{"id":163211,"date":"2019-05-01T06:30:45","date_gmt":"2019-05-01T10:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=163211"},"modified":"2025-08-14T13:25:46","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T17:25:46","slug":"cambodia-travel-itineraries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/cambodia-travel-itineraries\/","title":{"rendered":"Backpacking Cambodia: 3 Suggested Itineraries for Your Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Stone<\/p>\n

Cambodia<\/a>. Often overshadowed by neighboring Thailand, it’s a country full of warm and friendly people, beautiful coastlines, a lively nightlife, and a growing foodie scene. It’s also one of the cheapest countries in the region.<\/p>\n

To be honest, I didn\u2019t have high expectations when I first visited in 2006. Back then, all I knew about Cambodia was its awful history involving the Khmer Rouge and that it was home to the Wonder of the World Angkor Wat<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But I was blown away by the people and their warmth, spirit, and hospitality; the beautiful natural scenery; and the country’s long history. It was wonderful, and I ended up staying weeks longer than I thought I would (I especially loved Phnom Penh<\/a>). I returned often, including spending over a month there when I was writing my first book. (It made for a great base of operations.)<\/p>\n

In the last decade or so, Cambodia has grown by leaps and bounds. Sleepy little towns I visited before are now megacities, tourists (especially Russians and Chinese) visit en masse, there are more ATMs (there was exactly one in the country when I first went), and there\u2019s a growing expat and foodie scene.<\/p>\n

Cambodia still has problems, but it\u2019s a lot more cosmopolitan today than when I first went. There are a lot more travelers here too, making it a great place to explore as a backpacker or budget traveler as it’s now a little easier to get around.<\/p>\n

But what should you do when you visit Cambodia?<\/p>\n

How should you plan your trip? Where should you go and where should you stay?<\/p>\n

Below are some itineraries that include the best destinations in Cambodia to help you plan your trip. You can follow my suggestions to the letter or mix and match itineraries \u2014 whatever you prefer!<\/p>\n


\n <\/p>\n

What to See and Do in Cambodia: A One-Week Itinerary<\/h3>\n

Day 1 \u2013 Phnom Penh<\/strong>
\n\"Aerial
\nThe capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh<\/a> had something of a Wild West ambiance when I first arrived, with dusty streets and a \u201cdevil may care\u201d atmosphere. It has a few good attractions and an up-and-coming foodie scene.<\/p>\n

The main attraction is the Royal Palace. Start there, and don\u2019t miss the beautiful flower gardens and the Silver Pagoda, whose floor is made up of more than 5,000 silver tiles; inside is an emerald-covered Buddha and a diamond-covered Maitreya Buddha. It also has murals around its outer wall that tell the story of the Ramayana. <\/p>\n

On the palace grounds are five stupas, with the two largest to the east containing the ashes of King Norodom and King Udung (the two most famous kings of modern Cambodia) and a statue of King Norodom on horseback.<\/p>\n

The best way to see the palace is via a guided tour<\/a> so you can learn more about the history and culture from an expert local guide. <\/p>\n

After seeing the palace, learn about the country\u2019s tragic, not-too-distant history. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a former school where the Khmer Rouge interrogated and tortured people in the 1970s. You\u2019ll see rusty beds and torture devices, in sharp contrast to the beautiful trees and lovely jasmine smell in the gardens. <\/p>\n

Afterward, head to the Killing Fields, about 14 kilometers (9 miles) from Tuol Sleng. Although a visit to Choeung Ek (the best-known site) may not be the most cheerful way to spend an afternoon, it makes for a hallowed and memorable experience, a testament to the dangers of uncontested power. <\/p>\n

Joint admission to the Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum <\/a> is $20 USD. This includes a guided tour so you can get an in-depth look at this haunting place.<\/p>\n

(Tip: Visit the museum before heading to the Killing Fields, as it will open your eyes to the atrocities that happened here.)<\/p>\n

Where to Stay in Phnom Penh<\/strong>: Mad Monkey<\/a> \u2013 A lovely social hostel with a bar & restaurant, beer garden, and swimming pool. They organize all kinds of events and tours so it’s easy to make friends here.<\/p>\n

Day 2 \u2013 Phnom Penh<\/strong>
\n\"A
\nSpend your second day wandering around the city. Start by seeing the Independence Monument, designed by architect Vann Molyvann and inaugurated in 1958. It was created to mark Cambodia\u2019s independence from French rule, though it also serves as a de facto war memorial. It\u2019s one of the biggest landmarks in the city and a good place to start your day.<\/p>\n

Make sure you stroll along Sisowath Quay on the Mekong River. The 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) walkway is busy and full of restaurants, bars, caf\u00e9s, and shops and makes for the perfect area to soak up the local pace of life.<\/p>\n

Also, be sure to check out the Cambodian Living Arts Center, a traditional dance school and performance center where you can watch students in training and see traditional live theater. This is a fun way to spend a couple of hours learning about the artistic traditions of the country. <\/p>\n

If you have more time, there’s also the Central Market. Built in 1937, this art-deco ziggurat seems very out of place in Phnom Penh. A huge dome with four wings (it\u2019s super ugly), it\u2019s a wonderful place to seek refuge from the midday sun. You\u2019ll find everything from clothing to electronics to souvenirs here but save your shopping for elsewhere because even when you bargain them down, you\u2019re still paying a hugely inflated price. But wander around, stop for a drink, and take in the scene. Just watch out for pickpockets while you\u2019re here.<\/p>\n

