A budget-friendly gem in Southeast Asia, that’s been well-loved by backpackers for many years, it’s not stunning that so many people nonetheless head to Cambodia to get pleasure from its lovely islands, fascinating historical past and wonderful UNESCO web site of Angkor Wat.
From snorkelling to kayaking, temple hopping to nighttime market consuming, Cambodia packs so much in for a small nation and its welcoming folks and heat local weather solely add to the attraction.
A bucket listing traditional of a vacation spot you merely can’t miss, should you’re seeking to be part of the crowds like I did (!) and head to this Southeast Asian gem, right here’s my listing 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 in your travels right here.
So let’s soar in…
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#1 Watch Dawn at Angkor Wat
Okay straight in at #1 on this listing of the perfect issues to do in Cambodia, it’s the large daddy of all of them – Angkor Wat!
Cambodia’s most well-known sight and a supply of immense nationwide pleasure, Angkor Wat is a large temple complicated that basically does take some beating relating 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, nevertheless it quickly turned 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 complicated and, given the scale of Angkor Wat, I positively suggest the latter so you’ve got sufficient time to stroll, cycle and tuk-tuk round as many temples as potential.
Taking a 3 day ticket will even assist you to expertise each a sundown and dawn on the web site, with the morning solar showing behind the primary temple via a mist of humidity, positively 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 a number of sly suggestions) and that is nonetheless a magical expertise!
Be taught every little thing you might want to know, together with prime anti-crowd recommendation in my publish about tips on how to expertise the perfect Angkor Wat dawn.
I additionally took this wonderful cycle tour with TakeMeTour in Angkor Wat and couldn’t suggest it sufficient.
In any other case, try my listing of seven different prime 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, try this publish I wrote.
#2 Seize a Therapeutic massage
I’ve acquired to be sincere, Southeast Asia will not be my favorite area for the meals, the local weather or the character, however it’s my favorite area to get a therapeutic massage in!
For those who’re well-accustomed to the sensible brutality of a Thai therapeutic massage, then you definitely’ll probably be equally delighted with the Cambodian providing!
In all main vacationer locations on this nation, you’ll be able to seize an reasonably priced and wonderful therapeutic massage for subsequent to nothing, however I feel the perfect I had was within the southern city of Kampot on the social enterprise house of Banteay Srey Mission.
For those who’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 folks and its sense of standing on the earth.
A part of what many referred to as “darkish tourism”, a visit to Cambodia’s Killing Fields and its S-21 jail are each accessible through a day journey from the capital and are properly price 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 consider that it’s essential as a traveller to pay witness to tragic historic occasions of the worst sort, as a way to assist guarantee they by no means occur once more.
For those who’re staying in a single day in Phnom Penh, then I like to recommend funds travellers mattress down on the glorious Feliz Hostel.
Onederz Hostel on this metropolis can be a very good possibility.
Though not as spacious, Onederz present $8 USD shared tuk-tuk day journeys to each the Killing Fields and S-21 jail – an important possibility for solo travellers.
In any other case, try this bestselling hop-on hop-off joint tour if you wish to e book upfront, or have the choice of a day go to as properly.
#4 Chill on Koh Rong Sanloem
Possibly I’ve peaked too quickly, or perhaps this can simply moist your urge for food for extra however, both approach, one of many best possible issues to do in Cambodia, the truth is 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 perfect of instances!
Solely accessible through a loopy boat experience from the Cambodian coastal metropolis of Sikhounville (which it is 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 all the way down to the bottom.
Right here I spent 5 blissful days on the nice Hornbill Guesthouse.
Most individuals find yourself spending approach longer there than they deliberate on Koh Rong Sanloem, which is simply another excuse this island paradise might be price 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 however faucets into loads of the identical influences and, for most individuals, is a serious motive they journey to this a part of the world.
As such, taking a cooking class is completely one of many prime 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 anyplace particular if you wish to get pleasure from one.
That stated, try this extremely beneficial 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 get pleasure from actions that aren’t primarily based round large sightseeing field ticks!
#6 Test the Bats at Battambang
It doesn’t sound a lot however belief me, it’s a reasonably cool spectacle if you see hundreds upon hundreds, even perhaps thousands and thousands, of bats exit a well-known cave mouth at a former mass grave / now turned temple complicated, simply exterior the town of Battambang.
Seize a tuk-tuk driver and some associates 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 in your sundown bat viewing with a beer in hand.
Free to look at, it is a fairly mind-blowing sightand definitely makes a brief journey to Battambang worthwhile.
Plus, you may as well experience a bamboo prepare on this city too – I do know, double whammy!
I like to recommend a keep of at the very least a 1 night time in Battambang and the good little hostel referred to as Pomme is the right alternative.
