Destination Cambodia

Destination Cambodia

Our first-hand experiences in Cambodia, including our stories, guides and places we genuinely tested.

Practical tips at a glance

In Cambodia, same-sex relationships are legal, although same-sex marriage is not yet recognised. Society still holds on to certain traditions, but acceptance of LGBTQ+ people is growing. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have small gay scenes, with bars, events and Pride celebrations. Despite this progress, legal protection against discrimination remains limited, and attitudes can vary from one region to another.

For our part, we always felt welcome and safe as a gay couple, without sensing any judgement from the people we met. We weren't particularly affectionate in public, though, which also fits with local customs, where public displays of affection tend to be discreet regardless of sexual orientation. Our experience was therefore very positive, even if it doesn't necessarily reflect that of every LGBTQ+ person.

In Cambodia, buses and minivans are the most common way to travel between cities. They connect the main destinations at generally affordable prices. Journeys can take a while, though, because of road conditions and traffic. To reach the islands, speedboats depart from the coast, with schedules that may change depending on the weather.

In cities, Grab and PassApp are particularly handy for booking a tuk-tuk or car at an agreed price. For longer journeys, choose established operators and check recent reviews, as comfort and safety can vary considerably.

Cambodia has a tropical climate with two main seasons. The dry season, from November to April, is generally the best time to travel. From November to February, temperatures are more comfortable for sightseeing and outdoor activities. In March and April, the heat becomes particularly intense, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 35°C.

The rainy season generally runs from May to October, with especially heavy rainfall in September and October. We travelled around Cambodia in October and did experience some very intense downpours, but they usually didn't last very long. Often, we just had to be patient and keep an umbrella close at hand. The rain didn't stop us from enjoying our trip, although it's worth checking the forecast before certain activities, especially boat trips.

Cambodia's official currency is the Cambodian riel (KHR), but the US dollar (USD) is also widely used. Prices are often shown in dollars, especially at tourist-oriented businesses, while smaller purchases are easy to pay for in riel. In our experience, we were always able to pay in either riel or dollars, with most merchants applying a conversion rate. Cards are accepted in many places, but cash remains essential, especially at markets and small shops.

ATMs are available in major cities, but withdrawal fees may apply to foreign cards. Check the fees before confirming and decline the offered currency conversion if your bank gives you a better rate. Also be careful with US banknotes: damaged or torn bills may be refused. Paying in riel for smaller purchases often avoids this issue.

For many nationalities, including European citizens, a tourist visa is required to enter Cambodia. It generally allows a 30-day stay and costs USD 30. You can apply online through the official e-Visa website or get a visa on arrival at certain entry points. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date. Exemptions and requirements can vary depending on your nationality.

If you're arriving by air, you also need to complete the Cambodia e-Arrival form free of charge within the seven days before arrival, via the official e-Arrival website. This doesn't replace the visa. If you're entering overland, check the conditions at your planned border crossing, as not all crossings accept e-Visas and some borders may be temporarily closed.

In Cambodia, international roaming is generally not included in standard European mobile plans, unless you have a specific option. To get online as soon as you arrive, a travel eSIM such as Airalo can be handy. You can also buy a local SIM card from operators such as Smart, Cellcard or Metfone. Plans are generally excellent value, and the process is quick: you just need to show your passport to register the SIM card.

Mobile coverage is generally good in major cities and popular tourist destinations, but it can be less reliable in the countryside, on some islands and in remote areas. For a longer stay or heavy internet use, a local SIM can work out cheaper than a travel eSIM. It's also worth downloading offline maps before long journeys or excursions.

Our destinations in Cambodia

Our practical guide

Our travel guides

What to do in Koh Rong?

What to do in Koh Rong?

4 places we’ve personally tested in Koh Rong. Open each entry for details and useful links to help plan your visit. This selection grows with the content we publish.

Explore the guide
What to visit in Phnom Penh?

What to visit in Phnom Penh?

3 experiences we lived ourselves in Phnom Penh. Open each entry for details and useful links to help plan your visit. This selection grows with the content we publish.

Explore the guide
Where to eat in Koh Rong?

Where to eat in Koh Rong?

3 places that marked our time in Koh Rong. Open each entry for details and useful links to help plan your visit. This selection grows with the content we publish.

Explore the guide
Where to go out in Koh Rong?

Where to go out in Koh Rong?

Our selection, born from 2 real experiences in Koh Rong. Open each entry for details and useful links to help plan your visit. This selection grows with the content we publish.

Explore the guide
Where to go out in Phnom Penh?

Where to go out in Phnom Penh?

2 places we’ve personally tested in Phnom Penh. Open each entry for details and useful links to help plan your visit. This selection grows with the content we publish.

Explore the guide
What to do in Phnom Penh?

What to do in Phnom Penh?

