When Traveling Is Caring ❤️
ភ្នំពេញCentral Cambodia11.56° N · 104.92° E
Cambodia's capital, where golden palace roofs meet the Mekong and the country faces its hardest history with dignity. Here is what to see, how to approach the Khmer Rouge sites, what to eat and where to stay.
Phnom Penh sits where the Tonle Sap River meets the Mekong, with the Bassac branching away just downstream. The royal court moved here in 1866, and the French added wide boulevards, villas and the yellow Art Deco Central Market. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda still shine above the riverfront, and monks in saffron robes walk the same streets as office workers and street vendors.
The city also carries the memory of the Khmer Rouge years. In April 1975 the whole population was forced into the countryside, and the regime's prison at Tuol Sleng and the killing fields at Choeung Ek are now memorials. Visiting them is hard, but it is the most important way to understand modern Cambodia, and most travellers say they are glad they went.
Today Phnom Penh is a fast-changing, energetic capital with good food, markets, galleries and a lively riverside. Two or three nights is enough for most people, often at the start or end of a trip that also takes in Siem Reap and the south coast. This guide covers the main sights, the history, food, areas to stay and when to visit.
Every journey below is private and tailor-made, with a local guide who can explain the city's history thoughtfully and at your pace.
We tailor every trip. Want more time in Phnom Penh, a different pace or a mix of places? Design my trip →
How our local guides would balance one full day in the capital: history in the morning, beauty in the afternoon and the river at dusk.
Join locals doing aerobics, badminton and prayers along Sisowath Quay as the city wakes up.
A bowl of pork noodle soup at a busy local shop.
The former school turned prison, visited quietly with an audio guide or your own guide.
The memorial stupa and grounds south of the city, a place for reflection.
A Khmer lunch and some time out after a heavy morning.
Golden throne halls, manicured gardens and the silver-tiled pagoda floor.
A boat on the Mekong and Tonle Sap as the palace roofs glow gold.
Khmer dishes for dinner, then a stroll through the riverside night market.
Between 1975 and 1979 the Khmer Rouge regime caused the deaths of a large share of Cambodia's population through execution, forced labour, starvation and disease. Almost every Cambodian family was affected. Here is how we suggest approaching the two main memorials in Phnom Penh.
A high school turned into a secret prison, where thousands were held and interrogated. The bare classrooms, cells and walls of photographs are left largely as they were found.
Orchards about 30 to 45 minutes south of the centre where many prisoners were executed. A memorial stupa holds thousands of skulls, and the audio tour is calm and moving.
Go in the morning with a guide who can add context, dress modestly and speak quietly. Photos are allowed in places, but selfies are not appropriate. Keep the rest of the day light.
The experiences our travellers enjoy most, in order of what we would not miss.
The official residence of the King, with golden-roofed throne halls and formal gardens. Parts are closed when there are royal ceremonies, so check before you go.
Inside the palace grounds, its floor is laid with thousands of silver tiles and it houses a small emerald-coloured Buddha and a life-size gold Buddha.
A beautiful red Khmer-style building from the 1920s, holding the world's finest collection of Khmer sculpture around a peaceful courtyard garden.
The former S-21 prison, preserved as a memorial to those held there. A hard but essential visit to understand the country.
The memorial stupa and grounds south of the city, best visited with the excellent audio tour and plenty of time to reflect.
A striking yellow Art Deco dome from 1937, with stalls of jewellery, fabrics, flowers and food under its wings.
A crowded, covered market for textiles, crafts, spare parts and a good, hot food section. Popular with locals and visitors alike.
The small hill temple that gave the city its name, linked to the legend of Lady Penh. Shady, local and full of offerings.
The lotus-shaped monument from 1958 and the wide park strip leading to the river, lively with families in the evening.
An hour or two on the water, with views of the palace, the riverfront and the meeting of the rivers.
A rural river island where families still weave silk on wooden looms, an easy half day out of the city by car and ferry.
Grilled skewers, noodle soups, fresh spring rolls and fruit shakes with a local guide who knows the best stalls.
Plan your private, tailor-made Cambodia trip for 2027 now and get $100 off. Tell us your travel dream and we will design it with you.
Customise My TripLocal specialities worth seeking out, and when the locals eat them. Your guide will know the best places to try each one.
Add a food experience →Each neighbourhood has its own rhythm. Pick the one that sounds like you, or let us surprise you.
Along Sisowath Quay near the palace and National Museum, with river views and evening strolls. Convenient, but busier and louder.
A residential area of tree-lined streets, cafés and restaurants south of the Independence Monument, popular with long-stay residents.
The central district around Wat Phnom and the Central Market, with colonial buildings and easy access to most sights.
Tell us your style and our consultants will hand-pick a stay you would never find on your own.
A restored heritage house, a quiet lakeside villa or a family-run boutique: we match the hidden gem to you, and reveal it with your itinerary.
Ask for a surprise stayPhnom Penh's new international airport, south of the city, replaced the old airport in 2025 and has flights from across Asia. By road it is about 5 to 6 hours from Siem Reap and about 3 hours from Kampot, and the border with southern Vietnam is around 3 hours away. Allow extra time for traffic.
Included on our journeys, the comfortable way to reach Choeung Ek and sights further out.
Best for: Sightseeing and day tripsOpen-air remorques and smaller auto rickshaws are everywhere and fun for short rides.
Best for: Short hopsApps such as Grab are widely used, with prices fixed before you ride.
Best for: Getting aroundSunset cruises and ferries to Koh Dach show the city from the water.
Best for: EveningsPlaces that pair well with Phnom Penh, with approximate travel times.
November to March is the best time, with dry weather and the most comfortable temperatures. March to May is very hot. June to October brings the rainy season, usually with heavy afternoon showers and some flooded streets, but also fewer visitors. Early November often brings the Water Festival, with boat races on the river.
A general guide. Weather varies from year to year, and we plan each route around the season.
Quick answers from our local team. Anything else, just ask your travel specialist.
Ask us on WhatsAppTwo full days cover the Royal Palace, the National Museum, Tuol Sleng, Choeung Ek and the markets at a sensible pace. A third day lets you add Koh Dach or Oudong and enjoy the food and riverside without rushing.
Yes. It is less polished than Siem Reap, but the palace and museum are beautiful and the Khmer Rouge memorials are essential to understanding Cambodia. It also has some of the best food in the country.
We recommend it for most adults. Both are respectful memorials, and the audio guides are excellent. They are emotionally difficult, so visit in the morning, take your time and plan a calm afternoon. Families with young children may prefer to skip them.
Light, loose clothes for the heat. Cover your shoulders and knees for the Royal Palace, pagodas and the genocide memorials; you can be refused entry to the palace otherwise.
It is generally safe, but bag and phone snatching by passing motorbikes is the main risk. Carry bags on the side away from the road, avoid using your phone at the kerb and use ride-hailing apps or a private car at night.
By road it takes about 5 to 6 hours, with good stops along the way such as Sambor Prei Kuk. There are also short flights. With a private car and driver you can break the journey and see more.
The riverside suits first visits, BKK1 suits food lovers and longer stays, and Daun Penh puts you in the historic centre near the markets. Your travel consultant will match the area to your style.
November to March is dry and most comfortable. April and May are the hottest months. The rainy season from June to October is hot and humid, with heavy showers that usually pass within an hour or two.
Tell us what you have in mind and a local travel specialist will design a private itinerary around you. Free, with no obligation.
Three quick questions and we will match you with the right journeys.
