The Perfect 10 Day Cambodia Itinerary

This varied 10 day Cambodia itinerary covers the highlights of Cambodia, from the ancient jungle temples at Angkor Wat to the Khmer capital Phnom Penh and the popular tropical islands and beaches of Sihanoukville. End your 10 days in Cambodia relaxing in a tropical paradise with palm-fringed beaches and perfect sunsets.

Cambodia is a wonderful country to visit with a lot to offer. It’s a friendly, colourful and affordable destination with UNESCO World Heritage sites, bustling cities and beautiful tropical beaches. In this 10 day itinerary in Cambodia, you’ll visit the most important sites, discover the history, enjoy the delicious food and experience the warmth of the local people.

I’ve enjoyed several holidays in Cambodia and have compiled this itinerary to help you plan the ultimate 10 days in Cambodia, including essential travel tips like what to see, where to eat, where to stay and more…

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Overview: 10 day Cambodia Itinerary

This 10 day itinerary in Cambodia begins with ancient Angkor Wat, one of Southeast Asia’s most visited historical sites. Spend a few days exploring Angkor’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed jungle temples before travelling to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital to see the Khmer Royal Palace another highlight of Cambodia.

In Phnom Penh, you’ll also learn about the devastating events that shaped the country at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields.

Lastly, you’ll travel to Sihanoukville to end this itinerary in Cambodia relaxing on beautiful Koh Rong Sanloem, a tropical island paradise with palm-fringed beaches and calm, turquoise water, perfect for swimming.

Is Cambodia safe?

Yes, Cambodia is safe for women and other tourists. Travelling alone in Cambodia I have always felt safe but I still recommend taking precautions to ensure you stay out of harm’s way. Keep your valuables out of sight and take care of your belongings.

The most common things to watch out for are petty theft, scams, and credit card fraud, but phone and bag snatching and assaults can also happen. Don’t walk alone at night, don’t drink too much and be wary of people you have just met, especially in bars and clubs.

The Australian Government’s travel advice for Cambodia is to “exercise normal safety precautions”.

When to visit Cambodia

November to February is the best time to visit Cambodia when the weather is sunny and dry. Cambodia is hot all year round and, in January, temperatures usually range from 21 – 35°C (70 – 95°F). It’s also one of the best times to visit Vietnam and Cambodia on the same trip.

December / January is the peak tourist season and Cambodia gets more than 2 million visitors annually so consider travelling at another time to avoid the crowds on this Cambodia itinerary.

July /August are also good months to visit Cambodia when there are fewer tourists, the rivers are full and the landscape is green. June to October is the wet season but October is best avoided as Siem Reap sometimes floods.

The worst time to visit Cambodia is April / May when the weather is extremely hot.

Getting Around Cambodia

Getting around in Cambodia is easy. On this 10 day Cambodia itinerary, I suggest using coaches and planes for long-distance journeys and 3-wheeled tuk-tuks to get around locally. If travel by riverboat is something you’d like to do check out my 3 week Cambodia Itinerary.

TIP:  The easiest way to book Cambodian buses, trains, planes and ferries is online with 12Go Asia

Travel by Air

Cambodia has International Airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Domestic flights are a good option and relatively inexpensive for travelling longer distances in Cambodia.

For this itinerary in Cambodia, book return flights to Siem Reap. Take the stress out of your arrival by booking a transfer from the airport to your hotel in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.

Travel by Bus

Buses and minibuses are the easiest and cheapest way to travel around Cambodia and to Bangkok in Thailand.

Minibuses are cramped and uncomfortable on longer trips. I suggest booking a large bus if possible or flying.

TIP: I travelled with and recommend the Giant Ibis and Virak Bunthan bus companies for long-distance bus travel for this Cambodia itinerary.

There are regular bus services between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville and many are minibuses. Check with the bus company and book a coach for a safer and more comfortable trip.

Travel by Train

Although trains run between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, train travel is very slow in Cambodia. Buses are much more frequent and considerably faster.

10 Days in Cambodia Itinerary

Day 1 – 3 Siem Reap

This 10 day Cambodia itinerary begins and ends in Siem Reap.

TIP: Book a transfer from the airport to your hotel in Siem Reap and take the stress out of your arrival in Cambodia.

