Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Angkor National Museum, Landmine Museum, Cambodia National Museum, Choeung Ek, Kampot River, Krong Kracheh and many more.
From the architectural temples to the beaches, there are plenty of places to visit in Cambodia. The history of Cambodia is what grabs the attention of various travelers, but this Southeast Asian country has more to offer. The remarkable landscapes, pristine beaches, and exotic temples- all constitute the Khmer Empire. Hence, Cambodia is a land of ingenious wildlife and equatorial adventures.
Apart from the architectural temples, there are floating villages in Cambodia that connect the people with the traditional way of living. You can go shopping in local markets and drink exotic cocktails in the neighborhood bars. Several restaurants are located in the country for couples and families, where they can spend their quality time. Thus, the places in Cambodia are worth visiting. You must explore every destination on your trip to Cambodia.
Places To Visit In Cambodia
1. Koh Tonsay: The Rabbit Island
Koh Tonsay is also known as the Rabbit Island as local inhabitants believe that the island resembles a rabbit. This island provides the perfect break from the regular grind as it is a peaceful abode lined with coconut palms and is one of the top tourist spots in Cambodia.
There is a lot to do here – relax on a hammock on the sandy shores of the 600 m long main beach, go swimming, enjoy some delicious local seafood and interact with the friendly locals at this rustic island. There are also comfy beach shacks where you can unwind and chill.
2. Mondulkiri: The Most Beautiful Province
Located in the eastern part of Cambodia, Mondulkiri is an interesting place to visit in Cambodia due to its abundant wildlife and natural beauty. As you step foot into this province, you will be greeted by rolling lush hills, thick forests, flora and fauna, and one of the best. Waterfalls In Cambodia.
Get a taste of the traditional culture here by visiting the hill tribes who stay in Phnong houses and use big jars and traditional gongs for various purposes. The Bou Sra and Chrey Thom waterfalls as well as the Memang Gold Mines area are must see tourist places in Cambodia.
3. Tonle Sap Lake: The Serene Freshwater Body
The Tonle Sap Lake – one of the popular places to go in Cambodia – is also among Cambodia’s best freshwater bodies. It stretches across the northwest of Cambodia and is surrounded by several floating villages, where you can witness a myriad of migratory birds, 200 species of fish, crocodiles, and macaques. The quiet villages of Kompong Phluk and Kompong Kleang along the lake are also the epitome of cultural life in Cambodia.
4. Poipet: The Land Of Casinos
Poipet is the land of casinos and karaoke bars where the locals join in with the tourists to enjoy a fun time. Explore the beer gardens here or enjoy some Khmer coffee at the local shops here. The Kingdom Gate at the border between Thailand and Cambodia is an embodiment of Cambodian architecture with its stone engravings.
5. Battambang: The Lush Countryside
The lush countryside and the quirky cafes at Battambang make it one of the tourist places in Cambodia. Enjoy a bike ride along the rice paddy fields that are lined by lakes and streams and learn the art of rice wine cultivation as well as weaving beautiful traditional clothing. Go kayaking on the quiet stretch along the Stung Sangkae River. A must is the ride on the bamboo train which takes around 30 minutes to travel just outside the town and can reach speeds of up to 40 km/hr.
6. Kampot: The Scenic Riverside City
Besides being the land of black peppercorns, Kampot is a scenic riverside promenade that has several colonial structures. Also, the quaint riverside town provides a gateway to the French hill station of Bokor National Park that has mesmerizing views and a pleasant climate. Needless to say, it is one of the most famous and exotic places in Cambodia too.
View ancient ruins at the Kampot Kampong Trach caves, go boating on the river and watch glistening waterfalls in this idyllic location.
7. Sihanoukville: The Snorkeling Spot
The spot where the United States fought its last battle in the Vietnam War is now a land of sunny beaches. Relax at the shores of these less populated beaches and enjoy watersports like snorkeling and kayaking. Spend the day at a beach shack on any one of these pristine six beaches here to enjoy a fun holiday. There are a lot of things to do in Sihanoukville like exploring the marine life, relaxing at the beaches, swimming and more.
