Temple ruins, a riverside capital and slow days on the southern coast.
Cambodia is best known for Angkor, the vast temple complex near Siem Reap where Angkor Wat, the stone faces of the Bayon and the tree-wrapped Ta Prohm sit in forest. Phnom Penh, on the Mekong, has the Royal Palace, riverside cafés and the sobering Tuol Sleng museum. Beyond these lie the stilt villages of the Tonle Sap, the old colonial town of Kampot and islands such as Koh Rong.
Days are unhurried, fuelled by fish amok, lok lak and iced coffee, with tuk-tuks for short hops and buses between towns. November to February is the best time, dry and relatively cool; March to May is intensely hot, and the rainy season from June to October brings green fields and afternoon downpours.
Best time to visit Cambodia
January, February, November, December.
Places to visit in Cambodia
Angkor: The vast temple complex of the Khmer Empire, including Angkor Wat, the Bayon's stone faces and jungle-wrapped Ta Prohm.
Siem Reap: The gateway town to Angkor, with a lively Pub Street, craft markets, Khmer cooking and the Phare circus.
Phnom Penh: Cambodia's capital, where the Royal Palace and riverside cafés sit alongside sobering memorials to the Khmer Rouge years.
Kampot: A quiet riverside town of faded colonial buildings, known for its pepper plantations and the Bokor Mountain national park.
Essentials
Currency: Cambodian Riel (KHR)
Language: Khmer; English in tourist areas
Plugs: Type A / C / G, 230 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+7
Tipping: Not expected but appreciated; small tips for guides and drivers
Getting around: Tuk-tuks in towns; buses and minivans between them
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking