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 — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  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.

Filter the list

38 places match
Clear all filters

Category

Historic monuments 0 Museums 0 Places of worship 0 Nature sites 0 Viewpoints 38 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 0 Entertainment 0 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 0 Art and culture 0 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 38

Interests

History 725 Art 476 Museums 42 Nature 71 Sea and beach 33 Viewpoints 38
  2. Phnom Dei
    02 20 min

    Phnom Dei

    • High
    • Viewpoint
    • Siem Reap
  3. .
    03 20 min

    .

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Siem Reap
  4. 1
    04 20 min

    1

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Siem Reap
  6. Bakheng
    06 20 min

    Bakheng

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Siem Reap
  11. LBS
    11 20 min

    LBS

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Siem Reap
  17. Phnom Krom
    17 20 min

    Phnom Krom

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Siem Reap
  18. Phnom Krom Phnom Krom
    18 20 min

    Phnom Krom

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Siem Reap
  21. Phum Svay
    21 20 min

    Phum Svay

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Siem Reap
  22. Pisey
    22 20 min

    Pisey

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Siem Reap
  30. ក
    30 20 min

    ក

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • 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.