Phnom Penh Things to Do: 11 Tips and Attractions

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With nearly 2 million inhabitants, Phnom Penh is not only the capital of Cambodia but also the largest city in the country. On a trip through Cambodia, you can’t miss Phnom Penh, as it serves as the hub of the country, connecting many cities like Siem Reap or Sihanoukville with each other.

The Best Tips for Phnom Penh’s Attractions

Phnom Penh has a lot to offer for visitors, as there are plenty of attractions to explore. You can explore some of these on foot, while others are a bit further away. For this, you have the option use a tuk-tuk, which you can rent everywhere, or take a guided tour around Phnom Penh.

Find out how to get to Phnom Penh, where to stay, and, most importantly, which attractions in Phnom Penh are worth visiting in this comprehensive article.

How to get to Phnom Penh

There are several options for getting to Phnom Penh. By plane, there are domestic connections from Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, etc., and flights from neighboring countries, such as Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to many western countries. You can find departure times, tickets, and offers on Skyscanner.

The bus is the most affordable option. Here, too, you can find connections directly from Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, as well as from all cities in Cambodia. Two of the most well-known bus companies are Giant Ibis and Mekong Express. Find tickets online at sites like 12go.asia, which we can definitely recommend.

Since Phnom Penh is located right on the Mekong River, there are also a few boat connections. The most traveled route takes you to and from Battambang or Siem Reap to the capital. But there are also routes to Vietnam along the Mekong, as well as multi-day tours all the way to Ho Chi Minh City through the Mekong Delta.

Accommodation in Phnom Penh – Our Hotel Tip

During our days in Phnom Penh, we chose the Monsoon Boutique Hotel & Spa, which is just a few minutes away from the river. Clean rooms, breakfast, and proximity to many attractions were the deciding factors.

Some of our friends stayed at the Lux Riverside Hotel and were thrilled, as some of the rooms offer river views. You can find more hotels in Phnom Penh here.

1. Independence Monument

The Independence Monument is located surrounded by a roundabout with an attached park, not far from the Tonle Sap or Mekong River. It was built in 1958 after Cambodia declared independence from the French five years earlier.

The Independence Monument is inspired by the Khmer temples of Angkor Wat. During the daytime, it can get very hot there as there is not much protection from the sun. Even the locals come to this place in the evening to relax or engage in sports activities.

2. Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom is the most famous temple in Phnom Penh and gives its name to the city. Since it is located on a 27-meter-high artificially constructed hill, it is also the highest religious site in Phnom Penh.

In the year 1372, the Wat Phnom Daun Penh, as it is known by its full name, was built. However, the original architectural form has undergone frequent renovations. Since the last renovation in 1926, Wat Phnom exists in its current form, as more shrines and buildings were added over time.

The Cambodian New Year festival, which is celebrated every April (similar to the Thai Songkran) also has its origins at Wat Phnom. It is open daily from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM, and the entrance fee is $1 per person.

3. Sisowath Quay

Sisowath Quay is the city’s promenade, lined with many of Phnom Penh’s attractions such as the Royal Palace, Wat Ounalom, or the Phnom Penh Night Market (see next points). The promenade is very modern and well-maintained, making it perfect for a riverside stroll.

About 3 kilometers long, Sisowath Quay runs along the river. On-site, you can encounter some stalls, as well as tourists and locals relaxing in the shade. You can also start some tours on the Tonle Sap or Mekong from Sisowath Quay. Opposite the promenade, there are many hotels, restaurants, and bars. A beautiful place to stay both during the day and in the evening.

4. Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

The Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda are two of the largest attractions in Phnom Penh, which, after Angkor Wat, are also among Cambodia’s most visited highlights. Built in 1860, the palace is still used for official events today but is otherwise open to the public.

Inside, you can visit many buildings, including the Royal Palace with the Throne Hall, the Phochani Pavilion, the Khemarin Palace, or the Silver Pagoda, where the statue of the Emerald Buddha is kept. However, not all parts of the palace are accessible as it is still a residence of the King.

Behind the Silver Pagoda, you will also find a huge model of the Angkor Wat temple. The entire area is truly impressive, and the best time to visit is early in the morning when it’s not too hot.

The Royal Palace is open daily from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. As mentioned earlier, it is occasionally closed for official events. Admission costs 40,000 Riel (approximately $10), which includes photography with a camera.

You can also learn more about the Royal Palace on a tour of Phnom Penh along with Wat Phnom and the National Museum.

