This guide highlights the best places to visit in Cambodia, from ancient temple complexes to quiet riverside towns and jungle-covered highlands. It offers a clear starting point for planning your trip, focusing on places that show the country’s history, landscapes, and local culture.
Each destination has its own pace and atmosphere. Some are centered on heritage and architecture, others on nature or coastal relaxation. Use this list to choose the places that match your interests and available time, and build an itinerary that feels right for you.
Table of Contents
Phnom Penh: The Nation’s Capital
- Famous For: Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Killing Fields.
- Typical Stay: 2-3 full days.
- Linked With: Siem Reap (6 hours), Kampot (3–4 hours), Kep (4–5 hours). Has International airport and direct bus connections to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam (6–7 hours).
Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s capital, located at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac, and Tonlé Sap rivers. Historically known as the “Pearl of Asia,” the city showcases a mix of Khmer architecture and French colonial buildings. It serves as the country’s economic, industrial, and cultural center. The city’s past includes a period of significant turmoil during the Khmer Rouge regime, a history that is documented in several memorials and museums.
A visit to Phnom Penh involves exploring its historical and cultural sites. The Royal Palace complex contains structures with classic Khmer roofs and intricate gilding. Nearby, Wat Phnom is a temple on a small hill that gives the city its name.
For a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s recent history, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (The Killing Fields) offer a direct and somber account of the Khmer Rouge period.
Central Market, with its Art Deco dome, and the lively Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung) show the city’s everyday commercial rhythm.
For local Khmer food in a traditional setting, Romdeng serves regional dishes and classic staples in a restored heritage house. To explore Cambodian cuisine further, see our guide on the Best Food to Try in Cambodia.
This destination remains one of the best cities to visit in Cambodia for understanding both its present culture and its layered past.
Siem Reap: Gateway to Angkor
🏆 The Most Visited Place in Cambodia
- Famous For: Angkor Wat.
- Typical Stay: 2-4 full days.
- Linked With: Phnom Penh (6 hours by bus), Battambang (3 hours by bus). Has international Airport.
Siem Reap is a resort town in northwestern Cambodia and the primary access point for the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park spans 154 sq mi (400 km²) and contains the remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. The city itself has grown significantly to support the tourism industry associated with the temples. This is one of the top destinations in Cambodia.
Visiting Siem Reap centers on exploring the Angkor temples. Angkor Wat is the most famous, known for its grand scale and detailed stone carvings. Watching the sunrise over its iconic towers is a popular activity. Within Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple’s massive stone faces are a key feature. Ta Prohm shows the power of nature reclaiming the structures. The town of Siem Reap offers markets, restaurants, and a lively Pub Street area for evening activities.
Battambang: The Artistic Hub
- Famous For: The Bamboo Train, Phare Ponleu Selpak circus, Wat Ek Phnom, and the Bat Caves.
- Typical Stay: 1-2 full days.
- Linked With: Siem Reap (3 hours by bus), Phnom Penh (5-6 hours by bus).
Battambang is Cambodia’s third-largest city, situated on the Sangker River. It has a relaxed atmosphere and is known for its well-preserved French colonial architecture. The surrounding countryside is fertile, contributing to the city’s role as a major rice-producing region. Over time, Battambang has also developed a reputation as a center of Cambodian arts and culture.
Travelers can experience a balance of local life and creative expression here. The Bamboo Train offers a distinctive ride through the rural landscape. At Phare Ponleu Selpak, visitors can attend performances created by a long-established arts and circus school. The city center is walkable, with colonial-era buildings housing cafes and small galleries. Outside the city, Wat Ek Phnom and rural villages show traditional life and temple ruins.
A notable experience occurs at Phnom Sampeau, where each evening thousands of bats fly out of a cave in a continuous stream that can last nearly an hour. Watching the bats emerge against the sunset is a memorable sight and pairs with a visit to the nearby Killing Caves, a historical memorial from the Khmer Rouge era.
Kampot: The Riverside Town
- Famous For: Bokor National Park with an abandoned French hill station, pepper plantations, the tranquil Teuk Chhou River.
- Typical Stay: 2-3 full days.
- Linked With: Phnom Penh (3-4 hours by bus or train), Kep (30 minutes by tuk-tuk or bus), Koh Rong (3-4 hours by bus and ferry).
Kampot sits along the calm Teuk Chhou River in southern Cambodia, surrounded by mountains, coastal plains, and farmland. The town is known for Kampot pepper — a regional product with Protected Geographical Indication status — and for its preserved French colonial architecture, which gives the center a quiet, historic feel.
