Planning to visit Cambodia and want to see the top historical sites? Then you’re in the right place because this 10 day Cambodia itinerary is designed for you.
Cambodia is the best country in South-East Asia for history. For a relatively small country, it is absolutely packed with ancient ruins, including the world famous Angkor Wat. This was once the centre of South-East Asia’s greatest empire and their structures can be found all over. Many of which are still being re-discovered.
Cambodia is a country that seems to have an ancient ruin around every corner and behind every bush, making it a dream destination for those interested in history.
This 10 day Cambodia itinerary is designed for those who want to see the country’s top historical attractions, but it also works perfectly fine for those simply looking for ideas to add to their own Cambodia itinerary.
It’ll take you to the top tourist destinations in the country while covering a mix of different historical places and experiences.
Table of Contents
Planning your visit to Cambodia
Here’s some essential info you should know before travelling to Cambodia.
Best time to visit Cambodia
There are 2 different times of year to visit Cambodia: the dry season and the wet season.
- Dry Season (November to April) – This is the tourist ‘on-season’. The weather is more pleasant while the daytime temperature generally stays between 25℃ to 30℃. November to February are the best months, because as you approach March and April, the days get hotter & more humid, and the likelihood of rain increases.
- Wet Season (May to October) – The ‘off-season’. There are less crowds to contend with, but the days are very hot and humid, and there are regular spouts of tropical rainfall, especially from July to September.
Overall, the best time to visit Cambodia is between November to April. Ideally from November to February. While you will have to contend with more crowds, it’s better than dealing with intense heat & humidity or having your travels spoiled by rain.
Visa
Getting a visa for Cambodia is incredibly simple.
While it is possible to apply for a visa on arrival (so long as you have the supporting documents & photos), you can save a lot of hassle by applying for an e-Visa online in advance.
The Cambodia e-Visa costs $36 USD (including the processing fee) and takes about 3 business days to process. It’s only a single entry visa and limited to 30 days, but with Cambodia being such a small country this is all you need.
You can book your Cambodia e-Visa, and check for updates to this process, on this website.
Budget & Money
CURRENCY: Cambodian Riel (KHR)
EXCHANGE RATE: 1 USD = around 4,100 KHR (At the time of writing – click here for live updates)
Cambodia is one of the most affordable destinations in South-East Asia. It’s great for budget backpackers but still has something for everyone.
US dollars are widely used across Cambodia, and you can easily travel throughout the country using only USD. In fact many locals prefer USD over the local Riel.
If you’re on a tight budget – such as staying in hostels or guesthouses, using local buses or tuk-tuks, and eating street food – you can easily get by on $25–30 USD per day.
If you’re aiming for a more mid-range budget — such as staying in private hotel rooms, eating at restaurants, the occasional guided tour, etc. — you should expect to spend around $40–60 USD per day.
If you’re seeking a luxury experience – such as staying in the best hotels, getting around via private driver, dining at the finest restaurants – many places around Cambodia have what you’re looking for but you should expect to spend upwards of $100 USD per day.
Getting around Cambodia
Tuk Tuk
A tuk tuk is the most convenient option for getting around within a destination, such as within Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.
Tuk tuks are common all across Cambodia, especially in the places we’ll be visiting in this itinerary. You can usually hail one down from the street, or alternatively most hotel/hostel reception staff can arrange for one to pick you up from your accommodation.
Make sure to negotiate and agree on the price before setting off.
Train
While Cambodia does have a train network, it’s very limited.
Currently it only runs between Battambang, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. If you’re travelling between any of those 3 destinations, a train is an option but there’s usually only 1 per day.
New train routes are in the works, but for now these are the only options. The best place to book train tickets in Cambodia is with 12Go Asia.
Buses & Minivans
The most common way for tourists to travel between destinations in Cambodia is with a bus or minivan.
You can book a bus/minivan online on 12Go Asia, which will generally give you a pick up location from a central location. Alternatively, most hotel/hostel reception staff can make the booking for you.
Accommodation in Cambodia
Cambodia has become a very popular tourist destination in recent years, and you’ll have no problems finding the accommodation you’re looking for.
All of the destinations in this itinerary offer a broad range of accommodation types. Being a popular destination for backpackers, budget hostels are common throughout the country, but there’s still plenty of options in the way of mid and high range accommodation.
Your 2 best resources for finding accommodation in Cambodia are:
- Booking.com – Best for hotels and guesthouses.
- Hostelworld – Best for backpacker hostels.
