🇰🇭 Cambodia

The temples of Angkor and the mighty Mekong

Open Cambodia in the interactive travelogue →

Siem Reap — Gateway to Angkor

Angkor Wat Ancient temple

The world's largest religious monument, a 12th-century Khmer masterpiece.

Best time: Nov–Feb — The cool dry season is best for the vast temple complex.

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Bayon Ancient temple

Temple of serene giant stone faces at the heart of Angkor Thom.

Best time: Nov–Feb — Cooler, drier weather suits exploring the many towers.

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Ta Prohm Ancient temple

Jungle temple gripped by the roots of giant silk-cotton trees.

Best time: Nov–Feb — The dry season keeps the jungle temple paths passable.

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Tonlé Sap Floating Villages Cultural site

Stilt-and-floating villages on Southeast Asia's largest lake.

Best time: Nov–Jan — High post-rains water levels are best for the floating villages.

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Banteay Srei Temple

Intricately carved 10th-century Hindu temple with pink sandstone.

Best time: Nov–Mar — Masterpiece of Khmer architecture featuring exquisite artistry and intricate relief work.

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Phnom Penh — Riverside capital of contrasts

Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda Royal residence

Gilded riverside palace with a pagoda floored in silver tiles.

Best time: Nov–Feb — The cool dry season is best for the open palace grounds.

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Tuol Sleng (S-21) Memorial

A former school turned Khmer Rouge prison, now a sobering genocide museum.

Best time: Year-round — A largely indoor memorial, visited in any weather.

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National Museum of Cambodia Museum

The world's finest collection of Khmer sculpture in a red pavilion.

Best time: Year-round — An indoor museum comfortable in any season.

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Riverside (Sisowath Quay) Waterfront

Breezy promenade where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers meet.

Best time: Nov–Feb — Cool dry-season evenings are best for the riverside.

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Preah Vihear Temple Temple

Hilltop temple on Cambodia-Thailand border with panoramic views.

Best time: Nov–Mar — UNESCO World Heritage site offering dramatic architecture and sweeping landscape vistas.

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Battambang — Colonial charm and countryside

Bamboo Train (Norry) Heritage transport

Improvised bamboo rail carts racing along old tracks through rice fields.

Best time: Nov–Feb — Dry, cooler weather is best for the open bamboo-train ride.

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Phnom Sampeau Sacred site

Hilltop temple above 'killing caves' and a nightly exodus of millions of bats.

Best time: Nov–Feb — Cool dry evenings are best for the hilltop and bat flight.

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Colonial Old Town Historic district

Sleepy streets of French-colonial shophouses and riverside cafés.

Best time: Nov–Feb — The cool season is best for wandering the old streets.

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Wat Banan Ancient temple

Hilltop Angkorian temple of five towers with valley views.

Best time: Nov–Feb — Drier, cooler weather suits the hilltop temple climb.

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Ek Phnom Temple Temple

11th-century hilltop temple ruins with spectacular surrounding views.

Best time: Nov–Mar — Ancient Khmer temple providing cultural history and panoramic countryside perspectives.

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Kep — Seaside escape with crab markets and crumbling colonial mansions

Kep Beach and Crab Market Market

A lively waterfront market selling fresh seafood with a sandy beach adjacent for swimming.

Best time: October-April — Authentic local experience with super-fresh crab and Kampot pepper at origin source.

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Kep National Park National Park

A protected forest covering coastal hills with hiking trails and jungle canopy.

Best time: October-April — Escape crowds and discover Cambodia's relatively untouched coastal wilderness.

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Rabbit Island (Koh Tunsay) Island

An accessible island by boat with sandy beaches, bungalows, and coral snorkeling.

Best time: October-April — Easy island getaway with swimming, snorkeling, and seafood dinners under stars.

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Colonial Ruins and French Architecture Historic Site

Crumbling French colonial villas dotting hillsides, remnants of Kep's 1960s resort heyday.

Best time: October-April — Haunting beauty of abandoned grandeur mixed with restoration efforts create photogenic decay.

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Kampot Pepper Plantation Visit Experience

Nearby farms in Kampot where the world's finest pepper grows; tours include tasting and buying.

Best time: October-April — Kampot's UNESCO-certified pepper has distinctive fruity notes; taste it at source.

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Koh Rong Sanloem — Island paradise with bioluminescent plankton and pristine coral reefs

Saracen Bay Beach

A stunning crescent beach lined with budget to mid-range resorts and crystal-clear water.

Best time: November-May — Picture-perfect tropical beach accessible from Sihanoukville with excellent value accommodation.

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Bioluminescent Plankton Night Swim Experience

Evening swimming in water that glows blue-green due to dinoflagellate microorganisms.

Best time: November-February — Magical and surreal: your body trails glowing light through dark ocean waters.

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Coral Reef Snorkeling Activity

Pristine coral gardens surrounding the island with colorful fish, rays, and sea turtles.

Best time: November-May — Among Southeast Asia's healthiest reefs; amazing visibility and abundant marine life.

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Koh Rong Sanloem Island Hike Viewpoint

A trail through jungle to hilltop viewpoints overlooking Saracen Bay and the Andaman Sea.

Best time: November-May — Panoramic vistas reveal the island's pristine beauty and surrounding island geography.

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Nearby Koh Rong Island Day Trip Island

Sister island with party atmosphere, zipline tours, and rock climbing options.

Best time: November-May — Adventure activities and nightlife contrast with Sanloem's chill vibe if desired.

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Mondulkiri — Rolling highlands with elephant sanctuaries and Khmer tribal villages

Elephant Sanctuary Experience Experience

Ethical elephant encounter where rescued elephants roam freely; wash, feed, and walk with them.

Best time: November-April — Meaningful animal interaction contrasts with circus tourism; supports conservation.

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Mondulkiri Hill Station Viewpoint

Cool highland plateau at 800+ meters elevation offering escape from tropical heat.

Best time: November-February — Pleasant climate among forests creates natural refuge and diverse bird-watching opportunities.

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Buon Lung Waterfall Natural Wonder

A multi-tiered cascade falling through lush forest, perfect for swimming and photography.

Best time: May-November — Remote jungle waterfall with minimal tourists; peaceful forest bathing experience.

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Tribal Village Visits Experience

Guided tours of Phnong indigenous villages where residents maintain traditional cultures.

Best time: Year-round — Understand Cambodia's minorities and support community-based tourism initiatives.

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SeN Monorom Town Viewpoint

The provincial capital set on a ridge with panoramic views of rolling hills and mist.

Best time: November-February — Cool highland town atmosphere with French colonial buildings and local markets.

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Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Cambodia?

It depends on where you go: every place has its own ideal season on this page. For example, Angkor Wat is best around Nov–Feb. Cambodia has 6 featured cities and areas to plan around.

Is English spoken in Cambodia?

Roughly 20% of people speak English. The main language is Khmer.

How strong is the Cambodia passport?

The Cambodia passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to about 62 destinations.

Is Cambodia expensive to travel in?

This page lists real traveller costs for Cambodia — accommodation, food, transport, plus education, medical, insurance and connectivity — so you can budget before you go.

What is there to do in Cambodia?

Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Tonlé Sap Floating Villages, Banteay Srei, Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda — each with the best time to visit, why it is worth it, and specific things to do.