The Perfect 10 Day Cambodia Itinerary (Temples, Culture & Luxury Stay)

Cambodia is an extraordinary country, rich in history, culture and natural beauty. One of the best things about visiting this country is how easy it is to get around, making it perfect for a 10-day trip.

There are no direct flights from the UK to Cambodia. I recommend stopping over in Singapore. From there, you have access to both Siem Reap airport and Phnom Penh. (You can read my guide for a 48-hour stopover here).

For this itinerary, I suggest flying into Siem Reap and flying out of Phnom Penh. Before travelling, make sure you arrange your visa and E-arrival card (requirements change by nationality, so please check in advance).

Itinerary Overview:

Day 1-4 - Siem Reap & Angkor Wat

Day 4-6 - Phnom Penh

Day 6-10 - Krabey Island

Day 1–4: Siem Reap

Welcome to Siem Reap, the first stop on your carefully crafted Cambodia itinerary, where awe-inspiring ancient temples meet the beauty of the Cambodian countryside.

Where to stay

To start your trip, I recommend staying at the Anantara Angkor Resort. This is where we stayed, and it set the tone perfectly for the trip. 

Rooms typically start from around £275 per night (depending on the season), and the service and comfort are exceptional. If you’d like more information on this hotel, please read my review here. 

Arrival made easy

To keep this itinerary stress-free from the moment you land, pre-book an airport transfer. The transfer to your hotel takes around 50 minutes, giving you time to settle in and start easing into holiday mode right away.

Getting around        

We used the hotel’s rickshaw service to get around. While slightly more expensive than Grab, it was still very affordable and incredibly convenient. The drivers were friendly, often waiting for us while we dined, and it made getting around effortless. Plus, travelling by rickshaw is a lovely way to take in the atmosphere of Siem Reap.  

Day 1 - Arrival and Local Markets

Afternoon 

After checking in and settling into your hotel, head to the Made in Cambodia Market. This is a fantastic place to support local artisans. Everything is beautifully made, high quality and sold without pressure. We bought a gorgeous vase and some cute elephants for our nephews.

Dinner – Old Maison Eatery 

I highly recommend coming to this restaurant; the service was among the best we had in Cambodia, and the food is excellent (don’t miss the rice crackers). Great value for money too.

Day Two - Angkor Temples

Morning 

Dedicate today to exploring the Angkor temple complex, one of the most impressive historical sites in the world.

I have linked a good private tour here and a good group one here.

Key temples to visit:

• Angkor Wat – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is breathtaking and iconic. This is the largest religious complex in the world and actually features on the Cambodian flag. 

• Angkor Thom - typically referred to as the main entrance to the ancient city

• Bayon Temple – famous for its serene stone faces

• Ta Prohm – my personal favourite. This temple was a filming location in the movie Lara Croft, and is a temple that has been reclaimed by the jungle, with trees growing through ruins

We chose not to do sunrise at Angkor Wat to avoid the crowds and instead started our tour at 9 am, which worked perfectly for us. The temples can be hot and humid, so exploring in the morning (around 4–5 hours) is ideal.

Afternoon 

Relax at your hotel pool after a busy morning.

Dinner – Haven 

A must-visit. This restaurant trains vulnerable young adults and teaches them valuable life skills.

The food is delicious I had the fish fillet with green mango (the chefs signature dish) and it is a meaningful way to support the local community.

Day Three - Kulen Mountain and Floating Village

Morning 

After a day of temples, it’s time to explore a completely different side of Cambodia at Kulen Mountain. We booked our tour through our hotel, but I have linked other tours that look similar (private one here and group one here).

It is worth starting early; we did and found we were the only tourists at most of these places.

We went to:

• Poeng Ta Kho Viewpoint - incredible panoramic views

• River of a Thousand Lingas - intricate carvings in the riverbed

• Reclining Buddha: this statue has been carved into a sandstone boulder atop the mountain pagoda. It is a very active and sacred site for locals. 

• Waterfall - a beautiful spot where you can swim, it was really quiet here when we went, which made it even more magical.

