Cambodia Attractions

Recommended by Alex Robinson, our Cambodia specialist · Updated October 2026

Things to Do in Cambodia: Temples, Rivers and Rainforest

Most visitors come to Cambodia for Angkor, and its temples are every bit as remarkable as people say. But the country also has a lively capital with a moving recent history, a countryside of rice fields and stilted villages, rare river dolphins on the Mekong and some of South-East Asia’s last great rainforests.

These are the experiences our Cambodia specialist Alex Robinson recommends most. Alex travelled across Cambodia with Earth Trip for his Independent article Can Cambodia become Southeast Asia’s sustainable travel capital?, and several of the experiences below are ones he enjoyed himself. Every one can be arranged privately, with your own guide and driver, as part of a tailor-made Cambodia holiday.

1. The Temples of Angkor

Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the capital of the Khmer Empire and covers hundreds of temples spread through the forest north of Siem Reap.

• Sunrise at Angkor Wat: watch the towers appear against the dawn sky, then explore the galleries of carvings before the crowds arrive.
• The Bayon and Ta Prohm: the Bayon’s giant smiling stone faces, and Ta Prohm, where huge tree roots grow over the walls.
• Angkor’s wildlife: walk the forest paths between the temples with a guide who knows the birds, from hornbills to kingfishers. Alex explored Angkor this way with local guide Buntha Chheang.
• Banteay Srei and Beng Mealea: the finest stone carving at Angkor, in pink sandstone, and a jungle-covered temple further out that sees far fewer visitors.
• Koh Ker: a remote former capital with a seven-tiered pyramid temple, listed by UNESCO in 2023 and a long but rewarding day trip.

2. Phnom Kulen and Cambodia’s Sacred Mountain

Phnom Kulen, about an hour and a half from Siem Reap, is where the Khmer Empire was founded in 802 AD. Walk to the riverbed carvings of the River of a Thousand Lingas, see the large reclining Buddha and cool off at the waterfall.

3. Siem Reap Beyond the Temples

• Food tour: taste your way around Siem Reap’s new Khmer restaurants, many opened by young local chefs who trained in the big hotels. Alex calls the food “refined and gourmet, a re-invention of rice-field and farmhouse food”.
• APOPO: meet the giant African rats trained to sniff out landmines, and learn how Cambodia is clearing them from the countryside.
• Phare, the Cambodian Circus: an evening show of acrobatics, theatre and music performed by young Cambodian artists.
• Tonlé Sap: take a boat to the stilted villages and flooded forest of South-East Asia’s largest lake, best from about August to December when the water is high.

4. Phnom Penh

Cambodia’s capital sits where the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers meet, with French colonial buildings, busy markets and a growing food and arts scene.

• Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda: the gilded throne hall and the pagoda’s floor of silver tiles, with a private guide.
• Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek: the former prison and the memorial at the Killing Fields tell the story of the Khmer Rouge years. A sobering but important visit.
• Phnom Penh by scooter: ride pillion with a young local guide from MOTO GIRL tours, past temples, street art and food stalls. Alex’s guide, Manich, took him to street-food stalls and to watch a Khmer hip hop battle in the shadow of the Royal Palace.
• Silk island: take a short boat ride to the Mekong islands to see silk being woven by hand, and cycle the quiet village lanes.

5. Battambang

Cambodia’s second city is relaxed and full of colonial shophouses. Cycle through the countryside to rice fields and family workshops, and at Phnom Sampeau watch millions of bats stream out of a cave at dusk.

6. Kratie and the Irrawaddy Dolphins

The Mekong at Kampi, just north of Kratie, is home to one of the last groups of Irrawaddy dolphins in Cambodia. We take you out in a small paddle or motor boat with local boatmen, who switch off the engine near the dolphins.

7. The Cardamom Mountains

The Cardamoms are one of the largest stretches of rainforest left in South-East Asia, home to gibbons, Asian elephants, pangolins and rare Siamese crocodiles.

• Kayaking the Prek Tachan river: paddle through the forest from Cardamom Tented Camp, next to Botum Sakor National Park, with local guides. Alex woke here to wild gibbons calling outside his tent.
• Chi Phat: a community-run ecotourism project where former hunters now guide visitors on treks and river trips.
• Shinta Mani Wild: a luxury tented camp you can arrive at by zipline, which funds ranger patrols to protect the forest.

8. Kampot, Kep and the Islands

• Kampot pepper farms: see how Cambodia’s famous pepper is grown, and taste it fresh.
• Kep crab market: eat crab cooked with green Kampot pepper by the sea.
• Bokor Mountain: drive up to the cooler hills, old French hill station buildings and views over the coast.
• Koh Rong archipelago: white-sand beaches, snorkelling and quiet island stays to end your trip.

Cambodia Experiences at a Glance

Travelling Responsibly in Cambodia

We work with local guides and small, Cambodian-run businesses like MOTO GIRL tours and Siem Reap’s new Khmer restaurants, so more of what you spend stays with local people. We support conservation in the Cardamom Mountains, never include orphanage visits or elephant rides, and ask you to dress respectfully at temples. Read more about our responsible travel approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need at Angkor?

We recommend three days. That gives you time for sunrise at Angkor Wat, the Bayon and Ta Prohm, plus Banteay Srei or Beng Mealea further out, with a rest in the heat of the afternoon. Add a fourth day for Phnom Kulen or Koh Ker.

How much is the Angkor Pass?

The official Angkor Pass costs 37 US dollars for one day, 62 dollars for three days (used within a week) and 72 dollars for seven days (used within a month). You can buy it online from Angkor Enterprise, the government’s official seller, or at the ticket office, and multi-day passes carry your photo. Koh Ker (15 dollars) and Beng Mealea (10 dollars) need separate tickets. We arrange your passes and guide as part of your holiday.

What should I wear to visit temples in Cambodia?

Cover your shoulders and knees at temples and at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, or you may be refused entry to some areas, including the upper level of Angkor Wat. Light, loose clothing and comfortable shoes are best for the heat and the steep steps.

Where can I see Irrawaddy dolphins in Cambodia?

The best place is Kampi, on the Mekong about 15 kilometres north of Kratie, where a small population lives in deep pools in the river. Sightings are most reliable in the dry season, from about December to May, when the water is low.

Is it suitable to visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng?

Yes, and most visitors find it an important part of understanding Cambodia. The sites are moving and can be upsetting, so we suggest they aren’t suitable for young children. Your guide will explain the history sensitively, and we plan a quieter afternoon afterwards.

Can I visit the Cardamom Mountains?

Yes. The Cardamoms are about four hours’ drive from Phnom Penh. We recommend at least two nights at Cardamom Tented Camp or Shinta Mani Wild, or a community stay at Chi Phat, to have time for kayaking, forest walks and wildlife at dawn.

Plan Your Cambodia Holiday

Most of these experiences fit into our 18-day Cambodia In-Depth Holiday, which we tailor around your interests and pace, or combine with Vietnam on our 15-day Discover Vietnam & Cambodia itinerary. Browse our Cambodia hotels, read our Cambodia travel guide for practical advice, or see our guide to Cambodia’s regions. Cambodia suits our culture and heritage and adventure holidays. To start planning, request a video call with Alex.