By Liam Isola Cambodia is one of the jewels of the Southeast Asian tourism scene. Many have heard of Angkor Wat, as it is the largest religious monument/complex in the world. However, there’s a lot more to Cambodia than that.
Between a heavy secret bombing campaign during the Vietnam War and the subsequent brutal dictatorship led by Pol Pot, Cambodians have been through a lot.
Due to the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in the 70s, Cambodia has a very young population destined to forge a new path for the country. There are certainly stark reminders of its bloody history, but Cambodia is also an incredibly beautiful country with friendly people and great food.
So, we’ll discuss how you can spend one week in Cambodia, enjoying some of the country’s highlights and learning about its history. You can get by with English, as over 60 percent of the population speaks it, but you might want to learn some Khmer phrases as well.
One Week in Cambodia: Siem Reap – Two Days
While Siem Reap is the second-largest city in Cambodia, it doesn’t have a big city feel. It’s a walkable city that caters to tourists and has bustling markets. It’s also the closest city to the incredible Angkor Wat.
With a new international airport, Siem Reap is accessible from major Southeast Asian cities. However, let’s not mince words, the primary reason to go to Siem Reap is to visit Angkor Wat.
You’ll need to budget a full day to properly see the temple complex, which is absolutely massive. I highly recommend waking up to see the sunrise in front of the main temple. Hiring a tuk-tuk driver for the day is also a necessity.
The drive will take you from the city center to the complex and between the temples. Walking between temples, it would take days to experience Angkor Wat properly. If you want to go slowly, you could buy a 3-day pass for $62 instead of the $37 one-day pass.
Angkor Wat is one of the travel highlights of Southeast Asia. That’s not all there is to Siem Reap, though. The Night Market is incredibly lively and I made sure to visit both nights I was in town.
The center of the city’s nightlife is also nearby, on Pub Street. Siem Reap’s Old Market is another good place to wander around.
One of the best restaurants I ate at in all of Cambodia was Khmer Grill. They had delicious deep-fried frog legs and unique dishes, like red tree ants with beef and basil.
I managed to continue my workout routine by lifting at Angkor Muscle Gym. The day pass is only $1!
Battambang – One Day
Battambang is a small, relatively unknown city about three hours away from Siem Reap by bus. The best way to travel around Battambang is by renting a motor scooter. That way, you can head up north to see the Ek Phnom Pagoda.
The complex has a newer temple and ruins of an old one built even before the temples at Angkor Wat. There’s also a massive statue of Buddha.
In the late afternoon, you’ll want to head south toward the caves at Phnom Sampov. Once you get out of the city to Phnom Sampov, you can’t help but notice how lush and green it is. There are monkeys hanging out near the pagoda, which has some good views of the surrounding countryside.
Unfortunately, some of the most beautiful places in Cambodia have very dark stories behind them. This is true of the Phnom Sampov Killing Cave, which was a Khmer Rouge execution site. It’s now a memorial site and popular place to visit.
Around sunset, set up shop and grab a beer from a vendor near the Phnom Sampov Bat Cave. Every night, tens of millions of bats fly out of the cave, creating a surreal smoke-like column.
If you want to stay overnight, consider the Setha About the World Homestay. The family that runs the place is incredibly kind, and they make delicious Khmer and Western food in their restaurant as well.
Phnom Penh – Two Days
Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s chaotic capital and biggest city. It’s about five or six hours away from Battambang by bus. I tend to enjoy cities with a lot of energy, and Phnom Penh certainly fits the bill.
My favorite thing to do in Phnom Penh was grabbing a drink at the rooftop Sundown Social Club and watching the chaos unfold at the Russian Market across the street.
The tin-roof market is massive and cuts an almost post-apocalyptic figure on the city’s skyline. Orussey Market is another huge and busy market in Phnom Penh.
When I wasn’t people-watching at markets, I caught a soccer game at the National Olympic Stadium. I also went to Neak Banh Teuk Park and Sisowath Riverside Park. The Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace are two other places worth visiting.
My favorite restaurants in Phnom Penh were Kabbas Restaurant, which serves Khmer food, and Coriander Indian.
As Phnom Penh was the former headquarters of the Khmer Rouge, you can learn a lot about the bloody history of Cambodia in the city. I’d recommend first going to Tuol Sleng Genocidal Museum, which is located inside a former Khmer Rouge prison and interrogation center.
Then, you can visit the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, about 10 km away, which is even more somber. The audio tour provides a lot of context to the atrocities that transpired there, and it’s admirable that they do not shy away from their history in the slightest.
Kampot – Two or Three Days
Kampot was easily my favorite place to visit in Cambodia, and I ended up staying for six nights, which is something I certainly didn’t expect to do when I arrived. The laid-back atmosphere, fun day trips, and delicious food made it hard to leave this Southern Cambodian city on the Preaek Tuek Chhu River.
The bus from Phnom Penh takes anywhere from three to six hours. You can get a good feel for Kampot and get a day trip in with two days in the city. However, more days are warranted.
I stayed at Arcadia Backpackers Hostel, which has a waterpark, for two nights, but it’s best to stay near the city center. In Kampot city, Park Inn Hostel and Bar was one of my favorite hostel experiences. The atmosphere is friendly and much more laid back than Arcadia.
Kampot itself has some nice colonial architecture, a night market, and good restaurants. Lemongrass and Simon’s Tandoor are two of the best ones in the city.
However, I think the day trips from Kampot are what make it stand out. I rented a motor scooter and did day trips to Kep, BoTree Pepper Farm, and Bokor National Park during my time in the city.
I thoroughly enjoyed all three and if you only have time for one, your interests can determine where you go. If you like the beach, Kep is the place to go, and it has an impressive crab market. They’ll catch the crab fresh and cook it right in front of you.
Bokor National Park has panoramic views and some waterfalls, making it a good escape from the city. Meanwhile, the BoTree Farm tour is very informative. You can do pepper tastings and eat tasty meals on site.
One Week in Cambodia: What’s Next?
After staying in Kampot, I took a bus to the Sihanoukville Airport, where I flew to Malaysia. Sihanoukville Airport also has international flights to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City.
Another option is crossing over from Kampot into Vietnam, where you can head to Phu Quoc Island. If you’re doing this itinerary in reverse, consider heading from Siem Reap into Laos and the Si Phan Don (10,000 Island) district.
While you could do this itinerary in a week, I think two weeks in Cambodia would allow you to see the country at a more natural, relaxed pace.