For a fun way to end the day, join a street food tour by tuk-tuk<\/a>, where you’ll visit seven venues, enjoy over 20 tastings, unlimited beer, and an evening speakeasy cocktail. <\/p>\n

Day 3 \u2013 Sihanoukville<\/strong>
\n\"A
\nGet an early start and take a five-hour bus ride to Sihanoukville<\/a>, named after the ruling prince of Cambodia in 1964. It was a lazy beach town until about 2010, when it took off with travelers (and tons of Chinese and Russian tourists on package tours) because of its white-sand beaches, nearby deserted islands, excellent diving, and delicious seafood. Its varied nightlife filled with cheap booze makes it the premier backpacker party city in Cambodia.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to soak up some sun, Independence Beach and Otres Beach are probably your best bets. Serendipity Beach used to be a great party spot, but there\u2019s a lot of Chinese development going on now, so I wouldn’t stay there.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay in Sihanoukville<\/strong>: Onederz<\/a> \u2013 This hostel is a bit basic but it’s fine for a night before heading over to the islands. It’s cheap, there’s a pool, and it’s close to all the main sights.<\/p>\n

Day 4 \u2013 Sihanoukville<\/strong>
\n\"A<\/p>\n

Today is a day for day trips.<\/p>\n

From Sihanoukville, hop on a boat and take a 45-minute ride to Koh Rong. While you can stay overnight, if you’re pressed for time, you can do it in a day trip (but stay overnight if you can). The beaches here are way better than on the mainland (and a lot less polluted). Snorkeling day trips cost approximately $10-20 USD and include lunch and equipment; there are PADI-certified schools in the area that offer a variety of different dive trips for one or more days.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t feel like heading to Koh Rong, you could book motorbike trip to Bokor National Park (as well as longer, multiday trips if you\u2019re interested). There, you can hike through a great rainforest or see the atmospheric ruins of the French aristocracy for whom Bokor was a big drawback in the day. You\u2019ll have some amazing views and find ruins, waterfalls, and temples all around. Motorbike day tours cost around $140 USD.<\/p>\n

You could also do a day trip to Kampot and the pepper fields in that area too. Half-day tours cost around $25 USD.<\/p>\n

Day 5 \u2013 Siem Reap<\/strong>
\n\"Monks
\nIt\u2019s gonna be a busy travel day. From Sihanoukville, you\u2019ll need to return to Phnom Penh<\/a> and then get on another bus to Siem Reap. I recommend Capitol Travel Tours<\/a>. It\u2019s a 12-hour ride, so it\u2019ll be evening by the time you get to Siem Reap.<\/p>\n

(Note: It’s better to take the night bus so as not to waste a day. You won\u2019t sleep well, but you also won’t lose a day!)<\/p>\n

Siem Reap is located on the northeastern side of Tonle Sap Lake and is the main access to Angkor Wat<\/a>. The center remains a rural old town, with French-style houses and shops. The area around the Old Market is crowded with locals and foreigners all day long and has a bit of a party vibe to it.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay in Siem Reap<\/strong>: Mad Monkey<\/a> \u2013 A fun, lively, and social hostel with a bar, pool, and lots of tours and organized activities to help you meet people and explore the city.<\/p>\n

Day 6 \u2013 Angkor Wat<\/strong>
\n\"Iconic
\nSpend your day at Angkor Wat, the ancient city that was the center of the Khmer Empire that once ruled most of Southeast Asia. The temple was built in the 12th century and covers over 500 acres.<\/p>\n

The most popular temples are Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Phrom, and Angkor Thom. I would recommend getting a multi-day pass so you can visit some of the outer temples where there are fewer visitors. While a single-day visit can cover the basics, this is an amazing site to explore so I highly recommend two days (at least).<\/p>\n

You can hire a tuk-tuk for the day for around $25 USD or rent bicycles and explore on your own (bikes cost around $5 USD per day). Tuk-tuks have room for 3-4 people, making it a cheap and convenient option if you can split the ride with other travelers.<\/p>\n

Admission is $37 USD per person for a day pass, $62 USD for a three-day pass, and $72 USD for a seven-day pass.<\/p>\n

You can also take a full-day guided tour<\/a> to learn even more from a professional. <\/p>\n

Day 7 \u2013 Siem Reap<\/strong>
\n\"Floating
\nEnjoy your last day in Cambodia by exploring more of the Siem Reap area. Head over to the Angkor Wat complex for several more hours in the morning and then head over to astonishing Banteay Srei.<\/p>\n

Known as \u201cthe city of women,\u201d this temple was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and features a number of outstanding red sandstone statues. (You need an Angkor Wat Pass to visit.)<\/p>\n

If you have time, visit Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia\u2019s largest freshwater lake and UNESCO nature reserve. It is 52 kilometers (32 miles) from Siem Reap. Sailing down the river and around the lake gives you a look at how closely Cambodian life is tied to this major waterway. Guided boat tours of Tonle Sap start at $20 USD.<\/a><\/p>\n

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