Welcome to Cambodia, known as the land of smiles. Filled with ancient temples rich history, and some of the friendliest people I’ve met on my travels, Cambodia is a country brimming with interesting things to do. In this 1-week Cambodia itinerary, you’ll find a whirlwind trip through bustling markets, devastating modern history, and awe-inspiring ancient temples. Get ready for the journey of a lifetime in the Kingdom of Wonder!
This 1-week Cambodia itinerary was written by Emily from Em’s Globetrotting Gems.
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Cambodia’s History
A trip to Cambodia is a trip back in time, whether that’s to the wonder of Angkor Wat or the devastation of the Khmer Rouge. While the beautiful temples near Siem Reap are truly one of the world’s bucket list experiences, all Cambodian itineraries should include an understanding of their more modern history. Between 1976 and 1978, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge were responsible for the Cambodian genocide, which killed up to 3 million people. There are scars from these horrific events across Cambodia, and the best places to understand this appalling history are in Phnom Penh. This 1-week Cambodia itinerary has been designed to take you from this painful modern history into the more wondrous history of the ancient Khmer Kingdom and its crown jewel, Angkor Wat.
Best Time to Visit Cambodia
Cambodia has a tropical climate and can be hot! The wet season lasts from May until September, with the worst rain towards the end. I would avoid visiting during the rainy season, particularly if you want to see Angkor Wat. From February to October, the temperature gets hotter, going up to the mid-30s (c) from March to June. I would avoid visiting at this time if possible.
I visited Cambodia in November 2024. October-February is the coolest time of year, with temperatures in the high 20s (C). It was around this temperature when I visited and because of the humidity, a full day at Angkor was still a struggle! However, in my opinion, this is the best time to visit – particularly at the beginning of the dry season in October and November, when everything is still lush and green.
Is Visiting Cambodia Safe?
The biggest risk to tourists in Cambodia is the same as in much of Southeast Asia – bag snatching and theft. The British Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) warns that this is prevalent in tourist hotspots in Phnom Penh. Keep your bag nearby and be extra careful when in tuk-tuks or walking around. Always keep your bag on the side away from the road.
Phnom Penh is generally considered to be less safe than Siem Reap and you should exercise caution when walking around, particularly at night. Make use of Grab to get you to and from your hotel if you’re outside the main tourist area by the river. The FCDO also warns that there is a risk of sexual assault for lone women in Siem Reap, around Pub Street, and relating to taxis and motorbikes. As always, solo female travelers should use caution, try not to walk alone late at night, and use safety features on apps such as Grab rather than taking taxis outside nightclubs and bars.
Practical Tips for Your 1-Week Cambodia Itinerary
There are a couple of practical tips that will make your life easier in Cambodia!
Clothing: If you plan to visit Angkor Wat, you will need to wear respectful clothes. Please make sure to respect the general dress code for visiting temples. This means ensuring that shoulders and knees are covered. You can bring these clothes with you or buy pants, t-shirts, or a scarf during your travels.
Mosquitos: There are lots of mosquitos in Cambodia, particularly if you are visiting during the rainy season! You can buy good (and delicious smelling) repellent very easily in Cambodia, but it won’t have DEET. If you really want DEET repellant, it’s best to bring this with you.
ATMs: ATMs are easily accessible in Cambodia, as are money exchanges. There are ATMs in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports as well as in the cities. The only places where there are no ATMs are Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. If you’re planning on traveling to the islands, make sure you have enough cash in advance – there are ATMs at the ferry port.
Money: I prefer to use a credit card that doesn’t charge for withdrawals (for example, the Chase debit card or Halifax credit card in the UK). If you want to have money on you when you land rather than using an ATM, search for the best rates in your home country before you travel rather than changing at the airport. I never recommend changing money at an airport, as exchange rates will be much higher.
Getting Around on Your 1-Week Cambodia Itinerary
Grab: It’s very easy to get around in Cambodia! In Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the easiest way is to use Grab. This is the South East Asian version of Uber. This allows you to call either cars or tuk-tuks, which will mostly be modern electric two-seaters. It also has safety features built in. For example, a Grab driver once slightly deviated from the approved route in Kuala Lumpur to avoid traffic, and it set off an alarm on both our phones.
Tuk Tuks: The other way to get around in the cities is to hire tuk tuks, which are easily available. These tend to be the more traditional petrol tuk tuks and are often four-seater as well as two-seater. If you want to use these, make sure to negotiate a price in advance with your tuk-tuk driver.
