7 BEST Things To Do in Cambodia (Siem Reap & Phnom Penh)

Although there is a lot more to do in Cambodia than just the 7 things we've got on our list, these are 7 things we recommend that everyone visiting Cambodia (or planning a visit to Cambodia) adds to their itinerary. As one of the best countries to backpack or solo travel, even 2 weeks in Cambodia will only leave you wanting to explore even more of this beautiful countries. These activities helped us meet some of the friendliest locals, learn about Cambodia's history and past, and allowed us to experience places unlike anywhere we've been before. We hope that if you are visiting Cambodia anytime soon that you'll be able to experience some or all of these 7 best things to do on your own.

Our Essential Travel Resources :
​There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are our favorite websites and resources to help you plan an incredible trip.

For flights, we recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to your destination.

Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you if you're heading somewhere international!

We always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, we always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick, especially for tours in Asia.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your international or domestic travels.

Why Visit Cambodia?

Cambodia is a small country in Southeast Asia. Surrounded by Thailand to the West, Laos to the North, Vietnam to the East, and the Gulf of Thailand to the South - Cambodia is known for it's natural beauty and history.

If you're planning a trip to Cambodia, our best recommendation would be to fly in order to avoid the whole hassle of transferring via bus from Thailand, Laos, or Vietnam, - which can be quite stressful and honestly a bit sketchy. Of course - this entirely depends on where you're coming from and what your budget is, as well as where in Cambodia you plan to visit. In addition to carefully deciding whether to fly into Cambodia or take a bus from a nearby country, there are a few other things we recommend taking note of.

• Cambodian Visas : Chances are if you're coming by plane or by bus you'll need to get your Cambodian Visa upon entry. We did ours at the land crossing border of Laos & Cambodia, and our group of 4 seemed to be the only people there. I'm going to be honest it all felt quite sketchy. If you have your visa beforehand you'll still have to pay a fee for a health document - if you get your visa on the spot the health document will be waived. It's really hit or miss, of course we would expect that at the airport it's much more uniform. Visas cost us $34 each - but each person in our group paid a different amount.

• Currency : In Cambodia you'll find that many places accept US Dollars or the Cambodian Riel. We actually recommend that you exchange some of your money for Riel, while keeping some US Dollars on you. Depending on who you're paying, some people may prefer USD and some may prefer Riel, however it's important to know that if you pay in Dollars not only do they expect your bills to be pristine (there were multiple times they wouldn't accept any USD with rips, marks or folds on them) but you'll also get Riel in return. 
• Tuk-Tuks : Tuk-Tuks are hands down the best way to get around in the cities. They typically cost about $3 to go across town, and $1-$2 for shorter trips. It's important to know that a good driver will never ask for money upfront - just after the ride is done - but it's essential to negotiate a price before getting into the Tuk-Tuk.
• ​Land Mines : Yes, unfortunately land mines are still an issue in Cambodia. It is essential to keep your eyes out for red signs that warn of a potential mine area, and to never stray off a road or well traveled path. We highly encourage you to visit the APOPO Visitor Center to learn more about this critical issue while in Seam Reap.
• Food & Drinks : Generally speaking, most restaurants and cafes in the major cities will be fine for you to eat at. However, if you're visiting a smaller city or heading into the countryside, it's important to stay smart about your food choices. It's also worth noting that tap water is not safe to drink in Cambodia, however since all ice is made at bottled water factories it's ok to have ice in your drinks - we did during our entire trip and never once got sick.

Looking for a place to stay in Cambodia? Try the Aquarius Hotel & Urban Resort in Phnom Penh & Apsara Residence Hotel in Siem Reap - we loved both!

Best Things to Do in Cambodia

The APOPO Visitor Center in Siem Reap was our favorite stop in Cambodia, mainly because to us it felt so unique. Entry costs $5 for a little tour that teaches all about the rats and how they're helping save Cambodia, as well as a demonstration of the rats and how they sniff out land mines. The tour ends with an opportunity to hold the rats, which are only half their growing size. It was truly an eye opening experience, and we learned so much about current and past land mine situations. If you aren't able to visit in person, you can learn a lot more about the process and donate on their website.

