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Things to do in Battambang
Battambang attractions you shouldn't miss
Explore the best things to do in Battambang through customizable private tours led by expert local guides. From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, you’ll experience Battambang in ways you never imagined.
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What travellers say
Traveller reviews in Battambang
4.9
(8)
Sak was a wonderfully knowledgeable and insightful guide. He was warm and was willing to share his personal story which just amplifies the horror that was the Khmer Rouge but even worse was that those at the borders failed to help when they finally were able to flee the killing fields. His knowledge of the current situation in Cambodia was also most enlightening. I hope for the future of his country there will be more like him!
Jonathan
Traveller
City Tour
Highest recommendation! Sak speaks excellent English and is very well read. He gave great suggestions on what we could see with limited time and was extremely flexible with what we wanted (markets, temples, architecture, etc.) He managed all arrangements and arrived early with transportation. Sak is exactly what we hoped for, a local guide who educated us on the temples, religious symbolism, and Cambodian culture and history. On a 3 week trip to SE Asia (including 3 days at Ankor) Sak was our best guide.
Ashley
Traveller
Afternoon Tour
We had a great full day tour. Bun Nang was an amazing host, he showed us around and gave us a great insight in the local life and everything Battambang has to offer.
I would definitely recommend taking a tour with him. He even adjusted the tour to our wishes, thank you again for that!
We had a fantastic day with Sak. He's a very knowledgeable and friendly guide, who I would highly recommend. The tour was very varied, but particular highlights were the bamboo train, and going to see the bats leave their roost at dusk.
Matt
Traveller
Afternoon Tour
More ways to experience Battambang
At first glance, Battambang may seem like a quiet town, but it hums with life, filled with stories waiting to be discovered. From its historic French colonial architecture to its thriving arts scene, there's a wealth that this city has to offer. Among the things to do in Battambang, stroll around the charming neighbourhoods, explore the bustling markets or find a serene spot by the river. Each season highlights a different side of Battambang, and those willing to go off the typical tourist path will uncover a city buzzing with energy and resilience.
Cultural experiences: Book a seat at Phare Ponleu Selpak’s big-top show around 7 pm and linger afterward at the café with students and families. In the cool morning, pedal to Wat Kor village to tour a century-old wooden house while the owners share stories.
Small museums and galleries: Browse contemporary work at Romcheik 5 Art Space & Café, set in a leafy compound run by young artists. Drop into Sammaki Community Arts Space to see rotating exhibits and pick up a small print. The Battambang Provincial Museum stays quiet most afternoons, so you can study lintels and sandstone statues without rush.
Less crowded scenic viewpoints: Climb the steps to Phnom Banan early morning for wide views over rice fields and the Sangkae River. Near sunset, stand by the old pagoda at Wat Samraong Knong and watch light roll across the paddies.
Shop for local products & souvenirs: Start at Psar Nat just after breakfast for palm sugar, dried banana chips, and bright cotton kramas. Stop by the Phare Boutique in the afternoon for hand-printed tees and sketchbooks supporting local students. On the road toward Phnom Sampov, pick up warm bamboo sticky rice (kralan) from family stalls for the ride back.
Old French Quarter: Step inside a time capsule with its rows of charming colonial-era buildings. Feel the echo of history and the blend of cultures on every veranda and shuttered window.
Riverside: Delight in the tranquillity of the peaceful riverfront. Here, the sunsets paint the sky in hues of fiery red and orange, reflecting majestically off the calm water.
Phsar Nath: Dive into the hustle and bustle of the city's main market. Indulge your senses in the explosion of colours, sounds and the distinct aroma of herbs and spices.
Wat Kor Village: Venture into this peaceful neighborhood and discover traditional Cambodian wooden houses. Listen to the soft rhythm of every day village life playing in the backdrop.
Phnom Sampov: Climb the limestone hill for a spectacular view of the surrounding rice fields and villages. Feel the breeze whisper ancient tales as it brushes against the centuries-old temple atop.
