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Destinations / Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh (ភ្នំពេញ)

Riverside capital of palaces, markets and hard history

historyfoodbudgetarchitecture
Plan your trip to Phnom PenhSee the top 10
2,281,951Population
KhmerLanguage
KHRCurrency
3 daysIdeal stay
$70-130Typical day

Phnom Penh is Cambodia's busy capital where the Tonle Sap meets the Mekong. It has a gilded Royal Palace, French colonial streets and lively markets. Sobering memorials to the Khmer Rouge era are an important part of a visit.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. The king's official residence with golden-roofed halls. The Silver Pagoda has a floor of silver tiles and an emerald Buddha.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $10-15Cost
    noBook ahead

    Foreign visitor ticket; photography rules inside buildings.

    Tip. Shoulders and knees must be covered.
    See on the map

  2. A red terracotta building housing the world's finest Khmer sculpture. Many pieces come from Angkor.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    about $10Cost
    noBook ahead

    Foreign visitor ticket.

    Tip. Visit next to the palace.
    See on the map

  3. A former school used by the Khmer Rouge as the S-21 prison. Photos of prisoners line the walls.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $5-10Cost
    noBook ahead

    Foreign visitor ticket; audio guide extra.

    Tip. The audio guide is excellent.
    Official siteSee on the map

  4. A memorial at a former mass execution site, with a stupa of skulls. An audio tour guides visitors.

    2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Paid entry with audio.

    Tip. About 40 minutes by tuk-tuk.
    See on the map

  5. An Art Deco domed market hall selling everything from gems to snacks. It is a city landmark.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Go early morning.
    See on the map

  6. A crowded covered market for souvenirs, clothes and food. It is popular with visitors.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Bargain with a smile.
    See on the map

  7. A long riverside walk with cafes and evening crowds. It faces the confluence of rivers.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Best near sunset.
    See on the map

  8. Hilltop temple on the site of the city's legendary founding. Locals come to pray for luck.

    45 minutesTime needed
    about $1-2Cost
    noBook ahead

    Small foreign visitor fee.

    Tip. Morning is quieter.
    See on the map

  9. Boat trips on the Tonle Sap and Mekong at dusk. They show the skyline and river life.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Prices vary.

    Tip. Board at the riverside piers.
    See on the map

  10. A former royal capital with hilltop stupas. Views stretch across rice fields.

    Half dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free or small fee.

    Tip. About 1 hour by car.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Phnom Penh in three days

Add the Killing Fields, markets, a sunset river cruise and Oudong.

  1. Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda2 hours · about $10-15
  2. National Museum of Cambodia1.5 hours · about $10
  3. Choeung Ek Killing Fields2 hours
  4. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum2 hours · about $5-10
  5. Central Market (Phsar Thmei)1 hour · Free
  6. Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung)1.5 hours · Free
  7. Riverside promenade (Sisowath Quay)1 hour · Free
  8. Wat Phnom45 minutes · about $1-2
  9. Sunset Mekong cruise1.5 hours
Beyond the city

Day trips

Kep

Seaside town famous for crab.

99 mi · Bus, about 3.5 hours

Kampot

Riverside town and pepper farms.

93 mi · Bus, about 3 hours

Oudong

Former capital with hilltop stupas and views.

25 mi · Tuk tuk or car, about 1 hour

Kirirom National Park

Pine forest, waterfalls and cool air.

68 mi · Car about 2.5 hours

Phnom Chisor

A hilltop 11th century temple with wide views.

34 mi · Car about 1.5 hours

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: November to February. Dry and less humid.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.56.37.17.9JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

93°F
Typical daily high
Average82°F
Rain0.6 in
About2 rainy days
Sun strength5.2 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Nov

Bon Om Touk Water Festival

Usually November

Boat races on the Tonle Sap River.

Apr

Khmer New Year

Mid April

Many residents leave for home provinces.

May

Royal Ploughing Ceremony

May

A traditional ceremony forecasting the harvest.

Sep

Pchum Ben

September or October

A religious festival honouring ancestors with temple offerings.

Nov

Water Festival (Bon Om Touk)

November (full moon)

Boat races on the river and crowds along the riverside.

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Know before you go

At a glance

3/5
Safety

Cambodia is at US State Department Level 2 (increased caution); bag snatching from tuk-tuks and motorbikes is common, so keep phones and bags secure.

3/5
Walkability

The riverside and palace area are walkable, but pavements are often blocked.

2/5
Public transport

City buses exist but visitors mostly use tuk-tuks and ride apps.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
12345

1. Riverside

$$

Best for: first-timers

Walk to the palace and night market.

2. BKK1

$$

Best for: food, couples

Leafy area with cafes and boutique hotels.

3. Daun Penh

$

Best for: budget

Central and good value.

4. BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang)

$$

Best for: couples, food lovers

Leafy, upscale area with cafes, boutiques and spas.

5. Russian Market and Toul Tom Poung

$

Best for: budget, shoppers

A local feel with cheap eateries and the famous market.

Getting there and around

Main airportPhnom Penh International Airport (PNH), 6 mi from the center
To the centerTaxi or ride app takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. A new airport at Techo is planned or opening, so check which airport your flight uses.
Around townRide apps for tuk-tuks and cars are cheap and avoid haggling.
Ride appsGrab, PassApp, Bolt
Taste it

What to eat

Kuy teav

Rice noodle soup, a breakfast staple.

Fish amok

Coconut fish curry steamed in banana leaf.

Num pang

Cambodian baguette sandwich.

Lok lak

Stir fried beef with a lime and pepper dip.

Num banh chok

Rice noodles with fish gravy and fresh herbs.

Sugarcane juice

Fresh pressed street drink.

Good to know

PlugsType A, C and G, 230 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingTipping is not required but a few dollars for guides and drivers is appreciated.
PaymentsUS dollars and riel are both used; cards work in hotels and better restaurants.
EtiquetteCover shoulders and knees at temples and the palace. Do not touch monks or people's heads.
  • Hold phones away from the road side to avoid snatch thefts.
  • The Royal Palace has a strict dress code.
  • Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields are distressing; consider skipping with young children.
  • Carry small dollar bills.
  • Most visitors need an e-visa or visa on arrival; use the official site.
  • Bag snatching from motorbikes happens; keep phones and bags away from the road side.
  • The Khmer Rouge sites are emotionally heavy; allow time and take it slowly.
  • Check current advice regarding travel near the Thai border.

A short history

According to legend, a woman named Penh founded a hilltop shrine here in the 14th century. It became the Khmer capital in the 15th century and again under French rule from 1866. The Khmer Rouge emptied the city in 1975 and killed vast numbers of Cambodians until 1979. The city has since rebuilt and grown fast.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Phnom Penh