Siem Reap is renowned as the gateway to the temples of Angkor. The famous temples of the ancient Khmer kingdom sit on the city’s outskirts, and welcome thousands of tourists every day. The best time to see Angkor Wat, the most famous temple, is either at sunset or sunrise. Not only is the temperature significantly cooler than the scorching midday heat, the view of the temples – which many jostle to see across a beautiful lake – is simply breath-taking.
Cambodia’s capital is the epicentre of its bloody past.To fully appreciate and understand the incredible recovery the country has made over the past 40 years; a visit to Tuol Sleng and the killing fields of Choeung Ek is a must. Phnom Penh was also known as the “Pearl of Southeast Asia” because of various enormous architectures built by the French.
Find out the top things to see in Phnom Penh.
Sihanoukville is the country’s main seaside destination and acts as a gateway to close-by idyllic undeveloped islands such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem. Attracting a much lower number of tourists than neighboring Thailand, Sihanoukville is popular for its natural beauty and largely untouched beaches.
Check out the musts to do in Sihanoukville, one of the greatest cities to explore when in Cambodia.
The real Cambodia, far from the jetset destinations of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Unfurling along the banks of the Sangker River, Battambang is one of the country’s best-preserved colonial-era towns. Shophouses host everything from fair-trade cafes to bike excursions. Beyond the town lie the Cambodian countryside and a cluster of ancient temples - while they’re not exactly Angkor Wat, they lack the crowds.