5. Tuol Tom Poung – Russian Market

Tuol Tom Poung is also known as the Russian Market because many Russian expats shopped here in the 1980s. It is one of the most popular markets among tourists and is located in the southern part of Phnom Penh, not far from the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

The covered market can be a bit confusing with its narrow aisles the first time you visit, but it’s not too large. Here, you can buy everything from clothing, shoes, souvenirs, handmade silk scarves, to various kitchen items.

If you want to go shopping in Phnom Penh, you should plan a trip to the Russian Market. And don’t forget to bargain, as prices are initially set higher – especially for tourists. So, try to get the best deal for yourself. Here are some tips on haggling in Asia.

6. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Prison S-21, that’s what the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum used to be called when the Khmer Rouge committed their terrible war crimes there. Once a school, the building was converted into a prison after the capture of Phnom Penh by the Khmer Rouge.

Between 1976 and 1977, nearly 8,000 people lost their lives in Tuol Sleng. A shocking number. Today, you can enter the old cells on-site, see pictures of the inmates, and listen to the old stories of the prison through headphones.

A very sad place in Phnom Penh. But history should not be forgotten, so that it hopefully never repeats itself. The entrance fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children from the age of 10, with an additional $3 for the audio tour with headphones. It is open daily from 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM.

7. Choeung Ek – Killing Fields

The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are located just outside of Phnom Penh and today serve as a memorial for those who perished there during the Khmer Rouge regime. There were many Killing Fields during that time, but Choeung Ek is one of the most well-known.

In Choeung Ek, there were many mass graves, so that after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, almost 9,000 bodies were found here. A stupa was erected on the site, which was filled with about 5,000 skulls to commemorate the terrible deeds and not forget them.

During an audio tour, you can explore the entire complex, with the history explained to you, and tools as well as excavated mass graves shown to you. It is open daily from 8.00 AM to 5.30 PM, and admission, including the audio tour, costs $6 per person.

You can also visit the Killing Fields in combination with the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum on a guided tour. If you’re interested in the history of Cambodia, you shouldn’t miss this tour.

8. Central Market

Between 1935 and 1937, the Central Market of Phnom Penh was built in the Art Deco style. In Khmer, it is called Phsar Thmei, which actually translates to “New Market.” The building with the huge dome houses various stalls inside, selling all sorts of items.

From jewelry, sunglasses, shoes to various clothing items, electronics, and more, you can buy almost everything here. The Central Market is, as the name suggests, very central in Phnom Penh, making it a good starting point for orienting yourself in the city.

You can visit the Central Market every day from 7.00 AM to 6.00 PM. A short walk is worthwhile, but not mandatory. So, if you have limited time in Phnom Penh, you can skip the market.

9. Le Moon Rooftop Bar

Do you want to see Phnom Penh from above? While there may not be as many rooftop bars as in Bangkok, we can highly recommend the Le Moon Rooftop Bar at the Amanjaya Hotel. The bar is located right by the river, diagonally across from the Wat Ounalom.

There is no strict dress code at Le Moon, so we were able to enter wearing shorts without any problem. While the drink prices are slightly higher than normal, they are still reasonable for the beautiful view over the Sisowath Quay, Wat Ounalom, and the river at night. It is open daily from 5.00 PM. A great place for a relaxed sundowner after sightseeing in Phnom Penh.

10. Wat Ounalom

Opposite Sisowath Quay, just a few minutes’ walk from the Royal Palace, lies Wat Ounalom. The temple is the headquarters of the Maha Nikaya Order, one of the two largest Buddhist orders in Cambodia. Therefore, it is considered the most important temple in Phnom Penh.

The temple was founded in 1443. However, many parts were destroyed during the Khmer Rouge regime and later rebuilt. The main stupa is said to contain a hair from Buddha’s eyebrow. Otherwise, the temple complex is very beautiful and worth a short stop on the way to the Royal Palace.

11. Phnom Penh Night Market

Phnom Penh Night Market is located directly across the river on the promenade. It is relatively small with a calm, yet pleasant atmosphere. In addition to some stalls where you can buy clothing, souvenirs, etc., there is a stage in the middle where Khmer music is sometimes played live. We had a good time there!

In the back area, there are also some food stalls and mats on the floor where you can sit down and enjoy your meal. Some tourists find their way here every evening, but you’ll also see many locals on-site. A nice place for dinner and a little shopping.

Phnom Penh: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Phnom Penh in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Phnom Penh.

Have you already visited Phnom Penh? What was the highlight of the city? Share your feedback or other attractions in the comments.