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Cambodia for me was one of the highlights of my travels to South East Asia last year. When crossing the border from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, I was greeted by children firing water pistols at the coach.
It was in fact a nationwide water pistol fight to mark the Cambodian New Year. The celebratory vibes matched with plenty of smiles made my week in this beautiful country super special.
Read on for my suggested seven-day itinerary for Cambodia.
How to get to Cambodia
Cambodia has three main international airports:
- Phnom Penh Techo International Airport
- Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport
- Sihanouk International Airport in Sihanoukville
This itinerary starts in Phnom Penh where international flights from the UK are available.
There are a few ways to get to Cambodia from other cities in Asia. Flying is one way, but the most economical is by coach.
I came from Ho Chi Minh city with Giant Ibis Transport and the crossing cost me around £17 at the time. The journey by coach took around six hours in total and although it’s longer than flying, it’s definitely more interesting, taking you through vast countryside on both sides of the border.
You can also do the crossing via Thailand, but with the current tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, please stick to your travel authority’s guidance.
How to get around in Cambodia
Unlike many of the other neighbouring countries where it can be more expensive, travelling by tuk-tuk is the most economical way to get around locally in Cambodia. You can book via the Grab app.
Another thing to note is that Cambodia is far slower paced than Vietnam and the roads are still busy but not as crowded.
Currency in Cambodia
Currency in Cambodia is a little bit complicated as they use both Riel, which is a closed currency (it can only be exchanged inside Cambodia) and US dollars. Although Riel is the official currency of Cambodia, in virtually all cases it plays second fiddle to the dollar, although Cambodian authorities are currently working to change that.
Dollars are the price quoted but you can use both and also use them together. There’s usually a conversion which can vary depending on where you are spending.
Itinerary for one week in Cambodia
Summary – 1-week itinerary for Cambodia
- Day 1: arrival in Phnom Penh
- Day 2: Mekong River, Royal Palace and Wat Phnom Daun Penh Temple
- Day 3: Cambodia islands
- Day 4 & 5: Koh Rong Sanloem
- Day 6: Siem Reap
- Day 7: Angkor Wat Temple
Day 1: arrival in Phnom Penh
After arriving in Phnom Penh, the best place to enjoy the city views is at the Celeste Revolving Restaurant. It’s a great way to familiarise yourself with this city from a distance, while watching it really light up at night.
The food is pricey and didn’t really have a lot when it came to vegan or vegetarian options, but with the views and fantastic drinks it’s worth heading up anyay.
Where to get dinner in Phnom Penh
Avary Sky Bar & Restaurant offers great vegan pizzas and spectacular views across the city.
Where to stay in Phnom Penh
I stayed in a lovely apartment in The Bridge: SOHO, which has a fantastic rooftop pool, with great views across the city. It also has easy access shops for groceries on the ground floor.
Day 2: Mekong River, Royal Palace and Wat Phnom Daun Penh Temple
Morning: The Mekong River is great to walk along and you can also take a boat ride or dinner cruise in the evening. Tube Coffee Riverside is an interesting London-style coffee shop, with super strong ice coffees.
Also, Pastamania Riverside sells fantastic gelato.
Want a good view and drink? Khmer Funk Sky Bar has a chilled, relaxed vibe and a cracking view over the river. Their fresh coconuts are absolutely delicious.
Afternoon: The Wat Phnom Daun Penh temple is the birthplace of Cambodia’s capital. With its golden stupa, it shows the sheer beauty of Cambodia’s spiritual side.
It’s lovely to walk around peacefully, light incense, and admire the amazing statues. Entry for this is just $1-$2 dollars.
Evening: At night, the Royal Palace lights up and it’s fantastic to admire. There’s also Palacegate Organic Sky Bar which gives you a good view over the palace and has a fantastic selection of food including vegan and vegetarian options.
Day 3: Heading to Cambodia’s tranquil islands
Morning: It’s now time to get on the move and head to Cambodia’s beautiful islands. Plenty of buses will take you to Sihanoukville, including Giant Ibis who I travelled with. Prices are cheap with luxury options costing only $15.
Why you should not stop at Sihanoukville
This was by far my biggest blunder when visiting Cambodia. I booked five nights in Sihanoukville… big mistake.
My error had been looking at past, dated reviews and once I arrived, I realised that it was no more than a desolate, abandoned city.
