Most Popular Places To Visit In Cambodia In 2024

Get a taste of ancient Southeast Asia on your trip to Cambodia. The erstwhile Khmer empire boasts of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches and exotic temples. The top places to visit in Cambodia attract tourists and travelers with varied interests. There’s a mix of both the old and the new that will leave you in total awe. Whether you are visiting the iconic Angkor temples or the sophisticated and contemporary, capital Phnom Penh.

Bordered by Thailand to the northwest and Vietnam to the east, Cambodia is a land of elusive wildlife and tropical adventures. Traverse the timeless landscapes of this mighty realm of the Gods by visiting popular tourist spots in Cambodia. But before that, here are some important details:

Most Popular Places To Visit In Cambodia In 2024

      Cambodia is a small Southeast Asian country with a rich history and unique culture. It is home to stunning temples, ancient ruins, and breathtaking beaches. From bustling cities to secluded villages, Cambodia is an ideal destination for travelers looking for a unique and memorable experience. This 2024 travel guide Cambodia will provide tips on the best places to visit, things to do, and best times to travel in Cambodia. With this guide, you can create your own Cambodian adventure!

1. Kampot: The Scenic Riverside City

Kampot is a city located in SouthWest of Cambodia and is a prominent historical and coastal town along the Gulf of Thailand. Kampot town is the capital of a province with the same name and is located on the Tuk Chhou River. Surrounded by Elephant mountains, Bokor Hills and a series of beaches and islands, Kampot is the most popular destination in Cambodia visited by tourists, after the famed Siem Reap and Phnom Penh cities.

Kampot river town is now one of the most popular destinations among the travelers exploring Cambodia. Unlike other provincial capitals of Cambodia, Kampot has excellent colonial French architecture, reflected in many buildings in the city. Kampot is also famous for many places around the city, which are unique day trip options, like Rabbit Island, Kep, Bokor and others. So people looking to cover many attractions usually base in Kampot and explore. 

Best Time To Visit: October – January
Things To Do: Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Kampot Salt Fields, Rabbit Island, Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple
Don’t miss: Try the crab curry here for a lip-smacking treat.
Tourist Attractions: Preah Monivong National Park, Durian Roundabout
How To Reach: Take a flight to Phnom Penh International Airport and then you can hire a cab or take a bus till Kampot. You can also take a flight from Phnom Penh International Airport to Kampot Airport.

2. Kratie: The Little Charming Town

Your answer to where to visit in Cambodia in winter is here. View well-preserved French colonial buildings at the little charming town of Kratie which lies on the banks of the Mekong River. Enjoy a magical sunset at the Mekong River here and also watch the rare Irrawaddy dolphins in action. The French buildings here are definitely among the top places to visit in Cambodia.

Best Time To Visit: October – January
Don’t miss: Take a boat ride along the Mekong River to view the dolphins in action
Tourist Attractions: Kaoh Trong, Phnom Sombok
How To Reach: Phnom Penh International Airport is well-connected with all major cities in the world. Board a flight to this airport and then you can either take a flight to Kratie Airport or a bus and reach this town.

3. Sihanoukville: The Snorkeling Spot

The spot where the United States fought its last battle in the Vietnam War is now a land of sunny beaches. Relax at the shores of these less populated beaches and enjoy watersports like snorkelling and kayaking. Spend the day at a beach shack on any one of these pristine six beaches here to enjoy a fun holiday. There are a lot of things to do in Sihanoukville like exploring the marine life, relaxing at the beaches, swimming and more.

Best Time To Visit: October – January 
Things To Do: Leu Pagoda: Enjoy a visit to the serene temple, Kbal Chhay Waterfalls: Get mesmerized by nature’s beauty, Bamboo Island: Spend blissful moments by the beach, Beaches: Explore the many gorgeous white-sand sites
Don’t miss: Try windsurfing at the quiet and serene Otres Beach.
Tourist Attractions: Otres Beach, Ochheuteal Beach
How To Reach: Board a flight to Sihanoukville Airport and you will comfortably reach this city. Connecting flights from Phnom Penh are available till Sihanoukville Airport.

4. Siem Reap: The City Of Ancient Ruins

Wondering where to go in Cambodia which is popular yet peaceful. Consider the Siem Reap River and the rice paddies that make this town much more than just a stopover to witness the Angkor temples. Siem Reap has vibrant night markets, silk farms, traditional craft shops, fun road tours through rice paddies, bird sanctuaries, fishing villages and boat tours on Tonle Sap Lake. This should definitely be on your list of the top 30 places to visit in Cambodia. Angkor Wat temples, Bayon and Angkor Thom are some of the best places to visit in Siem Reap.

Best Time To Visit: November – March
Don’t miss: Rejuvenate yourself at the oldest Buddhist temple at the Wat Bo village. Also don’t forget to watch Apsara dance performances and visit Pub Street that are the best of Cambodian tourist attractions.
Tourist Attractions: Bayon, Ta Prohm Temple
How To Reach: Siem Reap International Airport is well-connected with all major cities in the world. All you need to do is to board a flight and you will reach this city.

5. Phnom Penh: The City Of The Brahma’s Faces

Phnom Penh still retains its charm as the leafy capital city of Cambodia with its palaces and wats. Located at the conjunction of three grand rivers- the Tonle Sap, the Mekong and the Bassac river, this city now houses a number of hotspots like cool cafes and bustling bars. It is one of the top Cambodia tourist places.

French colonial houses lie nestled besides roadside pagodas here and makes this city one of the topmost places to visit in Cambodia. View some unique Khmer artifacts at the National Museum or visit the Phsar Reatrey to pick up some handcrafted souvenirs.