How to use this itinerary
This 10 day Cambodia itinerary is designed for those who want to visit the country’s top tourist destinations, with an emphasis on its historical attractions.
I encourage you to use this itinerary in the way that suits you best. You may not want to base your entire visit to Cambodia around only the historical sites – and that’s okay. Instead you could use this itinerary simply for ideas to add to your own.
This Cambodia itinerary assumes you’re beginning your journey from Phnom Penh. This works perfectly if you’re flying directly into Cambodia, or entering from Vietnam before moving on to Thailand.
If you’re instead entering Cambodia from Thailand, simply follow the itinerary in reverse, starting in Siem Reap and finishing in Phnom Penh. From here you can either fly out of the country, or cross the border into Vietnam.
If you’re flying out of Phnom Penh, instead of crossing the border into Thailand or Vietnam, you’ll simply finish this itinerary by making your way back to Phnom Penh after Siem Reap.
Overview & Map
- Day 1 – Phnom Penh
- Day 2 – Phnom Penh
- Day 3 – Kampot
- Day 4 – Kampot
- Day 5 – Battambang
- Day 6 – Battambang
- Day 7 – Siem Reap
- Day 8 – Siem Reap
- Day 9 – Siem Reap
- Day 10 – Siem Reap
The historical sites in this 10 day Cambodia itinerary can be neatly put into 4 different categories
- Modern (the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom, the National Museum, etc).
- Khmer Rouge (such as Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields)
- French Colonial (the many old colonial buildings)
- Khmer (the many ruins from the Khmer Empire)
Phnom Penh is all about the modern and the Khmer Rouge sites, while Kampot is all about the French colonial remnants. Battambang offers a bit of a mix, while Siem Reap is all about the remains of the Khmer Empire.
This itinerary begins in Phnom Penh. As mentioned, if you’re entering Cambodia from Thailand then you’ll want to follow this itinerary in reverse, in which case Phnom Penh will be your final stop.
We’ll then head to the provincial town of Kampot for a mix of old French architecture and a bit of outdoor adventure.
From here we’ll make our way to the rustic town of Battambang, where we’ll ride along Cambodia’s abandoned French railway, see another Khmer Rouge site, and a couple of Khmer Empire ruins.
The final 4 days of this itinerary will be spent in and around Siem Reap. It might seem like a lot to spend almost half this itinerary in Siem Reap, but there’s a very good reason for it. This area was the centre of the Khmer Empire, and is arguably the most historically rich area in all South-East Asia. Most of our time here will be spent not in the town itself, but rather using it as a base to explore the many amazing Khmer ruins in the surrounding area.
Day 1 - Phnom Penh
Welcome to Phnom Penh.
Cambodia’s capital is the first destination for most, and makes for a great introduction to the country. Phnom Penh has been the capital of Cambodia on-and-off since the 15th century, but the historical sites we’ll be seeing here are all from the country’s modern era.
Today’s Itinerary
- Arrive & settle in.
- Tuol Sleng
- Choeung Ek
After you’ve settled in, I recommend using your remaining time to visit 2 of Cambodia’s most important modern historical sites: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre. As the names imply, these relate to a very dark period in the country’s history, and are confronting places to visit, but are essential for tourists to know about.
Tuol Sleng is located in downtown Phnom Penh and may be within walking distance from your accommodation, while Choeung Ek is just outside the city. You can speak to almost any tuk tuk driver to negotiate a price to visit both sites.
The story behind these places is too long to cover in this article, but you can read more about it here:
Day 2 - Phnom Penh
Today’s Itinerary
- National Museum
- Royal Palace
- Silver Pagoda
- Central Market
- Wat Phnom
Your first full day in Phnom Penh is a great chance to see the capital’s central historical sites. All these places are located in the same area and within walking distance from each other.
Starting with the National Museum is a great idea. This will give you an introduction to the country and its history going all the way back to the Khmer Empire, allowing you to get more value from the other places you visit in this itinerary.
From here you need only cross the street to reach the Royal Palace, which has been home to Cambodia’s royal family since 1870. Built in a traditional Khmer style, the palace is one of the most impressive architectural features in the country.
On the south end of the Palace complex you can also visit the Silver Pagoda, a beautiful temple which has been the royal holy site for the past 150 years
After you’ve finished exploring the Palace complex, it’s about a 30min walk to our next historical site. Along the way I recommend passing through the Central Market, a massive building built by the French which was said to have been the biggest market in Asia at the time, and still operates to this day.
