Visiting the Angkor Wat temples: useful information and tips
April 25, 2023
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Are you going backpacking or traveling through Cambodia? Then it is useful to determine your itinerary in advance. To inspire you, we share in this article our itinerary through Cambodia including useful tips and information per destination. Allow about 2 weeks for a round trip through Cambodia, this will certainly give you enough time to visit the main attractions, see a lot of the country and of course still have time to relax on the islands!
Determine the starting point of your journey through Cambodia
Where your journey in Cambodia will begin depends on where you are coming from. If you are traveling to Cambodia from the Netherlands, you may want to consider flying directly into Bangkok instead of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. A return Bangkok is often cheaper and you can fly on from Bangkok relatively cheaply or take the bus to Siem Reap.
Therefore, a tour of Cambodia is often combined with a trip through Vietnam, Laos or Thailand. In our case, Vietnam. We traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by bus. At the border crossing, you get a visa on arrival that gives you 30 days to explore the country. So our itinerary through Cambodia starts in the capital Phnom Penh and ends in Siem Reap, but of course you can also follow the route the other way around.
Phnom Penh
Cambodia's capital is not a very pleasant city, yet it is a city you must have visited. The city was once one of the most beautiful cities in Asia, but was completely destroyed when the Khmer Rouge came to power. Cambodia therefore has a terrible history, and the place to learn more about it is Phnom Penh. Visit the Tuol Sleng prison and the Killing Fields where you can take an audio tour in Dutch.
You have more than enough time in 2 days to explore Phnom Penh. Having visited Tuol Sleng prison and the Killing Fields, take a stroll past the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the river. Finish at one of the fun rooftop bars in the city center. In terms of accommodation, look for a hotel or hostel near Boeng Bak and Monivong Boulevard. A popular and very cozy hostel is Mad Monkey.
Tuol Sleng Prison
The Tuol Sleng Prison, also known as the S21 prison, served as a torture prison during the Khmer Rouge regime, but before that, this location was a dead normal school where children were taught. Under the power of the Khmer Rouge, educated residents and their families and friends were rounded up and held in captivity here until they were transported to the Killing Fields. When you take an audio tour during a visit to Tuol Sleng prison, you will learn more about the horrific events that took place here through photos, artifacts and personal stories. A visit to S21 is intriguing and heartbreaking.
Killing Fields
From Tuol Sleng, prisoners were taken to the Killing Fields, where they were brutally murdered. A visit to the Killing Fields, also called Choeung Ek, is therefore quite fraught. Using the audio tour, you walk past the mass graves and visit a monument in which 8,000 skulls are presented.
Sihanoukville
Several buses depart daily from Phnom Penh to the port city of Sihanoukville. You can arrange a ticket for the bus easily and quickly through your hotel or hostel, but of course you can also do this at a local travel agency in the city center. The bus ride from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville takes about 6 hours.
Sihanoukville is much visited by travelers due to the fact that from here you can travel on to famous islands like Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. Personally, we do not find Sihanoukville a nice city and do not recommend staying here.
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Island hopping: Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem
You can catch a boat from the port of Sihanoukville about 6 times a day to the nearby islands. Two very famous islands off the coast of Cambodia are Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. Both are paradisiacal and absolutely belong in your itinerary through Cambodia. Expect snow-white sandy beaches, azure seas and, above all, lots of fun.
Koh Rong
From Sihanoukville, most travelers continue directly to the largest island of Koh Rong. Here, then, is where most of the action is. You will find cozy restaurants and bars, as well as nice hotels and hostels to stay in.
Koh Rong is known for its cozy atmosphere, so it's not surprising if you linger here longer than you thought you would. One activity that is great fun to do is to book a boat trip where you will go swimming, snorkeling and fishing during the day. In the evening, visit Long Beach where you can observe luminescent plankton. This is a very cool experience!
In addition, take some time to enjoy the beauty of the island. Take a hike through the jungle or explore pristine beaches. Want to see more of the underwater world? Then book a diving lesson; there are many diving schools on the island that offer this.
Koh Rong Samloem
Do you need more of a peaceful environment? Then the island of Koh Rong Samloem is really for you. The island has a relaxed atmosphere. You will find beautiful bays and lush jungle. Curious about the amenities on the island? Read all about it in our article on The paradise island of Koh Rond Samloem.
Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the end point of our journey through Cambodia, but this destination can certainly also be the starting point of your adventure. Personally, we think Siem Reap is the nicest city in Cambodia. It is bustling with fun and there is one incredibly beautiful sight that attracts many foreign travelers to the city. And that, of course, is the huge temple complex of Angkor. Want to visit the most beautiful temples of Angkor and have some all to yourself? Then check out our tips for visiting the Angkor temple complex.
Other great destinations to add to your itinerary through Cambodia
The itinerary as written out in this article is fine for a period of 2 weeks. If you have longer time and want to see more of Cambodia, there are certainly some great destinations you can add to the itinerary.
Kampot
Before traveling on from Phnom Penh to the islands, schedule a stop in the cozy village of Kampot. The village is known for its laid-back atmosphere and is described as a walhalla for backpackers. Kampot is located on a river along which you will also find cozy hostels, restaurants and bars. From Kampot you can also take a trip to the fishing village of Kep!
Battambang
A destination that is not in every itinerary through Cambodia is the city of Battambang. It may surprise you to learn that this is the second largest city in the country. Yet it is a lot quieter here than in the cities of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The city is best known for its popular bamboo train that you can take a ride on. Other than that, the city does not offer very much, apart from some beautiful temples and French colonial buildings that you can admire there.
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Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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