  
  

Our tour with the Anantara included a lovely picnic lunch, which is completely customisable and delicious.

Afternoon 

Visit a floating village, where you’ll explore the community by boat. These communities adapt to seasonal changes in water levels, offering a fascinating insight into local life. Even outside peak floating season, it’s still a worthwhile experience.

Dinner – Apsara Show Dining Experience at Anantara 

Enjoy a private traditional Apsara dance performance arranged by Anantara in the courtyard, paired with a five-course tasting menu. The show is truly amazing, the performers are incredibly talented, and the combination of intricate costumes, graceful storytelling, and atmospheric setting creates a memorable cultural experience.

Day Four - Travel to Phnom Penh

After breakfast, it’s time to head to Phnom Penh. The drive takes around 5.5 hours, though you can fly if you prefer. We chose a private transfer, which allowed us to stop along the way and experience more of Cambodia.

Day 4-6 Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s vibrant capital, with a rich history, culture, and modern city life.

Where to stay:

Royal Gate Hotel - comfortable and good value

Rosewood Phnom Penh - a more luxurious option (we visited here for drinks and food, and really enjoyed it)

Getting Around

We used Grab Tuk Tuks; we found them cheap, reliable, and easy to use. You can view drivers' ratings to add a sense of safety.

Evening

Head to The Rosewood Bar Sora at around 6:00 pm for some cocktails. Getting here early is definitely a good idea as it helps ensure better seats and an opportunity to see the sunset. It gets very popular here, so make sure you book a table.

Dinner – Zhan Liang 

A great Chinese restaurant. Don’t miss getting the duck, although beware this is huge, we didn’t quite realise the size, so had to use a second table for all our food!

Day Five - History and Reflection

Morning & Afternoon

Spend today learning about Cambodia’s history:

• Royal Palace - Gorgeous architecture and the official royal residence for the King of Cambodia 

• Killing Fields (Choeung Ek) 

• Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) 

  
  

Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum are an essential part of any trip to Cambodia. I truly recommend coming here with a guide to help you understand and learn what happened here. I found these places deeply moving, and they both really struck a chord in me. I believe it is incredibly important to visit here, as it helps honour those who suffered and ensures their stories are not forgotten.

It is a tradition at Choeung Ek for visitors to leave bracelets at certain areas here, I think this is a really beautiful tradition and I highly recommend buying a bracelet locally and leaving it here. Please also bring cash so you can purchase a flower on site, which you can then place to honour the victims.

At the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum there are opportunities where you can buy books about some of the survivors of the Cambodian Genocide, typically these are being sold by the survivors themselves, I highly suggest purchasing these books. The one I brought was such an insightful read.

Day 6-10 Six Senses Krabey Island

To finish off your trip to Cambodia, I recommend going to Six Senses Krabey Island for a few days of relaxation. 

The journey from Phnom Penh takes two and a half hours, followed by a short boat ride to the island.

This is a perfect place to unwind, and we spent a lot of time relaxing and eating. I have a more detailed review here for more information about this hotel.

Tips

• Please bring plenty of cash, as you’ll need it throughout your trip. Larger restaurants and hotels usually accept cards, but tips, smaller markets, and local vendors often require cash. US dollars are widely accepted, although you may sometimes receive change in Cambodian riel.

• When visiting temples and historical sites in Phnom Penh, make sure your shoulders and knees are covered out of respect.

• It can get very hot and humid, so be prepared—light clothing, sunscreen, and plenty of water are essential.

  
  

Final Thoughts 

Cambodia is such a welcoming and vibrant country. Between the awe-inspiring temples to the buzz of Phnom Penh and the peaceful beauty of the island, it offers an incredibly diverse travel experience. 

What makes Cambodia truly special, is its people everyone is so warm and kind.

If you are looking for a destination that combines, culture, history, natural beauty and relaxation, Cambodia is an unforgettable choice.

If you are planning a trip to Cambodia, you might also find these blogposts helpful:

Review of Six Senses Krabey Island

Review of Anantara Angkor