Well hello to you my reader chums! Cambodia was one of those countries I wanted to see and never really thought I'd have the opportunity, but it happened and I still can't believe I've ticked it off my list. Cambodia is a beautiful country and somewhere I wish I spent a lot longer than 7 days. It's packed with a lot of history, some of the world's most incredible temples, friendly locals, and delicious cuisine.

If you're planning to visit Cambodia for a week and unsure where to begin, here is what I got up to for 7 days in Cambodia.

2-3 days in Phnom Penh

It's always worth visiting a capital city, as even if they are louder and busier, they're the heart of each country, and Phnom Penh was no different. I was rather surprised when I first landed in Phnom Penh, my first impressions weren't what I expected. It was crazily busy, a bit dirty, and a lot more touristy than expected. Aside from the initial shock, as I explored more, I liked the hustle and bustle of the city.

Phnom Penh is packed with plenty of must-see sights, museums, temples, and cool bars. It had a lot more of a party vibe than I expected in the night time, but during the day, despite the busy city atmosphere, there was a cool and addictive vibe to the place. Here are all the things you should get up to in Phnom Penh.

National Museum of Cambodia - If you love history and learning everything about new places, then the first stop should be the National Museum of Cambodia. This museum is a hub for all Cambodia's artifacts and really gives you an insight into the country. I found it really interesting to walk around - and the outside had a beautiful courtyard. After wandering around, you can sit in the gardens and take a moment at peace. The museum cost around $8 each to get in.

The Royal Palace - The Royal Palace was my favourite part of the city, as I can't get over its beauty or the surrounding temples in the complex. The Royal Palace complex had the main building which is the Royal Palace, several temples including the Silver Pagoda, and a couple of statues with manicured lawns. If you're going straight from the National Museum, it's a really short walk so it's best to do them on the same day.

Wat Ounalom - Another incredible temple located near the Royal Palace is the Wat Ounalom. It's lovely to walk around and has a huge gold Buddha at the front. This temple is also near the river so after visiting, you could have a lovely stroll along the river and visit the riverside restaurants - which are some lovely places to eat.

Wat Phnom - Wat Phnom is located in the heart of a park where the public and locals alike spend the cooler part of the days strolling around. The temple is sectioned off in the park as you need to pay a small entrance fee before you get in.

Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes - Something I didn't know about Cambodia its history, especially the tragic period of the Khmer Rouge takeover, and what they did to their own people. The Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crime will open your eyes to the pure horror which happened in Cambodia during the 1970s/80s. The $10 entry fee includes an audio guide that explains everything about the history as you walk around the prison, memorial, and museum. It's honestly a heartbreaking and eye-opening experience.

Killing Fields of Choeng Ek - After you've been to the Tuol Sleng Museum, you have to also make a visit to the Killing Fields. They're located several miles away and you will need to take a tuk-tuk there or book a tour, however, the distance is worth it. As you walk around the fields with your tour guide, you'll be shocked by the unbelievable horrors that occurred.

Night food market - Asia is renowned for its night markets and pretty much every city will have one. Phnom Penh was no different and had a very intimate market. The food stalls were pretty much all the same and offer some of Cambodia's most authentic food.

Where to stay

In Phnom Penh, it's great to be in the main part of the city as that way you're pretty much in walking distance from all the sights and don't have to spend too much on transport. I stayed at Rachana Hostel, which was a lovely place in the centre of town, close by to lots of the attractions I've listed, and had easy access to restaurants, bars, and the airport.

3-4 days in Siem Reap

I only had the opportunity to see two areas of Cambodia and Siem Reap was my favourite out of the two.  It had a much calmer appeal, the city centre was much prettier, the temples were out of this world and I just loved exploring it even more so every day. Siem Reap is easily accessible from Phom Penh, you can either get a bus which will take around 5 hours, or fly there, which is a lot quicker. Siem Reap is home to Angkor Wat and has many other things you need to see, and will love.

Angkor Archeological Park - The main draw to Siem Reap for most people is the Angkor Archeological Park, and I can see why as it was my highlight of Cambodia. The park is absolutely huge with the main temple, the Angkor Wat. The Angkor Wat alone is an incredible experience and you can walk around it for an hour or two. For the park, I would say you should take two days trying to see it all, one day doing the first route with half of the temples, and the second day seeing the others. I'd also highly recommend waking up and seeing the sunrise at Angkor Wat as it's an experience like no other. You'll be blown away by the temple's history and beauty. Tickets for a 1-day pass is $37, a 3-day pass is $62 and a 7-day pass is $72. For more information, check out my full detailed guide to the Angkor Archeological Park.

Browse around the night market - The night market in Siem Reap was one of my favourites in all of South East Asia. It had a unique appeal compared to other markets I've been to with vendors selling unusual handmade items, beauty products, and an array of different food stalls. It's worth a visit and can make for a lovely browse even if you don't buy anything.

Check out pub street - Pub Street is the equivalent to a pub crawl in Europe and the place to be for a drink or two. It doesn't necessarily have to be a place to get drunk as it's also full of restaurants, street vendors, and close by to a hub of other restaurants, shops, and massage places. At night, it literally lights up with pretty lanterns and makes for an exciting place to be.

'The Lanes' of Siem Reap - You've heard of the Brighton Lanes, well I've nicknamed a cute little area I came across as 'The Lanes' of Siem Reap. Right near Pub Street, is an area called 'The Alley' and it really reminded me of the Brighton Lanes. They're full of quaint family-run restaurants, cute boutique style shops, and Instagram worthy places to eat. It leads off through a few roads where you'll just think 'this place is lovely'. It makes for a nice stroll and if you fancy it, a bite to eat.

Royal Gardens - To escape the main hub of Siem Reap, walk over to the Royal Gardens. It's a pretty stretch of green that you can soak up the sunshine and experience a bit of serenity. The Gardens are about a half-hour walk from the main part of town, and nearby is a mall where you can stop off for a bite to eat.

Where to stay

I stayed at a bit more of a luxurious place in Siem Reap, the Ring Boutique Hotel. It was stunning, and the rooms really did symbolise a ring - as the bed was in a ring shape. All the rooms were lined up next to each other along the pool area, and ours was literally a step from the pool. The hotel was in a key location, as we were only a 10-minute walk into the main town. 

Where to eat

Chamkur - In 'The Lane' section, I came across the cutest vegetarian restaurant called Chamkur. I wasn't that hungry but had the Cambodian curry of secrets and it was honestly delicious -and one of the best curries I've tried in Asia.

Aura Greek Kitchen - Even though I was in Asia, I couldn't resist the appeal of Greek food, as it's one of my favourites. The Aura Greek Restaurant didn't let me down and it tasted of traditional Greek food, and I loved it.

Temple Restaurant - The Temple chain was a thing in Siem Reap as there was a restaurant, bar, and supermarket with the same branding. I'd recommend this place if you'd like a big breakfast, brunch or classic English meal.

I hope you enjoyed this guide. Have you visited Cambodia before?

Thank you for reading <3