Phnom Penh, Cambodia: travel guide
The Pearl of Cambodia — a lively capital of gilded palaces, riverside markets, museums, and a dynamic food and nightlife scene.
- Country
- Cambodia
- Currency
- KHR
- Time zone
- Asia/Phnom_Penh
- Nearest airport
- KTI
Top places to visit in Phnom Penh
Royal Palace
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · entry USD 10
The official residence of the King of Cambodia, the Royal Palace complex is a stunning ensemble of Khmer architecture built in 1866. The complex includes the Silver Pagoda — whose floor is covered with 5,329 silver tiles — housing a…
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry USD 5
Formerly a high school, Tuol Sleng (S-21) was converted by the Khmer Rouge into a brutal detention and interrogation centre between 1975–1979, where an estimated 17,000 people perished. Today it is a sobering museum preserving cells,…
Wat Phnom
Temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · entry USD 1
Perched atop a 27-metre artificial hill, Wat Phnom is the most important religious site in the capital and the founding legend of Phnom Penh itself. Built in 1372 by Lady Penh, the shrine houses a Buddha statue and is surrounded by…
National Museum of Cambodia
Museum · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · entry USD 5
Housed in a beautiful terracotta-red pavilion designed in traditional Khmer style, the National Museum is Cambodia's pre-eminent repository of art history. Its collection spans from the pre-Angkorian era to the post-Bayon period with over…
Phnom Penh Riverside Promenade
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 1 h
The scenic Sisowath Quay promenade runs for 3 km along the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers at their confluence known as Chaktomuk. Flanked by French colonial buildings, riverside restaurants, cafes, and bars, it is the social heartbeat of…
Silver Pagoda
Temple · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · entry USD 10
A temple within the Royal Palace compound named for its floor of over 5,000 silver tiles, housing the Emerald Buddha and a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha encrusted with diamonds.
Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry USD 6
The best known of the Khmer Rouge killing fields, 17 km south of Phnom Penh, where prisoners from S-21 were executed. Mass graves, a memorial stupa of recovered skulls, and an audio walk narrated by survivors. Visited with Tuol Sleng, in…
Central Market Phsar Thmei
Market · 4.0 rating · about 1 h
Built in 1937 under French colonial rule, Phsar Thmei (New Market) is an architectural landmark — a striking Art Deco building with a yellow central dome and four arms radiating outward. Inside, hundreds of stalls sell gold and silver…
AEON Mall Phnom Penh
Market · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
Big modern mall with cinema, ice rink and international dining.
Phnom Penh Night Market
Market · 4.0 rating · about 1.3 h
Weekend riverfront market with food stalls and mat-style seating.
Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung)
Market · 4.1 rating · about 1.3 h
Maze of stalls for silk, souvenirs, silver and great street food.
Independence Monument
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 0.3 h
Lotus-shaped 1958 monument marking independence from France.
