Cambodia Travel Guide. What to see in Cambodia?
Cambodia is once again opening its doors to tourists from all over the globe, so if you’re planning a trip to South East Asia, you’ll definitely want to check it out. A surprisingly rich history and a really warm tropical climate await you in a country best known for the monumental complex of Angkor Wat – the largest religious monument in the world.
You just can’t visit the ‘Kingdom of Wonders’ and not place your eyes on its incredible temples, that’s for sure. But, if you want some advice, you shouldn’t forget about all the rest, because Cambodia still has a lot to offer besides its amazing history. And rest assured, you’ll be pretty safe in this country, but it would also be quite handy to get some advice beforehand — and that’s what we’re here for.
What to visit in Cambodia? – Three places you can’t miss
Unless Cambodia is your main destination for your trip — and it very well deserves it — you may be a little bit clueless about what to visit here. Sure, you may have heard about Angkor Wat, which is definitely a must. But Cambodia has so much more than this extraordinary temple. The question here is, how long are you planning to stay? Your budget will probably not be a problem, but if your time is tight, perhaps you should focus on the top attractions.
Sure, there are countless Khmer ruins in the north of the country, and you can meet lots of interesting people. However, not everyone has this chance, so it’s more usual to spend just 3-5 days in Cambodia. After all, Thailand, Vietnam or Laos are also worth a visit.
These are the places you cannot miss if you need to focus on the ‘essential Cambodia’ experience:
1. Angkor Wat – The largest religious monument in the world
It goes without saying that Angkor Wat should be your #1 priority when visiting Cambodia. This temple is so majestic that you can even find it on the Cambodian flag, and it could well be considered among the great wonders of the world. Angkor Wat crowns an enormous temple complex with many more fascinating ruins, including the Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Srey.
Built almost a thousand years ago, Angkor Wat was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, but was later converted into a Buddhist temple. Angkor Wat is a masterpiece of architecture, engineering, sculpture and urban planning. And best of all, it is very easy to visit — it’s just 15 to 20 minutes away from Siem Reap, the town where you’ll be staying.
What to do around Angkor Wat?
- Visit Angkor Wat and many other temples.
- Visit the Cambodia Mine Museum.
- Have a delicious dinner and a couple of drinks at the Pub Street.
- Visit the Angkor National Museum.
How to get to Angkor Wat?
- By plane. To visit Angkor Wat you will have to travel to Siem Reap, in the north of the country. Siem Reap has an airport well connected to Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Luang Prabang, so if you are traveling in South East Asia, you can fly directly to Siem Reap from the main nearby destinations. In addition, it also has regular flights to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
- By road. If you are in Phnom Penh, a far cheaper option is the bus. This route costs around $10 or $15 with Mey Hong Bus, Virak Buntham Express or Seila Angkor Express. Departure and arrival points vary. It is usually a good idea to check this trip with your hotel, as they can probably arrange your route much more conveniently.
Once you have arrived in Siem Reap, you can easily visit Angkor Wat by hiring the services of a local TukTuk, or renting your own vehicle. The temple complex is located about 5 km (3 miles) from the city center.
Where to stay in Siem Reap?
Siem Reap is a relatively small town, despite being the second largest city in the country. Even the hotels farthest from the center will be a good choice to move around, if not by walking, at least by TukTuk. As far as security is concerned, Siem Reap is a really safe city.
2. Phnom Penh – The capital of Cambodia
While Siem Reap will leave you with a somewhat more ‘touristy’ impression of the country, the capital Phnom Penh will catch you in the hectic daily life of Cambodians. Phnom Penh is not really a walkable city, so the best way to explore it by motorbike, as most locals do.
Getting lost in the streets and alleys of Phnom Penh, discovering unusual corners and chatting with locals and expats will surely be the best part of your experience. However, the city also has an impressive monumental side, especially with its magnificent Royal Palace, which looks even better at night. You also won’t want to miss the National Museum of Cambodia or, if you have an interest in its more recent — and more painful — history, the Genocide Museum.
