Ultimate 7-Day Cambodia Itinerary Starting in Siem Reap

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Seven days is enough to cover Cambodia’s two essential stops — Siem Reap’s temples and Phnom Penh’s history and riverside — without rushing either one, plus a short beach add-on if you’re willing to keep it brief. This route starts in Siem Reap, which is where most international flights land, and works south from there.

Day 1-3: Siem Reap and Angkor

Spend your first three days in Siem Reap: two days on the Angkor temples (Small Circuit on day one, Banteay Srei and the city on day two — see Siem Reap 2-Day Itinerary: Angkor Wat Essentials), then a third day for either the Grand Circuit’s quieter temples or a Tonle Sap floating village trip if you want a break from ruins.

Day 4: Travel to Phnom Penh

Take the bus or van south to Phnom Penh, roughly 5-6 hours by road, or a short domestic flight if you’d rather save the travel time for the capital itself. Arriving by afternoon leaves time for a riverside walk and dinner along Sisowath Quay.

Day 5-6: Phnom Penh

Give the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng genocide museum a full, unhurried morning — this is heavy material and rushing it does it a disservice. Spend the rest of day 5 at the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, then use day 6 for the Central and Russian Markets, a riverside evening, and any remaining sites that interest you. See Phnom Penh Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Things to Do & Travel Tips.

Day 7: Short coastal add-on or extra Phnom Penh time

With a seventh day, a short flight to Sihanoukville and a day trip out to Koh Rong is possible but tight — most travelers instead use day 7 as a buffer in Phnom Penh, or extend the trip by a few days if the coast is a priority. If beaches matter more than an efficient itinerary, consider a 10-day version instead.

Extending to 10-14 days

Add Kampot and Kep after Phnom Penh (a further 2-3 days) for a slower, riverside contrast, or extend the coastal leg properly with 3-4 days on Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem rather than squeezing it into day 7.

Frequently asked questions

Is 7 days enough for Cambodia?

It’s enough to cover Siem Reap and Phnom Penh properly, which is the core of most first visits. Adding the coast and islands comfortably needs 10-14 days instead.

Should I start in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh?

Siem Reap, since it’s where most international flights arrive and Angkor is the trip’s main highlight for most visitors.

How do I get from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh?

By bus or van (5-6 hours) or a short domestic flight — see Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: Bus, Boat and Flight Options for details.

Related guides

• Ultimate Cambodia Travel Guide: Top Places to Visit and Essential Tips
• Angkor Wat 3-Day Pass Itinerary: How to Use It Well
• Siem Reap with Kids: A Family-Friendly Temple Itinerary

Week structure at a glance

Days 1-4 in Siem Reap cover the small circuit, grand circuit, Banteay Srei, and a non-temple day (Tonle Sap or a cooking class), giving genuine breathing room rather than a rushed checklist. Day 5 travels to Phnom Penh (by bus, boat, or short flight), with the afternoon free to settle in. Days 6-7 in Phnom Penh cover the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields, the riverside, and the central markets, ending with a relaxed final evening.

Why this order works better than the reverse

Starting in Siem Reap front-loads the trip’s biggest single draw while energy is highest, and arriving in Phnom Penh afterward for a shorter, more urban-focused stretch provides a natural change of pace rather than temple fatigue setting in during the second city. It also aligns with how most international flights route through Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, making a one-way overland or short-flight connection between the two straightforward to book.

Budget and pacing notes for the full week

A mid-range week covering both cities, including the Angkor pass, transport between cities, and a mix of local and nicer restaurant meals, typically runs $70-110 per day per person — noticeably less than a comparable week in Thailand or Vietnam. Build in at least one genuinely unscheduled half-day, ideally around the transition between cities, since 7 days of constant sightseeing tends to leave even enthusiastic travelers fatigued by the final days.