A budget-friendly gem in Southeast Asia, that’s been well-loved by backpackers for many years, it’s not shocking that so many people nonetheless head to Cambodia to take pleasure in its stunning islands, fascinating historical past and superb UNESCO web site of Angkor Wat.
From snorkelling to kayaking, temple hopping to nighttime market consuming, Cambodia packs loads in for a small nation and its welcoming individuals and heat local weather solely add to the enchantment.
A bucket record traditional of a vacation spot you merely can’t miss, for those who’re seeking to be part of the crowds like I did (!) and head to this Southeast Asian gem, right here’s my record of the ten greatest issues to do in Cambodia.
Assured to you visiting and experiencing all of the highlights of this nation, this actually is the one guidelines you want to your travels right here.
So let’s leap in…
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#1 Watch Dawn at Angkor Wat
Okay straight in at no 1 on this record of the most effective issues to do in Cambodia, it’s the massive daddy of all of them – Angkor Wat!
Cambodia’s most well-known sight and a supply of immense nationwide satisfaction, Angkor Wat is a large temple advanced that actually does take some beating in relation to temple complexes!
Till I got here to Cambodia, I believed (in my ignorance) that Angkor Wat was only one temple, or maybe a small assortment at greatest, but it surely quickly grew to become clear to me that it was a lot extra!
An unlimited protected web site crammed with temple after temple that appear to litter the jungle panorama like ants, it’s honest to say that, like most individuals, this place blew me away.
You may get 1 or 3 day passes to this advanced and, given the dimensions of Angkor Wat, I undoubtedly advocate the latter so you’ve gotten sufficient time to stroll, cycle and tuk-tuk round as many temples as potential.
Taking a 3 day ticket may also assist you to expertise each a sundown and dawn on the web site, with the morning solar showing behind the principle temple via a mist of humidity, undoubtedly being a spotlight among the many issues to do in Cambodia.
Don’t count on to have the place to your self at dawn, however come ready for the crowds (armed with just a few sly ideas) and that is nonetheless a magical expertise!
Study every part it’s essential know, together with high anti-crowd recommendation in my put up about easy methods to expertise the most effective Angkor Wat dawn.
I additionally took this superb cycle tour with TakeMeTour in Angkor Wat and couldn’t advocate it sufficient.
In any other case, take a look at my record of seven different high Angkor Wat excursions right here.
Angkor Wat is accessed from the Cambodian metropolis of Seam Reap, the place I like to recommend solo backpackers keep at Onederz Hostel and {couples}, or these wanting a bit extra privateness, head to the Ibis Siem Reap.
For all of the Angkor Wat ticket information you want, take a look at this put up I wrote.
#2 Seize a Therapeutic massage
I’ve obtained to be sincere, Southeast Asia is just not my favorite area for the meals, the local weather or the character, however it’s my favorite area to get a therapeutic massage in!
In case you’re well-accustomed to the sensible brutality of a Thai therapeutic massage, then you definately’ll seemingly be equally delighted with the Cambodian providing!
In all main vacationer locations on this nation, you’ll be able to seize an inexpensive and superb therapeutic massage for subsequent to nothing, however I feel the most effective I had was within the southern city of Kampot on the social enterprise area of Banteay Srey Mission.
In case you’re heading onto Vietnam after Cambodia, then why not save your therapeutic massage on this city for a remaining deal with earlier than you make the border crossing from Kampot to Ho Chi Minh, the capital of Vietnam.
#3 Study Cambodia’s Stunning Historical past
It would sound like a reasonably unusual factor to do in a rustic as a vacationer, however studying about Cambodia’s surprising latest historical past is essential to understanding this nation, its individuals and its sense of standing on this planet.
A part of what many known as “darkish tourism”, a visit to Cambodia’s Killing Fields and its S-21 jail are each accessible by way of a day journey from the capital and are effectively value visiting.
Stunning, harrowing, scary and unhappy, there’s no query this isn’t a day of sunshine leisure, however like once I visited Auschwitz in Poland or the Genocide Memorial in Armenia, I do imagine that it’s essential as a traveller to pay witness to tragic historic occasions of the worst sort, so as to assist guarantee they by no means occur once more.
In case you’re staying in a single day in Phnom Penh, then I like to recommend funds travellers mattress down on the wonderful Feliz Hostel.
Onederz Hostel on this metropolis can also be possibility.
Though not as spacious, Onederz present $8 USD shared tuk-tuk day journeys to each the Killing Fields and S-21 jail – an amazing possibility for solo travellers.
In any other case, take a look at this bestselling hop-on hop-off joint tour if you wish to e book prematurely, or have the choice of a day go to as effectively.
