Cambodia
Destination Guide
How to use my destination guides
My destination guides are organised in two main sections:
Overview
This will help you to decide if this is a location for you, and if so, where you may want to spend your time. For larger countries, I also provide additional overviews of different regions, states and territories.
Specific Recommendations
Here I list specific things to see and do. For each, I provide star ratings so that you can easily see how good, unique and adventurous each place is. This means that you can easily pick out where sounds right for you!
Photos note: All of the photos you see on my website are taken by me or of me!
Overview
I love Cambodia! This beautiful south-east Asian nation has amazing people, nice food and some of the best historical sites you will ever see. It’s not the largest country and it’s easy to navigate. I love the nature, wildlife, and of course, no visit to Cambodia is complete without seeing the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat.
The Language
The people speak Khmer, with some locals speaking some English, especially those who work in tourism.
Economy and Safety
Cambodia is affordable, being a developing nation. Most major roads are hardpaved although many side roads are dirt roads. I found the country to be very safe, with the locals being incredibly warm and friendly. I have heard of some people having phones and bags snatched in the capital of Phnom Penh, so keep your wits about you and be mindful of your belongings.
Travel Ease
Cambodia is a small country with buses and boats available for longer distances. Scooters and motorbikes can also be rented for some off-the-main-highway adventures, which I really enjoyed in the area around Siem Reap (Angkor Wat area).
The Beaches
Cambodia’s south coast is on the Gulf of Thailand and although Cambodia is not as well-known for beaches as many other south-east Asian countries, there are some nice ones on the mainland and the islands off the coast.
The Wildlife
Cambodia has awesome wildlife in the sea and on land. One of my favourite days in Cambodia was cycling the ancient walls of Angkor Thom, the ruined city next to Angkor Wat. During this trip, I could see everything from columns of marching ants to swimming buffalo and soaring birdlife.
The Cities
Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s capital and by far its largest city, with other smaller towns and cities present. Siem Reap is the town nearest to Angkor Wat and is a great place to stay while you explore the area.
The People
The Cambodian people are called Khmer. I spent most of my time around Siem Reap exploring the many ruins, countryside and temples. I found the people to be some of the nicest I had come across. As with many south-east Asian nations, the locals had big smiles and were very helpful, respectful and above all, warmhearted.
History
The Cambodian people are called the Khmer. The Khmer Empire was a major power in the region and lasted from 802 AD to 1431 AD. Fortunately for us, much of their stunning architecture remains, with the famous Angkor Wat being a must-see destination in Cambodia. Many who arrive in Cambodia, myself included, are unaware of the massive scale and complexity of Angkor Wat and the surrounding ancient Khmer sites. Angkor Wat is part of a huge network of incredible temples and cities which are spread across much of the west of modern-day Cambodia. Angkor Wat has been reconstructed; however, many other temples in the area are in varying states of repair. Many of the ruins have trees growing through them, creating an iconic Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones-like theme. In fact, Tomb Raider (2001), featuring Angelina Jolie was filmed at one of these temples. Angkor Thom is an ancient city next to Angkor Wat, which is also definitely worth a visit. Many temples are huge, however, they also have an astonishing level of intricacy with ornate carvings and sophisticated alignments to the sun and stars. Some temples are Buddhist, others Hindu and others a hybrid of the two, depending on which period they are from. The ruins around Siem Reap (which include Angkor Wat) definitely live up to the hype and are one of the best places I have ever seen.
In Cambodia’s more recent history, it was ruled by a brutal communist regime, the Khmer Rouge. They were led by Pol Pot and held power in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. During this four year period an estimated two-million Cambodians were killed; 21-25% of the population. You can visit many places around the country to learn more about this period of Cambodia’s history. These atrocities were recent and undertaken on a massive scale. If you visit Cambodia, you will find many people who have lost loved ones during this time, so be mindful of this should you wish to ask the locals more about this time. I encourage you to research this period online and at local museums and information centres first, including the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh. The country also still has many unexploded landmines, so avoid areas which are not regularly travelled trails to mitigate this risk and follow local advice. That being said, you can see the ‘hero rats’ in Siem Reap who are locating unexploded land mines to be cleared and I expand on this more in my specific recommendations section later.