The Perfect 1-Week Cambodia Itinerary
Now that we’ve covered the key practicalities for your 1-week Cambodia itinerary, it’s time for the exciting stuff! Get ready, your adventure begins here!
Day 1: Arrival, Historic Walking Tour & Street Foods
The first day of your 1-week Cambodia itinerary will depend on your arrival time at Phnom Penh airport. The airport isn’t too far from the main city, around 30 minutes by taxi or tuk-tuk. There is easy access to taxis at the airport, and if you order a Grab, there’s a specific Grab waiting area.
Explore The City With a Walking Tour
Depending on your arrival time, head out into the city to explore. Check out Cambodia’s beautiful Royal Palace on the riverfront, or head to Wat Daun Penh, the spiritual heart of Cambodia. Scam alert – a common scam in Phnom Penh is for tuk-tuk drivers to approach you outside the Royal Palace to tell you it’s closed, and offer you a tour instead. Always verify this yourself at the gate instead.
If you arrive in time, I recommend taking a free walking tour. The tour is done on a tip basis, where you pay the guide what you think the tour is worth. I was lucky to have an incredibly knowledgeable (and officially registered) tour guide and his in-depth tour started with the recent history of Cambodia. He then took us to the night market to try Cambodian specialties, such as deep-fried tarantulas and other insects! If you try them, you’re braver than me!
If you’re still hungry after the tarantulas, or you don’t arrive in time for the tour, try dinner at David’s Noodles. This delicious restaurant is bang in the middle of the tourist area of Phnom Penh. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch the staff making the delicious fresh noodles in front of you!
Day 2: Learn More About the Khmer Rouge
Day 2 of your 1-week Cambodia itinerary is the reason you flew into Phnom Penh. You’ll be up early to visit the sites most associated with the devastating impact of the Khmer Rouge.
Trigger warning: both of these sites are incredibly difficult to visit. Choeung Ek has visible bones of the victims, while there are pictures of dead bodies at Tuol Sleng (among other horrors). The stories you’ll be told at both are extremely difficult to hear, but it’s important to understand and respect Cambodia’s recent history. Take care of your mental health while visiting.
Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre
Your first visit will be to Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, on the edges of Phnom Penh. This devastating site is one of the many Killing Fields scattered across Cambodia – the mass graves of millions of ordinary Cambodians. This particular site was excavated in the early 1990s, and you’ll see evidence of the cruelty of the guards throughout your tour, as well as a monument to the dead.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
From Choeung Ek you’ll head to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S21. This former school was used as a prison during the Khmer Rouge and is now an excellent museum detailing the cruelty faced by prisoners.
I recommend taking a guided tour of these sites – I used this Viator option and would highly recommend it. The guided tour offered a truly personal insight into this devastating history, with our guide sharing how it had impacted his family. However, I met other travelers who preferred to do these trips independently, using the excellent audio guides. They felt this gave them the opportunity to take in history at their own pace.
Looking for more details on what to expect from Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek? Check out this guide: Phnom Penh – Everything you need to know to visit this historic city
Afternoon and Evening
After your morning understanding Cambodia’s horrific modern history, you’ll need to decompress. Find a way to do this that works for you – spend some time by the pool in your hotel or go for a Cambodian massage. You could also see some of the other historic sites in Phnom Penh, including the Royal Palace, and Wat Phnom Daun Penh.
Towards sunset, it’s time to head out to the river and take a river cruise. There are many boats offering cruises down the mighty Mekong for sunset. The biggest question is whether you want to go for one with an open bar or not!
Day 3: Battambang Bamboo Train and Bat Caves
Get up early for your bus to Battambang, a small city in the north of Cambodia. Battambang is about 5 hours from Phnom Penh down smooth roads. You’ll need to get a bus at around 7 am to make it to Battambang in time for your afternoon activity. I recommend taking the 6.30 am VET Airbus, which is like a traveling business class but does book up quickly. Other options for travel include Giant Ibis and Vireak Buntham, both of which offer a variety of times. If you’re not keen on such an early start, consider traveling to Battambang after your Phnom Penh tour the day before. A bus at around 3 pm will take you to Battambang at around 8 pm.
