Cambodia might be a small country but it offers incredible experiences making it a must-visit when backpacking South East Asia. From impressive temples, rich history, stunning countryside and delicious local food, Cambodia has it all. It’s also very safe and locals are welcoming and friendly. We spent a full month exploring this fascinating country, however 2 weeks is a good time to see the top attractions.
Our Cambodia 2 week itinerary covers the top places to visit and our travel tips to help you get the most out of your time. This itinerary is quite fast-paced but you’re welcome to skip some locations or travel at a slower pace.
Jump to:
- How to get to Cambodia and Travel Around
- Exploring Siem Reap and Angkor Wat Tour (Days 1-3)
- Battambang – a Hidden Gem with History and Countryside (Days 4-5)
- Phnom Penh – Cambodia History and Vibrant Markets (Days 6-8)
- Koh Rong – Relaxing Island with Backpacker Vibes (Days 9-10)
- Koh Rong Samloem – Pristine Beaches and a Remote Island Experience (Days 11-12)
- Kampot – Beautiful Countryside with Peaceful Atmosphere (Days 13-14)
- Final Thoughts
How to get to Cambodia and Travel Around
If you’re arriving directly from Europe there are international flights that can get you to Siem Reap or the country’s capital, Phnom Penh. However, direct options are limited and most likely you will need to connect through one of the major Asian or Middle Eastern hubs like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Dubai.
If you’re already travelling around South East Asia, you can take a short flight starting at £20 depending on your current location. There are also plenty of options to get there by bus from neighbouring countries which is convenient and affordable.
Once in Cambodia, the train network is not as well developed as in neighbouring Vietnam so buses and tourist minivans are the quickest and cheapest way to travel between cities. We recommend booking your transfers on 12Go Asia or directly from local travel agents.
Exploring Siem Reap and Angkor Wat Tour (Days 1-3)
Siem Reap is a must on your Cambodia 2 week itinerary. It’s a bustling city which is great to explore, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and try some delicious local food. Start your day at the bustling Old Market, where local vendors sell fresh produce and souvenirs. In the afternoon visit Angkor Botanical Garden, it’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and feel at peace surrounded by nature. In the evening a visit to the famous Pub Street is a must. It’s a lively spot to grab a beer for as little as £1 and enjoy live music in numerous bars.
Angkor Wat is a must see attraction when in Cambodia, and is probably on many people’s bucket list. It’s an ancient UNESCO heritage complex with over 1,000 temples. We really enjoyed exploring the different temples and admiring the ancient architecture. Sunrise is a really popular time to visit Angkor Wat to capture even more magic and stunning views.
Entrance costs £35 for a day pass and £60 for 3 days, we booked our tickets on the Angkor Enterprise site. We were very happy with the amount we saw in one day, exploring the main temples such as Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, and also a few of the smaller sights. However, if it’s somewhere you are really passionate about then take the 3 day option.
We booked a tuk-tuk driver that will cost you around £12 for 1 – 3 people. This includes a private driver and allowed us to explore at our own pace. You also have the option of going on a group guided tour, or a private guided tour. A private guided tour by tuk-tuk will cost you around £50 for 1 -3 people.
Quick note – we found the food options in Angkor Wat to be quite disappointing and overpriced. We would recommend taking some food where possible, or eating outside of the complex.
In Siem Reap we recommend staying at The Twizt – Lifestyle Hostel & Hotel. The location is great to get to the main spots in the city, the rooms are clean and comfortable, and there is also a great rooftop pool. You can get a private room with a shared bathroom for around £20 per night.
For delicious food in Siem Reap we recommend Khmer Taste Restaurant and New Leaf Eatery. Both of those are very affordable and offer a mix of traditional Cambodian dishes, and also Western options.
Battambang – a Hidden Gem with History and Countryside (Days 4-5)
Battambang is slightly less touristy but it offers unique attractions making it a well worthwhile stop. We got there from Siem Reap by a tourist minivan that took around 4 hours.
We only had one full day in Battambang so we wanted to make the most of our time. The most cost-effective way was sharing a tuk-tuk tour with other travellers from our hostel, we paid only £15 per person. Our day started with the iconic Bamboo Train – a quirky and fun ride through the scenic countryside. This unique experience involves sitting on a small bamboo platform that is powered by a little engine, it used to be the way locals got around.
We also stopped off at Phnon Sampeau Temple which is a limestone hill with multiple temples to visit and it offers panoramic views of the countryside.There is also a Khmer Rouge Killing Cave onsite, a reminder of Cambodia’s sad history. Towards the end of the trip we visited Bat Cave. It’s truly a unique experience watching thousands of bats leave the cave at dusk.
For affordable accommodation, The Place is a great spot to stay. It offers both dorms and private rooms, and there is a rooftop restaurant and bar. We paid £20 per night for a private room.
Phnom Penh – Cambodia History and Vibrant Markets (Days 6-8)
After visiting the countryside, it was time to head to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. This stop on our Cambodia 2 week itinerary offered a great mix of history, modernity and culture. We believe 2 days gives you enough time to see the main sites.
You can explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda which is the official residence of Cambodia’s King. A short walk away from there you can find the National Museum of Cambodia, where you can dive into Khmer history and art. The building itself is very impressive, built in traditional Khmer style.