Activities revolve around nature and slow travel. Sunset boat trips offer views of fireflies along the riverbanks, while the road up to Bokor National Park leads to an abandoned French hill station often covered in mist. Visitors can tour pepper plantations to learn how the area produces one of Cambodia’s most distinctive ingredients. In town, the central market and small riverside cafés make Kampot easy to explore on foot.
These contrasts — river life, colonial heritage, and nearby mountains — make Kampot one of the top places to visit in Cambodia for travelers seeking a relaxed, scenic base with easy day trips.
Kep: The Coastal Retreat
- Famous For: Crab Market, National Park, and Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay).
- Typical Stay: 1-2 full days.
- Linked With: Kampot (30 minutes by tuk-tuk or bus), Phnom Penh (4-5 hours by bus).
Kep is a small coastal town in southern Cambodia, once a fashionable resort for the French and Cambodian elite in the early 20th century. The town is known for its seaside promenade and the remnants of grand colonial villas, many of which were abandoned. Its main draw is the fresh seafood, particularly the blue crab, which is a local specialty. Kep provides a quieter alternative to more developed beach destinations.
Life in Kep moves at a slow pace, with a focus on relaxation and fresh seafood. The Crab Market lets you choose live crabs and have them cooked on the spot at nearby stalls. A short walk or bike ride along the waterfront brings views of the sea and the surrounding hills.
Trails in Kep National Park lead through shaded forest and open viewpoints over the coastline. For a simple beach day, a 25-minute boat ride reaches Rabbit Island, where basic bungalows and small beachfront restaurants sit right on the sand.
Koh Rong: The Lively Island
- Famous For: Long Beach, bioluminescent plankton, Nightlife scene.
- Typical Stay: 2-3 full days.
- Linked With: Sihanoukville (1 hour by ferry).
Koh Rong is the second-largest island of Cambodia, located in the Gulf of Thailand. It is known for its sandy coves and coral reefs. The interior is covered by dense jungle terrain, with coconut palms and waterfalls. Over the years, it has become a popular destination for backpackers and travelers seeking a lively island atmosphere with beach parties and numerous guesthouses.
Koh Rong combines relaxed beach time with a lively social atmosphere. The island has more than 23 beaches, and Long Beach stands out for its clear water and white sand. Snorkeling and diving take advantage of the surrounding reefs, and at night you can swim among bioluminescent plankton for a memorable experience.
The main village of Koh Touch stays busy, but quieter beaches sit just a longtail boat ride or a jungle hike away. Development continues across the island, so facilities can feel basic. Despite that, Koh Rong remains one of the best places to visit in Cambodia for those who want tropical scenery with a laid-back vibe.
Koh Rong Samloem: The Tranquil Island
🏆 The Best Place to Visit in Cambodia for Seaside Relaxation
- Famous For: Saracen Bay, M’Pai Bay, Lazy Beach.
- Typical Stay: 2-3 full days.
- Linked With: Sihanoukville (45 minutes by ferry), Koh Rong (20 minutes by inter-island ferry).
Koh Rong Samloem lies just south of Koh Rong island and is known as the quieter of the two. Long stretches of white sand, small coves, and a jungle-covered interior shape its landscape. The atmosphere is calm and low-key, attracting travelers who prefer nature, swimming, and slow days over nightlife. It remains one of the best tourist places in Cambodia for a peaceful beach holiday.
Visitors to Koh Rong Samloem can expect a tranquil beach experience. Saracen Bay is the main arrival point and offers a wide range of accommodation along its calm shoreline. Activities include swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the clear waters. Hiking across the island through the jungle leads to more isolated beaches like Lazy Beach and Sunset Beach on the western side. M’Pai Bay in the north offers a glimpse into local fishing village life, with guesthouses built on stilts over the water.
Koh Ta Kiev: The Rustic Island Escape
- Famous For: Syn Absinthe Distillery, Undeveloped beaches and a rustic, off-the-grid experience.
- Typical Stay: 2-3 full days.
- Linked With: Sihanoukville (1 hour by longtail boat from Otres Beach).
Koh Ta Kiev is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, south of the Cambodian mainland. It is one of the less developed islands accessible to tourists, offering a more rustic and natural experience. The accommodation is basic, often consisting of simple beach bungalows or hammocks. The island is known for its quiet beaches, and clear water.
A stay on Koh Ta Kiev is about disconnecting from modern conveniences. The island has limited electricity, typically from generators that run for a few hours each evening, and no Wi-Fi in most places.
Days are spent swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the jungle paths that connect the different beaches. A visit to the Syn Absinthe Distillery provides an interesting diversion. The overall experience is simple and close to nature, which may not be suitable for all travelers.
Kratie: The Riverside Town with Dolphins
🏆 The best place to visit in Cambodia for unique wildlife
- Famous For: Irrawaddy dolphins, a large sandbar island in the middle of the Mekong, the 100-Pillar Pagoda.
