Top places to visit in Battambang

• Wat Banan

  temple · 4.1 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Often called the mini-Angkor of Battambang, Wat Banan is a 11th-century hilltop temple perched atop a steep 358-step staircase flanked by magnificent Naga serpent balustrades. The five towers of the temple are remarkably well-preserved and…

• Phnom Sampov

  Viewpoint · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A dramatic limestone karst rising from the flat Cambodian plains, Phnom Sampov is home to a Buddhist pagoda complex, stunning panoramic viewpoints, and the sobering Killing Caves of the Khmer Rouge — where an estimated 10,000 people were…

• Bamboo Train (Norry)

  Activity · 4.0 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of Cambodia's most quirky and beloved attractions, the Bamboo Train (locally called Norry) is a flat bamboo platform mounted on two axles powered by a small engine that rattles along disused French colonial railway tracks at 40 km/h.…

• Ek Phnom Temple

  temple · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A partially ruined 11th-century Khmer temple set among rice fields 11 km north of Battambang, Ek Phnom is flanked by a newer Buddhist pagoda that is still actively used by local worshippers. The ancient sandstone towers are slowly being…

• Sangker River Boat Trip

  Nature · 3.3 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Sangker River flows through Battambang Province and offers one of Cambodia's most scenic boat journeys — gliding past stilted fishing villages, floating lotus farms, forested banks, and rice paddies. The seasonal route to Siem Reap…

• Battambang Colonial Quarter

  Heritage · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Battambang is Cambodia's best-preserved colonial city — its riverside streetscape of French-era shophouses, yellow-painted administrative buildings, and Art Deco facades rivals anything in Southeast Asia. The stretch along the Sangker…

• Battambang Railway Station

  landmark · 3.9 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Time-capsule 1920s colonial station, clock stopped at the old time.

• Battambang Provincial Museum

  history · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Small museum of Angkorian-era sculpture from the surrounding temples.

• Ta Dumbong Statue

  landmark · 4.5 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The black statue of the legendary lost-stick man who named Battambang.

• Psar Nat (Central Market)

  local-market · 4.1 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Art-deco central market, the bustling heart of the old town.

• Phare Ponleu Selpak Campus

  venue · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Arts-school campus whose circus and galleries support disadvantaged youth.

• Romcheik 5 Artspace

  art · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Contemporary gallery of work by formerly trafficked young Cambodian artists.

Things to do

• Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus Show Show · 1.3 h · from KHR 56,400 per person
• Bamboo Train Ride & Village Day Tour Cultural · 7 h · from KHR 106,000 per person
• Battambang Bicycle & Art Tour Cycling · 3.5 h · from KHR 63,400 per person
• Sangker River Boat & Countryside Half-Day Boat · 3.5 h · from KHR 70,500 per person
• Traditional Khmer Fruit Wine Tasting Food Tour · 2 h · from KHR 42,300 per person
• Phnom Sampeau Sunset Bat Cave Tour Nature · 4 h · from KHR 63,700 per person
• Battambang Countryside Tour Cultural · 5 h · from KHR 76,400 per person
• Wat Banan & Wat Ek Phnom Temple Tour Cultural · 5 h · from KHR 63,700 per person

Day trips and tours

• Bamboo Train, Bat Cave & Circus Full Day 12 h · from KHR 233,000
• Colonial Quarter Cycling & Art Studio Tour 5.5 h · from KHR 119,000

Where to stay in Battambang

• Old Town & Riverside about KHR 30 per night

  Battambang's most atmospheric quarter lines the Sangker River with French shophouses, excellent Khmer restaurants, coffee shops and a thriving arts scene. Walking distance to the town night market; short tuk-tuk ride to…

• French Colonial Quarter about KHR 25 per night

  South of the Old Town along the west bank of the Sangker River, the French Colonial Quarter retains intact villa streetscapes rarely seen elsewhere in Cambodia. Boutique guesthouses and cafés occupy restored shophouses.…

• Northern Countryside Ecolodges about KHR 45 per night

  Beyond Battambang's town limits, the northern rice-paddy countryside hosts a handful of eco-lodges and farm stays that offer a genuinely rural Cambodian experience. Wake up to mist over the paddy fields, join a morning…

Hotels

• La Villa Battambang 4-star · USD 70 to USD 180 per night
• The Sangker Villa 3-star · USD 35 to USD 90 per night
• Maisons Wat Kor 4-star · USD 60 to USD 150 per night
• Bambu Hotel 3-star · USD 45 to USD 120 per night
• Here Be Dragons Hostel 1-star · USD 6 to USD 30 per night
• Au Cabaret Vert 4-star · USD 50 to USD 120 per night