From the market it’s only a short walk to reach Wat Phnom. Located on a hilltop overlooking the city, the temples at this site date back as far as the 15th century and it has been the city’s most important religious site ever since. It also offers some decent views of the city – not amazing but the best you’ll find in an otherwise flat city.
Day 3 - Kampot
Welcome to Kampot.
This provincial town in southern Cambodia has become popular in recent years and is on its way to being one of the country’s top tourist destinations. What attracts people to Kampot is its laid back atmosphere and the natural beauty of the surrounding area, something that also attracted the French during colonial rule.
The French legacy is alive and well in Kampot through its many old colonial buildings – and that’s the central theme during our time here.
Today’s Itinerary
- Travel to Kampot
- Explore the old town
- Provincial Museum
I recommend using this morning to make the journey from Phnom Penh to Kampot. If you’re catching a bus it should take about 3 hours, while the train may take up to 5 hours.
After you’ve arrived and settled in, use this afternoon to explore the old town area of Kampot. Full of charming old French buildings, this area of Kampot is the star attraction. You could spend all day exploring its narrow streets, dining at its restaurants and cafes, shopping at its stores, or simply admiring the architecture.
To see one of the best preserved French buildings in Kampot, walk south along the waterfront to find the old National Bank building.
You can also stop by the Provincial Museum to learn more about French rule in Cambodia. This is only a small museum that’s mostly made up of old photos from that era, but it’s cheap and only takes about 30 to 45min, so it’s worth a quick visit.
Use the remainder of your day to explore Kampot and relax, because the rest of this itinerary is going to be a lot busier.
Day 4 - Kampot
Today’s Itinerary
- Bokor Hill Station
- Travel to back to Phnom Penh
A visit to Kampot wouldn’t be complete without seeing Bokor Hill Station, the old summer getaway for the former French colonial elite.
Here up in the mountains behind Kampot, the French built a luxury resort town, which included hotels, a casino, a church and a post office. It lay abandoned for a long time until recently being opened as a tourist attraction.
Here you can explore the remains of this old French town, as well as other historic sites like the former palace of King Sihanouk.
There are many other things to see and do in Bokor National Park aside from just the Hill Station. You can find many different tours on Get Your Guide, ranging from 5 to 10 hours, depending on the stops included along the way.
Getting from Kampot to Phnom Penh
The journey from Kampot to Battambang takes 8 to 10 hours, and unfortunately there aren’t any overnight sleeper buses or trains.
So, to make the most of this this 10 day Cambodia itinerary, and avoid wasting a full day sitting on a bus, I recommend doing it like this:
- Take the bus from Kampot to Phnom Penh this evening (about 4 hours) and stay there for the night.
- Catch an early bus the next day from Phnom Penh to Battambang (about 5 hours) – giving you the afternoon free.
Most buses from Kampot to Phnom Penh require you to stop in Phnom Penh and swap buses anyway, often making you wait around in between. So breaking the journey up like this and staying in Phnom Penh overnight is slightly more efficient.
Day 5 - Battambang
Welcome to Battambang.
A prosperous trading settlement founded by the Khmer Empire in the 11th century, this rustic town was heavily developed by the French (evident by the architecture) and is now a popular tourist destination with many interesting historical places to visit.
Today’s Itinerary
- Arrive & settle in
- Bamboo train
- Phnom Sampov
If you followed the above advice about stopping overnight in Phnom Penh, then you’ll arrive in Battambang in the morning, leaving you with the afternoon free.
This is a great chance for 2 activities that often go together.
First you could take a ride on the Bamboo Train, one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Battambang. During the Khmer Rouge, the old French-built railroad was shut down, so the locals came with their own unique way of using it. They combined a bamboo platform, decommissioned train wheel-tracks, and a small motor, to create their own vehicle to use on the abandoned railways.
While it’s not needed anymore, many locals make a living from taking tourists for rides on these Bamboo Trains, and it makes for a fun activity.
A ride on the Bamboo Train is often combined with a visit to Phnom Sampov. Here at this hilltop holy site you can see a collection of temples and massive buddha sculptures carved into the mountainside.
But beneath the surface (quite literally) this holy site has a dark history, because during the Khmer Rouge the caves beneath the temple were another of their ‘killing fields’. Much like the killing field we visited in Phnom Penh, this is a confronting place to visit, and filled with the skulls of the victims who were thrown into the caves to their deaths, but it too is an important place to learn about.
To finish the day on a lighter note, you’re probably just in time to head to the Bat Cave to witness the massive bat exodus that happens everyday as sundown.
