A honeyed sunrise over an ancient temple, a walk through a quiet mountain forest, storied hallways perfumed with lemongrass. Nature, spirituality, and history are intimately connected in Cambodia and act as the backdrop to your travels through the country. While many travelers only make time for Siem Reap, this is a destination worth lingering in, and we’ll take you into the heart of the country, connecting you with its culture and the people who know it best.
Here, Extraordinary Journeys’ Southeast Asia destination experts highlight 10 of the best things to do in Cambodia, from exploring iconic spots in a unique way to discovering under-the-radar experiences. While beloved places such as UNESCO-designated Angkor Wat beckon, you’ll also visit the site’s lesser-known temples and gain a deeper understanding of its history and artistry. Venture into the remote Cardamom Mountains led by a local ranger or immerse yourself in the country’s modern art scene guided by a gallery curator.
These experiences deliver on the best of Cambodia travel, capturing the essence of this enchanting country in a singular way.
Things to Do in Cambodia
1. Go Deeper at Angkor Wat
The ancient Hindu-Buddhist temple complex of Angkor is the largest religious monument in Asia, and one of the most mystical and enchanting. Revel in an Indiana Jones moment as you rumble through the monumental stone entrance in a vintage jeep, surrounded by jungle. Discover highlights including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Phrom, all led by an archaeologist who will enrich your experience with insightful knowledge about this exquisite example of Khmer architecture. You’ll also escape the crowds by visiting lesser-known temples and viewpoints, as well as a hidden temple that’s totally off the tourist radar and not included in the standard Angkor entrance ticket.
2. Visit Traditional Floating Villages
Witnessing rural life play out around the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Tonle Sap Lake is a beautiful experience in Cambodia. Board a boat and head to the remote village of Kampong Khleang, weaving around the rainbow-hued, wood-boarded stilt houses that teeter above the water. You’ll also sail past schools, churches, and floating restaurants, which serve freshly caught fish. From August to January, the nearby mangrove forests flood, and you can snake through sun-dappled waterways under a canopy of trees draped in vines, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife and rare bird species.
3. Retreat to a Countryside Hideaway
The bucolic setting just outside Siem Reap is perfect for unwinding after days of sightseeing in the city and at Angkor Wat. Watch the tangerine sun set over green rice paddies from the terrace of your private stilted villa at Phum Baitang. The property is a world unto itself, and it’s easy to while away the days simply basking in the serene vibe here. The elegant retreat was designed to evoke the charm and tranquility of a traditional Khmer village, and when you’re not reading or enjoying a drink on your secluded patio you can take a yoga class, swim a lap in the infinity pool, or book a treatment inspired by ancient Khmer remedies at the Spa Temple.
4. Learn About Cambodia’s Somber History
To fully understand present-day Cambodia, and the remarkable warmth, compassion, and resilience of its people, it’s important to be familiar with its sobering past. Reflect on this difficult history and the legacy of the Khmer Rouge with a guided visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. The museum memorializes the site of the S-21 interrogation and detention center of the Khmer Rouge regime, and a visit to both sites led by an expert guide is aimed at cultivating peace, tolerance, and introspection.
5. Zipline into a Jungle Lodge
Not many travelers make it to Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains, and it’s one of the most beautiful natural areas in the country. This rolling, forested range is also home to one of Cambodia’s most unique accommodations, Shinta Mani Wild. A stay here is an adventure, beginning with a zipline ride through the treetops to reach the lodge. Once you’re settled in, choose between hiking, mountain biking, or kayaking excursions punctuated by waterfall swims. If rest in nature is what you’re after, enjoy nourishing food on the terrace of your secluded and sumptuous tented suite, surrounded by trees and birdsong, or relax with a riverside foot massage.
6. Join a Ranger in Their Conservation Work
In addition to being the location of one of our favorite lodges in Cambodia, the Cardamom Mountain Rainforest is also incredibly biodiverse. The jungle is home to rare and endangered wildlife, including Malayan sun bears, pangolins, clouded leopards, and pileated gibbons. Unfortunately, the existence of these animals is threatened by poaching and logging. To get a look at the work being done to protect the ecosystem, hop on the back of a motorbike and join one of the local rangers on their survey of Shinta Mani Wild’s 865-acre reserve. You might help them dismantle a trap or even rescue an animal caught in a snare.
7. Sleep in An Overwater Bungalow
French Polynesia doesn’t have a monopoly on overwater bungalows. If you’re craving some time under the sun, head to the Koh Rong Archipelago and check into one of the secluded, barefoot luxury bungalows at Song Saa Private Island Resort. Your private infinity pool blends seamlessly into the azure ocean that stretches toward the horizon. Spend an afternoon on your ocean-view terrace with a book and room service or dive into the deep blue on snorkeling and diving adventures. After the sun sets, you might even catch the area’s magical bioluminescence right from your bungalow.
8. Go on a Sea Safari to the “Sweetheart Islands”
The Koh Rong Archipelago is one of Cambodia’s most romantic destinations—and the island beauty doesn’t end at Song Saa’s overwater bungalows. From the resort, head out on a boat safari to the “Sweetheart Islands” of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong. Led by a conservationist, you’ll get to know the local ecosystem of these pristine islands, the local species they’re home to, and the work being done to protect them.
9. Get a Masterclass in Cambodian Art
While Angkor Wat is the star of a visit to Siem Reap, art lovers will also appreciate a special opportunity to embark on an expertly guided tour of the city’s art and design scene. Led by the curator of a local contemporary gallery, you’ll traverse the city visiting the city’s hidden enclaves on a private tour of its artistic traditions, from local lacquer art and fine art photography to emerging Cambodian artists and international modern art. The tour can be tailored entirely to your preferences, whether you’d like to see post-modernist works or traditional handicrafts, and you’ll have the benefit of expert insights and insider knowledge at every stop.
10. Sip a Classic Cocktail at a Storied Bar
Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh is the height of sophistication in the city and piece of Cambodian history. Check into one of the contemporary rooms inspired by French colonial, Khmer, and Art Deco design, or simply make time for a drink at the famous Elephant Bar. Order the Femme Fatale, the property’s signature cocktail that was created for Jaqueline Kennedy on her 1967 visit here. The mix of champagne, cognac, and crème à la fraise des bois, matches the elegant, storied room perfectly.
Explore Cambodia On a Map
Plan your Trip
Ready to start planning your own incredible adventure? We make the process stress-free and enjoyable.
Our favorite Cambodia Safaris
- Itinerary
Luxury Cambodia: Angkor to Islands
Luxurious Cambodia travel on a private itinerary that starts with Angkor Wat, then visits Koh Rong,...