Last updated on May 17th, 2026 at 05:36 am
This guide covers the highlights of Cambodia – especially if you like the outdoors and nature. But really, most of it is for anyone there to explore what the country has to offer. From temples to wildlife, hiking and beaches, Cambodia, which is often overlooked for its neighbors, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos, has a lot to offer in its own right. Read on for the key places and things to do to put on your Cambodia itinerary.
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Plan for your trip
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. My top recommendations for the must see’s in Cambodia are:
1. Sunrise or sunset tour to Angkor Wat
2. Visit the killing fields – Choeung Ek – and the Genocide Museum
3. Half-day kayaking the Mekong river and seeing the dolphins
4. Elephant sanctuary visit from Siam Reap for a day or include the apopo rats!
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Where to go and what to see in Cambodia
You will find key attractions in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampot, and Koh Rong so this is a good list to start with in planning your trip. Add Kratie for the dolphins and possibly Sen Monorom for some elephant and hiking time off the beaten track and you have a full circle trip.
The next sections cover the key things to do and where to do them. Of course there are other things to do in each place but these are the things that are must-see or unique activities.
1. Spend time with the elephants
Where? – Siem Reap or Sen Monorom
There are less than 400 wild elephants left in Cambodia but fortunately the work of the few Cambodia elephant sanctuaries is helping their situation. There are five key sanctuaries where you can either visit and spend time with or observing the elephants, or volunteer. Three are near Siem Reap, and two near Sen Monorom in the east of the country. For a detailed guide to help you make a choice that suits you best, read Cambodia’s elephant sanctuaries – which to visit or volunteer at? But if you are in Siem Reap there are plenty of choices. Check these Elephant sanctuary visits from Siam Reap or include the apopo rats!
2. Bike to the temples at Angkor Wat
Where? – Siem Reap
Angkor Wat is a Buddhist temple complex built between 1113 and 1150 and it is the largest religious complex in the world. It is the number one thing most people want to see in Cambodia! It was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu but became a Theravada Buddhist site over the 13/14 centuries as the Khmer state religion changed. Buddhists adopted the site adding Buddha statues and icons to the Hindu artwork and reliefs.
Be aware Angkor Wat really is huge – 162 hectares – and there are many temples within. Key temples are the main Angkor Wat temple, the faces of Bayon, and the Ta Prohm (the “Tomb Raider” temple). Ta Prohm is my favourite – its wild and the jungle has wound its way through the temple – my kind of place!
You can visit on your own with an entry ticket, or take a very popular sunrise or sunset tour. I recommend this biking tour – just because I liked the exercise and the variety of where you go – through the temples but also forest and farmland and villages. However there are plenty of options to choose from on GetYourGuide or Viator!
3. Meet the Apopo rats
Where? – Siem Reap
Near to Siem Reap, is the Apopo Rat Visitor Center. At the center you will find out all about how these HeroRATs (African Giant Pouched Rats) are trained by the charity Apopo to find landmines. You can meet and hold the rats too (if you want)! You will learn a lot about rats and about landmines that still plague about 59 countries. I really think its worth it so do go – and what a great charity to support by visiting!
You can visit the apopo rats and the elephants on this private tour!
4. Kayak through the floating villages on Tonle Sap
Where? – Siem Reap
Near Siem Reap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia – Tonle Sap. The lake supports literally millions of people (2-3 million) and many of them live in floating villages around the lake.
I love an easy time in a kayak and this paddle is a really nice time out on the water. You also go through a mangrove forest and get to see lots of birds, as well as spending time around local people living in a floating village.
5. Learn about and see the Lotus Silk Farm
Where? – Siem Reap
This is definitely a unique activity – and something I really enjoyed so have added it to the list. Lotus silk is the rarest textile in the world and used by the best fashion houses. It is a sustainable luxury fabric and at the lotus silk farm you learn about how it is produced as well as how other parts of the lotus are used to make jewelry, paper, and even tea. The great thing is that is this farm supports over 150 women artisans doing this. And the best part is the boat journey in the lotus fields!
6. Visit a silk worm Silk Farm
Where? – Siem Reap
I also really enjoyed this tour and (oddly enough given my usual tastes) it was one of the highlights of my trip (along with the elephants and dolphins of course)! It was very informative, not too long, and just really interesting to see the whole process of making silk!
7. Kayak out to see the Irrawaddy dolphins
Where? – Kratie
Seeing the Irrawaddy dolphins was high on my list for Cambodia – and I wasn’t disappointed. Kratie is one of the few places you can see them easily and observe them in their natural setting. I took this half-day kayaking the Mekong river and saw so many dolphins – it was one of the top top highlights of my trip and I highly recommend it. Kratie is not on the main tourist trail, but it is a very chill little town and I think for sure its worth adding to your list.
You can also take a boat out to see the dolphins. Read more about this in What to do in Kratie.
8. See the bats at the Battambang Bat Cave
You can see millions of bats at the Bat Cave Phnom Sampov in Battambang. If you go to the base of Phnom Sampeou mountain and sit in one of the cafes there from about 5pm you can watch the bats head out to feed – there are literally millions and its a pretty amazing sight!
As I said, you can go alone to see this, or you can see the bats as part of a tour of Battambang.
Phnom Penh
9. Go to the Killing Fields and learn more about the horrors of the genocide
Where? – Phnom Penh
The reason for going to Phnom Penh for almost anyone is to see and learn about the “Killing Fields.” The killing fields – Choeung Ek – and the Genocide Museum are intense and you wont forget them or the horrific recent past of Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge rule. I wont say more than that – you have to go to really understand how much it can impact you.
