25 Awesome Places to Visit in Cambodia

25 Awesome Places to Visit in Cambodia

 

Interested to travel in Southeast Asia? Cambodia is one of the countries that you have to visit in the southeast! Cambodia isn’t a big country, so you can explore it in just two weeks but there are many Cambodia tourist spots to visit. With that span of time, you can already have the best experience you can get in this beautiful and historical country.

I’ve visited Cambodia three times already and I’m still amazed with its culture. People are very friendly and they’re probably the friendliest and simplest people I’ve encountered. There are many activities to do in Cambodia, from visiting Angkor Wat Temples, relaxing in Sihanoukville and spending 3 days in Phnom Penh.

Read here Cambodia travel tips, Cambodia tourist sim card, how to get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, from Phnom Penh airport to city and the most Instagrammable places in Cambodia!

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Places to Visit in Cambodia

1. Battambang

Battambang is an off the beaten path location where you can enjoy the markets and the French colony architecture. It´s a well-conserved area that you will enjoy if you love learning about history and visiting temples.

2. Banlung

Banlung is the capital of Ratanakiri Province in northeastern Cambodia. It has become a great commercial center of the province where many ethnic groups come to sell their products and buy necessities as well. There are many places to visit in Banlung, such as Kinchaan waterfalls, Ka Tieng Waterfalls, Lumkut Lake, Bokheo Village, and many more.

3. Killing Fields

Some people miss visiting killing Fields but it’s an amazing opportunity to know more about Cambodian history. More than a million people were killed and buried there during Khmer Rouge time during the 70s. Killing Fields are in Phnom Penh, 10-12 kilometers far from city centre. You can go there by moto taxi or tuk tuk. Once you get the tickets, they will set a short video about the people who were killed and buried there. As well as how they killed them, without using guns. You will be able to see one of the killing fields and burial grounds during the Khmer Rouge regime during 1975-1976. How crazy! It happened only about 45 years ago.

4. Cambodia Landmine Museum

This museum is located in Siem Reap and it tells the story of its founder Aki Ra, the young Khmer man who cleared native villages from landmines during the war and helped poor and wounded children i the process. Now, it not just exist to tell Aki Ra’s story and the history of landmines in Cambodia but it is also a shelter for orphaned kids. Entrance fee is $5 for adults, free for children under 10 and for Cambodian citizens. The proceeds go to the expenses of the museum for the kids.

5. Mekong River sunset

We also had a short boat ride across the Mekong River at sunset and it was a really good experience. If you’ve studied your history, the Mekong river is the 12th longest river in the world and the 7th longest in Asia. It flows through six countries – China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Knowing you are in a special place like that already feels kind of magical. And it’s even more magical when you watch the sunset in Mekong River.

6. Sihanoukville

If you are looking for parties, this is your place! You will meet many people in Sihanoukville who can be your friends. There are also many bars that are open in the evening so you can enjoy partying and drinking with your friends or newly-found friends. If you aren’t into parties, you can go to quiet beaches where you will find the perfect places for relaxing. Despite of the nightlife, Sihanoukville’s beaches are amazing. You will find blue water and white sand, just perfect for swimming and sunbathing. You can also do snorkeling and island hopping! You can also book your accommodations through Agoda or Booking.

7. Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island)

Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island is one of the beaches you must visit in Cambodia. It has clear blue waters and white sand that you’ll definitely love. You can simply relax and chill here, swim, and enjoy the views. The locals here are friendly and you’ll feel very comfortable with them. Koh Tonsay is a very Cambodia tourist spot that is a usual destination in tours as well.

8. Koh Rong

It’s the second largest island in Cambodia. It’s located in Sihanoukville province. Just go there and enjoy paradise. The island is very beautiful and quiet. It’s a perfect place for reading, swimming and relaxing. Prices are little bit more expensive than the other places in Cambodia but it’s worthy if you love being in relaxing spots. You will find Koh Rong a perfect place for taking pictures.

9. Koh Rong Sanloem

A trip to any island will not be complete without catching a glimpse of the sun as it goes down the horizon. Koh Rong’s Sanloem is truly wonderful. Just imagine sitting on fine sand and watching the reflection of the pink, orange sky and calm waters. The nightlife here is awesome so you can meet new friends and have fun while drinking with them or eating local barbecue.

10. Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda Phnom Penh

Royal Palace is huge and a great place to walk around. It’s the best place to learn more about Cambodian history. It’s cheerful in the weekends because of the tourists and locals visiting. You can also visit the silver Pagoda and Emerald Buddha. The entrance fee for the palaces costs $7. You can’t miss it when visiting Phnom Penh.