You’ll have 3 days to explore the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical site. The immense size of Angkor Wat is astounding.

TIP: To see the temples, hire a tuk-tuk or book a 2-day Angkor sunrise tour

Day 1: The best time to visit ancient Angkor Wat is at sunrise on the Grand Temple Circuit Tour.

Day 2: Take the Smaller Temple Circuit Tour and visit more stunning temple ruins in the Angkor complex.

Day 3: Visit stunning temple ruins at Bantay Srei with its intricate carvings or Beng Melea in the jungle.

More fun things to do in Siem Reap

When you’ve seen enough temple ruins, there are many things to do in Siem Reap.

• Visit the Angkor National Museum and learn more about ancient Khmer history.

• Take a Cambodian cooking class at Le Tigre Papier Restaurant – I enjoyed this!

• Visit the local Buddhist Temples & the monastery in Siem Reap

• See the floating villages on the Tonle Sap River

• Visit the Phnom Kulen Waterfall

• Explore the ancient trails around Siem Reap on a motorbike

Shopping in Siem Reap

Siem Reap has some fantastic places to shop. For souvenirs head to the Old Market in town & visit the Night Market by the river. Some of the best souvenirs are Cambodian silk scarves, clothes and homewares, fresh Cambodian pepper, and wooden carvings.

Don’t forget, you’ll be returning to Siem Reap on this 10 day Cambodia itinerary so you can shop for gifts and souvenirs before your return flight.

Artisans Angor sells quality clothing and traditional arts and crafts made by local artisans. It’s a business with a social conscience that provides jobs for young people. Artisan’s Angkor is a 2-minute walk from the Old Market in the centre of Siem Reap and they also have a store in Phnom Penh. The silk clothing and homewares are lovely and I bought some gifts here.

Pubs & Nightclubs in Siem Reap

If you feel like a night out on the town head to Pub Street, the centre of nightlife in Siem Reap. On this steet, there are many restaurants, bars and nightclubs to choose from so take your pick.

Where to eat in Siem Reap

I enjoyed eating out in Siem Reap and I liked Khmer Kitchen and Le Tigre Papier on Pub Street. I loved the delicious fresh iced mango drink at Le Tigre Papier and the fresh spring rolls. I also enjoyed a cooking class here.

Where to stay in Siem Reap

Mid Range: I stayed at The Kingfisher Angkor Hotel, located away from the noisy nightclubs of Pub Street but just a short walk to restaurants, the Night Market and all the action on Pub Street. The service here was OK. My room on the top floor was spacious with a huge bathroom & a balcony.

I loved the pool area but the lift was sometimes out of service & the front rooms were noisy. Ask for a room away from the street.

Upper Mid Range: For a more upmarket option try The Night Hotel. It has a great location and gets exceptional reviews.

Luxury: Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor is a colonial hotel full of old-world charm. Located away from the hustle and bustle of town, this lovely hotel is surrounded by gardens. Guests love the hotel’s history, the period decor, and the attention to detail.

Day 4: Travel to Phnom Penh

Next on this 10 day Cambodia itinerary, you’ll travel to Phnom Penh, the country’s capital city. The bus trip takes around 5 hours and I suggest booking a coach for a more comfortable journey.

It’s also possible to fly from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh or take a private car.

If you travel in the morning, you’ll have the afternoon to get your bearings in Phnom Penh, stroll along the riverfront, take a sunset river cruise or visit the night market and enjoy some street food.

Day 5 – 6: Phnom Penh

In Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh you’ll have 2 days to discover the highlights, the Royal Palace and the war memorials.

Day 5: Visit the beautiful Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. The impressive Khmer architecture of the Throne Hall and the lovely manicured gardens are a must-see in Phnom Penh and the Palace is the home of the King of Cambodia.

Next door to the Palace is the National Museum of Cambodia, another traditional Khmer building with a lovely inner courtyard and a Buddha statue as a centre piece surrounded by lily ponds. The museum has some interesting cultural & historical exhibits and is worth visiting.

Of the many Buddhist temples in Phnom Penh, Wat Phnom is one of the most important. The city is named after this temple and is located in Doun Penh near the colonial Post Office.  

