Cambodia

Close your eyes for a second and think of a destination that you would like to visit in the near future. What is the first image that comes to your mind? Does it have the world’s largest religious structure where you can visit century-old temples? Or serene, floating villages that provide you a glimpse into rural living? Or what about a sustainable bamboo train that you can hop on and travel through? Or perhaps numerous tranquil beaches that you can sunbathe and unwind on? If you were lucky enough to be looking for travel experiences similar to these, then you should definitely consider Cambodia for your next travel destination!

Located in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is divided into 162 districts, 27 municipalities, and 24 provinces (with numerous cities, towns, and villages) that each carry their own unique identity in terms of history, culture, architecture, and food cuisines. Additionally, this nation has also been nicknamed “the kingdom of wonder” due to it having many breathtaking natural landscapes, century-old temples, and vibrant open-air markets, often leaving many travelers who visit it awestruck! Additionally, due to the variety of destinations it provides, from historic to adventurous, this country is said to accommodate the taste/preferences of many travelers, making it one of Asia’s truly versatile destinations. Moreover, Cambodian people are said to be some of the warmest and most welcoming people on earth, even giving travelers more reasons to visit this stunning nation!

Furthermore, travelers who are interested in history and culture will find Cambodia an absolutely fascinating destination to explore! As you can find a few of the world’s most ancient temples, such as Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, and Bayon, located here, said to be built during the 9th-12th century, allowing travelers to learn about the country’s rich historical legacy. On the opposite spectrum, tourists looking to experience the hustle and bustle of Cambodian city life can visit cities such as Phnom Penh, Krong Siem Reap, Krong Battambang, and Krong Kampong Cham, which offer a wide collection of vibrant local bazaars, affordable 24/7 restaurants, and lively karaoke bars. 

Why visit Cambodia?

Cambodia is more than just a travel destination; it is one of those countries that truly stays in your memory long after you’ve visited it. We’ve provided a list of reasons why you should include Cambodia in your list of travel destinations to visit.

• Rich history and cultural heritage: One key reason why Cambodia has been Asia’s top tourist destination is due to its rich history and cultural heritage. Moreover, due to this country’s geographical location, as it is closer to Thailand and Laos, this country is home to a mix of cultures that can be seen reflected in the nation’s diverse architecture, food cuisines, and bustling bazaars. Furthermore, this destination has some of the world’s most ancient temples, such as Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm, that are visited by a huge number of tourists as well. 

• Offers a range of diverse destinations: Travelers looking to gain a range of different travel experiences will find traveling to Cambodia a truly rewarding experience. From historical temples such as Angkor Wat, Prasat Preah and Ta Prohm to serene beaches like Saracen, Lagoon and Sok San and vibrant markets like Orussey, Phnom Penh and Phsar Leu, this nation has it all! 

• High hospitality: The culture of hospitality is deeply engraved in Cambodian culture, where guests are treated with the utmost respect and kindness and moral values like these (and others like honesty and accountability) are also taught to children from a younger age. Additionally, Cambodian people are said to be one of the friendliest and kind-hearted people, making it a favorable destination for both first time and seasoned travelers.
• Diverse food cuisines: Due to Cambodia’s deep rooted history and geographical location, the food cuisines available here are truly some of Asia’s best! Cambodian food, also known as “Khmer cuisine,” incorporates an array of fragrant spices, rich sauces and aromatic oils, making most dishes found here super scrumptious and unforgettably delicious! Additionally, a few of the best dishes here include: amok (spicy fish curry), kuy teav (soft noodles served with broth), samlar machu (tangy seafood soup), crab curry, lok lak (crispy fried pork) and samlar (slow-cooked chicken curry) that you can surely try in Cambodia!

Moving on, let’s learn about a few of the most popular provinces and cities located in Cambodia that are known for their stunning architecture, historic landmarks and delicious food cuisines!

