Things to Do in Cambodia

In northern Cambodia lies one of the world's largest and most significant monuments. Angkor Wat is a treasured Buddhist temple and is considered the gateway to the ruins of Angkor. Marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, and explore the ancient temples of Angkor Archaeological Park, including Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm, famously known for its tree roots intertwined with the ruins.

Known For : Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Royal Palace Cambodia National Museum of Cambodia

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. This ever-growing city contains in it all at once - the ancient Khmer glory, the unfortunate recent past, and a progressive future. Sitting at the junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Phnom Penh inherits a phenomenal blend of Khmer and French architectural beauty. The city can be easily picturized with lively markets, royal buildings, thriving bars, and sensuous local food scenes.

Best Time: October to May

30 Phnom Penh Attractions

Known For : Angkor Wat Ta Prohm Temple Bayon Temple

Siem Reap in Cambodia is a paragon of ancient glory and timeless grandeur; proudly being the gateway to one of the most astonishing architectures in world history- Angkor Wat. Although the main reason to stay in Siem Reap is to get yourself ready to explore several ancient temples, the city itself comes with a surprise package of historical and modern blends.

Best Time: November to March

56 Siem Reap Attractions

Indulge in the flavors of Khmer cuisine by trying traditional dishes such as fish amok, beef lok lak, and nom banh chok (Khmer noodles). Visit local markets and street food stalls to savor authentic Khmer flavors and culinary delights.

Banteay Samre is an Angkorian temple close to the East Baray off Siem Reap in Cambodia. This Hindu temple is known for its elegantly carved temple towers, bas-reliefs, the interior moat comprising of beautiful statues, and the views of the structure in the sunset. Nearby is the Banteay Srei Temple, the "Citadel of Women." It is known for its intricate carvings and pink sandstone architecture

Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is located at Prek Toal near Tonle Sap, the largest lake in South East Asia. Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is one of the three biosphere areas reserved for bird watching. You can opt for a guided boat trip, which will take you through the rich forests secluded amidst Tonle Sao.

Phare, the Cambodian Circus, is located outside Siem Reap in Cambodia. It is a unique circus company that gives performances combining modern arts, theatre, music, and dance to tell tales from various parts of the country. One of the fun things to do in Cambodia, it's more than just a circus performance and is one of the activities worth trying for the tourists exploring Siem Reap to experience and appreciate local folklore and circus arts.

Known For : Phnom Sampeau Wat Ek Phnom Phnom Sampeau

Venture to the picturesque town of Battambang, known for its French colonial architecture, vibrant art scene, and scenic countryside. Explore the historic Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus, ride the Bamboo Train, and visit ancient temples and pagodas.

Best Time: October to January

35 Battambang Attractions

oin the lively celebrations of Khmer New Year, one of Cambodia's biggest festivals, marked by colorful processions, traditional games, and water splashing rituals to usher in the new year and wash away the past year's sins. Khmer New Year generally falls on the 13th or 14th of April, every year, as per the ancient Khmer horoscope reading. It goes on for three consecutive days. Each of these three days of celebration has its name along with a particular associated traditional concept.

Bayon Temple is a Khmer Temple and the only Buddhist shrine in the Angkor region, otherwise dominated by Hindu temples. It is located in the center of the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. The central characteristic elements of the Bayon temple are huge smiling faces made of large blocks of stone on 37 towers adorning all four sides.

Kep National Park is located in the interior of Kep Province in south-east Cambodia. It is known for beautiful hiking trails, especially the trail 'Stairway to Heaven,' located amidst lush mountains, with many points offering lovely views of Bokor mountains and Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. If you want to enjoy spending time in nature, it is recommended to visit this national park while touring Kep town.

The Royal Palace is one of the city's iconic landmarks and the primary residence of the King of Cambodia. It comprises a throne and other precious monuments within a richly built complex. The highlight is the silver pagoda. Visitors can only visit the throne hall and a few buildings depending on the season. There are also guided tours, which are available in Khmer, English, French, and German.

