Angkor and the temples
A 400 km² archaeological park explored by tuk-tuk, bicycle, or at dawn, alone in the mist.
Between roots wrapping the stones of Angkor, Tonlé Sap floating markets, and the near-white sand of Koh Rong Sanloem, there is a country you do not rush through — you live in it, for a few days. Here is how to visit it well.
Browse itineraries →Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Tonlé Sap, and the coast: Cambodia still moves at a human pace. That is its strength.
People often come for Angkor — and stay for the rest: Khmer hospitality, rice fields waking up with the buffaloes, Kampot pepper you will not taste anywhere else, islands you can still reach on a local boat for a few dollars. The country is changing fast. Developed enough to travel comfortably, still quiet enough to travel honestly.
Temples, jungle, sea, laid-back towns: the country is compact, so you can switch scenery in half a day on the road.
A 400 km² archaeological park explored by tuk-tuk, bicycle, or at dawn, alone in the mist.
Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem, Koh Ta Kiev: some of the finest sand in the region, still without high-rise concrete.
Mondulkiri jungle, Ratanakiri gibbons, semi-wild elephants: biodiversity that still feels spectacular.
Fish amok, beef lok lak, morning rice noodles: a cuisine less famous than Thai, often more subtle.
Top-rated, top-selling GetYourGuide experiences in Cambodia — the staples of most trips, plus two Phnom Penh favourites we especially like.
Beyond bestsellers, our themed picks: tested experiences, filters by mood, booking via GetYourGuide with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
4:30 a.m. tuk-tuk departure, entry ticket included. The postcard view — but the pink light behind the five towers is a moment best lived in silence.
Ta Prohm, Bayon, Preah Khan: a full day with a local guide, cold water, and shade breaks. Skip the big buses and stop where you want.
A forest day with the Elephant Valley Project. No riding — you observe, feed, and swim beside them. Accredited project; revenue supports the Bunong community.
A modern, very clear museum on money, trade, and the country's big turning points. A great complement to Phnom Penh's heavier historic sites.
Guided visit to the genocide museum and memorial centre. It is hard, but today's Cambodia makes little sense without it. English audio guide included.
Half day at La Plantation, tasting the three peppercorns (red, black, white), then a slow boat on the river with a drink in hand — the perfect Kampot stopover.
Swim in water that lights up with every move — one of Southeast Asia's most striking experiences. When to go, where exactly, how to plan it.
Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem, Koh Ta Kiev, Koh Thmei — compare by travel style, ferries, where to stay, and seasons to pick the right island.
Acrobatics, theatre, and live music by former street children turned artists. Siem Reap's most moving night out — book ahead in high season.
Three lengths depending on how much time you have. Each day is detailed with transport, nights, and what to book ahead.
For stopovers from Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh: three days for the must-sees, sleeping near the Siem Reap river.
The itinerary we suggest to most first-timers. Temples, capital, river, islands — with breathing room between each stage.
If you have time and taste for the northeast: add Mondulkiri, elephants, and forest, then finish on an island.
Cambodia reads in broad zones. Understanding what each name on the map means is already building your trip.
November to March for blue skies.
The dry season is by far the most comfortable. In July–August, the monsoon turns the landscapes vivid green and the sites much quieter.E-visa online, 36 USD.
Via evisa.gov.kh, within about 3 business days. Passport valid 6 months after entry; one digital passport photo.Dollars everywhere, riel for change.
About 1 USD ≈ 4,000 riel. Small, clean notes help. ATMs usually take Visa and Mastercard.Night bus, tuk-tuk, domestic flight.
Siem Reap–Phnom Penh in ~6 hours on a comfortable bus or ~45 minutes by plane. PassApp for city rides.The dry season from November to March is the most pleasant: clear skies, manageable heat, little rain. April and May are very hot (up to 40 °C in Phnom Penh). From June to October is the monsoon: short but heavy showers, lush landscapes, and far fewer visitors at Angkor.
Allow three to four days for Angkor alone, seven to ten days for a first trip combining Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and the coast, and two to three weeks to explore in depth, including Battambang, Kampot, and the wild northeast.
Yes, overall. Cambodians are welcoming and tourist areas are calm. The usual precautions apply: watch pickpockets in markets, tuk-tuk scams at the airport, and stay on marked paths in former conflict zones (occasional “mine” signs still appear near the Thai border).
Yes, most nationalities need a visa. The simplest option is the official e-visa on evisa.gov.kh (36 USD, 30 days). You can also get a visa on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports (30 USD, ID photo required). Avoid third-party sites that charge much more.
The US dollar is the reference currency for tourists. The Cambodian riel (about 4,000 to 1 USD) is used for small amounts and change. Bring small, clean USD notes (1, 5, 10, 20): torn or very worn bills are often refused.
It is possible but frustrating. The site covers 400 km² and each temple deserves time. A one-day pass (37 USD) works for a quick stop—three temples at most. A three-day pass (62 USD) is the sweet spot. A seven-day pass (72 USD) suits enthusiasts.