Planning a trip and looking for the perfect 5 day Cambodia itinerary? Cambodia ended up being one of my favorite countries I visited in Southeast Asia, but it’s still a place many travelers skip. While Angkor Wat is the biggest draw, there is a lot more to Cambodia than temples.
I put together this 5 day Cambodia itinerary to help you make the most of your time. Keep reading for exactly how to spend 5 days in Cambodia, including Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, food tours, and more.
Last updated: May 22, 2026
Published: February 2, 2025
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5 Day Cambodia Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap
- Join a walking tour
- Explore around town
- Visit Pub Street
Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise
- Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat
- Explore the temple complex
- Take a food tour or cooking class
Day 3: More Temples and Travel to Phnom Penh
- Explore more of Angkor
- Travel to Phnom Penh
- Sunset river cruise
Day 4: Learn About Cambodia’s History
- Visit Tuol Sleng
- Visit the Killing Fields
- Watch a Khmer boxing show
Day 5: Explore Phnom Penh
- Visit museums
- Take a food tour
- River cruise or onward travel
Is 5 Days in Cambodia Enough?
Five days in Cambodia gives you enough time to visit the country’s biggest highlights, including Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, and Phnom Penh. While you won’t see everything, you can experience a good mix of history, food, and culture in a short trip.
The Best Five Day Cambodia Itinerary
Cambodia is incredible, and five days in the country is a great starting point to see what Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, and Phnom Penh have to offer. Thanks to this itinerary, you can see many amazing places during 5 days in Cambodia!
Day 1 in Cambodia
Welcome to Cambodia! I recommend starting your trip in Siem Reap, but if you fly into Phnom Penh instead, you can easily reverse this itinerary. You can also travel overland from Ho Chi Minh City, although that may cut into your time.
The earlier you arrive in Siem Reap, the better. Once you get settled, book a walking tour around the city. This is one of my favorite things to do whenever I arrive somewhere new because you learn some history, get your bearings, and usually leave with great recommendations from a local guide.
After your tour, spend some time exploring Siem Reap on your own. Walk around town, stop into shops, or ask your guide for recommendations on places to visit.
For dinner, grab some street food before heading to Pub Street. You’ll find food stalls all over Siem Reap, but I recommend choosing places where food is cooked fresh in front of you.
End your first night at Pub Street, where you’ll find restaurants, bars, live music, and plenty of people out enjoying the night.
Just don’t stay out too late because tomorrow’s wake-up call comes very early.
Day 2 in Cambodia
Are you ready for one of the most memorable mornings of your trip? Today means an early wake-up call, but trust me, it is worth it because you’re heading to Angkor Wat for sunrise.
You’ll want to leave your hotel well before sunrise to make it to the temple in time. When I visited Siem Reap in late March, we had to leave around 4 AM. Make sure you arrange transportation the night before, which your hotel or hostel can usually help with.
Pack some breakfast, bring water, and either carry a flashlight or make sure your phone is fully charged before heading out.
Watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat is still one of my favorite travel memories. Pictures really don’t do it justice, and somehow seeing the sun come up behind the temple feels even more impressive in person.
After sunrise, spend the morning exploring Angkor Wat and some of the other temples around the complex. I recommend hiring a guide so you can learn more about what you’re seeing and navigate the huge temple area more easily.
After returning to Siem Reap, take some time to rest if you need it. If you still have energy, spend the afternoon shopping around town for souvenirs, local art, or anything else that catches your attention.
To end the day, book a Cambodian cooking class or street food tour. Food tours and cooking classes are some of my favorite things to do while traveling because you get to learn about the food and enjoy a built-in meal at the same time.
Day 3 in Cambodia
Ready for day 3 of your 5 day Cambodia itinerary? I recommend waking up early and spending more time exploring Angkor Wat because you’ll quickly realize one day at the complex is not enough.
If you can manage another early morning, head to one of the smaller temples for sunrise instead of returning to the main Angkor Wat viewpoint. While most people head to the main temple, you can enjoy other areas with fewer crowds.