There are also important sites to see that allow you to learn about the crimes committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a site of a former infamous prison where thousands of Cambodians were held, tortured and killed. From Phnom Penh you can also visit Choeung Ek Killing Fields. It used to serve as an execution site where thousands of Cambodians were killed and buried in mass graves. The Memorial Stupa is filled with over 5,000 human skulls serving as a stark reminder of the trauma the nation experienced.
The Cambodian capital isn’t defined solely by its sad past. It’s also filled with a vibrant atmosphere, local markets and a bustling nightlife. We enjoyed visiting numerous markets that are perfect for shopping for handmade souvenirs and trying fresh local produce. Central Market features a busy street food court where you can try authentic Khmer food. The Russian Market is great to browse for handmade souvenirs and get more street food. In the evening the riverside at Sisowath Quay comes alive. It’s a long promenade along the Mekong lined up with many bars, restaurants and cafes. The perfect place for an evening out!
We also were lucky to catch a Phnom Penh Crown FC match, which was a fantastic experience that we would recommend. It was very affordable, and we felt very safe and welcomed at the stadium.
We stayed at Bliss & Beats Hostel. The rooms are basic but clean and comfortable, and there’s also a swimming pool to chill out by after exploring the city. We paid £20 per night for a private room.
Koh Rong – Relaxing Island with Backpacker Vibes (Days 9-10)
After a busy time exploring, it’s time to chill out at the beach and soak up the sun! You can get to Koh Rong from Phnom Penh by combined minivan and boat transfer, taking 4 hours in total. We booked it on 12Go Asia and paid £25 per person.
Quick note – there’s no ATM on the island so make sure you bring cash for your stay. Local shops and restaurants might be able to charge your card and give you cash, but there’s no guarantee and you will pay a premium for this!
The main village on the island is called Kaoh Touch, where you will find most accommodation and dining options lined up along the beachfront. Accommodation and food will be a lower standard than the cities in Cambodia if you are looking at affordable options. Otherwise you might need to increase your budget slightly.
We recommend visiting Long Beach which stretches for over 7 kilometers and it’s famous for its powdery white sand and crystal clear waters. It’s a great place to switch off and truly feel like you are on a paradise island.
One day we rented a scooter for about £8 per day and that allowed us to visit more remote places on the island. Beware, some of the roads are not the easiest to ride due to the overall condition and being very sandy. Sok San Beach was one of the highlights. It’s a calm beach with white sand and turquoise water which we almost had to ourselves. It’s definitely one of the best beaches we’ve been to!
Koh Rong Samloem – Pristine Beaches and a Remote Island Experience (Days 11-12)
Koh Rong Samloem is a perfect stop on your Cambodia 2 week itinerary if you’re seeking a tranquil island with pristine beaches, white sand and natural jungle. There are no roads for cars or scooters, giving a very remote feeling. To get to Koh Rong Samloem we took a direct boat from Koh Rong pier and the journey took around 30 minutes.
There is a small village on the island in M’Pai Bay, where locals and tourists mingle. However, we recommend staying near Saracen Bay Beach to properly soak up the beach vibes and enjoy the clearest water in Cambodia. This area has both accommodation and dining options.
One of the highlights on the island was a jungle trek to Lazy Beach. It’s a very scenic walk that takes around 30-40 minutes from Saracen Bay Beach. Lazy Beach will greet you with golden sand, crystal-clear water and a tranquil vibe. It’s also a great spot for snorkeling just off the beach shore. We recommend stopping off for some food and drinks at Beach Bar Lazy Beach before heading back.
We stayed in Samloem Laguna Resort, it was a perfect place to chill in nature and enjoy the peaceful amosphere,located in a semi-secluded location about a 20 minute walk to Saracen Bay Beach. Similarly to Koh Rong, expect to pay more for accomodation than on mainland Cambodia.
Kampot – Beautiful Countryside with Peaceful Atmosphere (Days 13-14)
Kampot is a local riverside town making it a relaxing spot to finish off your trip in Cambodia. We took a boat transfer from Koh Rong Sanloem which took just over 1 hour and we paid around £20 per person.
Kampot is famous for word-class pepper. Visiting a pepper plantation is a unique experience where you can learn how locals grow pepper and try their products. Another attraction is to rent a kayak and go through the mangrove tunnels known as Green Cathedral. It truly allows you to experience Kampot’s natural beauty. We also enjoyed walking around the small town and markets.
We recommend staying in Cambodhi Guesthouse. This was the most comfortable place we stayed on our Cambodia trip, the rooms were clean and well maintained, but we only paid £20 per night. There is also a restaurant on site where you can have delicious breakfast and try a vegan version of Cambodian Amok.
Final Thoughts
Cambodia is truly an amazing destination offering rich history, amazing nature and pristine beaches. It’s also a very affordable destination, you can expect to spend around £50 per day per person.
The country uses a mix of Cambodian riel and USD when paying for goods and services. Don’t be surprised if you pay in dollars for something and get the change in the local currency! It can be confusing, however we found most vendors very honest.
Cambodia is very safe to travel around and there are plenty of other backpackers doing similar routes for you to connect with.
We really enjoyed our time, we had a perfect mix of relaxing, exploring and learning. We hope this Cambodia 2 week itinerary helps you plan your trip.