11. Mondulkiri

Mondulkiri is also one of the Cambodia tourist spots that you should definitely visit. What’s interesting here is that their locals, called Bunong people, practice animism and ancestor worship. It’s also home to herds of elephants that you can visit in Elephant Valley Project. It is a perfect place to experience a wildlife adventure like walking with a herd of elephants, enjoying in the waterfalls, and jungle trekking.

12. Kep Beach

Kep Beach is a must-visit tourist spot in Cambodia, too! It’s a lovely white-sand beach that is loved by tourists and locals because of a one-of-kind experience here. You’ll love swimming with the locals, tasting their local food in the seaside dining platforms from seafood vendors, and many more fun activities here!

13. Kratie

It is a small city beside the river in North Cambodia. Normally, people stop by here from their long trip around Cambodia or Laos to see Irrawaddy dolphins and watch the beautiful sunset along Mekong River.

More Cambodia tourist spots

14. Siem Reap

The most touristic place in Cambodia is Siem Reap, so expect it to be full of hotels and hostels. There are markets, restaurants and bars if you want to enjoy the nightlife in Siem Reap. We liked it so much so we stayed here for 10 days since we found many things to do in Siem Reap apart from visiting Angkor Wat temples. And we loved the day trips around Siem Reap outskirts.

15. Angkor Wat

When visiting Cambodia, stopping by in Angkor Wat is a must! It was built during Khmer Empire. These temples are located in Siem Reap and it’s the most touristic place in Cambodia. You will spend amazing time there enjoying the temples. You can go here by riding a bicycle, private car or tuk-tuk. Make sure you visit them from the sunrise to the sunset so you would see the nice colors around those hours. You will have a long day ahead to visit the most popular temples around Angkor Wat. You can buy tickets for a single day $37, $62 for three days and $72 for a week.

16. Koh Ker

Koh Ker is now a remote and heavily-forested place in north Cambodia. It was once the capital of the Khmer Empire and the main attraction here is the 7-tiered pyramid called the Koh Ker Temple, which is also covered now with plants.

17. Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. This place feels more metropolitan than Siem Reap. It also shows off a different beauty. If you love cities, it’s definitely a good place for you to discover. It’s really a perfect place for a weekend getaway! You can visit temples, cruise the Mekong River, eat in local places, explore markets and even enjoy the nightlife.

18. Phnom Kulen Waterfalls

Phnom Kulen Waterfalls is located at Phnom Kulen National Park in Siem Reap. It’s one of the main attractions in the national park and a must-visit for nature lovers or for those who just want to relax. Just make sure to bring your swimming attire and own towels. Entrance to the park costs $20.

19. Tonlé Sap Lake

This lake is circled by 5 provinces in Cambodia and it’s the main source of their living. It is actually the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia. At the edge of the lake, there’s a floating village called Chong Khneas. You can see and experience various cultures from floating households of Khmer, Vietnamese, and Muslim people. You’ll see their floating markets, schools, clinics, etc.

20. Koh Kong

Koh Kong is a province in the southwestern part of Cambodia. There’s a lot of things to do here, such as going to the tropical beaches, exploring the rain forests and mountains, and visiting the mangrove forests and Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary which are home to different animals, birds and fishing communities.

21. Preah Vihear

Preah Vihear is a series of amazing temples built between the 9th and 12th centuries empires. This place is controversial because there’s a conflict between Cambodia and Thailand over the ownership for this very sacred place. Although military presence here is strong, you should not miss visiting this especially if you love temples and historic places.

22. Virachey National Park

Virachey National Park is the largest national park in Cambodia and one of only two Cambodian ASEAN Heritage Parks. Because of this, it is one of the top priority areas for conservation in Southeast Asia. Virachey National Park is home to beautiful forests with wild plants and animals. You can do trekking here for a couple or days or just an overnight stay is enough to explore a portion of this park.

23. Phnom Tamao Wildlife Center

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Center shelters and rehabilitates animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. We recommend you visit this place if you love animals and do fun activities like feeding the rescued animals, getting up close rescued leopards, gibbons, otters and other rescued animals in the shelter, watch the newborn baby animals, interact with rescued macaque monkeys, and more! Tour price starts at $30 for children and $150 for adults.

24. Bamboo Train

You can have the experience of riding the bamboo train in Cambodia. The maximum speed is 50 kilometers per hour and it’s a tourist attraction in Battambang. Prices start at $5 per hour riding the bamboo train.