Tried and approved by us in Phnom Penh. Open each entry for details and useful links to help plan your visit. This selection grows with the content we publish.

Explore the guide
What to visit in Siem Reap?

What to visit in Siem Reap?

What we loved discovering in Siem Reap. Open each entry for details and useful links to help plan your visit. This selection grows with the content we publish.

Explore the guide
Where to eat in Phnom Penh?

Where to eat in Phnom Penh?

Our only recommendation in Phnom Penh so far — but a real gem. Open each entry for details and useful links to help plan your visit. This selection grows with the content we publish.

Explore the guide
Where to stay in Koh Rong?

Where to stay in Koh Rong?

One place we’ve personally tested in Koh Rong. Open each entry for details and useful links to help plan your visit. This selection grows with the content we publish.

Explore the guide

Our recommendations

Museums 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S21, is one of Cambodia’s most important memorial sites. This former high school in Phnom Penh was turned into a detention, interrogation and torture centre by the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979. Thousands of people were imprisoned here, often before being executed. Today, its preserved cells, photographs and testimonies offer a powerful insight into one of the darkest chapters of the country’s history.

Read the full recommendation
Restaurants 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Khmer Women' Food

Khmer Women' Food is a small, family-style restaurant on a quiet street in Phnom Penh, serving generous portions of traditional Khmer food cooked to order. There's nothing fancy about it: the appeal lies in its homemade dishes, local flavours and the warm welcome from the women who run the place.

Read the full recommendation
Bassac Lane
Neighbourhoods 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Bassac Lane

In the Tonle Bassac neighbourhood, Bassac Lane is a narrow pedestrian alley just off Street 308, surrounded by little side streets filled with bars and restaurants. In the evening, the terraces come alive, the lights switch on, and every venue has its own atmosphere, from intimate little pubs to livelier cocktail bars. A great area for a night out in Phnom Penh.

Read the full recommendation
Bars 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
LGBTQ+ friendly

A welcoming place open to LGBTQ+ people.

The Welsh Embassy

Tucked away in a little alley off Bassac Lane in Phnom Penh, The Welsh Embassy is a tiny Welsh pub unlike any other bar in the neighbourhood. Spread across two floors, it embraces its roots with flags, wooden details and walls covered in signatures, drawings and little notes left by visitors. You'll find Welsh beers, cocktails and gin and tonics on the menu. A little piece of Wales right in the heart of Cambodia!

Read the full recommendation
Monuments 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Royal Palace of Phnom Penh

Construction of Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace began in 1866, and it remains the official residence of Cambodia’s king. Behind its yellow walls, you’ll find traditional Khmer architecture, golden roofs, richly decorated pavilions and beautifully maintained gardens. The visit also includes the famous Silver Pagoda, home to several Buddhist treasures. Its name comes from the thousands of silver tiles covering its floor.

Read the full recommendation
Activities 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Sunset cruise on the Mekong

In Phnom Penh, several companies offer late-afternoon cruises along the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers, giving you a different view of Cambodia’s capital from the water. Trips generally last between one and two hours, depending on the package. Some are straightforward sightseeing cruises, while others include unlimited drinks or a meal on board.

Read the full recommendation
Beaches 🇰🇭 Koh Rong, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Lonely Beach

Located in the north of Koh Rong, Lonely Beach is a secluded stretch of sand lined with palm trees and tropical forest. With its white sand, turquoise water and a handful of discreet places to stay, it really lives up to its name. Far from the island's busier beaches, it's a lovely place to enjoy the sea and some peace and quiet.

Read the full recommendation
Restaurants 🇰🇭 Koh Rong, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Lily's Bungalows, Bar & Restaurant

Located right on Lonely Beach, in the north of Koh Rong, Lily's Bungalows, Bar & Restaurant is a small beachfront property with bungalows, a bar and a restaurant. It's a lovely place to stop for coffee, breakfast or a bite to eat while enjoying the beautiful view of the beach.

Read the full recommendation
Restaurants 🇰🇭 Koh Rong, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Barracuda Seafood Restaurant

Located right on Long Set Beach on Koh Rong, Barracuda Seafood Restaurant is a small beachfront restaurant specialising in fresh fish and seafood. There's nothing overly complicated about the cooking here: the fish takes centre stage, simply grilled or served with a few Mediterranean-inspired sides. You can enjoy your meal with your feet in the sand.

Read the full recommendation
Hotels 🇰🇭 Koh Rong, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Koh Rong Hill Beach Resort

Located at the far end of Long Set Beach on Koh Rong Island, Koh Rong Hill Beach Resort has small private bungalows surrounded by greenery, with direct access to the beach. There’s also a restaurant and, best of all, a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the sea. It’s a lovely place to enjoy the beach in a quieter setting without feeling completely cut off.