10. Hike in the Cardamom Mountains and climb the highest peak in Cambodia
Where? – Cardamom Mountains – ex Phnom Penh
This is a great trip – but you need to be able to cope with uphill hiking in the heat, bugs and sleeping relatively rough! But you get to go to the highest point in Cambodia, see some beautiful scenery, see lots of birds and hang out at a waterfall!
Book a three day hiking trip for a more in-depth hiking adventure, or a two day trip if you are short of time!
11. Kayak through the beautiful Green Cathedral
Where? – Kampot
Kampot is one of those places where you end up staying longer than you think you will and your not sure what you have been doing all the time – its very chill! But one of the first things to do here is go kayaking in the Green Cathedral! Its also very chill – peaceful and green and a great way to spend a few hours – topped off with the option to swim, and cold drinks afterwards!
12. Visit a Kampot pepper farm
Where? – Kampot
Kampot pepper is a famous around the world and going to a pepper farm to see where it comes from is really interesting. There are lots of tours that you can take to visit one of the farms. When you visit, you get to see how they grow, dry and produce the pepper we buy. You can taste the different flavors produced too.
Most tour options include other highlights in the Kampot area, and its up to you what interests you most, but I recommend combining a trip to the pepper farm with going to Kep (which is nearby) for the famous crab market!
13. Head to an island to snorkel and for some beach time
Where? – Koh Rong or Koh Rong Sanloem
Koh Rong has become the go-to island for the busy party vibe. If you want to just enjoy island turquoise water and white sand beaches, and have a more relaxing time, Koh Rong Sanloem might be more up your alley. however, on Koh Rong, Coconut beach is also an option for a more relaxed time, and also the best place to see the blue bioluminescence on the island!
You can snorkel from both islands – either book when you get there or you can arrange ahead of time if you are short on time. This Koh Rong snorkel tour includes fishing and sunset, and this snorkel tour takes you to a BBQ on Long Beach as well.
PS: If you can get a group together (up to 6 people – making this great value) then I also recommend this SUP Tour in Mangrove Forest of Koh Rong Sanloem!
Frequently Asked Questions about travel in Cambodia
Q: Do I need a visa to travel to Cambodia
A: Yes – get an electronic visa before you leave. Its free to submit and makes arrival very easy.
Q: When is the best time to travel to Cambodia
A: Its is dry season Nov – Feb and cooler at this time too so this is the preferred time for most. The wet season is lush and green (I travelled then the 2nd time I went) and although you get rain it is usually short lived – and there are generally fewer crowds / travelers.
Q: Is it easy to get around in Cambodia
A: Yes – between cities and towns use use 12Go to book a bus. In towns use Grab to get a motorbike, tuktuk or taxi. You can pay through the app or cash. Its really easy and saves any haggling!
Q: Is Cambodia safe – especially for a solo female traveler
A: Yes, Cambodia is generally safe for tourists, including solo travelers. But petty theft (like phone or bag snatching) can happen, especially in cities. Use basic precautions.
Travel tips for Cambodia
Money – Cambodia uses both US dollars (USD) and Cambodian riel (KHR). USD is accepted almost everywhere, especially in cities and tourist areas. Smaller change is often given in riel. It’s best to carry small USD bills, as large notes can be difficult to break.
Itinerary – include: Phnom Penh (2 days) and Siem Reap (3-4 days) then add any of Kratie (2-3 days) or Kampot (4 days) and Koh Rong (3 days). If you have longer, then add more time for visiting elelphants and anything else that appeals.
Costs – Cambodia is budget-friendly. Allow approximately the following:
- Backpackers / budget: $25–$50 USD a day
- Mid-range: $50–$120 USD a day
- Luxury: $150+ USD a day
Health – don’t drink the water, bring mosquito repellent, get standard travel vaccines for the area before you leave – check with your doctor. There are plenty of pharmacies in Cambodia and the main cities have reasonable hospitals.
Clothing – bring lightweight and breathable clothes, have clothes to cover shoulders and knees for temple visits, and avoid revealing clothing in general (except when on the beach). Comfortable shoes and crocs or the like are useful as well.
Where to Stay in Cambodia
Book a place to stay in Cambodia with booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld.
Where to stay in Phnom Penh
High End – the Rosewood Phnom Penh or Raffles Hotel Le Royal
Mid Range – Shangri-La Phnom Penh or La Rose Suites or Urban Palace
Budget – Jungle Addition or Duong Chan Hotel
Backpackers – there are plenty of good hostels on Hostelworld and I definitely recommend Activate C3 Hostel – which has great dorms and pool and also has very nice private rooms.
Where to stay in Siem Reap
High End – Zannier Phum Baitang or Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
Mid Range – Viroth’s Hotel or Shintana Saya La Maison or TUI BLUE Angkor Grace Wellness
Budget – Passport Villa or La Villa 23 Signature or The Palace Indochine Hotel
Backpackers – Lub d Siem Reap, or Onederz Siem Reap (which I found was really good) or Mad Monkey Siem Reap
Where to stay in Kampot
Higher End – RiverTree Villa & Resort
Mid Range – Hotel Old Cinema or Kampot Sweet Boutique or Hotel La Java Bleue
Budget – Retro Kampot Guesthouse or Rooftop View Home
Backpacker – River Nest Hostel or Onederz Kampot
Related Posts
What to do in Kratie Cambodia – above and beyond the Irrawaddy dolphins!
Cambodia’s elephant sanctuaries – which to visit or volunteer at?
Wildlife in Cambodia – Elephants, Bears, Irrawaddy Dolphins and the Apopo HeroRats!!