What to do in Cambodia?
If you’ve been planning a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, Cambodia has probably come to your mind – But what really awaits you in this beautiful country beyond the stunning temples of Angkor?
Cambodia is an incredible country, full of adventure, culture, and stories waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or just starting your journey, Cambodia will surprise and excite you at every turn. For us, it was one of the most interesting countries in Southeast Asia and I think we’ve had the perfect itinerary.
So, if you’re wondering what to do in Cambodia as a backpacker, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s your ultimate guide to the top activities that will turn your Cambodia trip into an unforgettable adventure.
In this blog I will be covering the best activities in Cambodia. If you would like to have a detailed Itinerary, check out my 2-week Cambodia Itinerary.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Did you know that there was a genocide in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, during which an estimated 1.7 million people were killed? This atrocity, orchestrated by the Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot, resulted in the deaths of approximately one-quarter of the Cambodian population through mass executions, forced labor, and starvation. The scale of the tragedy is staggering and deeply heartbreaking.
It is crucial to continue spreading awareness about this dark chapter in history. Visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh (Cambodia’s Capital City) is an important step in honoring the memory of the victims and understanding the impact of the Khmer Rouge regime. The museum, which was once a high school converted into a prison and interrogation center, offers a sobering yet essential glimpse into the atrocities that took place.
I highly recommend taking the audio guide during your visit. It provides detailed explanations and personal testimonies that are vital for fully grasping the historical and emotional weight of the museum’s exhibits. The audio guide is exceptionally well-produced, offering context and depth that you might miss without it.
Visiting this Museum was easily one of the best things we did in Cambodia and to this day we still regularly talk about the things we have seen and learnt about there. Learning and spreading word about the Cambodian history is very important.
Killing fields of Choueng Ek
Just like the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the Killing fields of Choeung Ek are located in Phnom Penh.
Between 1975 and 1979, this site was used as a mass execution ground where thousands of Cambodians were brutally murdered by the Khmer rouge regime.
On the Killing fields, visitors can see the remnants of mass graves and the famous Stupa, a memorial filled with thousands of skulls and bones that were exhumed from the graves.
Once again, I really recommend getting the audio guide. The audio tour provides a detailed account of the events that took place and offers personal testimonies from survivors, providing a deeper understanding of the impact of the atrocities.
Visit a Pepper Plantation
The Kampot Pepper is a world-famous and absolutely delicious pepper that is grown in (surprise) Kampot, Cambodia. Maybe you have already seen or even tasted Kampot Pepper in your home country?
In Kampot, a town in the south of Cambodia, you can visit the pepper plantations where this famous pepper is grown on and also take part in a pepper-tasting.
“La Plantation” is one of the Pepper plantations and offers a free tour, including the pepper-tasting, every half hour. You will be led through the plantation, be explained what kinds of pepper are planted here and how they are harvested. Afterwards you can taste a wide variety of the peppers and also buy some Ice-Cream that is spiced with the pepper, yummy!
Bokor Nationalpark
Around half an hour outside of Kampot you can find the beautiful Bokor National park. It is easily accessible by motorbike or car.
In this National park you can find lush greenery, great viewpoints, a big buddha statue, quite a few monkeys and also abandoned houses, hotels and other abandoned monuments. These abandoned places create a unique and kind of scary atmosphere.
It is a great experience to rent a scooter and spend a few hours cruising through this national park. It is one of the best things you can do in Kampot.
Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Koh Rong
Cambodia is not particularly famous for its beaches – that is just because they are not as well known yet! In the south of Cambodia there are the Islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem – some absolutely stunning and remote islands with white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.
There really is not a lot to do on these Islands, so if you are looking for a peaceful and remote get away – Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem are what you are looking for.
While both islands are beautiful, they each have their own vibe. Koh Rong Samloem really is super remote, with only a few hostels and other accomodations of the beaches, Koh Rong offers a little more of a party vibe, attracting a lot of backpackers. Every Thursday (?) there is a big party organized by the hostel “Nest” called nestival that lots of backpackers attend. Ask yourself what you want to do and decide for yourself. Either way, I’m sure you will love it.
Bamboo train
Taking a ride one the Bamboo Train is one of the most unique activities you can do in Battambang.
