One Day in Battambang: Our Personal Guide

When we were planning our trip to Battambang and building our Cambodia itinerary, we weren’t sure whether to go or skip it because of its location and the slightly more complicated way to get there. In the end, we decided to visit Battambang for the famous Bat Cave and to dive deeper into the local atmosphere — to experience a side of Cambodia that’s a bit more off the beaten path.

If you’re looking for essential info on how to get to Battambang, what to do, where to eat, and where to stay (we found one of the best budget-friendly accommodations ever!), stay with us!

How to get to Battambang 

We went to Battambang from Sihanoukville (on the way back from Koh Rong) where we took a sleeping bus. The ticket cost 20 USD per person. The bus was actually quite okay — I was a bit nervous about cleanliness after reading many reviews of different companies, but this one turned out to be the best option for us.

Inside the bus, the beds were small but clean, and we could sleep next to each other with a bit of privacy. The only downside was that the bus kept stopping almost every hour, which was pretty annoying — but we still managed to sleep quite well.

We arrived around 5 AM (the journey was supposed to be from 7:30 PM to 7:00 AM) and were incredibly lucky because our accommodation allowed us an early check-in for free! That meant we could catch up on sleep right away and honestly, it turned out to be one of the best places we stayed on our trip (more on that below!).

With this bus company, it’s possible to travel to Battambang from almost any major city in Cambodia, not just Sihanoukville. And if you’d prefer a different company, you can always check your options on RedBus or write directly to your chosen company via whatsapp. 

Battambang Interactive Map 

Here, you can have a look at what to see in Battambang in our interactive map. 

One Day in Battambang including Bat Cave

After catching up on sleep, we went for lunch at an Indian restaurant (a bit pricey). In Battambang, you can find meals anywhere from $1.50 up to $10 per portion, so there’s a wide range of options. Don’t worry — you’ll hear more from us about food later on.

Riverside Promenade

After eating, we strolled along the riverside promenade, where we also passed by Wat Kandal, a peaceful local temple. Filip was still tired, so he went back to rest, while I continued exploring.

Romcheik 5 Artspace & Café

I visited the Romcheik 5 Artspace & Café — Cambodia’s very first contemporary art museum. The ticket price is $2.50 for students and $5 for adults over 26.

The gallery is run by four Cambodian artists who were born in a refugee camp in Thailand during the war. They eventually returned to Cambodia and began expressing their experiences and memories through art. The result is a beautiful gallery, filled with moving and thought-provoking works, and visiting it is a great way to support local art.

Cambodia Peace Gallery

Then we visited The Cambodia Peace Gallery was a heartwarming experience. It shows the hope Cambodia carries after the war, explaining the end of the conflict, the beginning of peace, and the ongoing efforts to prevent history from repeating itself. The exhibitions cover topics such as education, the influence of peaceful Buddhism, landmine clearance, and the destruction of weapons.

Entrance is free, and while you can support the gallery by buying local products or donating via a QR code, nobody pressures you to do so. It’s a welcoming and inspiring place, and we highly recommend adding it to your Battambang stay.

Lok Ta Dambong Kra Nhoung

Another unique site we visited was the Lok Ta Dambong Kra Nhoung statue, which has become a symbol of Battambang. The massive black statue represents the legendary figure Dambong Kra Nhoung, who, according to local mythology, once ruled the area after wielding a powerful magic staff. The city’s very name, Battambang, actually means “lost staff.” Today, the statue is both a spiritual site where locals come to pray and a cultural landmark you can’t miss when passing through the city.

Bat Cave at Phnom Sampeau

The complex doesn’t only include the Bat Cave; it’s also home to the Killing Cave and several other caves worth visiting.

The Bat Cave is famous for the thousands of bats that stream out every evening at sunset. The best time to arrive is around 5:50 PM, so you can grab a spot on the benches in front of the cave. From there, you can watch the bats flying out in endless waves, a mesmerizing sight that lasts until sunset and even into the dark.

Before that magical moment, we went to explore the area. The Bat Cave entrance is marked by stone carvings of Buddha and other figures, which look impressive against the rock. As we were standing there, drinking water, a monkey suddenly jumped on Filip 🤣. We had seen plenty of monkeys in Cambodia before, but this was the first time one actually tried to jump on us — so be careful around them! A little later, the rain started pouring down, so we took shelter in a small stall, ordered a drink, and waited for about half an hour before continuing.

When the rain eased a bit (though it was still drizzling), we started our walk up the hill because we wanted to see the Killing Cave and other caves before coming back down for the Bat Cave at sunset.

The path to the caves is about 2 km uphill. It’s a pleasant walk, well marked with signs, and there’s nothing to worry about. Our first stop was the Killing Cave, which had an incredibly heavy atmosphere. Unlike the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, this site shows how the Khmer Rouge used remote natural places to hide their crimes. Prisoners were brought here and bludgeoned to death before their bodies were thrown into the cave below. Today, the site is a place of quiet reflection, with shrines and memorials that make the tragic history impossible to forget.