Overview Summary
Cambodia is an incredible country and I loved every second of my time there. I had been to south-east Asia before and others had talked down Cambodia, so I planned on taking a brief visit to Siem Reap to explore Angkor Wat. In hindsight, I wish I had spent longer in Cambodia. The people are lovely, it’s relaxed, fun and not overly-touristy other than Angkor Wat, which surprised me. I initially planned to spend around three days in Siem Reap and ended up staying just short of two weeks after repeatedly extending my stay. Don’t get me wrong, I am a massive history nerd and motorbike fan, so many won’t need as long as that in that area however, I found it to be a great place to slow travel and rest up when I had travel fatigue from long term travelling; I had been on the road travelling non-stop for nearly two years at that point. I spent time cycling, exploring lesser-known temples, seeing locals at nearby temples and waterfalls, trying exotic food such as snake and much more. If you have some time and want some time to rest up and relax, especially if you like ‘me time’, then the temples around Angkor Wat are perfect. You can lounge in the sun and read a book amongst the ancient ruins, trees and animals.
Specific Recommendations
How to interpret my specific recommendations
My specific recommendations are listed below. Firstly, you will find: its name, a quick link to locate and save it to your Google Maps, and for some, a photo. The photos, if present, like all those on this page, have either been taken by me or feature me in them. If you save the location to your Google Maps, I suggest that you add a note on there too, to remind you that you heard about it here. A good way to do this is by copying my website link into the location description. This way, you can check back here nearer the time of your visit to jog your memory as to what is there. I use Google Maps to plan all of my trips and, when used to its full potential, it is incredible! If you haven’t already, check out my blog post on how I use Google Maps to revolutionise my travels!
I provide a description of each location, as well as a duration estimate for how long you may want to spend at that location, to help with your planning.
I also provide star ratings for three categories.
Andy Argo
My overall rating
Worth seeing if you’re passing
Worth a detour if you have time
A must see!
Adventure
The level of exertion and danger involved
Easy to access, low risk and no strenuous exercise required
Some exercise is required, such as hiking. Some risks, such as bad weather, uneven ground, steep edges, etc.
Involves more exercise, greater danger or both. Examples include diving or scrambling up mountains, where experience is required.
Uniqueness
How well known and unique a destination is
A well-known destination or one that is not overly unique. I have listed restaurants in this category as food is everywhere.
Somewhat unknown or unique
Very unique
Some other points to note are:
- I like a bit of danger and history, so you may find that my ‘Andy Argo’ star ratings are sometimes (but not always) a little biased in favour of these types of locations.
- On my ‘Andy Argo’ stars, if I have given something one star, it’s good and worth doing. Having one star doesn’t mean it’s bad; it’s still high praise, as I only include the crème de la crème on this list!
- My duration recommendations are based on what I think is the minimum amount of time you would want to spend there. I always recommend being spontaneous when travelling and changing plans depending on your circumstances, how you feel, and following advice from locals. Remember you’re there to enjoy it, so don’t feel rushed and stressed, you’re on holiday!
- In a small handful of instances, I have included somewhere I have been with zero Andy Argo stars. I have done this a handful of times for very touristy places. These are locations which I have been to and which are sufficiently famous that I think people would wonder why they aren’t on the list, but which, in my opinion, don’t make the cut and are overrated (sorry).
- I have been to the vast majority of these recommendations; however, sometimes I include several locations which I haven’t been to for the following reasons:
- A friend of mine has been there and has highly recommended it to me.
- Internet searches suggest it sounds noteworthy enough to include.
Disclaimer – I am not responsible for your safety or enjoyment at any of these locations. Everything I have recommended here is based on my experience and opinion. I may have recommended places I visited years ago or, as mentioned previously, a handful which I have had recommended to me. Do your own research before visiting any attractions to ensure that you think you will enjoy them and that they are sufficiently safe. My recommended duration times are also estimates based on my opinion; do your own further research and plan accordingly. I have recommended places which I think people will like, but it is all based on my opinion; I may love something that you hate. Be sure to have sufficient travel insurance and make your own judgments. Check weather forecasts and consult reputable local guidance before visiting anywhere you seek to visit. For more adventurous activities, ensure that you are physically and mentally prepared and that you have the right supervision, equipment, and training for the activity. Long story short, use some common sense and don’t sue me, I’m broke enough already. Happy travels, Andy
Specific Recommendations
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: History
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
You can’t mention Cambodia without mentioning Angkor Wat. People often talk of visiting Angkor Wat, which is the main, best-restored temple in the area; however, there are dozens of other temples and ruins in the area, some being Hindu and some Buddhist.