Here you will be able to drive on a bamboo platform on wheels, powered by a small engine, for around 35-40 minutes. It runs on old railway tracks and is used to transport people and goods. Though the ride is a bit bumpy, it is a great way to see the countryside and local villages, plus riding this train is a unique experience in itself.
Killing caves
Like the Killing fields of Choeung Ek, the Killing caves near Battambang are also a place, where many people were executed and thrown into the caves to hide the evidence of the crimes of the Khmer rouge.
The killing caves are a part of a national park, in which you can also find a variety of temples and the bat caves.
Bat cave
In the same national park as the killing caves and Wat Phnom Sam Pov, the famous Bat caves are located.
This activity is exactly what the name indicates: A cave full of bats.
At sunset, millions of bats come flying out of this cave, creating a black river-like form in the sky. This is not overexaggerated. We couldn’t even grasp how there could be SO MANY bats. Truly an unforgettable sight!
The Ancient temples of Angkor
Of course, you can’t visit Cambodia without dedicating a day (or more) to exploring the Ancient Temples of Angkor.
Angkor Wat is a huge temple complex near Siem Reap in Cambodia. It’s the largest religious monument in the world. It was built in the early 12th century during the Khmer Empire and was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It later became a Buddhist temple. Angkor Wat is famous for its amazing architecture, intricate carvings and iconic lotus-bud towers. It represents Cambodia’s cultural and historical heritage.
There are lots of other ancient temples surrounding Angkor Wat, each with their own distinctive features.
Bayon Temple: This temple is a real highlight, with over 200 stone faces. It’s the centrepiece of the Angkor Thom complex.
Ta Prohm: This is another highlight. It’s got a really mystical atmosphere, and the ruins are partially reclaimed by nature, with massive tree roots intertwining with them.
Angkor Thom: This was the last capital of the Khmer Empire, and it features some impressive gates and the Terrace of the Elephants.
Banteay Srei: It is often called the ‘Citadel of Women’ and is famous for its detailed pink sandstone carvings.
Preah Khan: A huge temple complex that was once a monastery and school, blending architecture with the jungle.
These temples, along with Angkor Wat, make up the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. They offer visitors a fascinating insight into Cambodia’s rich history and artistry.
To explore these beautiful sights, we can definitely recommend renting a scooter and exploring it on your own. Of course, you can always book a tour or a private driver/local guide – this is offered everywhere in Siem Reap.
Make sure to watch the sunset at Angkor Wat – this is a must-do! Afterwards, I would advise against exploring Angkor Wat immediately, as everyone will be doing it and it will be very full. Instead, head to Ta Prohm (also called the Tomb raider temple) and visit the temples of Angkor Wat later.
Ta Prohm opens at 7pm, so you can have some breakfast or coffee at one the footstalls that are on the street. Once the temple opens, you will have the whole place almost yourself and can peacefully explore it and take pictures without the crowds.
Afterwards just visit any temples you like, they will most likely be equally crowded. Still, I would focus on a few that you picked beforehand, as it will be hot and you will be exhausted. At the end, go back to Angkor Wat and explore.
Apopo Rats
In Siem Reap, a one-of-a-kind project is using APopo rats to help clear landmines in Cambodia. These trained African giant pouched rats are playing a really important role in a country that’s still dealing with the aftermath of war, which left millions of unexploded mines in the ground. These mines are a real problem for local communities, making it difficult for people to farm.
The APopo rats have a great sense of smell, which helps them find landmines without triggering them. This method is both effective and faster than traditional techniques. By helping to clear land, these rats are making it safer for farming and housing, which is supporting the recovery of communities affected by conflict.
You can visit these rats in the APopo Center in Siem Reap and watch them live in action. Here, you will learn more about the Landmines in Cambodia and how these rats were trained to detect them. We found this super interesting and really enjoyed the whole experience.
Volunteering
What to do in Cambodia, if you really want to get to know the culture of Cambodia and see how a lot of the Khmer people really live? Definitely consider taking part in a local volunteering project!
Though it was not always easy, we absolutely LOVED our volunteering project. Without a doubt, it was the best thing we did in Cambodia and maybe even the best thing we did during our whole time in Southeast Asia.
We were taught, that once someone in Cambodia can speak English fairly well, they are pretty much guaranteed to get a job in tourism. This is why we chose to volunteer in a local school, teaching English to children.
