The 10 best places to visit in beautiful Cambodia

16.11.2023 - 18:12 / lonelyplanet.com

Packed with some of Southeast Asia's best experiences, from temples to beaches and wonderful wildlife, it truly pays to spend a few weeks exploring Cambodia.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s once ravaged but now resurgent capital, is the place to check the pulse of contemporary life in Cambodia. However, Siem Reap, the gateway to the majestic temples of Angkor, is starting to give the capital a run for its money with its sophisticated restaurants, lively bars and chic boutiques. Then there's World Heritage-listed Angkor, home to some of the most spectacular temples on earth.

Down on the South Coast are several up-and-coming beach resorts and a smattering of tropical islands that are really beginning to take off. Northwestern Cambodia is home to the French-colonial city of Battambang, offering a more traditional slice of Cambodian life and several remote jungle temples, while the country’s wild east is where elephants roam, waterfalls thunder and freshwater dolphins frolic.

All in all, it's quite a package. Here are the best places to visit in Cambodia to start your adventure.

Best for spectacular spirituality

One of the world’s most iconic destinations, the temples of Angkor regularly take the number one spot on lists of the world’s top sights. The most iconic structures here are Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building, and the Bayon, one of the world’s most unique temples, with its enigmatic collection of carved stone faces. Then there's Ta Prohm, where wild nature has run riot over ancient carved masonry.

The ancient Khmers packed the equivalent of all Europe's cathedrals into an area the size of Los Angeles, so it pays to take time to explore. There are plenty of outlying temple sites that see smaller crowds, including exquisitely carved Banteay Srei, the overgrown ruins of Beng Mealea and the Mayan-style pyramid temple of Prasat Thom at Koh Ker.

Best for beaches

While the sand-sprinkled Cambodian coast may not be quite as famous as the beaches of Thailand or Indonesia, it still offers the full tropical hideaway experience, only without the crazy crowds. Neighboring Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem are the most popular islands, fringed by azure waters and abundant powder-white sand.

There are many more islands along the coast, including the largely undiscovered Koh Sdach Archipelago and the large, almost undeveloped Koh Kong. Don't overlook the smaller islands close to overbearing Sihanoukville, like Koh Russey with its upscale resorts and Koh Ta Khiev with its low-key backpacker bungalows.

Best for fine dining and nightlife

The Cambodian capital is a chaotic yet charming city that has stepped out of the shadows of its war-torn past to embrace a brighter future. Boasting one of the most beguiling