It is common to visit Angkor Wat for sunrise and I would recommend going with a tour guide who can tell you more about the architecture, construction and people who constructed this place. Angkor Wat is famous and definitely deserves its reputation. There are some crowds at part of the temple for sunrise; however, the complex is so loud that it isn’t as busy with tourists as you may initially think. More than anything, I was blown away by how incredible the detail was at the macro and micro levels. Walls had intricate and delicate carvings over huge spans of wall and stone. Angkor Wat has been restored; however, many other ruins are in varying conditions and many are much quieter. Many people get a 1-day pass; however, I would recommend getting at least a 3-day pass for the area, as there are lots of other places to see, which I have expanded on below. Nearby is the ancient ruined city of Angkor Thom as well as other temples, which I discuss below.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: History
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Angkor Thom is a ruined city and former capital of the mighty Khmer Empire. It is located adjacent to the famous Angkor Wat temple. Like Angkor Wat, it has a moat around it with beautiful bridges, elegant gates and a number of buildings, including many temples.
Look for tours which will show you a number of temples in the area, including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and others. This place, like many of the others, looks straight out of an Indiana Jones or Laura Croft film. Some of the best advice I ever got on my travels was from my tour guide. I had booked a tour through my hostel in Siem Reap for the area and my guide talked about the history of the Khmer Empire as well as the sad recent history regarding the Khmer Rouge and how he was affected by the regime. He saved a great nugget of wisdom for the end of his tour, where he said that on his days off, he likes to cycle around the city walls of Angkor Thom. My view is that if a man comes here every day as a tour guide, for him to choose to come back and do that regularly means it must be good. I was baffled when nobody else seemed interested in giving it a go, as it turned out to be one of my best travelling activities I’ve done. The city wall is too long to walk all of it easily in a day, especially as you will be stopping regularly to take in the sights. I rented a bicycle as near to the ruined city as I could and then cycled to a gate easily accessing the wall from the rear of the gate, although you have to dismount and carry your bike onto the wall itself. Each of the walls has a brilliant gatehouse and at the corners of the square city, there are four different temples. The eastern wall is the only one to have two gates, one for cars and one which is abandoned and hence really quite called the ‘Gate of the Dead’, which is a must-see, with or without a bicycle. Cycling the walls, I got to explore the old ruins, see the view outside the walls, including the moat and see an incredible array of wildlife from buffalo swimming in the moat to armies of ants conga lining it across the path. It will be a long and hot day, so make sure you take the usuals: water, sun cream, etc.
Other Ruins - Angkor Wat Area
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: History
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
The west of Cambodia, around Angkor Wat, has it all. I went thinking I would stay in the area for just 2-3 days, however, I ended up staying for nearly two weeks!
I have travelled a lot and love adventure, history and nature and this place has it all. It offers great places to explore and relax and the people are also incredibly nice. It’s cheap too, with great food, meaning you can really enjoy yourself here. There is also nightlife in the nearby town of Siem Reap if you would like to blow off some steam. Many people bought the one-day pass to see Angkor Wat. I personally don’t think that’s nearly enough. I bought the three-day pass and this was enough time to see much of the ruins in the area. However, if I were to return, I would buy the ten-day pass as it’s not much more expensive and because the temples are amazing places to relax in as well as to explore. You can take a blanket and a book and have the best chill days ever amongst the ruins, many of which receive few visitors. You will find plenty of smaller temples dotted around, many in differing states of repair and the animals are also incredible. When you buy your entry pass, I would get a map for the area and plan what you would like to see. I rented a scooter in Siem Reap to get around, but if you aren’t comfortable riding one, it’s also affordable to rent a tuk-tuk for the day, especially if you split costs with some friends.
I cannot list all of the temples, lakes and ruins in the area because there are too many, but here are a few you may want to make note of:
- Ta Prohm Temple – a well-preserved temple where Lara Croft was filmed.
- Banteay Kdei Temple
- Phnom Bakheng Temple
- Preah Khan Temple
- Ta Som
- Neak Poan Temple
- Ta Keo Temple
- Pre Rup Temple
- Phnom Bok Temple
- Koh Ker Pyramid Temple
Siem Reap
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Town
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is a nice enough town next to Angkor Wat; it’s a great place to spend some time, especially if you want to chill and rest up while exploring the ruins.
Lovely people here too, for backpackers and definitely for the locals. You can get a bike and head out into the surrounding countryside too and you will stumble across all kinds of things. I wandered into a festival at a nearby temple and the next thing I knew, I was being invited to party with the locals. Also, if you are foody you can always try eating snake there too! It’s nice enough, but a bit boney.