Tens, perhaps hundreds of uncompleted buildings and empty streets marked how Chinese investors had pulled the plug and just left many apartment blocks and hotels unfinished and empty. So, my suggestion is to go straight to the port and get on the boat to Koh Rong.
Getting the Boat to Koh Rong from Sihanoukville
There are quite a few ferry operators to Koh Rong from Serendipity Pier (Ochheuteal Beach Pier) in Sihanoukville and there are plenty of different options throughout the day. It takes about 30-45 minutes to get to the island depending on which operator you pick, and you can buy snacks from vendors or the 7-Eleven at the pier.
Ferries also go onto Koh Rong’s neighbour, Koh Rong Sanloem, making island hopping a must. An open return gives you the option to visit either and costs around $25.
Top tip: When visiting Koh Rong, or any of the islands for that matter, bring plenty of cash as paying by card is very limited here and there are no cash machines. You do have the option to withdraw cash from some shops, but many don’t have the cash to withdraw or charge a hefty 8% fee for doing so.
Arriving in Koh Rong and enjoying Cambodia’s hidden gem
Once you arrive, there are tuk-tuks that can take you around the island or you can rent a scooter. Once you have settled into your hotel, it’s great to just sit on the beach and just be.
There are plenty of water sports, including kayaking and snorkelling, but nothing beats just chilling on the white sands and dipping your toes in the crystal-clear waters, which seem a world away from the bustle of mainland Cambodia.
Where to have dinner in Koh Rong: Coco’s Rooftop Bar is a good place to eat in Koh Touch, which is one of the ferry stops (they do vegetarian and vegan options too). There are plenty of places to eat and drink along the front.
Where to stay in Koh Rong
The Tree House Bungalows in Koh Rong are an absolute must with a fun, basic feel and balconies overlooking the tranquil blue waters.
Day 4 & 5: Koh Rong Sanloem
Koh Rong Sanloem is Koh Rong’s neighbouring island and if it’s less of the bars and more quiet solitude that you are looking for, then this is the place to be. Soon Noeng Pier is right on Saracen Bay Beach which is stunning.
Where to stay on Koh Rong Sanloem
Paradise Villas on Koh Rong Sanloem is right on Saracen Bay Beach. They have some beautiful private villa huts and serve amazing milkshakes, smoothies, and fruit bowls. With a walk straight onto the beach, it makes it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the coastline.
Things to do on Koh Rong Sanloem
As with Koh Rong, there are plenty of beaches where you can enjoy the calm sea, as well as water activities and jungle trekking. There are waterfalls and wildlife to spot and you’ll see fish and monkeys.
Day 6: Airport and fly to Siem Reap
It’s worth noting that there are buses from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap but with Cambodia’s road system it isn’t the best journey and it can take around 12 hours.
I chose to fly with Cambodia Airlines from Sihanoukville International Airport. Tickets prices can vary but they cost me £40.
Top tip: Of all the airlines that I flew with, Cambodia Airlines was the strictest when it came to carry-on. This is due to the planes being pretty empty, which means weight distribution has to be even.
My 28 litre carry-on backpack just made it on but my partner’s 40 litre carry-on (which was accepted on every other airline) had to be checked in.
Where to have dinner in Siem Reap
It’s Vegan Baby offers fantastic vegan food and has a lovely atmosphere. Amami Gelato is also a great place for dessert.
Where to stay in Siem Reap
The hotel that I stayed in when I visited Siem Reap was Lotus Blanc Resort and Spa and it was by far my favourite hotel in South East Asia. From the friendly staff to the incredible facilities, the entire hotel was beautiful.
Day 7: Angkor Wat Temple
Morning: Angkor Wat, just outside Siem Reap, is the largest religious monument in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 12th century, it’s absolutely stunning and covers over 160 hectares, which is about the same size as a city.
Tickets are $37 and you will need a taxi or book a guided tour for the day as there are different sections to explore.
Afternoon: Angkor Botanical Gardens are beautiful to walk around and they’re completely free. Made in Cambodia Market offers some fantastic souvenirs, especially beautiful artworks.
Dinner: Fellini Restaurant Siem Reap has some delicious pizzas with vegan and vegetarian options too.
So, there you have it, a packed seven-day itinerary to see some of Cambodia’s best bits. This can be extended if you want a more leisurely journey, adding more time to relax on the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem.
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim travelled South East Asia last year.
