Planning a Cambodia Holiday or Honeymoon
Cambodia is one of those destinations that really stays with you. I travelled here as part of a wider Southeast Asia trip, crossing overland from Vietnam into Phnom Penh, and it's fascinating how different they are. There’s a depth to Cambodia, shaped by its recent history, but also a real sense of energy and change. Thinking about a Cambodia holiday or honeymoon? Let's go!
Why Choose Cambodia?
Cambodia offers a mix that’s quite hard to replicate elsewhere in Southeast Asia. You’ve got:
- the temples of Angkor, one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage sights in the world
- a powerful and important recent history
- Phnom Penh which has great food and fab hotels
- less developed beach areas than some of it's neighbours.
Phnom Penh
We arrived into Phnom Penh by bus from Vietnam. This is where Cambodia’s relative recent history is most visible. Visiting sites connected to the Khmer Rouge is challenging but essential.
Alongside that, there’s a different side to the city: riverside bars and restaurants along the Mekong beautiful architecture dotted throughout the city great food scene and stylish hotels
Angkor Wat and Siem Reap
From Phnom Penh we travelled to Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat. This is one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic sights, and it absolutely lives up to expectations.
Built in the 12th century and said to be the largest religious monument in the world, the scale of it is hard to take in until you’re there. Highlights include sunrise at Angkor Wat, the tree-covered ruins of Ta Prohm, the carved faces of Bayon Temple, exploring the temples by tuk-tuk or bike.
It’s not just one temple, it’s a vast complex, and you could easily spend a couple of days here without getting bored.
Cambodia Beaches
While Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are the main highlights, Cambodia has a much slower pace once you get outside the cities.
You’ll find rural landscapes and small villages, local markets and everyday life unfolding around you and what many people don’t realise is that Cambodia also has some really lovely beach areas!
If you’re looking for something more low-key than Thailand, places like:
- Koh Rong
- Koh Rong Samloem Kep
- Kampot
- Krabey Island
Think boutique hotel stays, clear water and a slower pace, without the large-scale resort feel you’ll find elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
Where To Combine With Cambodia
Cambodia works very well as a standalone trip, but it also combines easily with other destinations in the region if you have more time. Some of the most popular routes include:
- with a Thailand holiday or honeymoon
- with a Vietnam itinerary, especially travelling overland doing an Indochina loop
- adding on to a tour of Laos
- hopping on a flight to the Philippines or Malaysia for some island hopping
- discovering more culture in China
- including a short stop before or after in Singapore stopover
Planning Your Cambodia Trip
Cambodia is a fascinating place to visit and you might want to factor in:
- how long to spend in Siem Reap for the temples
- what to see in Phnom Penh
- if you want to add a beach stay
- how it fits into a wider Southeast Asia route
And that's where I come in! Whether you're more independent minded travellers and just need the basics or want me to take care of every moment from start to finish, I'll make planning your Cambodia holiday or honeymoon easy.
Ready to start planning a Cambodia holiday or honeymoon?