The Bamboo Train
Once you arrive, it will be a quick transfer to your trip for the afternoon – get ready for adventure! You’ll head to the legendary Bamboo train, which was created by locals after the Khmer Rouge ended train transport in the 1970s. You’ll fly along the tracks seated precariously on a bamboo platform – it’s a one-way track, so just hope no one is coming the other way!
The Bamboo train is about 40 minutes in the sun with no option for shade, so I recommend bringing a cover-up if you burn easily! I ended up buying one from the souvenir stalls at the turnaround point.
After you’ve experienced the thrill of the Bamboo train, you’ll head to the famous Bat Caves. This will also include a visit to another Killing Field used by the Khmer Rouge. After you’ve taken in this history, it’s time to find a seat or a good spot to watch the bats. At sunset, over 6 million bats fly out of a small opening in the hills, ready to find their dinner. This site is truly spectacular and a beautiful way to end your full-day tour!
Most hotels in Battambang will offer a tour of the Bamboo Train and bat caves, with tours starting at 1 pm. If you want to book in advance, I used the tour run by Pomme Hostel – reach out to them to book in advance, or you could book with Viator.
Evening
If you have the energy in the evening, head to the circus! Phare, the Cambodian Circus, is an NGO supporting at-risk children in Battambang and the local area. Phare provides access to performing arts education as well as general education for children and young people. The evening show is performed by trainee young people and is a unique way to spend your evening. Alternatively, you can visit Phare in Siem Reap, where you’ll see the professionals. If you choose this option, remember to book ahead as the Siem Reap show gets booked up.
Day 4: Relax in Battambang or Siem Reap
Depending on how you feel, you have two options for this morning! Take the opportunity to have a slow morning in Battambang, exploring a bit more of this colonial city. It’s full of cute coffee shops for a slow morning coffee, or you could explore the bustling central market.
I recommend a slow coffee at Kinyei, an NGO that has won awards for sustainable tourism. Alternatively, head for a delicious brunch at The Fringe, an eco cafe with brilliant veggie options. Make sure you have time to stop into Human Gallery, an NGO run by a former UNICEF photographer, whose beautiful portrait photos now support at-risk children in the local area. Book a bus to Siem Reap for around lunchtime – it’s a 3-hour journey.
Afternoon in Siem Reap
Alternatively, you could head to Siem Reap bright and early. There’s plenty to do in Siem Reap for an afternoon if this is your choice. If you’re a shopper, spend the afternoon wandering the Old Market in central Siem Reap for touristy items and try the Made in Cambodia market for more high-end, unique souvenirs. Try some of Siem Reap’s beautiful cafes, including Sister Srey, a beautiful riverside spot that supports the hero rats of Apopo. Red Fox is another gorgeous cafe in Siem Reap, over in a posher part of town. Both offer great food!
Evening
While Pub Street wasn’t my favorite part of Siem Reap during this 1-week Cambodia itinerary, I felt it was at its best as the sun was going down. Find a comfy chair, order a beer, and watch the world go by as this busy pedestrianized street comes to life.
Day 5: Angkor Wat Grand Tour or Floating Villages
For your first full day in Siem Reap, you have two options, depending on your interests. An extended tour of Angkor Wat will fully immerse you in the history of the Khmer Kingdom, while a trip to Tonle Sap Lake will give you an insight into a unique modern way of life in Cambodia.
Option 1: The Angkor Wat Grand Tour
Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world, covering over 400 acres, and a must-do activity on your Cambodia bucket list. There’s far more to see than the most popular sites covered in a one-day tour. The extended tour, known as the Grand Tour, starts at around 8 am and takes you to temples that you won’t see as part of the main Angkor tour. These temples include the beautiful pink Banteay Srey, and Neak Pean, which I absolutely loved. This man-made island is set in a huge reservoir, and after you’ve crossed the busy bridge, you get a real sense of how peaceful this island would have been in its heyday. Doing the Grand Tour feels much more off the beaten track than the main tour. It’s a long day though – if you choose this option, be prepared to sweat a lot!
Click here to buy your Angkor Wat ticket in advance for 1,2,3, or 7 days!
Option 2: The Floating Villages of Tonle Sap Lake
If you don’t want to take the Angkor Wat Grand Tour, have a slow morning in Siem Reap. Do some shopping, or visit some of the beautiful cafes mentioned above.
