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Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reap is the most travelled to destination in Cambodia, and not without good
reason. The city is home to the once lost city of Angkor – The biggest temple
ruins complex in the world. Even if you are not a city person, a visit to the
Angkor temples is an essential addition to your Cambodia itinerary.
Other than this awe-inspiring wonder of the world, Siem Reap is just like most
other South-East Asian cities. You will find the generic markets, nightlife, and
food scene, as well as some historical points of interest. We suggest spending
3-days in Siem Reap to cover all of the cities highlights.
- Angkor Archaelogical Park
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Battambang, Cambodia
If you are looking to get off the beaten path in Cambodia, Battambang is a great
place to start. Located in the heart of the countryside, we were pleasantly
surprised by just how much this rural town had to offer.
You don’t need much time here to cover all the attractions. Nonetheless, located
just 3 hours South from Siem Reap, it’s well worth a brief stopover. There are
only a few opportunities to experience the real Khmer culture when travelling
Cambodia, and this is one of them.
- Killing Caves Of Phnom Sampeau
- The Old Bridge
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Kep, Cambodia
Kep is just a 45-minute drive from Kampot, and the main attraction here is the
National park. Here you can enjoy incredible hikes of various lengths and
difficulties. Most famous is the Stairway to Heaven where you will be rewarded
with a beautiful pagoda and incredible views at the peak. Finally, check out the
pepper plantations located between Kampot and Kep.
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Kâmpôt, Cambodia
If a week on the islands wasn’t enough to relax you, a few days in Kampot and
Kep will finish the job. First, head to Kampot, a charming riverside town
boasting French colonial architecture and quaint cafes. Days here are spent
meandering the streets, enjoying relaxing river cruises, or getting drunk at the
Arcadia water park. Or for something more adventurous, take a scooter to Bokor
National Park where you can explore abandoned buildings.
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Sihanoukville, Cambodia
A year ago, I would have told you to spend a lot more time in this part of
Cambodia; however, the word on the street is that Sihanoukville has changed a
lot in the past 12 months. And not in a good way.
While the main tourist area of Sihanoukville was always a bit of dive (sorry if
that offends anybody), Otres Beach was an eccentric backpacker enclave. From
hippie markets to jungle raves, and a beautiful beach to boot, it was in short,
a backpackers paradise.
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Koh Rong, Cambodia
Located just across the water from Sihanoukville, Koh Rong is Cambodia’s largest
island. A few years ago there was barely anybody here, and only those in the
know would spend their time in beach huts, lapping up the island life.
Today, tourism in Koh Rong has well and truly caught on, yet despite recent
developments, the backpacker scene continues to flourish. It’s gained itself a
bit of a reputation as a party island; however, outside the main village of Koh
Toch, you can find secluded beaches and dense rainforest. In short, it’s a
paradise!
*Tip – There are no ATMs on the island, so be sure to bring plenty of cash.
- Long Set (4km) Beach
- Sok San Beach (Long Beach)
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Koh Rong Sanloem, Cambodia
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phnom Penh is not only the capital city of Cambodia but also the countries
cultural and historical centre. Nestled alongside the Mekong River, it’s
surprisingly charming and quirky. You can expect to find a chic cafe culture,
good nightlife, and bustling markets.
Conversely, it is also a city steeped in a sad history. You should be prepared
for a heartbreaking experience as you get to the heart of what happened during
the Khmer Rouge. Here are some of the hotspots.
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (The Killing Fields) (មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលប្រល័យពូជសាសន៍ជើងឯក)