48 Hours in Battambang

Battambang was involved in Cambodia's civil war for more than a decade, and landmines were a heavy reality of the past. However, it is way far from those times now. Battambang is peaceful and safe. Known for its vibrant art and culture, the city is full of French-style buildings and historic legacies. It remained hidden as a tourism destination for a long time, but over recent years, more and more people are coming to Battambang to experience this unique corner of Cambodia.

Here is a quick guide to the best ways to spend your time as you visit this incredible city.

Day 1

Explore with the Locals - Soksabike (7:00 AM)

Soksabike Tour, Battambang

Start your time off with a bike tour through the countryside to jump right into what makes this city so special. Cycling is the most common form of transport in Cambodia, making it the perfect way to start engaging with the culture. Join Soksabike for one of their daily tours run by knowledgeable local student guides. During this tour, you will have authentic experiences, meet local families, and get to see Cambodian life and daily businesses such as rice paper making, banana products, fermented fish (a Cambodian cooking necessity), and so on.

Plus, by traveling with Soksabike, you support responsible tourism and community development—a portion of your tour fee goes directly to each family visited on tour and to guide training programs. The tour starts at 7:30 AM and finishes around 12:30 PM back at the Soksabike office right in town. Be sure to stop into Kinyei Café after the tour for your free coffee or drink included with the tour purchase—another great social enterprise in town. Soksabike's model ensures that you are not just having an amazing experience but also supporting local people, protecting their culture, and traveling in a responsible way.

Phnom Sampov and Battambang's Bats (3:00 PM)

Visitors are waiting for bats making their exit, Sampov Mountain

After a bike ride and a great lunch at Kinyei Café, you will want some downtime to relax. Most Cambodians return home to nap at lunch as it is the hottest time of day. We suggest you follow suit and check out your local pool, camp out in one of the many local coffee shops, or check out Street 2.5 for some unique boutiques and great souvenir shopping.

After a relaxing afternoon, around 3:00 PM you can head over to see Battambang's famous bats and hike Phnom Sampov (Sampov Mountain). Thousands of bats live in the mountain caves just outside of town. Every evening, they fly out of the caves looking for food, attracting national and international tourists alike. Your hotel can help you hire a tuk-tuk for around $12 to $15, and the driver will wait for you as you enjoy dinner and drinks at the mountain base while watching the bats leave their home.

For a small entry fee, if you go a bit before dusk, you can hike the mountain. The view at the top is brilliant, overlooking Battambang city surrounded by miles of rice fields. Most people prefer to arrive around 3:00 PM so they can climb to the top—hire a local guide or English-speaking tuk-tuk driver to learn the mountain's story. The hike is lined with different temples, caves, statues, and historical features. There is a Buddhist temple on top of the mountain where you can visit and receive a blessing. Because this area served as a prison during the Khmer Rouge regime, be sure to visit the memorial to learn more about Cambodia's history.

After your climb down, you can relax at one of the many restaurants to wait for the millions of bats to make their exit. They normally appear around 5:30 or 6:00 PM and continue for about an hour. If you are adventurous, try the boiled snails with chili sauce sold by local vendors! Sampov Mountain and Battambang's famous bats are an absolute must-see.

Dinner - Jaan Bai

Jaan Bai restaurant, Battambang

Jaan Bai is well known as the best restaurant in town. It is a social enterprise restaurant providing skills development and employment for Cambodian youth, offering a fantastic fusion of Western and Asian dishes. Be sure to check out the coconut braised beef ribs and the eggplant mushroom dumplings, plus their spectacular cocktails. It is hard to go wrong with anything on the menu.

Day 2

Central Market and Tuk-Tuk Ride (8:00 AM)

Battambang Tuk-Tuk parking nearby Psa Nat

Start your morning by walking into the center of town to visit Psar Nat (Central Market), one of the main shopping hubs for local residents. From the market, hire a tuk-tuk driver to take you to Banan Temple, an Angkorian ruin older than Angkor Wat. Built in the late 11th century on top of Banan Mountain, visitors climb the stone stairs to explore the temple ruins and enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants along the pond below. On the way, you can stop at a local grape winery to taste regional wine, enjoy the morning sunrise over the countryside, and visit historical pagodas before heading back to town.

Afternoon Art Tour (2:00 PM)

Romcheik5 Gallery, Battambang

Battambang is famous for its thriving art scene. While you are in town, be sure to check out some of the local galleries. Romcheik5 is run by local student artists and offers three floors of unique, cutting-edge contemporary art. It is a bit of a walk from the town center, so hiring a tuk-tuk to cross the river is recommended. In town, be sure to visit Sangker Gallery, Lotus Café (which features a gallery upstairs), and Tep Kao Sol for incredible watercolor art to take home.

A City Snack (4:30 PM)

Beef Meatballs at the riverfront, Battambang

After exploring the galleries, grab a snack before evening activities. Join the locals on the east side of the river to try some of the best street food in the city. Evening stalls serve delicious beef meatball skewers served with fresh vegetables and a special dipping sauce, along with cold beers or Khmer coffee to fully immerse yourself in local culture.

Sor Kheng Park (5:30 PM)

Sor Kheng Park, Battambang

The riverside of Battambang is lined with French-influenced architecture stretching toward the art deco central market. While quiet during midday, the city comes alive in the cooler evenings. People gather at Sor Kheng Park along the river in front of Classy Hotel to exercise, socialize, and relax. Featuring beautiful gardens and free outdoor gym equipment, you can also join the communal outdoor dance classes held in the park for just 1,000 riel (about $0.25 USD).