The National Museum of Cambodia is the largest and central museum in the country. It consists of over 15,000 collections depicting various periods in Cambodia's history spread across different rooms. It also has a beautiful garden with fish ponds and a cafe. A paid audio tour guide is available.

Tours around Siem Reap allow tourists to experience a slice of life in the villages of Cambodia. Local village tours take you into the countryside, away from the bustle of the city. For example, you could opt for an ox-cart ride and watch farmers working in the paddy fields. Some operators offer paddy field tours as well as visits to local schools. Village Tours often include visits to the Artizans d’Angkor Silk Farm.

Attend a traditional Khmer dance performance in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, where graceful dancers adorned in elaborate costumes perform classical dances inspired by ancient myths and legends.

Ta Prohm is one of the prominent temples in Siem Reap popularly known as the 'Tomb Raider Temple' because of its appearance in the Tomb Raider movie. Unlike other structures, Ta Prohm has been left in the same condition in which it was found. It is surrounded by a thick jungle, making you feel like you have come to a lost world.

Discover the rich artistic heritage of Cambodia by visiting workshops and galleries that specialize in traditional Khmer arts and crafts, including silk weaving, pottery, stone carving, and silver jewelry making.

The Cardamom Mountains are a mountain range located in southwest Cambodia and eastern Thailand and covers the provinces including  Kampot, Kep, Battambang, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong, Pursat, Kampong Speu and Pailin. It is one of the largest mountain areas and is home to Cambodia's vibrant ecosystem comprising of deep jungles, valleys, rivers, wildlife, marshlands, coastline. Trekking to Cardamom Mountains is one of the adventurous things to do in Cambodia.

Best Time: October to February

Phnom Kulen National Park is a revered site in Cambodia that houses the Kulen Mountain. About 90 minutes from the city, Phnom Kulen was the capital of the earliest Khmer Empire. It houses some temple ruins and sculptures, but most of the area remains untouched. You can walk around, visit the 20 small temples, and enjoy swimming in the waterfalls.

Delve into the flavors of Cambodian cuisine by taking a cooking class in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, where you can learn to prepare classic dishes like fish amok, mango salad, and banana flower salad.

Koh Ker is an ancient capital city of the Khmer empire, located about 3 hours away from Siem Reap in northern Cambodia. Discover the lesser-visited temples of Koh Ker and Preah Vihear, located in remote jungle settings. Climb to the top of Preah Vihear Temple for panoramic views of the surrounding plains and explore the ancient ruins of Koh Ker.

Best Time: October to February

Known For : Otres Beach Ochheuteal Beach Ream National Park

Sihanoukville is a coastal city in southwest Cambodia, about five hours by road from Phnom Penh. The city is known for its vast coastline, home to untouched and magnificent beaches, restaurants and cafes serving delicious seafood cuisines and arguably the country's best nightlife. Enjoy sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and diving in crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life.

Best Time: October to January

20 Attractions

Experience the unique way of life in Kampong Phluk Floating Village, where houses are built on stilts and villagers rely on the water for fishing and transportation. Take a boat tour through the mangrove forests and witness daily life on the Tonle Sap Lake.

Preah Khan is one of the last remaining remote structures in Siem Reap. Khmer King Jayavarman VII built and dedicated it to his father, Dharanindravarman. Located about 2km from the dynasty's capital, Angkor Thom, this massive complex is over 55 hectares and serves as a monastery and a learning center for Buddhist monks. Marvel at the grandeur of its ancient ruins and explore its intricate carvings and bas-reliefs.

Choeung Ek Genocidal centre is located outside the city of Phnom Penh. Infamously known as the Killing Fields, this is a mass grave site built to commemorate the death of thousands of civilians during the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1978. You can get to know the entire dark history of this period on tours where they can see thousands of skulls and bones.

Known For : Bousra Waterfall

Mondulkiri is the largest province in Cambodia and is located in the far east. Embark on a safari adventure in Mondulkiri Province, home to lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife, including elephants, gibbons, and rare bird species.

Best Time: October to February

1 Mondul Giri Attractions