The Wat Ounalom Monastery is another landmark in Phnom Penh. Located on the riverfront this temple complex dates back to the 13^th century.  I was lucky to meet a friendly monk at Wat Ounalom who wanted to practise his English and show me around.

Shop for souvenirs at the Central Market or take a tuk-tuk to the Russian Market. Getting to the Russian Market takes about 20 minutes from the riverfront.

TIP: I liked the markets in Siem Reap better so maybe give this a miss if you’re short of time.

End the day with a sundowner at a rooftop bar and watch the sunset over the Tonle Sap River. The Hemisphere Sky Bar, Five Five Rooftop Bar and the Skybar at the Palace Gate Hotel all have stunning city views.

I watched the sunset from the legendary Foreign Correspondents Club but unfortunately, it has closed for renovations.

Day 5: Spend day 5 of this Cambodia itinerary learning about Cambodia’s modern history.

• Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to get a better understanding of the Cambodian Genocide during the Khmer Rouge Regime. Take the audio tour for the best experience (Open from 8 AM – 5 PM)

• Visit the Cheung Ek Killing Fields. They are around 17km outside Phnom Penh so booking a tour is a good option.

• End the day with a Sunset river cruise on the Tonle Sap River.

Where to eat in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh has a good selection of places to eat from restaurants that cater for tourists to street food.

• Street 240 & Bassac Lane have some popular cafes & restaurants.

• I can recommend Enso Café for breakfast or lunch near the Royal Palace.
• I loved eating street food at the Night Market in Phnom Penh

• I also enjoyed visiting the colonial Raffles Hotel for a special afternoon tea.

Where to stay in Phom Penh

Budget: Onederz Hostel has a good central location on the riverfront near the night market and gets excellent reviews.

Mid-Range: I stayed at The Bridge Club and loved the fabulous river views from my modern apartment on the 32nd floor. I’ve been back here a couple of times since.

Upper Mid-Range: For more upmarket accommodation try The Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel with river views, a pool & a fantastic location right next to the Royal Palace. This hotel looks amazing and it’s on my wish list of places to stay in Phnom Penh.

Luxury: Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh is a luxurious colonial hotel with an ideal location near the Post office and Wat Phnom. I recommend visiting for afternoon tea or a nightcap if booking a room will break the budget.

The Foreign Correspondents Club has a colonial atmosphere with guest rooms, a view of the river and a great location. ** Unfortunately The Foreign Correspondents Club is currently closed for renovations.

Day 7: Travel to Koh Rong Sanloem via Sihanoukville

On day 7 of this 10 days in Cambodia itinerary, spend the morning travelling from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. The journey takes around 3.5 hours by bus and longer if there’s traffic.

From the bus stop in Sihanoukville, take a tuk-tuk to the ferry pier, buy a ticket and catch the ferry to Koh Rong Sanloem (45 minutes).

TIP: I travelled by coach with the Giant Ibis and Virak Bunthan bus companies and it was a comfortable trip. There’s no central bus station in Sihanoukville. Buses depart from the bus company office.

**It’s also possible to fly from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville Airport or book a private car. Transfer to the ferry port by taxi or tuk-tuk and you can buy your ferry ticket at the pier.

Days 8 – 9: Koh Rong Sanloem

Spend the next couple of days relaxing on Koh Rong Sanloem, at the beach or by the pool. Koh Rong Sanloem is a small, sleepy tropical island with gorgeous white sandy beaches shaded by palm trees and calm, turquoise water.

There’s not much to do here except eat mangoes, walk on the beach or through the jungle to more gorgeous beaches. Take a boat trip snorkel, dive or visit the neighbouring island Koh Rong.

Koh Rong is a larger island and is just as beautiful as Koh Rong Sanloem but it’s busier, more developed and more popular with backpackers. Koh Rong is known as a party island while Sanloem is very quiet.

I chose the quieter Ko Rong Sanloem but Koh Rong has some stunning beaches and is also a great choice.

If you prefer to stay on the mainland, Otres Beach in Sihanoukville is another good option with stunning sunsets from a west-facing beach. But Sihanoukville has changed a lot in recent years and it’s no longer a laidback backpacker hangout.