Things to do
- Killing Fields & S-21 History Tour Historical Tour · 4.5 h · from KHR 63,400 per person
- Phnom Penh Street Food Night Walk Food Tour · 3 h · from KHR 106,000 per person
- Mekong River Sunset Cruise Boat · 1.5 h · from KHR 70,500 per person
- Cambodian Cyclo City Tour Cultural · 2 h · from KHR 74,000 per person
- Phnom Penh Motorbike Street Art Tour Cultural · 2 h · from KHR 52,800 per person
- Phnom Penh Pottery & Silk Workshop Workshop · 3 h · from KHR 123,000 per person
- Phnom Penh City Highlights Half-Day Tour Cultural · 4 h · from KHR 63,700 per person
- Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Visit Nature · 5 h · from KHR 106,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Killing Fields & S-21 Full Day History Tour 8 h · from KHR 221,000
- Phnom Penh Street Food & Cyclo Night Tour 3.5 h · from KHR 119,000
- Mekong Sunset Cruise & Silk Workshop 7 h · from KHR 174,000
Where to stay in Phnom Penh
- Riverside & Daun Penh about KHR 60 per night
Phnom Penh's historic core along the Tonle Sap–Mekong confluence. Home to the Royal Palace, National Museum, colonial-era hotels and the bustling riverfront promenade. Best for first-time visitors wanting walkable…
- BKK1 Expat Quarter about KHR 80 per night
Phnom Penh's most cosmopolitan neighbourhood, a grid of tree-lined streets packed with international restaurants, rooftop bars, boutique hotels and co-working cafés. Independence Monument is a short walk away; tuk-tuks…
- Russian Market / Toul Tom Pong about KHR 40 per night
A local neighbourhood anchored by the famous Russian Market (Phsar Tuol Tom Pong), the best market in Phnom Penh for textiles, antiques, knock-offs and street food. Budget guesthouses and mid-range hotels make this a…
Hotels
- Rosewood Phnom Penh 5-star · USD 280 to USD 900 per night
- Raffles Hotel Le Royal 5-star · USD 220 to USD 700 per night
- Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh 5-star · USD 130 to USD 350 per night
- The Pavilion 4-star · USD 70 to USD 170 per night
- Palace Gate Hotel & Resort 5-star · USD 120 to USD 300 per night
- The Bale Phnom Penh 5-star · USD 180 to USD 450 per night
Where to eat
- Bassac Lane Street Food Cambodian, Khmer, BBQ · about USD 6 per person
- Friends The Restaurant Cambodian, Western, Fusion · about USD 14 per person
- Malis Restaurant Khmer, Modern Cambodian · about USD 35 per person
- Romdeng Cambodian, Street Food · about USD 20 per person
- Kandal Village Food Court Cambodian, Street Food, Vegetarian · about USD 4 per person
- Topaz Restaurant French, European · about USD 55 per person
- Malis Phnom Penh Cambodian, Fine Dining · about USD 30 per person
- Topaz French, Fine Dining · about USD 45 per person
Getting around
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Scooter Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tuktuk main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Moto-taxi & tuk-tuk inflated fares
Phnom Penh Airport, Riverside, BKK1
Unlicensed moto-taxi drivers quote USD 1–2 but demand USD 5–10 on arrival, claiming "traffic surcharge." Aggressive if refused near airport arrivals.
How to avoid it: Use Grab or PassApp from the arrivals hall. Pre-agree price in writing for cash rides.
Riverside cyclo price dispute
Phnom Penh Riverside, Sisowath Quay
Cyclo riders quote a price, take you around the block, then demand 10× the agreed amount citing "hour rate" or "night rate." Argument often draws a crowd.
How to avoid it: Settle on price per trip (not per hour), confirm in USD, and pay at destination not before.
ATM card skimming at isolated machines
Street ATMs away from banks, petrol stations
Skimmer devices fitted over card slots at standalone ATMs copy card data; hidden cameras capture PINs. Victims notice fraudulent withdrawals days later.
How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks or major hotels only. Cover the keypad when entering PIN. Use Visa/MC contactless at supermarkets where possible.
Charity lottery & "Lucky Draw" scam
Tourist areas, night markets
Friendly local invites you to a "charity lottery" where you win a big prize but must pay "import tax" or "customs fee" to collect. Winnings never materialise.
How to avoid it: Decline any lottery or prize offer from strangers. Legitimate lotteries are not run by individuals approaching tourists on the street.
Best time to visit Phnom Penh
- Aug 32°C · MoWRAM/WMO WWIS 1982-2024 normal for August: 153.4 mm over 29 rain days (national station Pochentong (WMO WWIS city id 348), 1.1 km from the stored city centre).
- Sep 32°C · MoWRAM/WMO WWIS 1982-2024 normal for September: 252.9 mm over 29 rain days (national station Pochentong (WMO WWIS city id 348), 1.1 km from the stored city centre).
- Oct 31°C · MoWRAM/WMO WWIS 1982-2024 normal for October: 242.1 mm over 25 rain days (national station Pochentong (WMO WWIS city id 348), 1.1 km from the stored city centre).