- Typical Stay: 1-2 full days.
- Linked With: Phnom Penh (5-6 hours by bus), Mondulkiri (4-5 hours by bus).
Kratie (Kracheh) is a small town on the banks of the Mekong River in northeastern Cambodia. The town has some well-preserved French colonial buildings and a bustling central market. Kratie serves as a stopping point for travelers heading to more remote areas of the country.
The main reason to visit Kratie is to see the Irrawaddy dolphins. Boat trips can be arranged from the village of Kampi, about 9 miles (15 kilometers) north of Kratie, to the deep pools where the dolphins congregate.
To explore the local lifestyle, visitors can take a short ferry ride to the island of Koh Trong. The island has no cars, and renting a bicycle to tour its small villages and farms offers a peaceful look at rural Cambodian life. The Mekong River sunset is also a notable feature of a visit here.
Mondulkiri: The Eastern Highlands
- Famous For: Elephant Valley Project, Bou Sra Waterfall, the local Bunong indigenous culture.
- Typical Stay: 1-2 full days.
- Linked With: Phnom Penh (6-7 hours by bus), Kratie (4-5 hours by bus).
Mondulkiri is Cambodia’s largest but most sparsely populated province, located in the eastern highlands. The landscape consists of rolling hills, grassy plains, and thick forests. The provincial capital is Sen Monorom. The region is home to the indigenous Bunong people, who have a long tradition of coexisting with elephants. This is considered one of the hidden gems in Cambodia for its unique environment and culture.
A visit to Mondulkiri focuses on nature and wildlife. The Elephant Valley Project is a well-regarded sanctuary where visitors can observe elephants in a natural setting without riding them. The tour involves hiking through the forest to watch the elephants forage and bathe.
The province also has several waterfalls, with Bou Sra being the most impressive. Travelers can also learn about the local Bunong culture by visiting their villages. The cooler climate of the highlands offers a break from the heat of the Cambodian plains.
Cardamom Mountains: The Remote Wilderness
- Famous For: Rich biodiversity, remote jungle trekking and eco-tourism projects, the village of Chi Phat.
- Typical Stay: 3-5 full days.
- Linked With: Phnom Penh (4-5 hours by bus to the region’s access points).
The Cardamom Mountains form a vast, remote mountain range in southwestern Cambodia. It is one of Southeast Asia’s largest remaining rainforests, covering over 1.7 million acres (4.4 million hectares). The area is a critical habitat for a wide range of wildlife, much of it rare or threatened. Access has historically been difficult, which has helped preserve its natural state.
Exploring the Cardamom Mountains is for adventurous travelers interested in trekking and nature. The community-based ecotourism project in Chi Phat is a popular starting point. From there, visitors can arrange multi-day guided treks into the jungle, staying overnight in hammocks or basic camps.
Activities include hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking on the river. The experience is rustic, and visitors should be prepared for basic conditions. The focus is on conservation and supporting the local communities that protect the forest.
Ratanakiri: The Northeastern Frontier
🏆 Cambodia’s Hidden Gem
- Famous For: Yeak Laom Lake, the diverse ethnic minority communities, remote jungle trekking and wildlife spotting.
- Typical Stay: 3-4 full days.
- Linked With: Phnom Penh (10-12 hours by bus).
Ratanakiri is a province in Cambodia’s far northeast, bordering Laos and Vietnam. It is a remote and rugged region characterized by red earth, rolling hills, and dense tropical forests. The provincial capital, Banlung, serves as a base for exploring the area. Ratanakiri is home to several of Cambodia’s ethnic minority groups, collectively known as Khmer Loeu or “upland Khmer.”
A trip to Ratanakiri offers an off-the-beaten-path adventure. The primary attraction is Yeak Laom Lake, a beautiful, near-perfectly round crater lake where visitors can swim. Treks into the surrounding jungles, often with local guides, provide opportunities to see waterfalls and learn about the local environment.
Visiting the villages of the various ethnic groups offers insight into their unique cultures and traditions. Due to the province’s remoteness, travel here requires more time and can be challenging, particularly during the rainy season when roads can become impassable.
Your Route Through the Best Places to Visit in Cambodia
We have gathered some of the best places to visit in Cambodia, along with their top attractions, to help you create your own personal itinerary. If your time in this country is limited, do not try to fit all of them into one trip. Avoid letting a fear of missing out build your plans.
If you are more interested in history and culture, focus on destinations like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. If you prefer nature and adventure, consider the Cardamom Mountains or Mondulkiri. For a relaxing beach holiday, Koh Rong Samloem or Kep might be a better fit.
You do not need to cover everything. This list was created to help you choose what you love, not to fill a bucket list for you.
