How Many Days are Enough for a Cambodia Trip?

Cambodia is a small country, but it is packed with stunning landscapes and sites that are worth visiting. How many days for a Cambodia trip really depends on what you want to see and how much time you have.

If you’re short on time, a 3 to 5-day trip can give you a quick taste of Cambodia. 7 days is enough to see most of the highlights without being rushed. A 10-day journey to dive into the country’s rich culture and breathtaking nature. And if you have two weeks, you’ll get a chance to explore some of Cambodia’s hidden gems.

For first-time travelers, 7 days is generally the best time we recommend, giving you enough time to explore the must-see places, but still at a relaxed pace. it is a great option to extend your Cambodia trip to neighboring countries like Vietnam, Thailand, or Laos.

In this guide, we’ll guide you on how many days you may actually want to spend in Cambodia and help you plan an unforgettable trip!

How Big is Cambodia? A Map of Top Tourist Destinations

Cambodia is a country of 181,035 square kilometers with only 440 kilometers of coastline, located in Indochina. It borders Thailand to the north and west, Laos to the northeast, and Vietnam to the east and southeast. The whole country lies within the tropics, dominated by a vast central plain surrounded by low mountains.

Although the country is small in size, Cambodia has a wealth of landscapes and attractions. Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat and has more than 1,000 temples. The Tonle Sap Lake is surrounded by quiet countryside and also has unique floating villages.

The capital, Phnom Penh, one of the must-visit cities in Cambodia, is located in the Mekong lowlands and is the bustling center of this rich land. The ruins of Phnom Penh, including the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, are landmarks that showcase the glory of Khmer royal history.

Coastal areas such as Sihanoukville and Kampot are home to white-sand beaches, pepper plantations, and riverside retreats. The culturally rich and laid-back city of Battambang is close to the Thai border and has the famous bamboo train, offering a taste of rural life and adventure.

Top tourist destinations map of Cambodia.

3–5 Days is the Minimum Duration for Any Cambodia Tour

3-5 days is enough to experience some of Cambodia's best, and you just need to plan the trip accordingly. The following travel tips provide recommended places to make the most of this vacation.

If you have only three days to travel in Cambodia, it is best to choose Siem Reap. The journey starts from Angkor Wat, a must-see destination in Cambodia. It is the seventh wonder of the world and a miniature model of the universe, which is extremely beautiful and well-preserved.

Don't miss other famous temples: Ta Prohm, one of the largest temples built during the Khmer Empire, is a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII; Banteay Kdei, considered one of the main temples in the Angkor Wat complex, is a peaceful and tranquil environment.

In addition to its temples, Siem Reap has many markets and delicious local food, making it a great place to relax in the evening.

In the afternoon, sit and admire the enchanting sunset over Angkor Wat.

With four days, it is also recommended to stay in Siem Reap, and add Tonle Sap Lake to the itinerary. It's relaxing to take a boat tour of Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Along the way, you can explore the countryside around Siem Reap.

For five days, it is recommended to spend three days in Siem Reap, and two days in the capital city of Phnom Penh. You can visit these famous places in Phnom Penh:

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a museum that records the tragic history of Cambodia in recent times; the Silver Pagoda, with about 5,000 silver bricks paved on the ground; the National Museum, which houses thousand-year-old artifacts of Khmer sculptures; and the Royal Palace, where the Khmer royal family lived.

3 Days Siem Reap Temple Tour
Tour Route: Siem Reap

4 Days to Explore Cambodia’s Cultural Heart: Siem Reap
Tour Route: Siem Reap

5 Days Cambodia Tour to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
Tour Route: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh

The beautiful and peaceful Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia.

1 Week is Perfect for a Classic Cambodia Highlights Tour (Highly Recommended)

Planning to visit Cambodia in 7 days offers plenty of time and the journey will be very relaxing. It is recommended to spend three days in Siem Reap, two days in Phnom Penh, and two days in Sihanoukville.

Sihanoukville sits on a peninsula jutting into the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Beaches of fine, pearl-white sand line the shore around the peninsula, each offering its own unique character, from the busy Ochheuteal Beach to the secluded, chill-out Otres Beach.