Where to eat

• Jaan Bai Cambodian, Khmer, Fusion · about USD 14 per person
• The Riverside Balcony Bar Western, Cambodian, Fusion · about USD 7 per person
• Battambang Bat Cave BBQ BBQ, Cambodian, Street Food · about USD 4 per person
• Khmer Delight Restaurant Cambodian, Khmer · about USD 5 per person
• Phsar Nath Market Food Stalls Cambodian, Street Food · about USD 2 per person
• The Pizza Company Battambang Italian, Western, Pizza · about USD 11 per person
• Pomme French, Cambodian · about USD 8 per person
• The Lonely Tree Cafe Cambodian, Mediterranean · about USD 7 per person

Getting to Battambang

Nearest airport: Siem Reap (REP), about 70 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

How visitors arrive in Battambang

• Coach or van from Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Poipet By road from Phnom Penh · most visitors

  Many companies such as Giant Ibis, Mekong Express and Sorya Bus run air-conditioned coaches and vans to Battambang; tickets can be booked online. Source: tourismcambodia.com

• Boat from Siem Reap along the Sangkae River By ferry from Siem Reap · possible

  A passenger boat links Siem Reap and Battambang except at the lowest dry-season water; used mostly by tourists. Source: tourismcambodia.com

• Northern railway line from Phnom Penh By train from Phnom Penh · possible · unconfirmed

  Page lists a Phnom Penh to Battambang train but also says passenger rail has not been restored, so confirm locally. Source: tourismcambodia.com

Getting around

• Bicycle

  Bicycles can be rented from most hotels and private companies in Battambang, and the compact city centre is mostly walkable.

• Scooter Rental

  Motorbikes can be rented in Battambang for reaching sights outside town such as Phnom Sampeou.

• Tuktuk

  Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis wait around the popular tourist areas of Battambang and are used for trips to sights outside town such as Phnom Sampeou.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Bamboo train overcharging & fake tour packages

  Battambang bamboo train track, market area

  Touts quote $5 for a norry (bamboo train) ride at the track but the agreed price doubles at the return leg. Fake combo "tour packages" include non-existent circus or wine-tasting tickets.

  How to avoid it: Confirm round-trip price in writing before boarding. Book circus tickets directly at Phare Ponleu Selpak box office (phare.com.kh).

• Unofficial "guide" at Phnom Sampov caves

  Phnom Sampov bat cave, hilltop temple

  An unofficial "guide" attaches himself without invitation, carries your bag up the steep steps, then demands USD 10–20 for the "service." Refusing can turn confrontational at isolated hilltop.

  How to avoid it: Politely but firmly decline any unsolicited guide at the car park. Hire guides in advance from the Battambang Tourist Information Centre.

• Fake "killing cave" entrance fees

  Phnom Sampov cave entrance

  Men at the bottom of the hill collect USD 2–5 "cave entrance fees" using unofficial handwritten receipts. The cave has no admission fee; ticket is only for the mountain (USD 3 official, paid at the barrier).

  How to avoid it: Only pay at the official barrier with a printed ticket. The killing-cave interior is free once you have paid the mountain entry.

• Counterfeit Battambang Circus tickets

  Guesthouses, tuk-tuk drivers near Phare

  Touts resell Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus tickets at double price, or sell non-existent seats for sold-out shows. Fake tickets often appear authentic but are invalid at the door.

  How to avoid it: Buy directly at the Phare Ponleu Selpak box office or via phare.com.kh. Doors open one hour before show; book at least a day ahead in high season.

Best time to visit Battambang

• Jan 33°C
• Feb 35°C
• Mar 37°C
• Apr 36°C
• May 35°C
• Jun 34°C
• Jul 33°C
• Aug 33°C
• Sep 33°C
• Oct 32°C
• Nov 32°C
• Dec 31°C

More in Cambodia

• Siem Reap
• Phnom Penh
• Sihanoukville
• Sen Monorom
• Kep
• Kratie

Frequently asked questions about Battambang

How many days do you need in Battambang?

A typical trip to Battambang is 1-2 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Battambang?

The highest-rated places in our Battambang guide are Phare Ponleu Selpak Campus, Romcheik 5 Artspace, Ta Dumbong Statue, Phnom Sampov, Ek Phnom Temple.

Where should I stay in Battambang?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Battambang: Old Town & Riverside, French Colonial Quarter, Northern Countryside Ecolodges.

How do I get around Battambang?

Ways to get around Battambang covered in our guide: Bicycle, Scooter rental, Tuk-tuk, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Battambang?

Scams reported to us for Battambang include Bamboo train overcharging & fake tour packages; Unofficial "guide" at Phnom Sampov caves; Fake "killing cave" entrance fees. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Battambang?

Average daytime highs in Battambang run from 31°C in Dec to 37°C in Mar.