25. Visiting Street Markets

My favorite thing in Cambodia was visiting street markets. Not only will you have local contact but also, you will find different types of food. You can also shop, which Rachel likes so much. These places are perfect if you’re trying to learn and speak a few words in Cambodian language. And because Cambodian people are so friendly, they will introduce you to the basic vocabulary in Cambodian language. We like to walk around local markets and of course, to try street food. We tried different tropical fruits and also ate lunch and dinner in the markets. Prices were very affordable and you can have a meal starting from $1 while visiting Cambodia! Did you love our blog post about places to visit in Cambodia? Please don’t forget to share them with your friends! It might be helpful to their future trip to Cambodia and it will also help us a lot. 🙂 Happy travels!

Places to Visit in Cambodia

1. Battambang

Battambang is an off the beaten path location where you can enjoy the markets and the French colony architecture. It´s a well-conserved area that you will enjoy if you love learning about history and visiting temples.

2. Banlung

Banlung is the capital of Ratanakiri Province in northeastern Cambodia. It has become a great commercial center of the province where many ethnic groups come to sell their products and buy necessities as well. There are many places to visit in Banlung, such as Kinchaan waterfalls, Ka Tieng Waterfalls, Lumkut Lake, Bokheo Village, and many more.

3. Killing Fields

Some people miss visiting killing Fields but it’s an amazing opportunity to know more about Cambodian history. More than a million people were killed and buried there during Khmer Rouge time during the 70s. Killing Fields are in Phnom Penh, 10-12 kilometers far from city centre. You can go there by moto taxi or tuk tuk. Once you get the tickets, they will set a short video about the people who were killed and buried there. As well as how they killed them, without using guns. You will be able to see one of the killing fields and burial grounds during the Khmer Rouge regime during 1975-1976. How crazy! It happened only about 45 years ago.

4. Cambodia Landmine Museum

This museum is located in Siem Reap and it tells the story of its founder Aki Ra, the young Khmer man who cleared native villages from landmines during the war and helped poor and wounded children i the process. Now, it not just exist to tell Aki Ra’s story and the history of landmines in Cambodia but it is also a shelter for orphaned kids. Entrance fee is $5 for adults, free for children under 10 and for Cambodian citizens. The proceeds go to the expenses of the museum for the kids.

5. Mekong River sunset

We also had a short boat ride across the Mekong River at sunset and it was a really good experience. If you’ve studied your history, the Mekong river is the 12th longest river in the world and the 7th longest in Asia. It flows through six countries – China, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Knowing you are in a special place like that already feels kind of magical. And it’s even more magical when you watch the sunset in Mekong River.

6. Sihanoukville

If you are looking for parties, this is your place! You will meet many people in Sihanoukville who can be your friends. There are also many bars that are open in the evening so you can enjoy partying and drinking with your friends or newly-found friends. If you aren’t into parties, you can go to quiet beaches where you will find the perfect places for relaxing. Despite of the nightlife, Sihanoukville’s beaches are amazing. You will find blue water and white sand, just perfect for swimming and sunbathing. You can also do snorkeling and island hopping! You can also book your accommodations through Agoda or Booking.

7. Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island)

Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island is one of the beaches you must visit in Cambodia. It has clear blue waters and white sand that you’ll definitely love. You can simply relax and chill here, swim, and enjoy the views. The locals here are friendly and you’ll feel very comfortable with them. Koh Tonsay is a very Cambodia tourist spot that is a usual destination in tours as well.

8. Koh Rong

It’s the second largest island in Cambodia. It’s located in Sihanoukville province. Just go there and enjoy paradise. The island is very beautiful and quiet. It’s a perfect place for reading, swimming and relaxing. Prices are little bit more expensive than the other places in Cambodia but it’s worthy if you love being in relaxing spots. You will find Koh Rong a perfect place for taking pictures.

9. Koh Rong Sanloem

A trip to any island will not be complete without catching a glimpse of the sun as it goes down the horizon. Koh Rong’s Sanloem is truly wonderful. Just imagine sitting on fine sand and watching the reflection of the pink, orange sky and calm waters. The nightlife here is awesome so you can meet new friends and have fun while drinking with them or eating local barbecue.

10. Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda Phnom Penh

Royal Palace is huge and a great place to walk around. It’s the best place to learn more about Cambodian history. It’s cheerful in the weekends because of the tourists and locals visiting. You can also visit the silver Pagoda and Emerald Buddha. The entrance fee for the palaces costs $7. You can’t miss it when visiting Phnom Penh.

11. Mondulkiri

Mondulkiri is also one of the Cambodia tourist spots that you should definitely visit. What’s interesting here is that their locals, called Bunong people, practice animism and ancestor worship. It’s also home to herds of elephants that you can visit in Elephant Valley Project. It is a perfect place to experience a wildlife adventure like walking with a herd of elephants, enjoying in the waterfalls, and jungle trekking.

