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Watch sunrise over Angkor Wat
The largest religious monument on Earth, its five towers reflected in a moat pool at dawn, arrive well before sunrise to claim a spot at the classic viewpoint.
Southeast Asia
Things to do in Cambodia
Angkor's temple complexes rising out of the jungle at dawn, a resilient culture rebuilding from a devastating recent past, and a Mekong-fed countryside that moves at its own pace.
Explore Cambodia on the map →- Budget
- $
- Best for
- 7-10 days
- Capital
- Phnom Penh
- Visa
- E-visa available online for most nationalities including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, valid for a 30-day stay; visa on arrival is also available at major entry points.
- Currency
- Cambodian riel (KHR); US dollars used interchangeably and often preferred
- Languages
- Khmer
- Internet
- Good in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, more limited rurally
- Typical lodging
- $15–$35/night
- Driving side
- Right
- Power & voltage
- 230V / 50Hz (Type A/C/G plug)
- Time zone
- UTC+7 to UTC+8
- Emergency number
- Varies by country. Save the local number on arrival.
- Dialing code
- +855
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or purified water only. Not customary. Rounding up is common.
Angkor Archaeological Park covers roughly 400 square kilometres and includes Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument on Earth, built by the Khmer Empire at its height in the 12th century. Cambodia's history since then, including the Khmer Rouge genocide of the 1970s, adds a weight and resilience to the country that shapes how many visitors experience it.
When to go
Cool dry season
November–February
The most comfortable and popular window: lower humidity, minimal rain, ideal for temple exploring.
Hot dry season
March–May
Intense heat, often exceeding 35°C, with temples best visited at dawn before the midday sun.
Early wet season
June–August
Regular but often brief afternoon rain, with lush green landscapes and Angkor's moats full.
Late wet season
September–October
The wettest months, with possible flooding on rural roads, the Tonlé Sap lake is at its largest and most dramatic.
20 things to do
Culture & history
Explore the tree-swallowed ruins of Ta Prohm
Massive silk-cotton and strangler fig roots have grown through and around the temple's stonework, left deliberately unrestored for atmospheric effect.
Visit the smiling stone faces of Bayon Temple
216 enormous carved faces gaze outward from the temple's towers, part of the walled city of Angkor Thom just north of Angkor Wat.
Cruise Tonlé Sap Lake's floating villages
Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, home to entire villages, schools, and markets built on stilts or floating platforms.
Tour the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh
A former high school converted into a Khmer Rouge prison, now a sobering memorial and museum documenting the regime's atrocities.
Explore lesser-visited Angkor temples like Banteay Srei
A smaller, pink sandstone temple famed for its intricate, unusually well-preserved carvings, a quieter contrast to Angkor Wat's crowds.
Walk Phnom Penh's Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
The current king's residence, with a pagoda floor laid in over 5,000 silver tiles and a Buddha statue encrusted with nearly 10,000 diamonds.
Visit the Cambodian Landmine Museum near Siem Reap
Founded by a former child soldier turned deminer, documenting Cambodia's decades-long landmine clearance effort with striking personal testimony.
Watch classical Apsara dance in Siem Reap
A centuries-old court dance form depicted on Angkor's temple carvings, still performed nightly at restaurants and cultural centers.
Explore the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek
A memorial site outside Phnom Penh documenting the Khmer Rouge genocide, with an audio guide providing survivor testimony throughout.
Visit Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh's founding legend site
A hilltop pagoda said to mark the founding of the city, with a small park and monkeys around its base in the heart of downtown.
Support a local NGO project or social enterprise restaurant
Cambodia has a strong network of training restaurants and craft workshops supporting vulnerable youth and communities, offering a meaningful add-on to any itinerary.
Adventure & outdoors
Cycle the rural roads around Battambang
Cambodia's rice-growing heartland, with a bamboo train, colonial-era shophouses, and a slower pace than Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.
Trek to remote temple ruins at Preah Vihear
A dramatically situated temple perched on a cliff edge near the Thai border, requiring more effort to reach but rewarding with far fewer crowds.
Food & drink
Eat amok, Cambodia's signature fish curry
Fish steamed in banana leaf with coconut, lemongrass, and kroeung spice paste: a defining Khmer dish, distinct from Thai curry despite similar ingredients.
Explore the coastal town of Kampot and its pepper farms
Kampot pepper has an international reputation among chefs, and riverside farms outside town offer tastings alongside relaxed countryside scenery.
Eat street food at Phnom Penh's Night Market
Riverside stalls selling grilled skewers, num banh chok noodles, and fresh tropical fruit, with mats laid out for casual outdoor dining.
Try Cambodian barbecue (phnom pleung)
A tabletop grill-your-own meal of marinated meats and vegetables, a popular casual dinner format in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Photography
Ride a hot air balloon over the Angkor temple complex
A tethered balloon near Angkor Wat offers a wide aerial view over the temple grounds and surrounding jungle canopy.
Beaches
Relax on the beaches of Koh Rong island
A less-developed island escape off the coast near Sihanoukville, with clear water, hammocks, and bioluminescent plankton visible some nights.
Common questions
Do I need a visa for Cambodia?
Most nationalities, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, can apply for an e-visa online before arrival, valid for a 30-day stay; visa on arrival is also available at major airports and land borders.
How many days does Angkor need?
A 3-day pass is the standard choice and lets you see Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm without rushing, plus time for lesser-visited outer temples that see far fewer crowds.
Should I visit the Khmer Rouge historical sites?
Many travelers find Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields near Phnom Penh essential for understanding modern Cambodia, though they're emotionally heavy, pace your itinerary to allow processing time afterward.
Is Cambodia affordable?
Yes, among the more budget-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia, with US dollars used interchangeably for most transactions, simplifying budgeting for American travelers specifically.
Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, which as a base?
Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor and the more tourist-oriented of the two; Phnom Penh offers deeper insight into Cambodia's modern history and a livelier riverside dining scene.
How much does an Angkor Wat pass cost?
A one-day Angkor Pass costs $37, a three-day pass (usable over a week) costs $62, and a seven-day pass costs $72: all covering Angkor Wat plus every other temple in the archaeological park, including outlying sites like Banteay Srei. Buying online at least a day ahead saves 30-45 minutes in the entry queue, and children under 12 get in free with a passport.