Phnom Penh

At the heart of Cambodia lies Phnom Penh, a bustling and lively city that is known for its historical landmarks, vibrant street markets, and top-notch eateries. Serving as the capital of Cambodia since the 18th century, this city has also been functioning as the country's political, commercial, and cultural center for decades. Additionally, when walking down the streets of this historic city, you’ll notice that this destination has it all! From luxury resorts to serene parks, decade-old noodle shops, and aesthetic coffee stores, you'll definitely find what you’re looking for in this beautiful city.

Likewise, as Cambodia is known for its rich history and cultural legacy, a handful of the most renowned destinations centered around these subjects include the Royal Palace of Cambomdia, the National Museum of Cambodia, the Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom Daun Penh, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum that you can definitely add to your bucket list. In a similar realm, for travelers who love exploring outdoors, a few of the most popular markets of this city are Phnom Penh Night, Old Market, and Orussey, which sell a variety of clothing items, footwear, accessories, and traditional Cambodian food products. Moreover, this city is known for its diverse array of food cuisines, where bai sachchrouk (fried pork and rice), num banh chok (stir-fried noodles), nompang sak koh (stuffed sandwich), and num chet chien (cambodian dessert) are a few of this city’s most prized dishes.

Siem Reap

Rising as one of the top provinces of Cambodia, Krong Siem Reap is an unmissable destination for history lovers and culture enthusiasts! With the capital of this mesmerizing province being Krong Siem Reap, this province is located in the Northwestern region of the country. Furthermore, this picturesque city is also home to Angkor Wat, which is the world’s largest religious temple complex that was also declared as an UNESCO world heritage site in 1992. Furthermore, this province is steeped in history and traditions everywhere you look! Where places such as Angkor Wat, Kbal Spean, Angkor Archaeological Park, Banteay Srei and temples such as Pre Rup, Neak, Bayon and Ta Prohm have certainly stolen the spotlight! 

In the opposite spectrum, this province is also well-known for its vivid nightlife where areas such as Watbo, Pub Street, Khmer Pub Street, Sok San Road and Funky Lane offer a lot of cocktail/karaoke bars, mouth-watering street foods and fun live performances. To add even more fun and excitement to your holidays, you can go on an exciting shopping spree to the Angkor Night Market, Phsar Leu Market and PoLanka Market where you can find a variety of goods to take back home. Moreover, Siem Reap is also well-known for its mouthwatering street foods, where Khmer red curry (spicy chicken curry), lort cha (stir fried rice noodles), ban cheav (rolled pancakes filled with pork/veggies) and vegetarian spring rolls are a handful of the most famous dishes available here.

Battambang

Colonized by the French during the 19th century, Battambang is a province where you’ll find traces of history scattered all over. Located in the western region of Cambodia, this city provides a glimpse into the 1900s Battambang, where many historical landmarks here, such as the city center, provincial hall, central market, and old governor’s residence, are constructed using a mix of French and Khmer architecture. Additionally, Battambang was the first city in Southeast Asia to be listed under UNESCO’s list of creative cities of gastronomy in 2023. If you’re a food lover, then you’ll find this city a true delight to explore, as there are numerous eateries where a couple of the most well-loved dishes here include amok trey (steamed fish), bai sach chrouk (grilled pork), kuy teav battambang (noodles served in a rich meat broth), and banana leaf salad.

Furthermore, for travelers who are into slow-paced traveling and looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Battambang is also an ideal location to do just that! The Wat Kor Village, which is just an hour away from the main city, offers many scenic trails where you can spot many traditional Khmer (Cambodian) houses, tranquil rivers, and lush green trees, offering a serene getaway. Additionally, a unique activity is that Battambang is known for its sustainable bamboo trains, where you sit on a makeshift wooden cart where a bamboo mat is placed, and once inside the cart, your journey begins! What’s more is that this train is an open-air mode of transportation, which means there are no doors or windows! Along this journey, you’ll get to see many traditional houses and antique shops with lush green trees that certainly make the whole journey of being on this train more memorable. 

