Cambodia has some of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia — but honestly, also a few duds. While travel is entirely subjective, let me share my impressions in this honest guide so I can highlight what I think are the real gems in Cambodia.
I’ve explored Cambodia a fair bit and consider it one of the more ‘contrasty’ countries in the region. As overwhelmingly positive as the laidback islands and impressive Khmer temples are, I found myself, umm, whelming very differently in places like Sihanoukville (a sordid seaside casino resort that I couldn’t wait to leave).
1 Week in Cambodia: I recommend spending just one day in Phnom Penh. It’s honestly not the most exciting Asian capital, but the genocide memorials are very revealing about Cambodia’s history and are must-visits. Add 3 days in Siem Reap for Angkor Wat and some other side-trips. Then go either 3 days in Kampot & Kep for a chill riverside location, or hit up the Cambodian islands for 3 days. (I like the more back-to-basics vibes on Koh Rong Sanloem and Koh Ta Tiev.)
2 Weeks or more in Cambodia: You’ll have lots of time to explore Cambodia in depth! Consider all the locations mentioned under 1 week and add in a few bonus destinations. I loved the ecotourism project in Chi Pat — it’s a great place for a jungle adventure. Battambang is a calm city that’s often considered a hidden gem; be sure to check our Battambang travel guide for specific activity ideas. If you’re on a bigger trip and coming from southern Laos, you may wish to add a stopover in Kratie, a calm and charming town along the Mekong with only small-scale tourism.
Since most visitors will want to include Angkor Wat in their itinerary, let’s tackle this topic first.
How to visit Angkor Wat
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat is the biggest sight in Cambodia — and one of the biggest in all of Asia.
Angkor Wat is massive. The main temple that appears in most photos is just a tiny part of the 400-square-kilometer site.
To visit Angkor Wat, you should go the nearby city of Siem Reap. I recommend reading our detailed guide to Siem Reap, as it’s a fun city with lots to do besides the temples. But let me quickly explain how you can best experience the temple complex here.
Tip 1: visit the temples at sunrise
The best way to experience Angkor Wat is at sunrise. Yeah, it sucks having to wake up at like 6 a.m., but it’s worth it!
Those dedicated enough for an early rise will gather at the main temple to see the sun emerge from behind its spires.
You can expect a bit of a crowd at this prime sunset-watching location, but you’ll still be here hours before the tour buses start arriving. This means you can then wander the temples in relative peace and avoid the intense midday heat. The early morning light also gives the ruins a wonderful glow.
Most people go to see the sunrise at the main temple, but there are many other sunset-watching locations inside the park that can give you a more serene experience.
Tip 2: explore the outer temples
My second piece of advice is not just to be laser-focused on the main temple that you see in all the photos, but to explore other smaller ruins as well.
Thanks to its huge size, there are many areas of Angkor to check out. The main temples get crowded but there are numerous ruins that are very peaceful (and often wonderfully overgrown by big-rooted trees).
Tip 3: keep at least a full day for Angkor
You can see the most important areas at Angkor in about one day or afternoon. If you really don’t have much time, 1 day will let you get a good impression.
2 days is better as this will allow you to see the more remote temples and learn more about the history of Angkor Wat.
