovers of stories will be satisfied. The city is endowed with some important historical sites in Cambodia. The temple of Phnom Sampeau, or Killing Cave, is an exciting destination to cover and learn from the history of Cambodia. It contains three natural caves, all lined with sculptures and Buddhist shrines, and the majestic temple of Lotus Blossom. The temple of Phnom Banan is located at the top of a mountain and dates from the Angkorian era. The Wat El Phnom temple, partially in ruins from the 11th century, is located very close to the Sangkae River.

Battambang is a quiet city in contrast to the hustle and bustle of the big cities, yet its historic core is packed with edifices dating back to colonization.

Battambang is a far more manageable home base than Phnom Penh, known for its frantic pace.

Kampot

Kampot, a tranquil riverside village, has an abundance of colonial charm.

It's fun to walk around downtown because there are so many old buildings that have been kept in good shape.

The laid-back vibe in Kampot is part of the city's appeal, and its easygoing nature has lured many visitors to stay longer than planned.

More adventurous travelers might use this as a launchpad to explore the southern region, as they can come back here and rest peacefully from their wild adventures.

The limestone caverns of Phnom Chhnork and Phnom Sorsia, which house ancient temples, are easily accessible within a day's journey of the city. Same for the old French summer hideaway of Bokor Hill Station, with its derelict old church and spooky, empty husk of a once sumptuous hotel.

Tonlé Sap Lake

Lake Tonlé Sap is the biggest floodplain source in Southeast Asia and the main watercourse in Cambodia.

Cambodians rely heavily on the natural reservoir for agriculture, fisheries, and other essential production, and on Lake Tonle Sap, around 170 small communities make a living off the lake's surface by living in houses constructed right there. It is a great experience to immerse yourself in the day-to-day life of these communities and learn from their ways.

In these villages, everything from homes to stores to shrines and classrooms is erected atop buoys and substructures made of attached kegs and bamboo. This is a fantastic day trip destination where you can explore the area aboard the primary means of transportation around here, which is the boat.

While Chong Kneas in Siem Reap is where many tourists prefer to stay, the huge community of Kompong Luong in nearby Pursat town is also a great option for a place to experience life in this part of the country.

Tonle Sap Lake

Koh Kong Conservation Corridor

Making the trip to Koh Kong may give you the opportunity to explore the dense jungle, observe the stunning scenery of the nearby Cardamon Mountains, and encounter several wildlife species. It is a trip to nature in its most wild state, but with the comfort you will need. Several activities, such as trekking, swimming, and boat touring, abound in these mountains, which are characterized by a lush jungle, twisting streams, and spectacular cascades.

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of life, go to the glamorous Tatai River and bask in the beautiful scenery. Along the riverfront, you'll find a collection of charming eco-lodges with similar amenities and services, such as kayaking with kids, hiking, fishing with locals, and the Taitai Waterfall. Chi Pat, located further south in the Cardamom Mountains, is a popular nature tourism destination due to its proximity to a variety of activities, including day hikes into the wooded highlands and riverboat tours to see animals.

If you're ready to plan a trip to Cambodia, please don't hesitate to contact us, and one of our travel experts will create a tailor-made itinerary based on your interests and needs within 24hrs.