All of these activities are best combined in a day trip from Battambang. Thankfully, such tours are very common. Your accommodation may be able to arrange for a tuk tuk driver to take you to all these places, but you can also book a tour online with Get Your Guide.
Day 6 - Battambang
Today’s Itinerary
- Wat Banan
- Wat Ek Phnom
- Travel to Siem Reap
For our 2nd and final day in Battambang, we’re going to visit 2 ancient temples built by the Khmer Empire, one of which rivals many of the best temples found at Angkor Archeological Park.
Start with Wat Ek Phnom, a Hindu temple built in the early 11th century, located just a few kms north of town. While the temple itself is partially in ruins, it’s still well worth a visit, especially to see the towering Buddha statue that watches over it. The site isn’t too big, so 30 to 40 min should be all you need here.
Next, make your way to Wat Banan, located south of Battambang town, beyond Phnom Sampov, which we visited yesterday. This 1000-year-old temple is known as the best-preserved Khmer temple in Battambang province – which is saying something considering the region is scattered with them. The temple complex is perched atop a hill, and you’ll have to climb the 350 steps to reach the summit, but it’s well worth it.
How to reach Wat Ek Phnom and Wat Banan
While there are plenty of tours on Get Your Guide that include both of these ancient Khmer temples, it may be hard to find one that only includes them, or doesn’t include places we already visited yesterday.
Thankfully, it’s very easy to arrange this on your own. I recommend speaking to your accommodation reception about arranging for a tuk tuk driver, or speak to any local driver and they’d be more than happy to negotiate a price to take you around.
Visiting these 2 ancient sites should take you about half a day, leaving you with the afternoon free to make the 3 hour journey to Siem Reap. Reaching Siem Reap relatively early in the evening is recommended, because tomorrow we’re going to be up early for one of the best experiences you can have in Cambodia.
Day 7 - Siem Reap
Welcome to Siem Reap, Cambodia’s second-largest city and its most popular tourist destination.
The downtown area is known for its markets, restaurants and bars, with many things to see and do. But what really draws people here is the many amazing historical sites in the surrounding region, including Angkor Wat, which is considered among the best historical sites in the world.
Today’s Itinerary
- Angkor Archeological Park (Day 1)
Angkor Archeological Park, which includes the famous Angkor Wat and many other ancient temples, is located just north of Siem Reap. If you’re interested in history, this will undoubtedly be the highlight of your time in Cambodia.
The park encompasses what was once the world’s largest city during the 11th century CE – in terms of both population and land area. So naturally, the park is huge, and 1 day is not enough. Some recommend 3 days, but in my opinion 2 days is enough.
Before visiting Angkor Wat, there are 2 things you need to arrange first: tickets and transport.
Firstly, when you first arrive at your accommodation in Siem Reap, speak to the reception staff to arrange for a tuk tuk driver to take you to Angkor. Or speak to any tuk tuk driver around town. Angkor Archeological Park is too big to explore on foot, so this will also be your way of getting around the site.
Secondly, book your entry ticket to Angkor online. Many visitors make the mistake of waiting in line to purchase theirs at the crack of dawn, but you can get yours in advance on the Angkor Enterprise website.
I recommend starting today early to experience one of Cambodia’s most iconic experiences: watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat.
After exploring Angkor Wat, there’s countless other places to visit around the park. Your driver will probably know the best order to visit them in, so you’re welcome to leave it up to them.
But if you’re asking me, I recommend visiting the following in roughly this order:
- Tonle Om Gate (also known as the Angkor Thom Gate)
- Bayon Temple
- Baphuon Temple
- Prasat Preah Khan
- Ta Prohm
These are the big ones, but you’ll no doubt pass by many smaller sites along the way that may be worth stopping for.
Reaching and getting around Angkor Archeological Park is a big adventure, with a few logistics to consider. So I recommend reading more about it here:
- Read More: A Complete Guide to Visiting Angkor Wat
Since you’ll be there from the crack of dawn, you don’t need to spend the full day at Angkor Archeological Park. By midday you’ll probably be exhausted, so I recommend saving the rest for tomorrow, head back to your accommodation, rest, and use your evening to explore the lively downtown area of Siem Reap.
Day 8 - Siem Reap
Today’s Itinerary
- Phnom Kulen
- Angkor Archeological Park (Day 2)
Our 2nd day in Angkor is a chance to explore some of the more remote sites, before heading to Phnom Bakheng to watch the sunset near Angkor Wat by 5:30pm.