8. Koh Ker: The Temple With A Legend
Explore the innumerable temples at Koh Ker that lie to the northeast of Siem Reap town. Koh Ker is known as one of the best places in Cambodia. The temples in Koh Ker are one of the famous Cambodian tourist spots. The temple complex here is around 3 km long and consists of several temples and is considered one of the places to see in Cambodia.
9. Phnom Penh: The City Of The Brahma’s Faces
Phnom Penh still retains its charm as the leafy capital city of Cambodia with its palaces and wats. Located at the conjunction of three grand rivers- the Tonle Sap, the Mekong and the Bassac River, this city now houses several hotspots like cool cafes and bustling bars. It is one of the top Cambodian tourist places.
French colonial houses lie nestled beside roadside pagodas here making this city one of the topmost places to visit in Cambodia. View some unique Khmer artifacts at the National Museum or visit the Phsar Reatrey to pick up some handcrafted souvenirs.
10. Angkor: The UNESCO World Heritage Site
One of Cambodia’s greatest tourist attractions, the Angkor Wat temple lies in Angkor and is one of the largest religious monuments to behold. Regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Wat is a definite must visit on a holiday to Cambodia. It lies to the south of Angkor Thom that is also one of Cambodia’s tourist spots. It pulls huge crows as it is one of the sites where Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider movies were shot. The Angkor Wat temples are on of the must visit temples in Cambodia.
11. Krong Ta Khmau: The Best Of Cambodia
This is the capital of the largest city in central Cambodia. Just 11 km away from the Cambodian capital, Krong Ta Khmau is one of the best places to see in Cambodia if you are on a leisure trip. You will find a variety of temples, pagodas, and including the famous Wat Kropeu overlooking the peaceful Wat S’ang by the side of Lake Boeng Cheung Loung. It is a true sight to behold as you feel like living in a different world.
12. Koh Rong: The Paradisaical Island
One of the most beautiful places in Cambodia, those looking for adventure will love the island paradise Koh Rong that has a number of beaches like the Koh Toch beach. It is among the top Cambodian tourist attractions. A lot of activities on these lovely beaches make Koh Rang one of the exciting places to see in Cambodia.
Here, you can go snorkeling and see diamond fish, seahorses, sergeant fish, parrot fish, jumping fish, diamond fish, blue-spotted ribbon tail rays, and squids. If you are a hardcore water sports lover, go diving and kayaking. Also, pay a visit to the rope adventure park where you can go zip lining. To witness some abundant wildlife head over to Police Beach that has a butterfly farm and mini zoo.
13. National Museum of Cambodia: For A Unique Collection
Home to one of the finest Khmer sculpture collections, it is one of the top museums in phnom penh, the capital. Considered as the best places to visit in Cambodia, if you are a history enthusiast or looking to explore the culture of this beautiful Asian country to its fullest. One of the first things to see in the museum a bronze reclining Vishnu statue. And as you take a look further into the museum, you get to see the ancient Angkorian structures and pieces of ultimate cultural significance.
14. War Museum: The Civil War Memorial
If history and the varying happenstances dating back are something that tickles your senses, you would want to visit the War Museum. The museum is like a perfect time machine to take you back to the days of the war that the place witnessed. From jet fighter planes to artillery guns, the varying range of rich history is what one needs to witness.
15. Bamboo Island: The Busiest Island
The bamboo island is one of the most popular sightseeing spots around in Cambodia. Also known as Koh Russei, this is one of the busiest islands in the entirety of Thailand and Cambodia with tourists infiltrating the place. Even though the island is quite quaint, the tourism around is beyond amazing for you to look into.
16. Bayon Temple: The Ancient Architecture Marvel
The Bayon temple is one of the most beautiful renditions of the intricate art and architecture around Cambodia. It is located in the popular site of Angkor Thom, the capital of the Khmer Empire. This ancient temple is part of the rich history of the place and holds a significant place in the tourism of Cambodia. The gigantic face designs on the walls of the building are what makes it step out as one of the best places to visit.
17. Bokor Hill Station: The Quaint Resort Town
Another one of the must-visit attractions is the Bokor Hill Station. Built back in the 1920s, this hill station served as a quaint resort town for the famous French fighters who resided in the area. The best thing about the place is the eerie feeling around because of the dense blanket of fog that covers the environment.