Best Time To Visit: October to May 
Things To Do: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Illuminating Hours, Royal Palace And Silver Pagoda: A Royal Tour, Phsar Thmey: Bargains And More, Killing Fields: Paying Homage
Don’t miss: The beautiful complex of the Royal Palace with its golden spires is a must see Cambodia tourist attraction.
Tourist Attractions: Royal Palace, Wat Phnom
How To Reach: Phnom Penh International Airport is well-connected with all major cities in the world. All you need to do is to board a flight and you will reach this city.

6. Angkor: The UNESCO World Heritage Site

One of Cambodia’s greatest tourist attractions, the Angkor Wat temple lies in Angkor and is one of the largest religious monuments to behold. Regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Wat is a definite must visit on a holiday to Cambodia. It lies to the south of Angkor Thom that is also one of Cambodia’s tourist spots. It pulls a huge crows as it is one of the sites where Lara Croft and the Tomb Raider movies were shot. The Angkor Wat temples are on of the must visit temples in Cambodia.

Angkor Wat has a 650 feet wide moat, a stone gateway with guardian lions, a seven headed naga and the Mt Meru tower. Around 300,000 workers and 6,000 elephants were used to construct this temple whose sandstone blocks were brought all the way from the holy mountain of Phnom Kulen.

Don’t Miss: The outstanding Ta Prohm Buddhist temple ruin that is the ideal place to capture picture-perfect shots and is surrounded by towering trees.

7. Koh Rong: The Paradisaical Island

One of the most beautiful places in Cambodia, those looking for adventure will love the island paradise Koh Rong that has several beaches like the Koh Toch beach. It is among the top Cambodia tourist attractions. A lot of activities on these lovely beaches makes Koh Rang one of exciting places to see in Cambodia.

Here, you can go snorkelling and see diamond fish, seahorses, sergeant fish, parrot fish, jumping fish, diamond fish, blue-spotted ribbon tail rays, and squids. If you are a hardcore water sports lover, go diving and kayaking. Also, pay a visit to the rope adventure park where you can go zip lining. To witness some abundant wildlife head over to Police Beach which has a butterfly farm and mini zoo during your sightseeing in Cambodia.

Best Time To Visit: October – January
Don’t miss: Lonely Beach and Coconut Beach are perfect spots to view bio-luminescent plankton.
Tourist Attractions: Long Set Beach, Sok San Beach
How To Reach: Board a flight till Sihanoukville International Airport and then you can take a ferry and reach Koh Rong.

8. Battambang: The Lush Countryside

The lush countryside and the quirky cafes at Battambang make it one of the tourist places in Cambodia. Enjoy a bike ride along the rice paddy fields that are lined by lakes and streams and learn the art of rice wine cultivation as well as weaving beautiful traditional clothing. Go kayaking on the quiet stretch along the Stung Sangkae River. A must is the ride on the bamboo train which takes around 30 minutes to travel just outside the town and can reach speeds of up to 40 km/hr.

Best Time To Visit: October – January
Things To Do: Explore The City, Art Gallery: Get Enchanted By The Local Art, Phare Ponleu Selpak: Don’t Miss The Cambodian Dance, Gecko Private River Cruise: Float Around Battambang
Don’t Miss: Take a scenic river trip from Battambang to Siem Reap. Also, try to catch a performance of Cambodia’s best circus ‘Phare Ponleu Selpak’.
Tourist Attractions: Wat Ek Phnom, Damrey Sor Pagoda
How To Reach: Board a flight to Siem Reap International Airport and then you can take a flight to Battambang Airport.

9. Virachey National Park: The Wildlife Spot

The Virachey National Park is one of the most beautiful nature spots around in Cambodia. The wildlife around the place is more than enough to keep the kids and the adults enticed. It is also rich in not just wildlife but fountains, waterfalls, and mountains as well. It is home to some of the extravagant timberlands and savannahs and the bamboo bushes around definitely catch the attention of the visitors.

Best Time To Visit: October – February 
Don’t miss: Make sure to go trekking through the wilderness and experience the vivid range of wildlife around.

10. National Museum of Cambodia: For A Unique Collection

Home to one of the finest Khmer sculpture collections, it is one of the top museums in Phnom Penh, the capital. Considered as the best places to visit in Cambodia, if you are a history enthusiast or looking to explore the culture of this beautiful Asian country to its fullest. One of the first things to see in the museum is a bronze reclining Vishnu statue. As you take a look further into the museum, you get to see the ancient Angkorian structures and pieces of ultimate cultural significance.

Timings: Open from 8 AM till 5 PM every day
Don’t miss: The odd scriptures of animals, Gods and rulers from the past

11. Bamboo Island: The Busiest Island

The Bamboo Island is one of the most popular sightseeing spots around in Cambodia. Also known as Koh Russei, this is one of the busiest islands in the entirety of Thailand and Cambodia with tourists infiltrating the place. Even though the island is quite quaint, the tourism around is beyond amazing for you to look into.

Don’t miss: Make sure to indulge in the local food and culture during the evenings on the beach. Also, indulge in the Khmer dance done by the locals.

12. Banteay Srei: The Sacred Spot!

Banteay Srei is one of the sacred places in Cambodia which holds a major importance in the country’s heritage treasure. One of the gems among the Angkorian craftsmanship, this heritage place is made out of carved-out stone which is pink in shade. Signifying the “Citadel of Women”, the walls of this sanctuary are very finely carved and it is quite a view to capture while in Cambodia.

Location: Banteay Srei, Cambodia
Entry Fee: $20-$40 per person