CAMBODIA
8 Unmissable Places To See In Cambodia
THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE
8 Unmissable Places in Cambodia
From the world’s largest religious monument to glowing plankton beaches and pepper farms that supply Michelin restaurants, Cambodia is a country of profound history, raw beauty, and genuine warmth.
1. Angkor Wat
The largest religious monument ever built (162.6 hectares) and the only one depicted on a national flag. Sunrise here is one of the world’s great travel experiences.
History
Constructed 1113–1150 CE by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. Converted to Theravada Buddhism in the late 12th century. Unlike every other major Khmer temple, it was never abandoned—monks have lived here continuously for over 900 years. The entire complex is oriented westward (symbolising death), making it a giant funerary temple for the king. Built with 5–10 million tons of sandstone transported 50 km by raft along the Siem Reap River. The moat is 190 m wide and forms a rectangle 1.5 km × 1.3 km.
Highlights: Five lotus-bud towers (central tower 65 m tall), 1.2 km of continuous bas-reliefs (longest in the world), churning of the Sea of Milk, Heaven & Hell galleries, sunrise from the reflecting pool, third-level access (steep stairs, incredible 360° view).
Location: 6 km north of Siem Reap, Cambodia
Entrance fees (2025): 1-day $37 | 3-day $62 | 7-day $72 (valid within 1 month)
Best time to visit: November–February (24–30°C, low humidity)
Opening hours: 5:00 AM–5:30 PM (third level closes 5 PM)
Daily visitors: ~8,000 in high season
Angkor Wat covers an area larger than Paris intra-muros and required more stone than the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Arrive at 4:45 AM for sunrise (ticket checked at 5 AM). After the crowds leave at 7:30 AM, stay for the quiet “second sunrise” light at 8:30 AM—magical and empty. Wear shoulders-and-knees-covered clothing for third level. Bring a scarf for dust.
2. Angkor Archaeological Park (Beyond Angkor Wat)
400 km² of jungle temples, hydraulic cities, and forgotten capitals. This is where you live out your Indiana Jones fantasy.
History
Capital of the Khmer Empire from 802–1431 CE. At its peak in the 12th century, Angkor had over 1 million inhabitants—larger than any European city. Supported by the world’s most sophisticated hydraulic system (barays, moats, canals). Abandoned after Siamese invasions in 1431; rediscovered by Henri Mouhot in 1860. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Ongoing restoration by teams from India, France, China, and Japan.
Must-see temples: Ta Prohm (strangler figs, Tomb Raider), Bayon (216 smiling stone faces), Banteay Srei (intricate pink sandstone carvings, 37 km away), Preah Khan (labyrinth corridors), Beng Mealea (fully overgrown, 90 min drive), Koh Ker (7-tier pyramid, 150 km), Roluos Group (pre-Angkor, 13 km).
Area: 400 km² – over 1,000 structures, 72 major temples
Transport options: E-bike $8/day, tuk-tuk with driver $20–25/day, private car with guide $35–45/day, hot-air balloon $135 (sunrise)
Circuits: Small Circuit (17 km), Grand Circuit (26 km), Outer temples (Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea)
Best photo spots: Ta Prohm east gate at 2 PM, Bayon south face at 3 PM
The West Baray reservoir is 8 km long and could hold 70 million cubic metres of water—enough to supply modern London for 3 months.
Do the Grand Circuit backwards (reverse order) to avoid tour buses. Start at Preah Khan at 7 AM—finish at Angkor Wat at 4 PM with perfect golden-hour light and zero crowds. Bring 2 L water, hat, power bank, and offline map (Maps.me).
3. Choeung Ek Killing Fields & Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
The darkest chapter of Cambodia’s history. Essential for understanding the country’s resilience and warmth today.
History
1975–1979: Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot killed an estimated 1.7–2 million people (21–25% of population). Tuol Sleng (S-21) was a high school turned prison—only 12 survivors out of ~20,000 prisoners. Choeung Ek received nightly truckloads of blindfolded prisoners. 129 mass graves discovered; 86 excavated yielding 8,985 bodies. Regime fell January 7, 1979 when Vietnamese forces entered Phnom Penh.
Choeung Ek: 17-storey memorial stupa with 9,000 skulls arranged by age/sex, excellent multilingual audio guide ($6), bracelet tree tribute, killing tree site.
