One week in Cambodia

Cambodia is the perfect place to immerse yourself in a totally different and exciting culture for one week, enjoying food, landscapes, people and traditions that you may have never encountered before. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing holiday, an action-packed adventure or an educational experience, Cambodia has something special and unforgettable to offer every visitor.

Best things to see and do for one week in Cambodia

What to see in one week

The first thing to see on any visitors’ list should be the many ruins and temples that can be found all over Cambodia. With so many to choose from, you’ll never be able to see them all during a 7 day itinerary and so here are some of the best. Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom; perhaps the most well known ruins in Cambodia are famous due to their size and well preserved detail. Wander through temples and ancient streets and feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. Beng Mealea is another great site of ruined buildings and temples and is the choice for those looking to feel as though they’ve truly explored, since it is almost totally overgrown with vines and jungle. Visit Tonlé Sap to cool down after all that adventure in Asia’s largest freshwater lake. Go for a boat ride to see the floating markets and towns along the way. A visit to Phnom Penh is also not to be missed and sightseeing here will give you the opportunity to see incredible things such as the Silver Pagoda, a temple covered in silver tiles and home to several encrusted Buddha statues that make for an impressive sight. The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is another jaw-dropping sight and you’ll love seeing the colours and details of this amazing building.

What to do in one week

Start in the city of Phnom Penh to take in some sightseeing as well as take a few educational tours to get you up to speed with Cambodian culture and history before you set off around the country. What better place to start that with a trip to Phnom Penh’s National Museum of Cambodia to see traditional art and artefacts from many different eras as well as to learn about Cambodia’s more recent history. Before leaving the city, explore the bustle of the many markets that can be found here, as well as all over the country. Visit the central market in Phnom Penh to pick up a few souvenirs that you can take home with you. After some time in the bustling, lively city, a bit of peace and quiet on the beach is just what the doctor ordered and you’ll have a lot of choice when it comes to where you’d like to stay. Otres Beach is popular with visitors for its long stretch of white sand lined with indigenous trees, as well as for its relaxed, youthful atmosphere. You can also head offshore to one of Cambodia’s many islands, such as Koh Thonsáy for a bit of snorkelling or even scuba diving and some much needed time to relax in the sun, sea and sand.

Best time to travel to Cambodia for a week

On a one week trip to Cambodia, it’s important to choose the right time of year for your visit to ensure that you get the most out of your itinerary for your short stay here. Due to Cambodia’s weather pattern, it has very clearly defined peak and low seasons, with the peak season falling during the dry and slightly cooler months from November to February. The rainy season falls between June and October, although it often only means a short but dramatic shower or storm each evening and should not be taken off the table as an option. What’s more, prices tend to be cheaper during this period and you can often find a bargain when looking for accommodation. The shoulder seasons that fall between these two major seasons are also great times to visit, meaning that you’ll get the best of both worlds with none of the crowds.