Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Cambodia

A photograph of Cambodia
Photograph · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

Cambodia spans about 181,035 km² of low-lying plain, and water sets its shape: the Mekong meets the Tonlé Sap, the largest lake in Southeast Asia, near the middle of the country. Around 17 million people live here, most of them Khmer. Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city and Siem Reap the second, which matters, because Siem Reap is the town Angkor Wat is reached from — the most famous of the works the Khmer Empire began after Jayavarman II took the throne in 802. The coastline is short and faces the Gulf of Thailand.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Khmer
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+855
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Cambodian riel (KHR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
117 police · 118 fire · 119 ambulance
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type A, C and G · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Bakong Bakong
    02 30 min

    Bakong

    Bakong is a Khmer temple mountain and the first temple mountain of sandstone constructed by rulers of the Khmer Empire.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  2. Khleangs
    03 30 min

    Khleangs

    ប្រាសាទឃ្លាំងខាងជើង

    • High
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  3. Angkor Artwork
    04 1 hour

    Angkor Artwork

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  4. Bambu Stage
    07 1 hour

    Bambu Stage

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  5. Brahma
    08 1 hour

    Brahma

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  6. Budda
    09 1 hour

    Budda

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  7. Capicua
    10 1 hour

    Capicua

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  8. Diwo Gallery 2
    13 1 hour

    Diwo Gallery 2

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  9. hm
    16 1 hour

    hm

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  10. iihk
    17 1 hour

    iihk

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  11. Lovea Village
    18 1 hour

    Lovea Village

    ភូមិ ល្វា

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  12. Lying buddha
    19 1 hour

    Lying buddha

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  13. Sareay
    21 1 hour

    Sareay

    សារាយ

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  14. Statue of Vishnu
    24 1 hour

    Statue of Vishnu

    រូបសំណាកព្រះវិស្ណុ

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  15. Tribe
    25 1 hour

    Tribe

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  16. v
    26 1 hour

    v

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Siem Reap
  17. Prasat Prei Monti
    32 30 min

    Prasat Prei Monti

    ប្រាសាទ​ព្រៃមន្ទីរ

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  18. Al-Nikmatul
    33 30 min

    Al-Nikmatul

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  19. Amvat Pagoda
    35 30 min

    Amvat Pagoda

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  20. Broma Pagoda
    45 30 min

    Broma Pagoda

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  21. Elephant Chapel
    51 30 min

    Elephant Chapel

    ប្រជុំសត្វដំរី

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  22. G.A.E.A. Plc
    53 30 min

    G.A.E.A. Plc

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  23. HemWan Buddhist Temple
    54 30 min

    HemWan Buddhist Temple

    វត្តហេមវ័ន

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  24. Hindu temple
    55 30 min

    Hindu temple

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  25. Horse Chapel
    57 30 min

    Horse Chapel

    សេះហារ

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  26. Human Chapel
    58 30 min

    Human Chapel

    មនុស្សហា

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  27. ICF Cambodia
    59 30 min

    ICF Cambodia

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  28. Kandork Yeak temple
    61 30 min

    Kandork Yeak temple

    ប្រាសាទកណ្តុកយក្ស

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  29. Kbal Damrei
    63 30 min

    Kbal Damrei

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  30. Koh Snuol
    68 30 min

    Koh Snuol

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  31. Kok Chrap
    75 30 min

    Kok Chrap

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  32. Kok Chroeng
    76 30 min

    Kok Chroeng

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  33. Kok Daun Kom
    79 30 min

    Kok Daun Kom

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  34. Kok Kak
    81 30 min

    Kok Kak

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  35. Kok Kandal
    84 30 min

    Kok Kandal

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  36. Kok Kandaol
    85 30 min

    Kok Kandaol

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  37. Kok Ka Rolom
    88 30 min

    Kok Ka Rolom

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  38. Kok Khour
    93 30 min

    Kok Khour

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  39. Kok Kmaoch
    95 30 min

    Kok Kmaoch

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap
  40. Kok Kol
    96 30 min

    Kok Kol

    • Notable
    • Place of worship
    • Siem Reap

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Cambodia be?

Seven to ten days can combine three full Angkor days from Siem Reap with two or three days in Phnom Penh. Battambang or the southern coast needs extra nights; Angkor is a landscape of sites, not one stop to squeeze between intercity transfers.

What entry documents are needed for Cambodia?

Cambodia’s official eVisa service states which passports and border points can use electronic permission. Check the intended crossing before applying, since acceptance at an airport does not prove acceptance at every land border, and match the dates to the actual itinerary.

What is the best way to travel around Cambodia?

Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are the principal air gateways for a first visit. Coaches and private transfers carry most intercity trips, rail serves limited routes, and some waterways are seasonal; arrange Angkor transport locally with a licensed driver or tour.

When is a practical time to visit Cambodia?

The drier months from November to March are practical for temple days, though midday heat still matters. Wet-season travel brings greener landscapes and possible road or boat changes, so confirm regional access rather than treating rain as a simple nationwide closure.

What money and payment basics apply in Cambodia?

Cambodian riel is the official currency, while some visitor transactions may also be quoted in US dollars. Check which currency a price uses and the condition of any notes offered in change; keep riel for small purchases instead of assuming every vendor accepts foreign cash.

What practical safety details should I save for Cambodia?

Cambodia records 117 for police, 118 for fire and 119 for ambulance, with Type A, C and G sockets at 230 V. Tap-water status is Not recorded; request local guidance, and carry the address of the accommodation for transport or emergency communication.