#4 Chill on Koh Rong Sanloem
Perhaps I’ve peaked too quickly, or possibly this can simply moist your urge for food for extra however, both manner, one of many best possible issues to do in Cambodia, in actual fact most likely the spotlight of my time there, was chilling on the tiny island of Koh Rong Sanloem.
Helps that I’m a sucker for the seaside at the most effective of occasions!
Solely accessible by way of a loopy boat trip from the Cambodian coastal metropolis of Sikhounville (which it’s best to keep away from spending any time in FYI!), Koh Rong Sanloem is a tiny gem in Cambodia’s waters.
The smaller sister of close by Koh Rong island, Sanloem is certainly extra relaxed and has an unflinching no-shoes, salty-hair, hammock-swinging mode of existence.
There are a number of seashores / areas across the island to select from, however the much less manicured M’Pai Bay suited me right down to the bottom.
Right here I spent 5 blissful days on the nice Hornbill Guesthouse.
Most individuals find yourself spending manner longer there than they deliberate on Koh Rong Sanloem, which is simply another excuse this island paradise might be value scheduling for the top of your time in Cambodia!
No matter you do, simply don’t miss it!
#5 Take a Cooking Class
Not as well-known as Thai or Vietnamese delicacies, Cambodian delicacies nonetheless faucets into plenty of the identical influences and, for most individuals, is a significant motive they journey to this a part of the world.
As such, taking a cooking class is totally one of many high issues to do in Cambodia and, with so many choices throughout so many locations, it’s extra about discovering a day in a spot the place you desire a extra relaxed schedule, than heading wherever particular if you wish to take pleasure in one.
That stated, take a look at this extremely really useful hands-on Cambodian cooking class from Siem Reap for extra concepts.
Kampot and Battambang are additionally each good cooking class locations, and conveniently they’re additionally tremendous locations to go to at a extra relaxed tempo, the place you take pleasure in actions that aren’t based mostly round huge sightseeing field ticks!
#6 Verify the Bats at Battambang
It doesn’t sound a lot however belief me, it’s a fairly cool spectacle if you see 1000’s upon 1000’s, even perhaps tens of millions, of bats exit a well-known cave mouth at a former mass grave / now turned temple advanced, simply outdoors town of Battambang.
Seize a tuk-tuk driver and some buddies to make the journey out right here for sundown, the place you’ll be able to hike as much as the highest monastery / cave / former mass grave after which pull up a pew to your sundown bat viewing with a beer in hand.
Free to look at, it is a fairly mind-blowing sightand actually makes a brief journey to Battambang worthwhile.
Plus, you too can trip a bamboo prepare on this city too – I do know, double whammy!
I like to recommend a keep of not less than a 1 night time in Battambang and the good little hostel known as Pomme is the right alternative.
The beautiful guys that run the place gives you all the data you want in regards to the bats and the bamboo prepare… what extra are you able to ask for!
#7 Cycle via Kampot
And together with Battambang, Kampot is one other much less ceaselessly visited vacation spot, which makes the right place to sit back for just a few days and luxuriate in some light journey actions.
High of my record is biking in and round this metropolis, however kayaking on the river right here is simply as gratifying… as is taking a yoga class.
There’s additionally climbing to take pleasure in within the close by Bokor Hilltop Station, or why not take pleasure in a sundown cruise on the river too?
In any other case, Kampot city centre boasts plenty of good cafes (Easy Issues was my favorite) and a few cool clothes and classic retailers as effectively – a transparent indicator of how this place is a well-liked ex-pat resident hangout.
Don’t miss the pepper farms or the colonial French structure round Kampot both – all of them add to the appeal.
Positively one of many high issues to do in Cambodia, enjoyable within the peaceable setting of Kampot is a should and a keep at Ganesha EcoLodge makes the right accompaniment!
#8 Island Hop Close to Kep
And simply down the street from Kampot is the coastal vacation spot of Kep.
Both you’ll be able to rent scooters and day journey right here to take pleasure in seafood yumminess (if that’s your factor), or you’ll be able to truly come right here by bus with a plan to remain – both within the city itself or one of many islands.
Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) tends to be a favorite simply off the coast of Kep, so head right here and hit it up local-style in a picket hut on the seaside to get away from all of it and benefit from the solitude.
#9 Eat at a Evening Market
So as a result of we’re in Southeast Asia, there’s no query consuming and night time advertising and marketing are absolute musts on any itinerary on this space.
And Cambodia isn’t any exception, with nightly meals markets right here a big a part of native tradition and an enormous traveller drawcard.