Koh Rong Island is perfect for beach relaxing, known for its sandy coves and coral reefs, like those around Koh Rong Pier. Inland, the dense jungle terrain is dotted with coconut palms and waterfalls. Read more to get the best Cambodia islands for relaxing, diving and more.

7 Days Cambodia Mysteries Discovery Tour with Beach Relaxing
Tour Route: Siem Reap - Koh Rong Island

Relax on the relaxing beaches of Koh Rong Island.

10 Days for a Cambodia Trip: Deeper Exploration

The 10-day itinerary will give you a richer experience of exploring Cambodia. You can plan it like this: three days in Siem Reap, two days in Phnom Penh, three days in Sihanoukville and Koh Rong Island, and two days in Battambang.

There are many interesting activities to join and attractions in Battambang to visit.

Take a ride on the traditional Bamboo Train, a bamboo platform laid over 2 sets of wheels on a single track. In the old days, this was used to transport goods between Battambang and Phnom Penh and was a typical mode of transport for farmers and villagers.

Climb the 365 stairs to marvel at Wat Banan, an Angkor-era temple that sits on top of a hill close to the Sanker River. Phnom Sampov is also known as the Killing Caves of Phnom Sampeau, is a place of beauty, turned tragedy, turned beauty once more.

And at Bat Cave, scale the side of a mountain leading to the "secret bat cave" just before sunset, where you will sit atop the mountain waiting for the millions of bats located inside the cave to awake.

10 Days Cambodian Panoramic Overland Tour
Tour Route: Siem Reap - Battambang - Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville - Koh Rong Island

6 Days Best of Cambodia Tour Package

Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

2 Weeks for a Cambodia Trip: Hidden Gems and Beyond

For a two-week Cambodia trip, you can have more time to explore some hidden gems. Two days in Phnom Penh, three days in Sihanoukville and Koh Rong Island, two days in Battambang, five days in Siem Reap (added two days to the three days planned before), and two days in Kampot and Bokor Mountain Station.

With the extra two days in Siem Reap, you can explore more ancient temples in Cambodia and natural landscapes:

Koh Ker was the capital of the Angkorian Empire from 928 to 944 CE. The main attractions you can expect here include Prasat Thom, a seven-tiered pyramid structure, Prasat Krahom, Prasat Bram, etc.

Prasat Beng Mealea was built in the 12th century. Although invaded by jungle, you can see the traces of the Khmer Empire. Banteay Srei is carved from red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to elaborate wall carvings, which are well preserved to this day.

Phnom Kulen National Park used to be the ancient capital city in 802 AD after King Jayavarman II was initiated as the royal “God of the King.” Walk to visit Preah Ang Thom, a reclining giant Buddha statue. Continue to witness the historical site of 1000 linga carvings under the riverbed.

Also, head to see the secret pool where the white, clear water comes out of the ground all year round. Then go to the cool waterfall where you can refresh, bathe, and swim. Near the waterfall, there are some local huts where you can stop to enjoy a local lunch and have fresh coconut.

14 Days Cambodia Road Tour to Sihanoukville
Tour Route: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh - Kampot - Sihanoukville

Ride on Battamabang special iconic Bamboo train.

Extend Your Cambodia Trip to Neighboring Countries

Cambodia is geographically close to Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. After the full exploration of Cambodia, with sufficient time, you can also travel to these countries. It’s very easy to take a plane directly to these countries to experience the beauty of Southeast Asia and feel the local culture.

Here we provide a reliable local travel service in Vietnam Cambodia Thailand Laos Tour, focusing on private car tours that suit your budget and interests at the best local pricing.

24 Days Best of Vietnam Cambodia Laos and Thailand Tour with Beach Relaxing

Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Bay – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Bangkok – Khao Sok – Koh Phangan – Koh Samui – Phuket – Phi Phi Island - Phuket

Conclusion

There’s no absolute answer to how many days for Cambodia trip - it depends on your time, budget, and what you’re excited to see and do. Whether you have just a few days for a quick glimpse or a couple of weeks to explore deeply, Cambodia has something special waiting for you.

From the lively streets of the city to the peaceful countryside, every corner of this beautiful country offers its unique experience. So pack your bags, make your perfect itinerary, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure—you’re going to love every moment here!