12. Kep Beach

Kep Beach is a must-visit tourist spot in Cambodia, too! It’s a lovely white-sand beach that is loved by tourists and locals because of a one-of-kind experience here. You’ll love swimming with the locals, tasting their local food in the seaside dining platforms from seafood vendors, and many more fun activities here!

13. Kratie

It is a small city beside the river in North Cambodia. Normally, people stop by here from their long trip around Cambodia or Laos to see Irrawaddy dolphins and watch the beautiful sunset along Mekong River.

More Cambodia tourist spots

14. Siem Reap

The most touristic place in Cambodia is Siem Reap, so expect it to be full of hotels and hostels. There are markets, restaurants and bars if you want to enjoy the nightlife in Siem Reap. We liked it so much so we stayed here for 10 days since we found many things to do in Siem Reap apart from visiting Angkor Wat temples. And we loved the day trips around Siem Reap outskirts.

15. Angkor Wat

When visiting Cambodia, stopping by in Angkor Wat is a must! It was built during Khmer Empire. These temples are located in Siem Reap and it’s the most touristic place in Cambodia. You will spend amazing time there enjoying the temples. You can go here by riding a bicycle, private car or tuk-tuk. Make sure you visit them from the sunrise to the sunset so you would see the nice colors around those hours. You will have a long day ahead to visit the most popular temples around Angkor Wat. You can buy tickets for a single day $37, $62 for three days and $72 for a week.

16. Koh Ker

Koh Ker is now a remote and heavily-forested place in north Cambodia. It was once the capital of the Khmer Empire and the main attraction here is the 7-tiered pyramid called the Koh Ker Temple, which is also covered now with plants.

17. Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. This place feels more metropolitan than Siem Reap. It also shows off a different beauty. If you love cities, it’s definitely a good place for you to discover. It’s really a perfect place for a weekend getaway! You can visit temples, cruise the Mekong River, eat in local places, explore markets and even enjoy the nightlife.

18. Phnom Kulen Waterfalls

Phnom Kulen Waterfalls is located at Phnom Kulen National Park in Siem Reap. It’s one of the main attractions in the national park and a must-visit for nature lovers or for those who just want to relax. Just make sure to bring your swimming attire and own towels. Entrance to the park costs $20.

19. Tonlé Sap Lake

This lake is circled by 5 provinces in Cambodia and it’s the main source of their living. It is actually the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia. At the edge of the lake, there’s a floating village called Chong Khneas. You can see and experience various cultures from floating households of Khmer, Vietnamese, and Muslim people. You’ll see their floating markets, schools, clinics, etc.

20. Koh Kong

Koh Kong is a province in the southwestern part of Cambodia. There’s a lot of things to do here, such as going to the tropical beaches, exploring the rain forests and mountains, and visiting the mangrove forests and Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary which are home to different animals, birds and fishing communities.

21. Preah Vihear

Preah Vihear is a series of amazing temples built between the 9th and 12th centuries empires. This place is controversial because there’s a conflict between Cambodia and Thailand over the ownership for this very sacred place. Although military presence here is strong, you should not miss visiting this especially if you love temples and historic places.

22. Virachey National Park

Virachey National Park is the largest national park in Cambodia and one of only two Cambodian ASEAN Heritage Parks. Because of this, it is one of the top priority areas for conservation in Southeast Asia. Virachey National Park is home to beautiful forests with wild plants and animals. You can do trekking here for a couple or days or just an overnight stay is enough to explore a portion of this park.

23. Phnom Tamao Wildlife Center

Phnom Tamao Wildlife Center shelters and rehabilitates animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. We recommend you visit this place if you love animals and do fun activities like feeding the rescued animals, getting up close rescued leopards, gibbons, otters and other rescued animals in the shelter, watch the newborn baby animals, interact with rescued macaque monkeys, and more! Tour price starts at $30 for children and $150 for adults.

24. Bamboo Train

You can have the experience of riding the bamboo train in Cambodia. The maximum speed is 50 kilometers per hour and it’s a tourist attraction in Battambang. Prices start at $5 per hour riding the bamboo train.

25. Visiting Street Markets

My favorite thing in Cambodia was visiting street markets. Not only will you have local contact but also, you will find different types of food. You can also shop, which Rachel likes so much. These places are perfect if you’re trying to learn and speak a few words in Cambodian language. And because Cambodian people are so friendly, they will introduce you to the basic vocabulary in Cambodian language. We like to walk around local markets and of course, to try street food. We tried different tropical fruits and also ate lunch and dinner in the markets. Prices were very affordable and you can have a meal starting from $1 while visiting Cambodia! Did you love our blog post about places to visit in Cambodia? Please don’t forget to share them with your friends! It might be helpful to their future trip to Cambodia and it will also help us a lot. 🙂 Happy travels!