For relaxation, Phnom Penh has an excellent variety of shopping malls, including the popular AEON — with three different locations in the city. The Riverside area is full of restaurants and other visitor-friendly amenities. And, if you want to enjoy the city’s most famous bars and clubs, don’t miss the iconic Bassac Lane.
What to do in Phnom Penh?
- Visit the Royal Palace.
- Visit the Wat Phnom temple.
- Visit the National Museum.
- Walk along Riverside.
- Have some fun at Bassac Lane.
How to get to Phnom Penh?
- By plane. Phnom Penh has air connections with major cities in South East Asia, including Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Luang Prabang, Jakarta, Manila, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Taipei. In addition, it also has direct flights to Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Chongqing.
- By road. If you are in Siem Reap, you can not only fly to Phnom Penh, but also have plenty of bus routes available. Overland routes with Vietnam and Thailand, however, are generally not recommended due to long waiting times at both borders – crossing into Thailand can take you more than six hours in line to get your visa!
Where to stay in Phnom Penh?
You can find some inexpensive hotels scattered around the city, but it may be a bit difficult to move around Phnom Penh by yourself if you are unfamiliar with the area. TukTuks are your best allies here — you can link the Grab app to your Visa or Mastercard, and problem solved! But finding a centric hotel can go a long way too.
The most convenient hotels can be found around Riverside and Tonle Bassac, which are the main areas of interest in the capital. Other options might be Boeng Keng Kang or, to some extent, Khan Sen Sok. The city is generally safe, but areas like Tuol Tompoung may not be the best for walking around at night if you look foreigner — and you probably do.
3. Sihanoukville – Tropical beaches with crystal-clear waters
Finally you have Sihanoukville, the top destination for sun and beach lovers. It’s true that Phuket, in Thailand, is the most popular beach area in the region, and it’s true that Cambodia gives the feeling of being a landlocked country at times, but Sihanoukville is an amazing place beautifully located in one of the most gorgeous areas of the Gulf of Thailand.
If you want to step up your holidays and enjoy an even more exotic destination, you can take the leap to Phu Quoc, an island of incomparable beauty where you can get away from the overcrowding of Sihanoukville, discovering hidden beaches and coves where you can reconnect with nature… and disconnect from everything else.
What to do in Sihanoukville?
- Relax at Otres Beach, Saracen Bay Beach, Serendipity Beach or Independence Beach.
- Visit the Kbal Chhay Waterfall.
- Visit the Wat Leu Temple.
- Explore the Phsar Leu Market.
How to get to Sihanoukville?
- By plane. Sihanoukville has a small international airport with direct flights to Siem Reap, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur. Flights are infrequent, and the airport has no other connections — not even to Phnom Penh.
- By road. The proximity to the capital and the opening of a new highway make road transport advisable. If you are traveling from any place besides Bangkok, Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh, then you should first arrive in Phnom Penh and hire one of the many bus services to travel to Sihanoukville.
Where to stay in Sihanoukville?
Like Siem Reap, Sihanoukville is a small town, with most hotels cramming the main restaurant areas and the best beaches. The closer you are to the coast, the better your stay in Sihanoukville will be.
A couple of tips…
Unless you’re Laotian or Vietnamese, Cambodia is really different from your home country, so you should be aware of some of their customs. And it wouldn’t hurt to have a general idea of what to expect while you’re there, either. You’ll discover most of it while you’re there, but just keep in mind some of these tips.
- Mind your dollar bills. You can use Khmer currency to move around, but that’s mostly for smaller payments. Anything above $10 is usually paid in USD, but keep in mind that American currency must be FLAWLESS. They will thoroughly check the edges of the bill, and if there’s even the smallest damage, they won’t take them. So you can use your dollars, just… they have to be brand new.
- Smile. You’ll notice that everyone smiles at you — when you ask for something, when you pay, when you arrive, when you leave. It’s not about you. They ALWAYS smile, and they expect you to do the same. Leave your frown at home, and jump in the smile wagon. You’ll thank me later!
- Tipping is okay, but… You can tip at the restaurants, you can tip your TukTuk driver, but you shouldn’t do it as an act of charity. Waitstaff, drivers, receptionists are not beggars. You probably make more than them and you can reward them for their good work — just do it respectfully.