After another morning at the temples, it’s time to head to Phnom Penh.
Personally, I took the bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. It was a long ride, but I enjoyed seeing more of the Cambodian countryside along the way. If you want to save time during your 5 days in Cambodia, flying between the two cities is the faster option.
Once you arrive in Phnom Penh, check into your hotel and settle in. If you have time before dinner, book a sunset river cruise. Phnom Penh sits along the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers, and seeing the city from the water is a nice way to end a travel day.
If you arrive later in the evening, head out for dinner and then stop by the Phnom Penh Night Market to walk around, shop, and experience a different side of the city.
Day 4 in Cambodia
Today is a heavier day, but I think it’s an important one if you want to better understand Cambodia’s history. You’ll spend the day learning about the Cambodian genocide by visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields.
Start your morning at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which was once a high school before becoming a prison during the Khmer Rouge regime. Then, head to the Killing Fields outside the city.
You can hire a driver and visit on your own, but I personally recommend booking a guided tour or hiring a guide for the day. Having someone explain the history and answer questions makes a huge difference and helps provide more context for what you’re seeing.
After a heavier day, spend some time back at your hotel to rest before heading out again in the evening.
To end the day, go to a Khmer boxing show. Khmer boxing is Cambodia’s national sport, and I had a really fun time watching a match during my trip. It was fun cheering alongside locals and felt like a completely different experience from everything else I did in Cambodia.
Day 5 in Cambodia
For your fifth and final day in Cambodia, you can spend For your fifth and final day of 5 days in Cambodia, spend some more time exploring Phnom Penh before heading home or continuing on to your next destination.
If you have most of the day free, I recommend checking out one of Phnom Penh’s museums or nearby attractions:
- National Museum
- Sosoro Museum
- La Plantation Museum
- Silk Island
For lunch, this is another great chance to do a street food tour if you haven’t already. Food tours are one of my favorite ways to learn more about local dishes, and guides usually know the best places to try foods you may not find on your own.
If you still have the evening free and haven’t had the chance earlier in your trip, book a sunset river cruise and enjoy views of Phnom Penh from the water.
If you’re heading to the airport today, make sure you leave enough time for transportation and getting through customs.
Phnom Penh is also a popular jumping-off point for Vietnam, especially Ho Chi Minh City. Just keep in mind that traveling by bus can take up most of the day.
A 5 day Cambodia itinerary is a great introduction to the country, but if you have extra time, I highly recommend staying longer. Spend more time in Siem Reap or head to places like Koh Rong if you want beaches and islands.
Tours to Book in Cambodia
Booking a tour in Cambodia is a great way to maximize your 5 days there and see the top sites. Plus, there is a huge variety of tours, so everyone can find something that interests them!
Here are the top tours in Cambodia for Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, and Phnom Penh:
Tips For Getting Around Cambodia
Getting around Cambodia is easy, but it’s helpful to plan ahead and know your options for travel between cities and attractions, especially when you are visiting multiple places in this 5-day itinerary. Here are some tips:
- Tuk-tuks: Tuk-tuks are one of the most common ways to get around cities like Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Use apps like Grab or PassApp when possible, or agree on a price before getting in.
- Buses: Buses are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to travel between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. I took the bus myself and enjoyed seeing more of the countryside along the way.
- Domestic flights: If you want to save time during your 5 days in Cambodia, flying between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh is much faster than traveling by road.
- Private drivers: Hiring a private driver is a good option if you want more flexibility or are visiting places outside the main city areas.
- Bikes and scooters: Renting a bike or scooter can be a fun way to explore around Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, but only do this if you feel comfortable driving.
- Walking: Areas around Pub Street in Siem Reap and parts of Phnom Penh are easy to explore on foot.
- Road conditions: Roads can vary quite a bit in Cambodia. If you get motion sick easily, bring medication for longer bus rides or drives.