Summer: Monsoon showers turn the rice paddies emerald and swell the Sangker River, making countryside rides and photography especially rewarding. Take market breaks for tropical fruit and linger in studios as Battambang’s art scene hums along.
Fall: Pchum Ben brings quiet, moving ceremonies at pagodas, with families offering food to monks at dawn. Rains ease, colonial streets dry out, and sunset viewpoints reopen for soft light and long horizons.
Winter: Cool, clear days favour temple hopping, cycling lanes between villages and unhurried boat rides when water levels allow. Evenings along the river stay lively yet relaxed, a nice fit for seniors and families.
Khmer New Year in April, the autumn ancestor festival of Pchum Ben, and November’s Water Festival with illuminated boats and river gatherings mark the calendar here. Local temple fairs pop up through the year, easy to dip into with a guide.
Explore Battambang off the beaten path
Ease into slower days and discover alternative things to do that connect you to river rhythms, village crafts, and evenings filled with friendly, unhurried gatherings.Cultural experiences: Book a seat at Phare Ponleu Selpak’s big-top show around 7 pm and linger afterward at the café with students and families. In the cool morning, pedal to Wat Kor village to tour a century-old wooden house while the owners share stories.
Small museums and galleries: Browse contemporary work at Romcheik 5 Art Space & Café, set in a leafy compound run by young artists. Drop into Sammaki Community Arts Space to see rotating exhibits and pick up a small print. The Battambang Provincial Museum stays quiet most afternoons, so you can study lintels and sandstone statues without rush.
Less crowded scenic viewpoints: Climb the steps to Phnom Banan early morning for wide views over rice fields and the Sangkae River. Near sunset, stand by the old pagoda at Wat Samraong Knong and watch light roll across the paddies.
Shop for local products & souvenirs: Start at Psar Nat just after breakfast for palm sugar, dried banana chips, and bright cotton kramas. Stop by the Phare Boutique in the afternoon for hand-printed tees and sketchbooks supporting local students. On the road toward Phnom Sampov, pick up warm bamboo sticky rice (kralan) from family stalls for the ride back.
Popular neighbourhoods
Peeling back the layers of a city is best done by wandering its neighbourhoods, their distinct personalities combining to form the unique character of Battambang.Old French Quarter: Step inside a time capsule with its rows of charming colonial-era buildings. Feel the echo of history and the blend of cultures on every veranda and shuttered window.
Riverside: Delight in the tranquillity of the peaceful riverfront. Here, the sunsets paint the sky in hues of fiery red and orange, reflecting majestically off the calm water.
Phsar Nath: Dive into the hustle and bustle of the city's main market. Indulge your senses in the explosion of colours, sounds and the distinct aroma of herbs and spices.
Wat Kor Village: Venture into this peaceful neighborhood and discover traditional Cambodian wooden houses. Listen to the soft rhythm of every day village life playing in the backdrop.
Phnom Sampov: Climb the limestone hill for a spectacular view of the surrounding rice fields and villages. Feel the breeze whisper ancient tales as it brushes against the centuries-old temple atop.
Things to do in Battambang by season
Spring: Feel the heat build before the rains, time early starts for Phnom Banan or Wat Ek Phnom, and watch Khmer New Year bring water blessings, music and games in mid-April. Cooler evenings suit gentle riverfront walks and street-food stops.Summer: Monsoon showers turn the rice paddies emerald and swell the Sangker River, making countryside rides and photography especially rewarding. Take market breaks for tropical fruit and linger in studios as Battambang’s art scene hums along.
Fall: Pchum Ben brings quiet, moving ceremonies at pagodas, with families offering food to monks at dawn. Rains ease, colonial streets dry out, and sunset viewpoints reopen for soft light and long horizons.
Winter: Cool, clear days favour temple hopping, cycling lanes between villages and unhurried boat rides when water levels allow. Evenings along the river stay lively yet relaxed, a nice fit for seniors and families.
Khmer New Year in April, the autumn ancestor festival of Pchum Ben, and November’s Water Festival with illuminated boats and river gatherings mark the calendar here. Local temple fairs pop up through the year, easy to dip into with a guide.
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