1. Visit an APOPO Visitor Center

Scattered throughout Cambodia, visiting one of these 20,000+ sites where an estimated 1,000,000+ were killed is a sobering experience. Dating back to the Khmer rule from 1975-1979, this genocide was one of the most brutal in history, and we think it's an important stop during your time in Cambodia. We visited the largest killing field memorial located near Phnom Penh, called Choeung Ek, and paid $5 each which included entrance and an audio headset for an auditory tour. (Otherwise it'll cost $3 for entrance if you're not interested in the headset.) It's important to be respectful during your visit, a majority of the site is silent, and although not required we would recommend dressing respectfully as well.

2. Visit the Killing Fields

Angkor Wat is considered the largest temple complex in the entire world, and this is one spot in Cambodia that you won't want to miss. A classified UNESCO site, Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century, and took nearly 30 years to complete. Although our visit took just a few hours, some people say you can spend entire days here, which is why a multi day pass to the temples might be worth it. We've heard the best time to go is at sunrise for a stunning view and to avoid the heat, although we can't imagine the crowds at this time. It's also important to dress respectfully, be aware of monkeys, and respect the complex itself. Unfortunately many parts of the buildings are crumbling and need repairs, so it's important to reduce your impact during your visit as much as possible.

3. Angkor Wat

Although most people explore Angkor Wat, some people forget to explore the rest of the Angkor Thom city complex. Not only do we recommend Ta Prohm - the famous "tomb raider" temple featured in "Lara Croft : Tomb Raider" with trees growing out of the temple complexes - we also recommend visiting Bayon Temple, Bakheng Temple, Banteay Srei Temple, Preah Khan Temple, and Baphuon Temple which might be a little less crowded than the main sites. You ticket from Angkor Enterprise will cover your entrance to all these sites, and you can purchase a single or multi-day pass. It's important to keep this ticket on you at all times, and ours was checked multiple times during our visit.

4. Explore the rest of Angkor Thom

Khmer massages are the traditional massages of Cambodia (similar to a Thai Massage in Thailand). They're based on traditional Khmer medicine and uses stretching techniques to help you into assisted yoga postures. We'll be honest it might not feel the most relaxing during the massage itself, but afterwards you'll leave feeling great. There are multiple places throughout Cambodia where you can get a Khmer massage - and when we got ours in Siem Reap we paid about $5 each for a one hour massage.

5. Khmer Massage

Located in the capital city of Phnom Penh, the Royal Palace of Cambodia (not pictured above), was started in 1866 and has seen multiple reigns and rulers. With a similar resemblance to the Thai Royal Palace (pictured above) in Bangkok, it's important to dress respectfully (meaning shoulders and knees covered), and to respect the no photography enforcement in certain areas and buildings. The Royal Palace is important as it was built to to become the residence for the Cambodian King, and has also been used to host multiple ceremonies and events, not to mention it is intricately detailed and beautiful. Open everyday from 8:00am to 11:00am and again from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, entry costs $10 USD or 40,000 Riel.

6. The Royal Palace of Cambodia

Local markets, filled with small stalls and carts, are a great way to meet and see the local way of life. You'll be able to try Cambodian street foods like stuffed frog, fried tarantula, grilled squid, and even scorpion on a stick - for the brave of heart only. The friendly locals will be more than happy to make some recommendations. ;) If you're visiting Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, then we recommend the Central Market (very popular with tourists and great for jewelry and souvenirs), the Russian Market (another popular spot for tourists and great for instruments along with anything else you need), and the Phnom Penh Night Market (which has a central stage with live performances). If you're visiting Siem Reap we recommend Phsar Chas (for souvenirs and the most popular market), Angkor Night Market (a lively night market with massages, food and drinks) and the King's Road Angkor Market (a market selling only items made from locals).

7. Local Markets

Watch our Cambodia Adventures!

Other Cambodia Posts :

• Best Things to Do in Cambodia
• Crossing Borders in SE Asia
• 48 Hours in Siem Reap, Cambodia

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