If you’re ever unsure about transportation, ask your hotel or hostel staff for help arranging reliable drivers or transportation.
Where to Stay in Cambodia
Since you’ll be visiting both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh during these 5 days in Cambodia, I recommend staying somewhere central in each city to make getting around easier.
Where to Stay in Siem Reap
- Budget: Onederz Siem Reap – One of the most popular hostels in Siem Reap, Onederz has dorms and private rooms plus a rooftop pool. It’s close to Pub Street and works especially well if you’re traveling solo.
- Mid-Range: Golden Temple Boutique – Golden Temple Boutique gives you a lot for the price with comfortable rooms, a pool, and a location close to restaurants and attractions around Siem Reap.
- Luxury: Jaya House River Park – If you want to splurge, Jaya House River Park is one of the highest-rated hotels in Siem Reap. It has a quieter location, beautiful rooms, and easy access to Angkor Wat.
Where to Stay in Phnom Penh
- Budget: The Big Easy Phnom Penh – A solid budget option with dorms and private rooms in a central area close to restaurants and nightlife.
- Mid-Range: Plantation Urban Resort & Spa – A great middle-ground option with a pool and a central location near many of Phnom Penh’s main attractions.
- Luxury: Raffles Hotel Le Royal – One of the most well-known luxury hotels in Phnom Penh with historic charm, beautiful grounds, and a location that makes exploring the city easy.
Conclusion: 5 Day Cambodia Itinerary
Five days in Cambodia gives you enough time to experience much more than just Angkor Wat. Between sunrise at the temples, exploring Phnom Penh, learning more about Cambodia’s history, and trying local food, you’ll get a good introduction to the country in a short amount of time.
Hopefully this 5 day Cambodia itinerary helps you plan your trip and make the most of your time there. And if you have extra time, I highly recommend staying longer because Cambodia ended up being one of my favorite countries in Southeast Asia.
Enjoy your trip to Cambodia! Here are some resources you can use to plan your trip:
- SafetyWing for travel insurance
- Flytographer for professional photoshoots all over the world
- Daily Drop Pro for miles and points bookings (learn more in my guide)
- Booking.com for a huge variety of hotels, vacation rentals, flights, and more
- HostelWorld for the best hostels around the world
- Vrbo for vacation homes and rentals
- Going and Thrifty Traveler for cheap flight alerts
- Amazon for travel and packing must-haves
5 Day Cambodia Itinerary FAQs
Is 5 Days Enough in Cambodia?
Yes. Five days in Cambodia gives you enough time to visit major highlights like Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, and Phnom Penh. While you won’t see everything, you can experience a good mix of history, culture, food, and local life.
How Should I Spend 5 Days in Cambodia?
I recommend splitting your time between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Spend your first few days exploring Angkor Wat and Siem Reap before heading to Phnom Penh for museums, history, and local experiences.
Should I Visit Siem Reap or Phnom Penh?
Ideally both. Siem Reap is known for Angkor Wat and a more relaxed feel, while Phnom Penh gives you a better understanding of Cambodia’s history and daily life.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Cambodia?
November through February is usually considered the best time to visit Cambodia because temperatures are cooler and rainfall is lower.
How Many Days Do You Need in Cambodia?
Five days is a great introduction, but if you have more time, I recommend spending at least 7–10 days in Cambodia. That gives you time to visit places like Koh Rong, Kampot, or spend longer in Siem Reap.
Is Cambodia Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. Cambodia became one of my favorite countries in Southeast Asia. While many people visit for Angkor Wat, there is a lot more to see beyond the temples.
Here are more guides to plan the ultimate trip to Cambodia:
- Angkor Wat Instagram captions
- Best time to go to Angkor Wat
- Best time to go to Cambodia
- Best time to go to Siem Reap
- Cambodia Instagram captions
- Cooking Class in Siem Reap
- Cambodia Safety Guide
- Should you visit Angkor Wat?
- Should you visit Cambodia?
- Should you visit Siem Reap?
- Tips for traveling to Cambodia
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