From white-sand beaches to an infinite number of temples, the numerous and unique places you can visit will probably make Cambodia one of the best destinations in Asia. Here I will show you what to visit if you decide to give Cambodia a try, and I am sure you won’t regret it.
What to visit in Cambodia
1. Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the stop you must do on your way to the temples of Angkor. If you had to choose only one city to visit in Cambodia, that is Siem Reap. It is unforgivable to visit Cambodia without touring the 400 square kilometres of Archaeological Park containing the remains of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries. It will mesmerise you seeing how nature has taken over this old city, the largest before the industrial era. Honestly, one of the most beautiful places to visit on earth.
2. Phnom Penh
The capital of Cambodia, explore the “riverside” with plenty of cafes and restaurants. It has several interesting tourist attractions like The Royal Palace, The National and Genocide Museum, the Killing Fields and much more. Expect a extremely hot weather, but the majority of hotels and hostels have pools, so it makes it a bit more bearable.
3. Koh Rong
If you need a break and want to experience the real paradise, head to Sihanoukville and take a boat to this complex of two islands, Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. Deserted white sand beaches, crystal waters and even plankton at night make these islands a must stop on your Cambodian trip.
4. Kampot
Kampot is a very small town close to the coast southwest of Phnom Penh. Its main attraction is the Bokor National Park. You can also pay a visit to the Secret Lake, farms and fields and several markets. I highly recommend staying at Arcadia Backpackers, a hostel by the river with many water attractions.
5. Battambang
Battambang is the second most populous city in Cambodia and is one of the most popular destinations. You will see many angkor-like temples such as Wat Banan. An impressive thing to witness is the exiting of tens of thousands of fruit bats at the Bat Cave. You only need to be there right before sunset time. Also, go and take a ride on the famous Bamboo Train (picture below).