You could also visit one of Siem Reap’s landmine museums. The Khmer Rouge, and the civil war that followed, means that landmines are a serious problem across Cambodia. There are two landmine museums to visit: the touristy Apopo, where you can visit cute hero rats who seek out landmines, or the deeply local Cambodia Landmine Museum. This was set up by Aki Ra, a former child soldier under the Khmer Rouge, who has dedicated his life to the removal of landmines. The museum is family-run and full of heartbreaking pathos.
Around 2 pm, I recommend visiting Tonle Sap Lake on a half-day tour. This huge tidal lake is home to people who live in the famous floating villages. It’s the largest lake in Southeast Asia and uniquely, changes direction twice a year. You’ll have the chance to visit the Floating Villages, zooming past floating hospitals and schools. You’ll stop at an enchanting mangrove forest, and take a boat ride through the floating trees as the sun starts to go down – truly one of the most magical things I’ve ever done. Finally, your boat will take you out to the lake for sunset. Buy a beer from a floating shop and just revel in the beauty as the sun goes down over the water.
You can do the trip to Tonle Sap independently, using tuk tuks and negotiating for a boat ride once you arrive. If you’re a bigger group, this could work out good value, though remember to negotiate your prices in advance. However, if you’re a solo traveler or a couple, I recommend doing this as a guided tour.
Evening
When you get back to Siem Reap, grab a great dinner at Angkor Hand Pulled Noodles and Dumplings. This delicious spot uses homemade noodles in a variety of dishes and is great value for money!
Day 6: Sunrise at Angkor Wat, Tomb Raider Temple & Angkor Thom
The last day of your 1-week Cambodia itinerary is the one you’ve been waiting for – your visit to Angkor Wat! You’ll be up in the dark to feel the magic of the sunrise at Angkor, and it’s a truly beautiful moment as the sun comes over the temple. On this Angkor Wat sunrise tour, you’ll visit Angkor Wat itself, learning about the history of the Khmer Kingdom, and stopping at beautiful spots before making the climb to the top of the main temple. This is where the dress code is truly policed, so make sure you are dressed respectfully.
After Angkor, you’ll get the chance to visit other nearby temples. The famous Tomb Raider temple, featured in the Angeline Jolie film, is an experience I absolutely wasn’t expecting to love so much. The temple buildings are covered in trees and huge gnarled roots, creating a magical atmosphere straight out of a fairy tale. You’ll also visit the beautiful Angkor Thom, a huge structure where you might even get to see some monkeys!
While you can visit Angkor Wat independently, I strongly recommend using a guided tour. You will miss so much of the culture, history, and detail if you don’t have a guide – not to mention, they’ll know all the best photo spots and fight to get you access to them!
Afternoon and Evening
Having started at 4 am, your trip to Angkor will end around 1 pm. Use the afternoon to nap, or to visit some of the Siem Reap attractions you haven’t had time for yet! Make sure to visit the Old Market for some last-minute souvenirs. I recommend spending your last evening eating like a local: head to Brother Bong, a street food spot on the river that’s always busy with a mix of tourists and locals. You could also go for the complete opposite, and have gourmet cocktails at Asana Old Wooden House Bar or the retro Miss Wong Cocktail Bar.
Planning to spend more time in Siem Reap, or want more details on what to do in this fabulous city? Check out this guide: Siem Reap and Angkor Wat – Everything you need to know.
Day 7: Time to Leave Cambodia
Your 1-week Cambodia itinerary is complete and it’s time for your onward travel. At the end of this one-week adventure in Cambodia, exploring the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, immersing yourself in the devastating history of Phnom Penh, and discovering the charm of Battambang, you’ll be left with a sense of awe and wonder. This beautiful country captivated my heart with its rich history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, and I hope it will do the same for you.
Alternative Options for Your 1-Week Cambodia Itinerary
I’ve included a trip to Battambang for the thrill of the famous Bamboo train in this 1-week Cambodia itinerary. However, you could substitute this for a very brief visit to either Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem if you’re more of a beach person. This will be a tight journey, as the islands require both a bus and a boat, but you could just about have a full day on the beach if you travel from Phnom Penh in the morning on Day 3, spend Day 4 on the islands and spend Day 5 traveling to Siem Reap. This gives you a day less in Siem Reap. Alternatively, extend your Cambodia itinerary by 3 days to take in these beautiful paradise islands. They’re most easily accessed from Phnom Penh, but you can also take a night bus onwards from the islands to Battambang or Siem Reap.
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