After that, we visited the other caves, Pkas Sla Cave, which is smaller but interesting for its natural rock formations. It’s usually less crowded, making it a calm and peaceful stop on the way up and Lakhaon Cave, which is known for its hidden shrines and spiritual atmosphere. 

Then we finally reached the Phnom Sampov Pagoda at the very top. From there, you get a beautiful view over the countryside, there’s also a small refreshment stall, and you can walk down the long staircase back to the base. The best way is to follow the gravel road uphill, stop at the caves along the way (signs will guide you), continue to the pagoda, and then descend the stairs for a complete loop.

When we returned to the Bat Cave, we sat down in front of the entrance and waited to see what would happen. After about 15 minutes, the first bats began to fly out — and soon after, more and more poured out, filling the sky and heading toward the city. It was an incredible sight, something we had never experienced before, and we can only recommend it. Believe me, you need to see it in person, my mobile and my poor photograph skills wasn’t able to catch it at all!!

How to Get to Bat Cave 

Getting there is simple — just call a tuk-tuk through the Grab app. We always use Grab in Cambodia because it’s the cheapest and most reliable option. The ride to the Bat Cave cost us about $5, and we left around 3 PM, arriving at 3:45 PM with plenty of time before the bats appeared.

The ride back, however, was trickier. We couldn’t find any Grab drivers available in the area. There are lots of tuk-tuk drivers waiting directly in front of the cave, but their prices are heavily inflated, which we didn’t like 😅. Instead, we decided to walk about 10 minutes away from the cave and flagged down a tuk-tuk already on its way back to Battambang. Luckily, it had an Italian traveler on a guided tour, and the driver let us join for the regular $5 price. It worked out, but it was definitely a bit of a gamble.

If you want to avoid this kind of situation, you’ll need to either pay the higher price on the spot or arrange a driver in advance for a round-trip deal. We only have one driver’s WhatsApp contact: +855 96 997 4089, so we’re not sure about his waiting price, but you can always try negotiating ahead of time.

Food and Drink in Battambang

In Cambodia, you’ll find plenty of dining options — from local Khmer food to a wide range of Western restaurants. Prices vary a lot, but if you want to find cheap and tasty meals, it’s not that difficult. During our stay, we visited three restaurants that we can happily recommend.

Flavors of India

We went to Flavors of India, where we ordered chicken korma, paneer, and two iced teas. The food was delicious, but also on the pricier side for Battambang — we paid $17.5 in total which is quite a lot for Cambodia but it was really good. 

Chan Restó

Our next stop was Chan Restó, where we ordered garlic mushrooms with rice and beef with rice. The whole meal for both of us cost just $3.50. The food was tasty, nicely presented, and everything was spotlessly clean. You can really see the difference in price compared to Indian food — and honestly, the quality was still great! 😅

Apart from restaurants, Battambang is full of street stalls and small riverside bistros, especially around the promenade. The food here is usually very affordable, and many of the bistros looked really inviting. Battambang truly offers a wide range of dining options — from quick street bites to sit-down meals — so everyone can find something that fits both their taste and budget.

Best Time to Visit – How to Handle the Low Season in Battambang

We visited Cambodia in August, which is considered the low season. Traveling at this time can be a bit challenging because of the rain — it usually pours almost every day in the middle of the day. The good news is that there’s no strong wind (except for our trip to Bokor 😅), and the climate stays warm (again, Bokor being the chilly exception). So overall, it wasn’t too bad.

On the other hand, the advantages of traveling in the off-season are hard to beat. There are fewer tourists everywhere, which means you often have places almost to yourself. At accommodations, you might even get a free room upgrade, just like we did. Prices for transportation can also be lower, and you rarely have to wait in lines. Locals are usually extra happy to welcome you, since business is slower at this time of year.

If you travel only occasionally and prefer your holiday to be perfectly smooth, then the high season (November to March) might suit you better — the weather is drier and more predictable. But if you travel often, have more time, and don’t mind adjusting to the weather, the low season comes with its own set of perks.

Where to Stay in Battambang 

We stayed at Muni Residence & Spa, and it was honestly one of the best stays of our whole trip. Our night bus arrived at 5 AM, and instead of making us wait, the staff immediately prepared a room for us. On top of that, they gave us a free upgrade since there were only a few guests at the time.

The next day, after checking out, we were able to leave our luggage there while exploring the city. When we came back to pick it up before heading to Siem Reap, the staff invited us to the swimming pool, served us fresh fruit by the water, and even let us take a shower so we could start our next journey feeling refreshed.

It was such a warm and thoughtful experience that made our time in Battambang even more memorable.

And if you’d like to explore other options, Battambang has plenty of guesthouses, boutique hotels, and budget stays to choose from via this interactive map. 

Final Thoughts about Battambang

So, is Battambang worth it? For us, absolutely. The night bus journey wasn’t nearly as bad as we feared, and once we arrived, we discovered a town full of charm. From the unique museums to the unforgettable experience of the Bat Cave, Battambang definitely left a strong impression on us.That said, if you only have 10 days in Cambodia, Battambang might feel like a bit of a detour. But if you’ve got the time, it’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy the local atmosphere, and see a side of Cambodia that’s less touristy yet full of surprises.