Read the full recommendation
Bars 🇰🇭 Koh Rong, Cambodia
LGBTQ+ friendly

A welcoming place open to LGBTQ+ people.

Onederz Koh Rong

Right on Long Set Beach, Onederz is a bar and restaurant whose atmosphere changes throughout the day. During the day, things are pretty laid-back: you can settle into a sun lounger, enjoy the beach and have a drink overlooking the sea. But from late afternoon, the atmosphere gradually picks up! Between happy hours, DJ nights, fire shows and pub crawls, there's almost always something going on.

Read the full recommendation
Restaurants 🇰🇭 Koh Rong, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

The Bowl Bar

The Bowl Bar is a small restaurant on Long Set Beach with a simple concept: you build your own bowl using the ingredients you like. Vegetables, proteins, sides and sauces — you choose whatever you're in the mood for to create your own meal. A great alternative for something fresh and balanced on Koh Rong.

Read the full recommendation
Bars 🇰🇭 Koh Rong, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Beach Bar Koh Rong

Just a stone’s throw from the pier at Long Set Beach, this little cocktail bar is a great place to enjoy a drink with some good music in the background and a relaxed atmosphere. On certain nights, though, things change completely: it’s one of the stops on Koh Rong’s pub crawl, and the mood gets much livelier!

Read the full recommendation
Beaches 🇰🇭 Koh Rong, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

Long Set Beach

Located on Koh Rong island in Cambodia, Long Set Beach, also known as 4K Beach, is a long stretch of white sand bordered by crystal-clear turquoise water. You'll find plenty of accommodation, restaurants and beachfront bars, along with various activities. Some ferries from Sihanoukville stop directly here, making it a convenient place to arrive on the island.

Read the full recommendation
Long Beach
Beaches 🇰🇭 Koh Rong, Cambodia

Long Beach

Located on the west coast of Koh Rong, Long Beach is an enormous stretch of white sand bordered by turquoise water. Much quieter than Long Set Beach, it’s ideal for swimming, walking along the shore or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Its west-facing location also makes it a lovely spot to watch the sunset.

Read the full recommendation
The Library
Bars 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

The Library

The Library is a tiny cocktail bar tucked away in Bassac Lane, one of Phnom Penh's popular spots for a night out. With bookshelves along the walls and a wide-open frontage facing the lane, you can soak up the atmosphere even when sitting inside. It's a fairly relaxed place, ideal for having a drink and a chat.

Read the full recommendation
How to get to Koh Rong
Transport 🇰🇭 Koh Rong, Cambodia
General venue

A recommended place without a particular LGBTQ+ positioning.

How to get to Koh Rong

The easiest way to get to Koh Rong in Cambodia is by speedboat from Sihanoukville. The crossing usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the boat and its stops. If you are travelling from another Cambodian city or continuing your journey after Koh Rong, you can sometimes book a combined bus or minivan and ferry ticket.

Read the full recommendation
Neighbourhoods 🇰🇭 Siem Reap, Cambodia
LGBTQ+ venue

A venue intended for the wider LGBTQ+ community.

Gay nightlife around Pub Street in Siem Reap

Siem Reap does not have a clearly defined gay district. However, around Pub Street and the Old Market, several LGBTQ+ bars are within walking distance of each other. These include Barcode and GOD, known for their lively nights and drag performances.

Read the full recommendation

Our travel stories

Koh Rong, a paradise that leaves its mark — 1
Koh Rong, a paradise that leaves its mark — 2
Koh Rong, a paradise that leaves its mark — 3
Koh Rong, a paradise that leaves its mark — 4
Koh Rong, a paradise that leaves its mark — 5
🇰🇭 Koh Rong · Cambodia

Koh Rong, a paradise that leaves its mark

“What if we stayed two more days?” That’s the question we end up asking ourselves after a few days on Koh Rong, Cambodia. With its white-sand beaches, turquoise water and little bars right on the sand, the island quickly wins us over. We came for a few relaxing days, but feel so at home that we decide to extend our stay by two nights. To reach Koh Rong from…

Read the article
Phnom Penh, Between Wonder and Remembrance — 1
Phnom Penh, Between Wonder and Remembrance — 2
Phnom Penh, Between Wonder and Remembrance — 3
Phnom Penh, Between Wonder and Remembrance — 4
Phnom Penh, Between Wonder and Remembrance — 5
🇰🇭 Phnom Penh · Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Between Wonder and Remembrance

Our first surprise in Phnom Penh wasn't the Royal Palace, but our hotel room. After several hours on a bus from Ho Chi Minh City, we arrived in the rain at the Ocean Hotel, where we were told we'd been upgraded. Always good news! Except that our new room was in a corridor where several guests seemed to be competing in a smoking contest. Doors wide open,…

Read the article