Tuol Sleng: Former classrooms turned torture cells, 14,000+ prisoner mugshots, survivor paintings, barbed-wire balconies.
Cost: Tuol Sleng $5 (audio $3), Choeung Ek $6 (audio included)
Time needed: 4–5 hours total
Survivors still present: Choeung Ek: none; Tuol Sleng: 2–3 painters sell books daily
The “Killing Tree” was used to smash children’s heads—bracelets are still left there daily by visitors.
Visit Tuol Sleng first (8–11 AM), then Choeung Ek (noon–3 PM). Hire one tuk-tuk for both ($15–18). Go early; bring water, tissues, and respect—no photos of victims without permission. Audio guides are highly recommended.
4. Phnom Penh
Chaotic, charming capital where French colonial elegance meets Southeast Asian energy. Population 2.3 million.
History
Founded 1434 when King Ponhea Yat fled Angkor. Became French protectorate capital 1865. Known as “Pearl of Asia” in 1920s–30s with tree-lined boulevards and art-deco markets (Central Market, Psar Thmei). Completely evacuated April 17, 1975—population fell from 2 million to zero in 72 hours. Rebounded dramatically since 1990s; now one of Asia’s fastest-growing cities.
Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda: Throne room (still used for coronations), 5,000+ silver floor tiles (5 tonnes total), Emerald Buddha, mural of Ramayana.
National Museum: World’s finest Khmer sculpture collection (built 1917, red sandstone, $10 entry).
Food highlights: Fish amok, beef lok lak, kuy teav, fresh crab at Psar Kdam, num pang pâté, street stalls on Riverside.
Nightlife: Bassac Lane speakeasies, rooftop bars (Sora, Le Moon), BKK1 craft-beer scene, riverfront clubs.
Markets: Central Market (art-deco dome), Russian Market (souvenirs), Night Market (street food), Aeon Mall.
Getting around: PassApp/Tada/Grab rides $1–3, tuk-tuk $2–5, cyclo $8/hour.
The Silver Pagoda survived the Khmer Rouge because they used it to store rice.
Take the $5 sunset cruise at the confluence of Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers—best city view in Southeast Asia. Departs 5 PM from Titanic Restaurant dock. Book on the spot.
5. Sihanoukville (Gateway to the Islands)
Mainland town is chaotic with Chinese casinos, but the 45-minute ferry ride delivers you to paradise.
History
Built 1955 as Cambodia’s first deep-water port. Named after King Norodom Sihanouk. 1960s jet-set destination with modernist hotels. Last city to fall to Khmer Rouge (April 1975), first liberated (January 1979). Since 2015, heavy Chinese investment transformed skyline with 100+ casinos and high-rises—often called “Macau of Cambodia”.
Mainland beaches: Ochheuteal (party, bars), Serendipity, Otres 1 & 2 (chill, yoga, sunset bars), Independence (quiet, historic hotel).
Ferry companies: 5 operators (Speed Ferry Cambodia, Island Speed, etc.) – $20–25 round-trip to Koh Rong/Koh Rong Samloem, 8–10 daily departures 7 AM–5 PM.
Transport to Sihanoukville: Bus from Phnom Penh $8–12 (4 hrs), VIP minivan $15, train $7 (7 hrs, weekends only), flight $60 (35 min).
Port tip: Arrive 30 min early; buy open return ticket for flexibility.
Best island routes: Koh Rong (party), Koh Rong Samloem (quiet), Koh Ta Kiev (rustic).
During the civil war, Sihanoukville was the only place in Cambodia with a functioning casino.
Skip staying in town—go straight to the port and take the 8 AM ferry. Book return ticket open-date. Bring seasickness tablets if prone.
6. Koh Rong
43 km of coastline, 28 beaches, no roads, bioluminescent plankton that lights up like the Milky Way.
History
Inhabited only by fishing families until early 2000s. First guesthouses 2008. Tourism boom 2012. Still no cars—only sandy paths and longtail boats. Koh Rong Samloem (sister island) is quieter and more pristine. Marine conservation projects active since 2018 (Reef Conservation International). Shark sightings increasing due to fishing bans.
Best beaches: Sok San (7 km white sand, west coast), Long Set (4K Beach), Coconut Beach, Lonely Beach, Lazy Beach (Samloem), M’Pai Bay (Samloem village).
Activities: Plankton swim (new moon), jungle trek to Police Beach, High Point Adventure Park (zipline), diving (150 coral species, manta rays, seahorses), snorkelling trips $15, fishing, paddleboard yoga.
