Battambang map: top 10, museums, instagrammable, walking tour, where to eat, viewpoints, nature, markets, free things to do, rainy day

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Viewpoints

Hire a tuk-tuk for the day: Drivers along the Sangker River offer full-day loops to the bamboo train, Wat Banan and Phnom Sampov; agree the route and stops before leaving.
Cycle the countryside: Flat roads lead out of town past rice fields and villages where families make rice paper and dried fish; rent a bike from guesthouses.
Take the river boat to Siem Reap: The scenic boat along the Sangker River and across Tonle Sap runs mainly when the water is high; in the dry season it can be slow or replaced by bus.

Fix tuk-tuk prices first: Confirm the fare and whether it is in dollars or riel before you set off, especially for night rides back from Phnom Sampov after the bat show.
Stay on marked paths: Battambang province was heavily mined during the conflict years, and although much is cleared, keep to tracks in rural areas and hills.
Watch for monkeys at Phnom Sampov: Macaques on the hill grab snacks and loose bags, so keep food out of sight and hold onto sunglasses near the temples.

Eat at Psar Nat: The central art deco market and the stalls around it serve noodle soups, rice dishes and fruit shakes for a fraction of riverside cafe prices.
Pay small amounts in riel: US dollars are widely used, but change under a dollar is given in riel, so carry small riel notes for market snacks and short rides.
Share a tuk-tuk tour: The day tour price is per vehicle, not per person, so team up with other travellers from your guesthouse to split the cost.

Expect heat all year: Battambang is hot and humid, with March to May the hottest stretch; wear loose cotton or linen, a hat, and carry water on temple climbs.
Plan for the wet season: Roughly May to October brings heavy afternoon downpours and flooded lanes, so pack a light rain jacket and sandals that can get wet.
Cover up for temples: At Wat Ek Phnom, Wat Banan and Phnom Sampov, cover shoulders and knees; a light scarf or long skirt is easy to carry in the heat.

Greet with the sampeah: Press your palms together with a slight bow when greeting; women should not touch monks or hand items directly to them.
See Phare Ponleu Selpak: This Battambang arts school trains young people in circus, music and visual arts; catching a show or touring the campus supports the community.
Try Battambang specialities: Look for kralan, sticky rice and beans roasted in bamboo tubes, sold roadside, and fish amok or nom banh chok noodles in local eateries.

Time the bat exodus: Be at the foot of Phnom Sampov around dusk to watch millions of bats stream out of the cave in a long ribbon across the sky.
Climb Wat Banan early: The hilltop Angkorian temple has hundreds of steps; go in the early morning to avoid the heat and enjoy the views over the plains.
Walk the French quarter: The colonial shophouses along the streets near the river and Psar Nat now house cafes and galleries; explore on foot in the late afternoon.