The beautiful guys that run the place will provide you with all the information you want concerning 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 regularly visited vacation spot, which makes the right place to sit back for a number of days and luxuriate in some light journey actions.
High of my listing is biking in and round this metropolis, however kayaking on the river right here is simply as pleasing… as is taking a yoga class.
There’s additionally climbing to get pleasure from within the close by Bokor Hilltop Station, or why not get pleasure from 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 outlets as properly – 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 allure.
Positively one of many prime issues to do in Cambodia, stress-free 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 highway from Kampot is the coastal vacation spot of Kep.
Both you’ll be able to rent scooters and day journey right here to get pleasure from 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 wood hut on the seaside to get away from all of it and benefit from the solitude.
#9 Eat at a Night time Market
So as a result of we’re in Southeast Asia, there’s no query consuming and night time advertising 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 foremost distinction that you simply may see on this nation nevertheless is the quantity of bugs and creepy crawlies at meals markets, with every little thing from scorpions to snails on provide – yum… or not!
Disclaimer – vegetarians might 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 truthfully doesn’t matter the place within the nation you might be, or how small the city is, you’ll all the time discover one!
That stated, top-of-the-line ones I discovered was in Siem Reap.
Be taught extra about it, in addition to my listing 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 strive throughout my time in Cambodia, however have it from a number of associates on good authority, that kayaking on the Mekong is properly price it.
Very talked-about from the jap city of Kratie, it’s just a little little bit of a detour to get out right here (except you’re headed to Laos after), however is price it for the shortage of vacationers and the prospect to identify the extraordinarily shy, however completely distinctive, Irrawaddy dolphins.
In case you are heading to this city, then why not proceed onto Laos after, by heading up the Mekong to discover the apparently wonderful 4 Thousand Islands close to Si Phan Don.
Sound like an important journey?
It is going to be!
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Cambodia Mini Journey Information
When to Go to Cambodia?
The perfect time to go to Cambodia is throughout the dry and cooler season between November and April.
When you begin entering into Could, the humidity actually begins constructing and after that, the rains positively 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 primary points of interest, together with the ten on this listing, with a number of days to sit back and calm down on the finish.
Find out how to Journey to (and Round) Cambodia?
For those who’re arriving into Cambodia from additional afield, then it’s probably you’ll arrive into the nation’s principal worldwide airport, which is located in Phnom Penh.
As all the time, I take advantage of Skyscanner to get the perfect offers on flights.
Alternatively, should you’re in a neighbouring nation similar to Thailand, Laos or Vietnam, you should use 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 suggest the safe and straightforward to make use of 12Go, who I relied on closely all through my time right here!
Safe, simple and with plenty of choices, 12Go is certainly the perfect and most handy option to seize your bus tickets on this nation.
Journey Insurance coverage for Cambodia
World Nomads affords easy and versatile journey insurance coverage. Purchase at house or whereas travelling and declare on-line from anyplace on the earth.
Alternatively, should you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent distant employee looking for journey well being cowl, try Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance coverage insurance policies.
5 Packing Necessities for Cambodia
#1 Lonely Planet Guidebook – The Cambodia Lonely Planet is great and really useful for any journey to this a part of the world with plenty of prime suggestions and helpful data together with good locations to eat.
#2 Birkenstocks – pair of sandals are king in Cambodia and I really like my Arizona Birkenstocks that are good for protecting 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 each day in Cambodia!
#3 European & British Energy Adapters – Cambodia use a mixture of energy retailers, however usually opts for a mixture of European and British ones, so be sure you come ready with a Skross world adapter.
#4 Digicam and Lens – I really like my Sony A6000 mirrorless, which was superb for capturing this loopy and exquisite nation.
#5 Sarong – An awesome multi-purpose journey merchandise that may be brilliantly utilized in Cambodia as a seaside towel / costume , a pillow / blanket on bus rides and for overlaying shoulders if you go to temples. sarong is a Southeast Asia journey must-have in my e book.
Journey Cash in Cambodia
In relation to paying for issues in Cambodia, you need to make sure you’re not being charged abroad transaction charges or getting poor trade charges when utilizing your card overseas, which is why I all the time take my Clever card away with me wherever I journey.
The simple option to spend overseas with actual trade charges, no markups and no sneaky transaction charges, you should use your Clever card similar to a debit card right here… and it hyperlinks simply with Google and Apple pay – bought! Seize yours right here.
SAVE THIS TO PINTEREST!
And so there you’ve got it, the ten greatest issues to do in Cambodia.
Have you ever travelled to this Southeast Asian nation?
Do you’ve got any favorite locations or actions so as to add to the above?
In that case, please assist different travellers out, by leaving your ideas within the feedback beneath…