Besides teaching or helping in a school, there is also a range of other volunteering projects. To find volunteering opportunities, you can simply use an App like Worldpackers or Workaway. Just create an account and check out the options. To actually apply for a volunteering opportunity, you will have to pay around 50$ for a 1 year Subscription – but it is worth it!
If you want to teach English as well, there is a wide variety of schools in different cities that you can apply to. If you want to volunteer near Siem Reap, we can really recommend New Life Samrong school.
This experience changed our outlook on life
During our time in Cambodia, we really wanted to give back to the local community, so we volunteered in a school, teaching children English in a remote and small town near Siem Reap. We stayed there for around 2 weeks, sleeping and working in the school, with no running water, crazy heat & humidity and TONS of bugs. We were sleeping on tiny mattresses on the floor, around us was literally nothing but a few local houses and when it rained the whole street became a muddy-clay-mess. Still, I consider this the best thing I have ever done.
The children and teacher in this school were so incredibly kind. They don’t have a lot, as they are living in poverty, but still they gave us so much. When the class ended, the students always came to us, to hug us goodbye. We played their stone-games together, at least high-fived each student 3 times and they taught me traditional dances. The teachers made us feel welcome from the minute we entered the school. We became friends that taught, cooked, ate, worked and also relaxed together.
During our time in this school, we also got the chance to teach monks in a Pagoda, which was an incredible experience in itself. Those are memories I will savor forever.
To see their way of life and how they manage to live in such a happy way besides the circumstances that poverty brings, did change my own outlook on life.
Try the Khmer cuisine
No backpacking trip is complete without diving headfirst into the local cuisine.
Honestly, we had no idea what to expect of the food in Cambodia. This is why we were completely taken by surprise when we tried our first Beef Lok Lak in some random food stall on the street – it was sooo delicious!
Some must-try dishes include:
- Fish Amok: A creamy coconut fish curry that’s a staple in every Khmer household. (Is also often available with chicken, beef or veggies)
- Lok Lak: A stir-fried beef dish served with rice and a tangy lime sauce.
- Nom Banh Chok: Cambodia’s version of rice noodles, served with fresh herbs and a fish-based sauce.
The best places to eat local food, are street food stalls. You’ll find street food vendors everywhere, from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, and each meal will cost you just a couple of dollars.
So when you are visiting Cambodia, really make sure you try some of the local food!
FAQ
How many days are needed in Cambodia?
It really depends what you are interested in, but generally, everything between 1 week to 2 weeks is a good amount of time to see the major highlights.
How many days can a tourist stay in Cambodia?
Tourists can usually stay in Cambodia for up to 30 days on a tourist visa, which is often issued when you arrive or you can get it online. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension or think about a different type of visa, depending on what you want to do. Just make sure you check the latest rules, as they can change.
What is the best time to visit Cambodia?
Cambodia has two main seasons: dry and rainy.
If you’re planning a trip, the dry season is probably your best bet. We went during the rainy season and had lots of rain, but it also meant there were almost never crowds, which was great. If you can, go in the dry season (high season), as the street conditions can get pretty bad when it rains a lot.
How to get around Cambodia?
The best ways to get around Cambodia are by Tuk Tuk, Bus or Motorbike.
1. Tuk-Tuks: The Local Favorite
Tuk-tuks are the go-to for short trips in cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. They’re affordable ($1-$5) and convenient. Pro tip: Hire a local guide tuk-tuk driver for a day to explore places like Angkor Wat—they know all the best spots and shortcuts!
2. Buses: Budget-Friendly for Long Trips
For traveling between cities, buses are a cheap option. Tickets range from $5 to $15, with comfortable night buses available for long journeys. This is a great way to reach destinations like Siem Reap or Sihanoukville.
3. Motorbikes: Perfect for Adventurers
Renting a motorbike (around $5-$10/day) gives you freedom to explore more remote areas like Kampot or Kep at your own pace. Just be cautious of traffic and road conditions.
What to do in Cambodia? Just enjoy it!
What makes Cambodia truly worth visiting isn’t just the sights, but the experiences—like sharing a tuk-tuk ride with a friendly local guide or learning about the history that shaped the country. It’s a place where every day brings something new, and it’s perfect for those who crave authentic adventure and meaningful connections.
So, if you’re ready for a backpacking trip that’s as rich in culture as it is in unforgettable moments, Cambodia is calling. Go see for yourself—you won’t regret it.
Which part of Cambodia are you most excited to explore? Let me know in the comments below!