Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city, but retains a quiet, small-town feel.
In addition to its abundance of French colonial buildings and traditional shophouses, Battambang is known for being the arts capital of Cambodia. Indeed, many of the country’s artists hail from the Battambang area. The city may not be as busy as Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, but therein lies its charm. It’s just a quick tuk tuk ride out of the city center into Cambodia’s agricultural “rice bowl” and a traditional way of life that is seemingly nearly unchanged from a century ago. Battambang has a growing expat community, and an increasing number of Western-oriented hotels and restaurants.
Whether you’re in town for a weekend or a year, we’ve got the details on everything an expat needs to know about Battambang from restaurants, hotels, and nightlife to supermarkets, gyms, and internet providers.
Battambang Expat City Guide
Hungry? We tell you where to eat in Battambang.
Figure out where you want to stay with our comprehensive list of Battambang hotels and accommodation.
For a quiet town, Battambang has lots to see and do. Check out our picks for activities and sightseeing.
It may not be a party city, but there are a few places to stop in for a drink. Read our drinking and nightlife section for the low-down.
Where to find Battambang’s best shopping.
On the transportation page we cover how to get in, out, and around Battambang, including our favorite local tuk tuk drivers.
Find out about the medical and emergency services in town before you have to!
Expat essentials covers the basics you’ll need as a Battambang expat: Electricity and plumbing, Groceries and supermarkets, Internet, Laundry, Realtors and housing, Schools, and Veterinarians.
Want to meet other Battambang expats? Here’s where to find them online.
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How to get from Siem Reap to Battambang (and vice-versa)
Battambang and Siem Reap are two of the nicest spots that Northwestern Cambodia has to offer, and each is worth visiting. Battambang and Siem Reap are only 48 miles (77 km) apart, but the trip can take as long as … Continue reading
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A guide to Battambang’s art galleries
In the last decade Battambang has experienced something of an artist revival, in no small part thanks to Phare Ponleu Selpak, an non-profit organization there that provides hundreds of students with arts training and education. Explore the town’s art scene … Continue reading
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Battambang’s best vegetarian and vegan restaurants
The hardest thing about being a vegetarian in Cambodia is fielding the question “How do you do it? It must be so hard!” every day. Thankfully, it’s not hard at all to be a vegetarian in Battambang, and almost every … Continue reading