Reiseroute
In April 2023 my partner and I checked another country off our bucket list: Cambodia, a country with a turbulent history, awe-inspiring temple complexes and paradise-like beaches that had drawn me in for a long time.
My trip started in Frankfurt, flying Qatar Airways via Doha and Bangkok to Siem Reap, for around €1,000 per person including luggage. From there we spent 1.5 weeks traveling through some of the country's most beautiful and fascinating places: the temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, the vibrant capital Phnom Penh, the dreamy beaches of Koh Rong and the laid-back river town of Kampot, before my trip continued overland into Vietnam.
Cambodia deeply impressed me with its colors, its warmth and its diversity, and that's exactly what I want to tell you about in this guide: my honest experiences, favorite spots and the tips I wish I'd had before the trip myself.
Our trip to Cambodia began in Siem Reap, a city with a charm all its own. Gateway to the temples of Angkor, the largest temple complex in the world, plus a lively night market and restaurant scene around Pub Street.
Phnom Penh is Cambodia's vibrant capital and also its largest city, located at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers. Its history goes back to the 14th century, and though founded as a small settlement, it was for centuries an important trading and cultural center and served as the capital of the Khmer Empire.
Koh Rong is a breathtaking island in Sihanoukville province, known for its dreamy beaches and crystal-clear water. A true paradise for anyone who loves beach life and wants peace away from the crowds. The island offers plenty: snorkeling and diving among colorful marine life, kayaking and relaxed walks along endless sandy beaches, or simply soaking up the sun. Koh Rong consists of two islands: the larger, livelier main island Koh Rong with lots of accommodation, restaurants and bars, and the smaller, quieter Koh Rong Samloem.
After Koh Rong our trip continued south to Kampot, a province known for its scenic beauty, picturesque river and impressive mountains. Kampot wasn't just the ideal stopover on the way to Vietnam for us, it was a place we absolutely wanted to experience, and we were especially curious about the world-famous pepper plantations. During our all-too-short stay, we quickly realized Kampot had so much more to offer than we expected. The charm of the small town, the relaxed atmosphere and outdoor activities like trekking, kayaking or river boat tours won us over.
Ranges from simple guesthouses from €8–15 to boutique hotels and resorts from €50–150. I personally paid between €56 (Kampot) and €140 (beachfront resort on Koh Rong) per night, usually including breakfast. Siem Reap and Phnom Penh have an especially wide selection across all price ranges.
Khmer cuisine is milder than Thai food, with dishes like amok (a curry dish) or Khmer soup. Don't drink the tap water, bottled water is available everywhere.