Kampot

An absolute paradise for nature lovers, Kampot is a city not to be missed in Cambodia! Famously known for its lush pepper farms that were nearly extinguished due to the Khmer Rouge invasion, this city is home to Cambodia’s most tranquil natural landscapes! Places like Bobor National Park, Phnom Chhngok cave temple, La plantation and Popokvil plantation here have captured the hearts of many tourists who have traveled to Cambodia. As Kampot offers a range of diverse experiences, while traveling this city you can participate in a number of different things; for instance, exploring scenic places such as the Kampot River and Popokvil Waterfall will offer you tranquil natural landscapes that will definitely boost your mood. Additionally, the La Plantation (pepper production farm) is also another popular destination in Kampot, where you can take a tour of the pepper farms here and even get a chance to taste this famous spice!

Sihanoukville

Sihanoukville city is made for island and beach lovers! Located in the southwestern region of Cambodia, this city was named after a former king (Norodom Sihanouk) due to his everlasting dedication and commitment towards the city. Comprising an area of 2536 square kilometers, this city has plenty of pristine beaches such as Otres, Independence, Saracen Bay, Ochheuteal, and Prek Treng that are popular among young travelers and also known for water sport activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and parasailing.

Likewise, for food enthusiasts, this vibrant city also offers many cooking classes (in places like Shinoun Khmer and Taste of Cambodia) to learn about a few of the popular dishes of the country. Additionally, visitors who wish to relax and decompress during their trip can also find many spas and relaxation centers, such as Relax Spa, CAM Beach Spa and Center, and Jasmine Spa, that truly offer soothing massages and rejuvenating yoga classes, ideal for travel free days during your trip. Offering a range of varied travel experiences, Sihanoukville is a city that must be included in your travel agenda for sure!

Kratie

Located just 4 hours from the main capital, Phnom Penh, lies the scenic town of Kratie, also known as Kracheh. Travelers looking to experience a slice of rural living can visit Kratie, as this town serves more like a small and peaceful getaway ideal for travelers looking to escape the hectic city life. Additionally, this town is located between Phnom Penh and Mondulkiri, making it a perfect layover stop for tourists traveling via these destinations. In and around this picturesque town, there are a number of serene attractions you can visit here, like Rokar Kandal Temple, Phnom Sambok Pagoda, and Koh Trong Island. Additionally, you can even spot Irrawaddy dolphins in Kratie, which is also another popular activity that tourists come to this town for! The dolphins are said to mostly be seen during the months from November to April near Kampi village in Mekong River. Kratie is certainly a destination made for travelers who are into the slow-paced/relaxing side of traveling.

Best time to visit Cambodia

Cambodia follows a tropical climate all year round, meaning it experiences a hot and humid climate most months of the year. This country goes through two seasons, which are the wet (May-September) and dry (November-April), with each season bringing its own unique appeal to the nation. Additionally, due to travelers having different preferences for weather and travel activities, the best time to visit Cambodia would be during the dry season, which begins in November and lasts till April. The weather during these months stays moderate and pleasant, with temperatures generally ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius, ideal for visiting popular cities here like Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kep and Kampot. 

Moreover, during these months Cambodia is blessed with plenty of sunny days also making it suitable in engaging in a number of outdoor activities such as exploring historic temples, strolling around vibrant markets, dining in restaurants/cafes, participating in adventurous water sports such as snorkelling, scuba diving and parasailing. On top of this, this nation also celebrates many festivals such as Khmer New Year (April), Bon Om Touk water festival (October-November), Lunar New Year (February) and Angkor Sankranta Festival (April) during these months that certainly add a festive charm to this beautiful nation.

Take a look through our top Cambodia packages that capture the everlasting beauty and tradition of this stunning destination! Providing you with the best destinations and experiences, our Cambodia packages are customizable as well, giving you the freedom to incorporate your travel interests as well!