Phnom Penh 6 Day Itinerary (No Tourist Trap)
By day six, you’ve genuinely exhausted Phnom Penh’s own city sights, so this itinerary adds a third day trip: Tonle Bati’s small Angkorian-era temple, paired with the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue, since both sit roughly 30-40km south of the city. Past this point, honestly, you’re into the start of a wider Cambodia trip rather than more Phnom Penh content, most travelers pair this many days with Siem Reap or the coast.
Day-by-day at a glance
| Day | Focus | Est. spend (excl. hotel) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Palace, National Museum, Wat Phnom, riverside | ~$25-35 |
| 2 | Tuol Sleng, Choeung Ek, Russian Market | ~$25-35 |
| 3 | Central Market, Wat Ounalom, Independence Monument, sunset cruise, Night Market | ~$25-40 |
| 4 | Koh Dach (Silk Island) half-day, BKK1 evening | ~$20-30 |
| 5 | Oudong, former royal capital, hilltop stupas | ~$20-30 |
| 6 | Tonle Bati, Ta Prohm temple, Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue | ~$25-35 |
Sort these before you land
- Cambodia e-Arrival Card : mandatory for every air arrival, file within 7 days of landing.
- e-visa (about $36 total) or visa on arrival (about $30); passport valid at least 6 months.
- Royal Palace dress code: shoulders and knees covered or you’re turned away, no exceptions.
- Day 6 is a long day out, hire a car or private driver rather than stacking two tuk-tuk legs back to back.
- Check Phnom Penh hotel rates in Riverside or BKK1.
Day 1: the Palace, the Museum and the riverside
Morning: Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, about $10, morning session; cover shoulders and knees.
Afternoon: National Museum of Cambodia, about $10, then Wat Phnom, $1.
Evening: Sisowath Quay at sunset, dinner at Friends (215 Street 13) or Romdeng.
Tip: agree tuk-tuk fares before you get in. Plan ahead: tomorrow’s memorial sites open by 8am.
Day 2: Tuol Sleng, Choeung Ek and Russian Market
Morning: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), about $5 plus $5 for the audio guide, 8am-5pm. An estimated 14,000-20,000 people were held here, almost all killed. Give it your full attention.
Midday: Choeung Ek, about 15km south, about $6 including audio guide, 7:30am-5:30pm. The memorial stupa holds more than 5,000 skulls. Tuol Sleng first, then Choeung Ek, and don’t plan anything cheerful straight after.
Afternoon: Russian Market for souvenirs and silk.
Tip: bring crisp, clean USD bills. Plan ahead: an early Day 3 start.
Day 3: Central Market, temples, and a sunset on the river
Morning: Central Market (Phsar Thmei), then Wat Ounalom, free or by donation.
Afternoon: Independence Monument, a five-minute photo stop.
Evening: A Mekong sunset cruise around 5pm. Friday through Sunday, the riverside Night Market after.
Tip: book the cruise ahead. Plan ahead: confirm Koh Dach transport tonight.
Day 4: Koh Dach (Silk Island)
Morning: About 15km from the riverside, 30-45 minutes plus a short ferry crossing, to silk-weaving villages and rural cycling.
Afternoon: Back by early afternoon; revisit Russian Market or cool off at Aeon Mall.
Evening: Dinner in BKK1 or one more riverside sunset.
Tip: agree the ferry-and-tuk-tuk round trip upfront. Plan ahead: Oudong tomorrow needs an earlier start than today.
Day 5: Oudong, the former royal capital
Morning: About 40km northwest, roughly 1-1.5 hours each way, to Cambodia’s former royal capital and its hilltop stupas, reached by around 500 steps. Go early to beat the heat on the climb.
Afternoon: Half-day back by early afternoon, or a full day with a slower look around.
Evening: A relaxed dinner back in the city.
Tip: bring water and a hat, there’s little shade on the climb. Plan ahead: Day 6 covers two sites, arrange a car or driver for the whole day tonight.
Day 6: Tonle Bati, Ta Prohm and Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue
Morning: Tonle Bati sits about 30-40km south, roughly an hour each way, home to a small Angkorian-era temple, Ta Prohm, and a lakeside setting. It’s an easy half-day on its own, and a genuinely different pace from the temples in the city itself.
Afternoon: Continue on to Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue, about 36-40km south, a rescued-wildlife sanctuary in the same general direction, making the two a sensible pairing for one long day rather than two separate trips.
Evening: Back in the city for a final dinner, riverside or wherever you haven’t tried yet.
Tip: hire a car or private driver for the full day, the combined distance adds up. Plan ahead: if you’re flying out of Techo International soon, budget 45-75 minutes for the transfer.
Is 6 days too much for Phnom Penh?
For the city alone, yes, honestly. Six days works because it leans on three separate day trips rather than pretending the city core has more to it. If you want a seventh day trip further out, see our 7-day itinerary , or our Phnom Penh guide for the full picture on pacing a Cambodia trip around this city.