Accommodation: $15 dorm – $150 private villa; book 2–3 weeks ahead in high season (Dec–Feb).
Infrastructure: Generators 6 PM–midnight on most beaches, solar power on luxury resorts, no ATMs, limited Wi-Fi.
Marine life: Whale sharks (rare), sea turtles, reef sharks, glowing plankton.
Koh Rong’s plankton is among the brightest in the world—every stroke creates a galaxy of light. Best seen on new-moon nights after 9 PM.
West coast = sunset & calm water. East coast = party hostels. Bring cash (USD accepted everywhere), mosquito repellent, reef-safe sunscreen, and a headlamp. Book accommodation in advance Dec–Feb.
7. Battambang
Cambodia’s second-largest city with the best-preserved French colonial architecture and a world-class circus.
History
Founded 11th century. Flourished under French rule—best colonial shop-houses in SE Asia (over 800 still standing). Khmer Rouge stronghold 1975–79. Since 2000s, reborn as Cambodia’s creative capital thanks to Phare Ponleu Selpak (arts school founded by refugees in 1994). Now home to street art, galleries, and Cambodia’s top contemporary circus.
Top experiences: Bamboo Train ($5, 20-min ride), Phare Circus ($18, 6 nights/week), Wat Ek Phnom (11th-century ruins), Wat Banan (1,000 steps, Angkor-era), street-art walking tour (free maps), countryside bike ride, bat cave (2 million bats at dusk), Phnom Sampeau killing caves.
Food: Best beef lok lak outside Phnom Penh, fresh orange juice stalls, Jaan Bai restaurant (social enterprise).
Transport: Boat from Siem Reap ($20–25, 6–8 hrs, stunning river journey), bus $8, private taxi $45.
Stay: $12 boutique guesthouse – $60 colonial villa.
Best sunset: Phnom Sampeau hilltop temple + bat exodus at 6 PM.
The Bamboo Train (nori) is one of only two working bamboo platforms on rails left on Earth (the other is in India).
Phare Circus performs 6 nights/week—book online at pharecircus.org. Profits fund free education for 1,200 disadvantaged kids. Arrive 7 PM for pre-show market and photos with performers.
8. Kampot & Kep
Riverside colonial charm, the world’s best pepper, and crab markets that make you believe in love at first bite.
History
Kampot founded 1880s as French port. Pepper plantations supplied Paris restaurants pre-1970. Nearly wiped out under Khmer Rouge. Revived 2000s—now EU Geographical Indication (like Champagne). Kep was Cambodia’s St Tropez in the 1960s—ruined modernist villas still stand. Crab fishing banned 2016–2020 to restore stocks; now sustainable.
Kampot highlights: Pepper farm tours ($10, taste red/white/black/green), sunset river cruise with fireflies ($5), Bokor Mountain (abandoned French hill station, casino, church, misty views), salt fields, secret lake, cave temples.
Kep highlights: Crab market (watch them cook fresh), Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay, $10 return boat), 1960s villa ruins trail, sailing club, pepper plantations, national park hiking.
Food: Kampot pepper crab, squid with green peppercorns, durian ice cream, riverside restaurants.
Stay: $15 riverside guesthouse – $80 boutique eco-lodge (The Columns, Villa Vedici).
Transport: Bus from Phnom Penh $6 (3 hrs), Sihanoukville $5 (1.5 hrs), private taxi $40.
Distance: Kampot to Kep: 25 km (30 min, $8 tuk-tuk).
Kampot pepper was the only spice French chefs demanded by name in the early 1900s—and is still served in Michelin-star restaurants worldwide.
Book the 6 PM firefly boat tour—thousands of glowing insects in the mangroves. Costs $5 and feels like a fairy tale. Try pepper-crab in Kep at Kim Ly or Holy Crab—life-changing. Buy 1 kg pepper home ($12–15).
Disclaimer: Travel information is accurate as of November 2025. Prices are in USD and approximate. Always check official websites for current entrance fees, ferry schedules, and visa requirements. Respect local customs—cover shoulders and knees at temples, remove hats inside pagodas, and ask permission before photographing people, especially monks and genocide survivors. Cambodia is safe for tourists, but petty theft occurs—use hotel safes and ride with trusted drivers. Support local businesses and avoid giving money to children. Safe travels!