Accommodation
I often don’t recommend specific places to stay, but for this one I had ot make an exception. I stayed at Onederz hostel in Siem Reap and thought it was amazing. I did a tour with the hostel for the next morning after I arrived to see Angkor Wat at sunrise, followed by some of the other temples and Angkor Thom. The tour was great and it was a nice way to meet other travellers to. The guide was a local who was excellent and the tour was also affordable. The hostel is ace, great value and has a good social environment without being a party hostel. The vibe of the other travellers was nice when I was there and it was also an excellent place to relax and recharge. On the ground floor is a great cafe and one of two swimming pools, the other being on the roof. The staff were also lovely, welcoming and many spoke great English too. I found my life here was incredible! I was resting up like a king in the hostel: swimming, socialising, eating at the cafe and reading. When I felt like it, I would take a scooter and explore the local countryside and ruins, what a life! I loved staying here and in Siem Reap. I initially thought I would stay for around 3 days and then ended up for 12.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Charity, animals
Recommended Duration: 1 hour
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Have you ever wanted to hold an African Giant Pouched Rat? Also known as a ‘landmine rat’ or affectionately as a ‘hero rat’ these amazing rats are literally saving lives.
You can book tours here in Siem Reap to learn more about what the rats are up to. Sadly, Cambodia still has a large number of unexploded landmines, which can seriously harm livestock and people, especially children who head off to play in less-travelled areas. This charity uses rats to sniff out landmines as they have a great smell and are too lightweight to set off the mines. It’s a great cause to support, really interesting and fun and best of all, you get to hold one at the end if you’d like (or at least that was the case when I visited in 2023). It’s a great bit of fun and I can’t recommend it enough!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: National park, waterfall, viewpoints
Recommended Duration: 1 day
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I rented a scooter with a friend of mine and we went up to see Phnom Julen National Park. There seemed to be a lot of Cambodian tourists there, but surprisingly not any foreigners regularly going there other than us, despite it being near Siem Reap and Angkor Wat.
It’s a beautiful place and definitely worth a day trip to, especially if you like riding bikes or motorbikes; however, you can always rent a taxi with some friends instead if you prefer. The whole park is on an elevated mountain and at times, you can get awesome views of the flatter lowlands below. Some notable places here include:
- Poeng Ta Kho – a large cliff with a view and a great photo opportunity
- Phnom Kulen Waterfall – A nice waterfall. It was busy with local tourists, but still worth seeing. It’s also a good place to buy some souvenirs.
Battambang Floating Village
Category: Floating village
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
I looked into going here as it’s close to Siem Reap, where I was staying, but then never got around to it. This floating village looks pretty interesting to see and may be worth considering if you’re in the area.
Bamboo Train Ou Srauo Laou
Category: Activity
Recommended Duration: 30 minutes
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
I saw this place online and considered it as it’s not too far from Siem Reap, where I was staying, but I never went in the end. It does look a bit gimmicky and touristy, but also quite fun. It entails going on a bamboo cart down some railway lines and taking in the views. It may be worth considering if you are in the area.
Royal Palace of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Category: Building
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
This royal Palace showcases Khmer (Cambodian) architecture.
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (Killing Fields), Phon Pen
Category: History
Recommended Duration: 2 hours
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, held power in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. During this time, an estimated 7.8 million people (25% of the population of Cambodia) were killed. This museum is dedicated to telling the story of the genocide committed by the regime and the stories of those affected.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Category: Museum
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
Like with the Killing Fields (detailed above) this Museum gives information about the Cambodian Genocide.
Koh Rong Sanloem
Category: Island
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
Koh Rong Sanloem is an island located just off the Cambodian coast in the Gulf of Thailand. A friend of mine stayed in the north of this island and loved it. He said the north of the island is very basic with no air conditioning, but the locals are incredibly friendly and it’s a lot of fun. He also mentioned there are some ex-pats living in the area too. You can get to and from the island here using a shipping vessel.
Onward Travel
Category: Transport
Recommended Duration: Variable
Andy visited?: Yes (I got a bus to Bangkok)
Description
Cambodia borders Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. This means that you can travel by land as well as air to your onward destination if you are planning a longer trip. I took a bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok. I had been to Bangkok before, but as it’s a good travel hub with affordable flights, I used it to take a flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka. If you think flights from Cambodia are expensive, consider looking at costs from Bangkok and other locations which can be accessed with relative ease.
Support Me
I hope that you have found this free Destination Guide useful. It took a lot of time and travel for me to make this, so if you would like to show your thanks by sending a small donation, I would be very grateful. This can be done on my Support Me page. Thank you!
Happy travels!
Andy Argo
You may also like…
Enjoy hearing incredible stories of travellers from all walks of life as they share their stories of exploring the world
Check out my top tips for travellers – whether you’re planning your first trip or continuing the adventure!
Looking to save some money on travel and adventure brands? Use my exclusive discount codes to save on your next trip!
Title image: Angkor Wat, Cambodia