The key distinction that you just may see on this nation nevertheless is the quantity of bugs and creepy crawlies at meals markets, with every part from scorpions to snails on supply – yum… or not!
Disclaimer – vegetarians could battle in Cambodia (voice of expertise).
Low-cost, scrumptious and plentiful, consuming conventional Cambodian meals at an evening market is certainly top-of-the-line issues to do on this nation and it actually doesn’t matter the place within the nation you might be, or how small the city is, you’ll at all times discover one!
That stated, top-of-the-line ones I discovered was in Siem Reap.
Study extra about it, in addition to my record of the opposite greatest issues to do on this nice metropolis, right here.
#10 Kayak on the Mekong
And final however not least, that is sadly one thing I didn’t get to attempt throughout my time in Cambodia, however have it from a number of buddies on good authority, that kayaking on the Mekong is effectively value it.
Extremely popular from the japanese city of Kratie, it’s slightly little bit of a detour to get out right here (until you’re headed to Laos after), however is value it for the shortage of vacationers and the prospect to identify the extraordinarily shy, however completely distinctive, Irrawaddy dolphins.
If you’re heading to this city, then why not proceed onto Laos after, by heading up the Mekong to discover the apparently superb 4 Thousand Islands close to Si Phan Don.
Sound like an amazing journey?
Will probably be!
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Cambodia Mini Journey Information
When to Go to Cambodia?
The perfect time to go to Cambodia is through the dry and cooler season between November and April.
When you begin stepping into Could, the humidity actually begins constructing and after that, the rains undoubtedly don’t make the nation as enjoyable to journey in.
How Lengthy to Spend There?
I feel 2 weeks is the right period of time to spend in Cambodia.
You’ll have sufficient days to see plenty of the principle sights, together with the ten on this record, with just a few days to sit back and calm down on the finish.
Easy methods to Journey to (and Round) Cambodia?
In case you’re arriving into Cambodia from additional afield, then it’s seemingly you’ll arrive into the nation’s major worldwide airport, which is located in Phnom Penh.
As at all times, I take advantage of Skyscanner to get the most effective offers on flights.
Alternatively, for those who’re in a neighbouring nation corresponding to Thailand, Laos or Vietnam, you should utilize buses to reach into Cambodia.
To e book bus tickets throughout the border into Cambodia, in addition to for journey inside the nation, I extremely advocate the safe and simple to make use of 12Go, who I relied on closely all through my time right here!
Safe, straightforward and with plenty of choices, 12Go is certainly the most effective and most handy solution to seize your bus tickets on this nation.
Journey Insurance coverage for Cambodia
World Nomads affords easy and versatile journey insurance coverage. Purchase at dwelling or whereas travelling and declare on-line from wherever on this planet.
Alternatively, for those who’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent distant employee looking for journey well being cowl, take a look at Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance coverage insurance policies.
5 Packing Necessities for Cambodia
#1 Lonely Planet Guidebook – The Cambodia Lonely Planet is superb and really useful for any journey to this a part of the world with plenty of high ideas and helpful info together with good locations to eat.
#2 Birkenstocks – An excellent pair of sandals are king in Cambodia and I like my Arizona Birkenstocks that are excellent for holding my ft cool, supported and for kicking on and off simply if you go to temples or hit the seaside. Actually wore all of them day day-after-day in Cambodia!
#3 European & British Energy Adapters – Cambodia use a mixture of energy shops, however usually opts for a mixture of European and British ones, so be sure to come ready with a Skross world adapter.
#4 Digicam and Lens – I like my Sony A6000 mirrorless, which was preferrred for capturing this loopy and exquisite nation.
#5 Sarong – An incredible multi-purpose journey merchandise that may be brilliantly utilized in Cambodia as a seaside towel / gown , a pillow / blanket on bus rides and for protecting shoulders if you go to temples. An excellent sarong is a Southeast Asia journey must-have in my e book.
Journey Cash in Cambodia
Relating to paying for issues in Cambodia, you need to make sure you’re not being charged abroad transaction charges or getting poor change charges when utilizing your card overseas, which is why I at all times take my Clever card away with me wherever I journey.
The straightforward solution to spend overseas with actual change charges, no markups and no sneaky transaction charges, you should utilize your Clever card similar to a debit card right here… and it hyperlinks simply with Google and Apple pay – offered! Seize yours right here.
SAVE THIS TO PINTEREST!
And so there you’ve gotten it, the ten greatest issues to do in Cambodia.
Have you ever travelled to this Southeast Asian nation?
Do you’ve gotten any favorite locations or actions so as to add to the above?
If that’s the case, please assist different travellers out, by leaving your ideas within the feedback beneath…