Start the day by making the roughly 45 min drive to Kbal Spean. This is something you’ll have to arrange with your driver beforehand.
Here, in the mountains of Phnom Kulen National Park, you’ll go for a 30 min hike before reaching the River of 1000 Lingas, a riverbed with countless small Hindu sculptures carved into the rocks, believed to ‘bless’ the water before it reaches Angkor.
Phnom Kulen National Park is actually full of Khmer ruins, some of which have only recently been re-discovered and many of which are still hidden somewhere in the jungle. Rumour is some locals know the way to otherwise undiscovered ruins, and can take you there. But that’s an adventure for another time.
After visiting the River of 1000 Lingas, we make our way back towards the main Angkor complex. Along the way you can stop at Banteay Srei, another amazing Khmer temple.
Finish off the day at Phnom Bakheng, located back near Angkor Wat. Located on a hilltop, this amazing ruin offers some great views over the ancient city, with the sunset on one side and Angkor Wat on the other.
Day 9 - Siem Reap
For our final day in Siem Reap, we’re going on a day trip to see some amazing historical sites in the surrounding region.
In this itinerary, we’re including 3 different sites in our day trip: Koh Ker Pyramid (yes, there’s a pyramid in Cambodia), Prasat Preah Vihear, and Beng Mealea. There is at least 1 local tour that includes all 3 (this one), but if this is more than your budget allows there are plenty others that include just 2 of the sites.
Today’s Itinerary
- Koh Ker Pyramid
- Prasat Preah Vihear
- Beng Mealea
Starting off at one of Cambodia’s most unique historical sites, Koh Ker was once the capital of the Khmer Empire. Here they built a number of monuments, including the 36 metre tall pyramid which sort of resembles a smaller verson of the step Pyramid of Djoser in Egypt. The site was lost to the jungle for centuries and has only opened up to tourists in the past decade, making it somewhat of a hidden gem for history buffs.
Next there’s Prasat Preah Vihear, another amazing Khmer temple located on the northern border with Thailand. What makes this site unique is its location, being built on top of a 500 metre high cliff.
Finally, on the way back to Siem Reap, is Beng Mealea. This Khmer ruin is surrounded by jungle and half of it is in rubble – but that’s part of its appeal, giving it a ‘lost city’ feeling on par with Ta Prohm. While restoration efforts are underway, the Cambodian government has built a boardwalk through the ruins, making it easy to explore the site.
Day 10 - Siem Reap & Beyond
The final day of this itinerary depends on you. If this is the day you leave Cambodia, then you’ll either catch the 6 hour bus back to Phnom Penh, or head the other direction to Thailand.
If you don’t leave Cambodia until tomorrow and have this full day free, you’ve got a few options.
You could use it to explore more of Siem Reap, enjoying all the activities the lively tourist town has to offer. To see a different side to Cambodia’s history, you could visit the Landmine Museum just north of town.
Or, if you have the room in your budget, you could consider a day trip to the one UNESCO World Heritage Site not included in this itinerary: Prasat Sambor Kuk. For a slightly cheaper day trip, there’s also Banteay Chhmar, located on the western border with Thailand.
How to change this itinerary with more or less time
With less time
10 days in Cambodia is just enough time to see the country’s highlights and top historical sites, but if you’re pressed for time it is possible to have a great experience with less.
If you need to cut out 1 or 2 days from this itinerary, choose either Kampot or Battambang. The choice is yours. Kampot is all about the French architecture and outdoor adventure, while rustic Battambang offers temples, the confronting but important killing field, and more Khmer temples.
At the bare minimum, you should visit Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
With more time
If you have more time in Cambodia, you’re in luck because there’s so much more to see and do in this country.
If you haven’t had enough of Khmer ruins, there’s plenty to choose from:
- Prasat Sambor Kuk – the only UNESCO World Heritage Site not included in the itinerary. It’s also the least visited Heritage site, making it one of the more expensive sites to reach. Can be a daytrip from either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.
- Banteay Chhmar – Another Khmer ruin located on the western border with Thailand. A day trip from either Battambang or Siem Reap.
- Angkor Borei & Phnom Da – 2 Khmer ruins located just outside of Phnom Penh.
If you’ve had enough of the historical sites and want to do something different, then I highly recommend you spend a few days on Cambodia’s south coast. Here, you’ll find a tropical paradise that’s on its way to rival the popular islands in Thailand, with places such as:
- Otres Beach
- Koh Rong Sanloem
- Koh Rong