Where to stay in Koh Rong Sanloem

Upper Mid-Range: I stayed at Sara Resort on Koh Rong Sanloem. My bungalow was comfortable and the resort had a beachfront bar and restaurant. I spent most of the time hanging out at the resort pool doing nothing much at all.

For Sara Resort I booked an open return ferry ticket with the Buva Sea Ferry who dropped me at the Eden Pier on Saracen Bay. Sara Resort sent a fun tractor contraption to pick me up from the ferry.

Luxury: Eden Beach Resort is a more luxurious resort right behind the Eden Pier in Saracen Bay.  

TIP: Book your accommodation before leaving Sihanoukville because different ferry boats cover different drop-off points on the island.

Where to stay in Sihanoukville

Ochheuteal Beach is very central to the city if you need to stay overnight before travelling to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. It’s also at the centre of the action in Sihanoukville. If you like casinos, high-rise buildings and nightlife you might enjoy staying near Ochheuteal Beach.

Manoha Villa is a homestay with comfortable rooms within walking distance of Ochheuteal Beach. I stayed here before catching an early bus to Phnom Penh.

Otres Beach is a few kilometres away from the centre of Sihanoukville. Although it used to be a good place for a beach holiday on the mainland, it’s now built up and touristy like the rest of Sihanoukville. The beach sunsets are amazing at Otres.

Naiya Resort has a fantastic location right on Otres Beach. This resort has comfortable rooms and a pool and gets great reviews.

Day 10: Travel to Siem Reap & home

I suggest booking a domestic flight from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap but travelling by bus is also an option. The distance is more than 500km and the bus trip takes around 7.5 hours. Flights are relatively inexpensive, much faster and more convenient.

TIP: Sihanoukville airport is around 45 minutes away from the beaches so allow plenty of time for the transfer.  

Also worth visiting

If you have time and would like to extend your 10 day Cambodia itinerary, here are other places I enjoyed visiting.

My 3-week Cambodia Itinerary offers a more in-depth experience of this fascinating country and includes Battambang, Kep and Kampot as well as the main destinations, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

Kep: A sleepy seaside town on Cambodia’s west coast Kep is one of my favourite places to stay in Cambodia. This laid-back small town has a pretty beach, an offshore island and a National Park.

Kampot: A riverside town near Kep, Kampot is famous for its pepper plantation. It’s a pleasant rural town to explore and a good place to relax.

Battambang: A regional city in northwest Cambodia, Battambang has a French colonial history, an attractive riverside location and some beautiful Khmer temples. In rural Battambang, you’ll see a side of Cambodian life that you won’t find anywhere else in the country.

Catching the riverboat from Siem Reap to Battambang is one of Cambodia’s memorable experiences and it’s worth visiting the regional city to experience travelling by river. Battambang is also on the way to Thailand and it’s a good place to stop en route to the border town of Poipet.

Travel Tips for Cambodia

• Use the Grab App for booking taxis and tuk-tuks. It’s much better than flagging down a driver on the street as it avoids language problems and that feeling that the driver hasn’t understood a word you’ve said and doesn’t have a clue where you want to go.

• Ask at your hotel reception for onward travel advice. I found them very helpful.

•  Book a larger coach for long-distance travel wherever possible. I didn’t enjoy travelling by minibus.

• Expect delays and changes in schedule so don’t book things too tightly.

• Don’t drink tap water. Buy bottled drinking water instead.

• Carry cash in US$ and Cambodian Riels, the local currency.

Solo Travel in Cambodia

This 10-day Cambodia itinerary is perfect for solo travellers. Cambodia is safe and friendly and I had an amazing time travelling solo in Cambodia.

But, if you’re a bit nervous about travelling solo these travel tips for solo female travellers will help you to have a successful and fun experience even if it’s your first time travelling alone.

FAQ’s

More Travel Tips & Itineraries

Is Phnom Penh Worth Visiting?

The Perfect 10-Day Cambodia Itinerary

The Best 3 Weeks in Cambodia Itinerary

Visiting Angkor Wat Cambodia for the First Time

Is Cambodia Safe for Female Travellers?

Kep or Kampot in Cambodia? Which Coastal Town is Best

Is Sihanoukville Worth Visiting in Cambodia?

Solo Travel in Cambodia – What You Need to Know

Visiting Charming Battambang in Cambodia

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