18. Silver Pagoda: The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha
Also popularly known as the Wat Preah Keo and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Silver Pagoda is situated inside the Royal Palace compound. The manicured gardens and the majestic royal statues and structures add to the authority of the place even further.
Places To Stay: The Plantation Urban Resort and Spa, PAVILION, Penh House & Jungle Addition, Saravoan Royal Palace, Hotel Emion Phnom Penh
19. Ta Prohm: The Temple With Unexplored Ruins
If unexplored places and ruins intrigue you, you are going to love visiting Ta Prohm. It is one of the most popular Angkor sanctuaries and is one of the most celebrated spots following Angkor Wat. The entire place is not just encapsulated by wilderness but the amazing majority of landmarks around the place further add to the amazing beauty of the place.
20. Ream National Park: The Land Of Endangered Species
Another retreat for nature lovers is the Ream National Park in Cambodia. The beauty of this place makes it stand out from the other places in this kingdom land. A home to a vast number of wild animals among which most of them are the endangered species which are on a verge of get extinct. There are around 155 species of birds, and numerous waterfalls resting amidst the lush greenery. The visitors can take a safari or voyage through the mountains to experience the beauty of the national park.
21. Killing Fields: The Massive Graveyards!
It might give you chills but Killing Fields is one of the massive graveyards in Cambodia. It is said that thousands of people were tortured here to death during the time Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia. Around 20000 mass grave sites were discovered around this area and at the present day there is a statue of Choeung Ek which is adorned with skulls of the people who died here. So, if you’re a brave heart make sure to mark this place while in Cambodia.
22. Battambang Bat Caves: The Scariest Tourist Attraction
It might be a freaking out location, but the Battambang Bat Caves is a must visit. Situated at Mount Sampeou, this place is one of the top tourist attractions where people come to take a glimpse of the bats. The best time to visit this place is in the evening when all the bats fly out from the caves. Travelers willing to visit this cave can take a bike and drive to the mountaintop to spot the bats.
23. Kratie
Kratie is often associated with Irrawaddy dolphins or Mekong Dolphins. There is an exotic range of seafood items and baskets of fruits and vegetables in the Kratie Central Market. Another tourist attraction in Kratie is the Mekong Turtle Conservation Centre. You can hire a boat and go looking for Irrawaddy dolphins, take a look at a few local pagodas, or grab a few beers and watch the sunset at the Mekong river.
You can take beautiful pictures for your Instagram on the lotus farms. Visit the place in the morning to capture the beauty of pink and white flowers. Enjoy the delicacies of Cambodia in the various restaurants, hotels, and parks.
24. Chrey
Me Chrey is among the most popular places in Cambodia that provide ample entertainment opportunities. It is a beautiful floating village located on Toulé Sap Lake. You can experience the lifestyle of the locals living there. If you come to this place in the early hours of the day, you can witness the live action fishing performed by the locals in Me Chrey.
25.Russian Market
Russian Market is the market where all visitors must come during their trip to Phnom Penh. It is a place where you will find name-brand clothing at a discounted rate. Apart from clothes, the market also offers a large variety of handicrafts and souvenirs, including wood carvings, silver jewelry, miniature Buddha, betelnut boxes, musical instruments, and so on. As far as the food is concerned, you must try the undisputed ‘Best Iced Coffee’ in Phnom Penh, prahok, grilled bananas, and many more
26. Psar Thmei
Often known by the name Central Market, Psar Thmei is one of the landmark places in Cambodia. Psar Thmei consists of four wings filled with stalls selling gold and silver ornaments, dodgy watches, clothing, antiques, and a lot more. You can click photographs near the food section.
Shopping in the market is a must for those who want to take back memories of their visit to the Asian land. There are plenty of food stalls located on the western side of the market for local lunch.
27. Royal Palace Park
Royal Palace Park is a rectangular green space where local people of Cambodia come for picnics around the edge of the park. It is in very close proximity to the Tonlé Sap River. You can purchase food from the nearby Sisowath Quay and have quality time with yourself in the park.
