Phnom Penh 5 Day Itinerary
Five days lets Phnom Penh’s core sights sit alongside two proper day trips, an island and a highland park, without any single day feeling rushed. Fly into Techo International Airport, 45-75 minutes into the city, and base yourself in Riverside/Daun Penh or BKK1.
Day 1
Start at the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda (about $10), 7:30am session, dress code enforced at the gate, then the National Museum of Cambodia (about $10) nearby. Lunch at Friends (215 Street 13), $10-15 per person. Walk Sisowath Quay in the evening as the light drops. Concrete tip: bring a light scarf or shawl even if your outfit already covers shoulders and knees, since gate staff can be strict about interpretation.
Day 2
A solemn half-day: Tuol Sleng (S-21) (about $5, plus a $5 audio guide) in the morning, then Choeung Ek (about $6 with audio guide), 15km south, 30-45 minutes by tuk-tuk, roughly $15-20 round trip. In the afternoon, shift to the Russian Market for souvenirs, and close with dinner at Romdeng, $10-15 per person. Concrete tip: build in an hour’s break between the memorial sites and the market rather than moving straight between them.
Day 3
Wat Phnom ($1) in the morning, then the Central Market (Psar Thmei) before the midday heat. In the afternoon, Wat Ounalom (free, donation welcome) and the Independence Monument, followed by a sunset river cruise (roughly $15-20, an hour to 90 minutes) over the confluence. Concrete tip: markets here expect bargaining; a reasonable opener is 50-60% of the asking price.
Day 4
A half-day trip to Koh Dach (Silk Island), 15km from the city, 30-45 minutes including a short ferry crossing. Rent a bicycle at the landing and ride past the silk-weaving villages and rice paddies; it’s a genuine rural escape without a long drive. Back in the city by early afternoon, use the rest of the day to revisit anything from earlier in the trip, or simply rest before tomorrow’s longer day out. Concrete tip: carry small USD bills for the ferry and bicycle rental, since change is limited on the island.
Day 5
A full-day trip to Kirirom National Park, 100-120km southwest, about 2-3 hours each way. It’s the closest genuine hiking country to Phnom Penh, a cooler pine-forested plateau with waterfalls and marked trails, noticeably different from the flat river city below. Agree a return fare with your driver, including the wait time on-site, before setting off. Concrete tip: pack water, sun protection, and a light layer, since the highland air is genuinely cooler than the city.
For a tighter version of this trip, see the 4-day itinerary , or add the Kampot coast with the 6-day itinerary . The day trips guide has more detail on both Koh Dach and Kirirom.