Things to do in Cambodia

25 things to do in Cambodia

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Watch sunrise over Angkor Wat

  Arrive before dawn to see the sun's first rays illuminate the iconic five-towered temple, reflecting in the lotus pond. The silhouette against a pastel sky is Cambodia's most magical moment.

  Siem Reap

• Explore the Bayon temple with its giant stone faces

  Wander through Angkor Thom's central temple and get lost among 216 serene, enigmatic faces carved into towers. The early-morning light brings the smiling stone visages to life.

  Siem Reap

• Step into the jungle-engulfed Ta Prohm

  Giant silk-cotton trees and strangler figs grip the crumbling ruins of this 12th-century monastery, made famous by the 'Tomb Raider' film. It's a haunting blend of nature and architecture.

  Siem Reap

• Visit the floating village of Kompong Phluk on Tonle Sap Lake

  Glide past stilted houses, flooded forests, and floating schools in this authentic Khmer community on Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake. Life here rises and falls with the seasonal waters.

  Siem Reap

• Watch sunset from Phnom Bakheng temple hill

  Climb the 7-tiered hilltop temple for a panoramic view of Angkor Wat and the Western Baray. The golden light over the jungle canopy is a photographer's dream.

  Siem Reap

• Spot Irrawaddy dolphins near Kratie

  Board a wooden boat on the Mekong River at Kampi pool to see the rare, round-headed freshwater dolphins surfacing gracefully. This is one of the best places in the world for dolphin encounters.

  Kratie

• Visit the Choeung Ek Killing Fields

  Walk among the memorial stupa and mass graves of this former Khmer Rouge execution site. The audio-tour recounts harrowing personal stories, making it a deeply moving experience.

  Phnom Penh

• Tour the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)

  Once a high school, this prison-turned-museum documents the atrocities of the Pol Pot regime through haunting photographs, torture devices, and stark cells. A sobering but essential insight into Cambodia's past.

  Phnom Penh

• Take a sunset cruise on the Mekong in Phnom Penh

  Board a riverboat from Sisowath Quay to watch the sky blaze orange behind the Royal Palace and Wat Ounalom. Cheap beers and cool breezes make this a perfect end to a city day.

  Phnom Penh

• Shop and snack at Phnom Penh’s Central Market (Phsar Thmei)

  Under the art-deco yellow dome, haggle for gold, silk, electronics and sample street food like grilled skewers and sweet sticky rice. The bustling atmosphere is a feast for the senses.

  Phnom Penh

• Learn to cook fish amok at Le Tigre de Papier cooking school

  Join a morning market tour and hands-on class on Pub Street to master Cambodia's signature coconut-fish curry steamed in banana leaf. The school’s rooftop kitchen is a fun, social experience.

  Siem Reap

• Admire the intricate carvings of Banteay Srei

  Often called the 'Citadel of Women', this small pink sandstone temple boasts the finest, most delicate bas-reliefs in Angkorian art. The devatas and mythological scenes are breathtakingly detailed.

  Siem Reap

• Visit the cliff-top Preah Vihear temple

  This UNESCO-listed mountain temple straddles the Thailand border with stunning views over the Cambodian plains. The dramatic 800-metre approach through carved staircases is unforgettable.

  Preah Vihear

• Relax on the white sands of Koh Rong

  Swim in turquoise water, kayak to empty coves, and sleep in a beach bungalow on this undeveloped island in the Gulf of Thailand. The bioluminescent plankton after dark is magical.

  Sihanoukville

• Snorkel off Koh Rong Samloem

  Coral gardens and colourful reef fish thrive just offshore from this sleepy island’s Saracen Bay. Clear calm waters make it ideal for beginners and snorkelling right from the beach.

  Sihanoukville

• Explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

  Visit the gilded throne hall and the floor made of 5,000 silver tiles in this riverside complex. The Emerald Buddha and rain-making cannon offer a glimpse of Khmer monarchy.

  Phnom Penh

• Climb the 358 steps to Wat Banan temple

  Earn panoramic views of rice fields and the Sangker River from this 11th-century hilltop temple near Battambang. Its five sandstone towers earn it the nickname 'mini Angkor Wat'.

  Battambang

• Ride the bamboo train (norry) in Battambang

  Hop onto a bamboo platform on wheels that zooms along old railway tracks through countryside and villages. The wind-in-your-hair ride is a unique piece of Cambodian resourcefulness.

  Battambang

• Watch the bat exodus at Phnom Sampeau

  At dusk, millions of wrinkle-lipped bats stream out of a cave on this sacred hill, forming a dark, swirling ribbon across the sunset sky. It’s an astonishing natural spectacle.

  Battambang

• Visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum

  Founded by a former child soldier, this museum near Banteay Srei tells the painful story of landmines and supports victim relief. See defused ordnance and learn about ongoing clearance efforts.

  Siem Reap

• Tour a Kampot pepper farm

  Walk through rows of climbing pepper vines at a plantation like La Plantation, then taste the world-famous black, red and white peppercorns. The terroir gives a unique floral aroma.

  Kampot

• Paddle through the Green Cathedral mangrove forest

  Kayak or take a boat through a natural archway of overarching mangroves in Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary. The tunnel-like waterway is a serene, cathedral-like wonder.

  Koh Kong

• Stroll Kampot’s colonial riverside

  Wander past faded French shophouses, sip a coffee by the Praek Tuek Chhu river, and watch fishermen cast nets beneath the Elephant Mountains. Kampot’s sleepy charm is utterly photogenic.

  Kampot

• Feast on fresh crab at Kep Crab Market

  Choose live crabs from wooden baskets right on the seafront, then have them fried with fragrant Kampot pepper at a nearby shack. The sweet, tender meat is a coastal ritual.

  Kep

• Trek to Chi Phat eco-tourism village

  Hike through dense Cardamom rainforest, spot gibbons, and stay in a homestay in this community-run project. Kayaking and mountain-bike trails offer off-grid adventure.

  Koh Kong