Many people seem to skip the Cambodian capital and head straight for Siem Reap, fearing Phnom Penh to be a dangerous and uninteresting city. However, on a recent trip to Southeast Asia’s “unpopular capital”, Meera Dattani discovered all that the city has to offer and concluded that, while it is underrated and understated, Phnom Penh certainly deserves a few days at least. Here are our favorite things to do in Phnom Penh.
“Do you think it’ll just be full of old pottery?” my friend asked as we set off for the National Museum, our first stop in the Cambodian capital. Now I won’t lie to those averse to aged ceramics; there is pottery. But there is also a sublime collection of Khmer sculptures and art, which, had the Khmer Rouge had their way, would not have survived to this day.
It’s one of the most absorbing national museums I’ve visited, just large enough to be comprehensive yet compact enough to see it all in a couple of hours, and bizarrely, a simple map illustrating the former domination of the Khmer Empire draws the largest crowds, united in astonishment upon realizing just how far and wide it once ruled.
Easily accessible by tuk-tuk from anywhere in central Phnom Penh, the museum is also walkable from the riverfront area. City buses #1 and #3 stop nearby, making it budget-friendly for travelers. Consider combining your visit with the nearby Royal Palace for efficient sightseeing.
Visit early morning (8-10am) to avoid crowds and midday heat, especially during peak season (November-February). Weekdays offer a quieter experience than weekends. Allow 2-3 hours to fully appreciate the collections and beautiful courtyard garden.
National Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia © Marcel Toung/Shutterstock
Phnom Penh is all about this surprise factor. On a walk along Sisowath Quay, the city’s pedestrianized riverfront, you’re likely to witness an aerobics class, local boys skateboarding, or the serene sight of monks strolling, clad in orange robes. On the weekend, you’ll probably end up at the Phsar Reatrey night market, where chocolate waffles, cold beer, kebabs, and fried insects are all abundantly available.
More traditional sights are on the menu too, though, as colorful wats and pagodas (temples) are scattered around the city, and for those who have visited Bangkok’s Grand Palace, the architecture of Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace and glittering Silver Pagoda will ring a bell. Its murals, wats, gardens, and Baccarat crystal Buddha are reminiscent of those found in the Thai capital.
The riverfront promenade is easily reached on foot from most central hotels. Tuk-tuks charge minimal fares from anywhere in the city. City buses #1 and #2 run along nearby streets. Water taxis offer a scenic approach if you're coming from across the river.
Early evenings (5-7pm) offer the best atmosphere with cooler temperatures and beautiful sunset views over the Mekong. Weekends bring vibrant night markets and street performances. Morning visits showcase locals exercising and monks collecting alms—authentic cultural experiences.
Riverside Park that runs along the Tonlé Sap River and the Preah Sisowath Quay in Phnom Penh, Cambodia © Shutterstock
Harrowing monuments to Cambodia’s grisly past during the Khmer Rouge’s murderous rule. Not for the faint-hearted, just over 1km (0.6 miles) from Tuol Tom Pong Market, to the north of Mao Tse Toung Boulevard, stands the former Tuol Sleng Prison, now Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Here, during Pol Pot’s years in power, around 20,000 people were interrogated under torture and murdered, generally together with their families.
Finally, for those with the stomach for the experience after visiting Tuol Sleng, about 12km (7.5 miles) southwest of the town are the infamous Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Here victims of the Khmer Rouge were executed and buried in mass graves. Many of these graves have now been exhumed, and a stupa-shaped mausoleum has been erected in the victims’ memory.
Tuk-tuks offer convenient transport to the museum from anywhere in central Phnom Penh. City bus #1 stops within walking distance. Many visitors combine both Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields in one day using hired tuk-tuks or organized tours with English-speaking guides.
Morning visits provide a cooler, quieter experience with time to process the emotional impact. Allocate at least 1.5 hours for Tuol Sleng. Plan to visit the Killing Fields afterward, which requires an additional 2-3 hours including travel time and touring.
Visiting the Prison of the Khmer Rouge high school is one of the things to do in Phnom Phen for those with the stomach for the experience © diy13/Shutterstock
There’s plenty of light relief in the city too. Luckily, Phnom Penh is widely (and quite rightly) considered to be the best place to shop in Cambodia. Under the striking yellow dome of Central Market (Phsar Thmey), you can pick up anything from cheap electronics to clothes and souvenirs.
When exploring the city, one of the best things to do in Phnom Penh is to visit the mazes inside the Russian Market (Psah Toul Tom Pong). Here not only will you find ethical crafts and Khmer trinkets, but you only need to delve deeper to discover all manner of stalls selling obscure car parts and surreal-looking local fruits.
The Psar Chaa, or Old Market, located near the riverfront at the junction of Streets 108 and 13, is a densely packed locale offering a wide selection of all kinds of goods. Unlike some of the markets, it stays open late into the evening. A tidy, modern Phnom Penh night market is held in the square across the street, facing the river, and is now a favorite spot for weekend souvenir shopping.
Central Market and Old Market are walkable from the riverfront area. For Russian Market, take a tuk-tuk (10-15 minutes from the center) or city bus #2. Many travelers hop between markets via tuk-tuk, whose drivers often wait while you shop.
Shop early mornings (7-9am) for the freshest produce and authentic local atmosphere. For souvenirs and crafts, mid-morning avoids crowds. Night markets come alive after 5pm. Avoid midday heat, especially at Russian Market, which has limited ventilation.
Phnom Penh's Central Market © Shutterstock
By night, Phnom Penh takes on another aura. The riverfront’s rooftop bars buzz with the clinking of glasses as sunset-seekers settle down, cocktails in hand, to watch the glowing red ball settle on the Mekong River. The legendary Foreign Correspondents’ Club remains a popular choice, where under the hum of the ceiling fans, a cold beer and the nightly sunset keep everyone happy.
Most popular bars and clubs cluster around the riverfront and BKK1 area, easily reached by short tuk-tuk rides. For safety, use ride-hailing apps after dark or arrange return transport with your hotel. Some upscale venues offer free shuttle services.
Rooftop bars are best enjoyed at sunset (5:30-7pm) for spectacular Mekong views. Happy hours typically run 4-7pm with significant discounts. The club scene kicks off around 10pm and continues until 2-3am, with weekends naturally being more vibrant.
Along with shopping, the capital is the best place in Cambodia for food, too—both international and Khmer, which is slowly developing its own identity with dishes like amok (coconut fish steamed in banana leaves), sticky rice with mango, and Kampot pepper crab. These delectable culinary delights are among the top things to do in Phnom Penh.
Along with Siem Reap, Phnom Penh is also pioneering the concept of ethical eating with an ever-increasing number of restaurants and cafes training formerly disadvantaged people in all things culinary. This concept is at the heart of the Friends International brand, with places such as Friends the Restaurant, Romdeng, and Le Café Mith Samlanh. Other recommendations include Cafe Yejj near the Russian Market and Sugar 'n Spice Café at Daughters.
Ethical restaurants like Friends are concentrated in the central district, easily reached by tuk-tuk or short walks from major hotels. Food tours offer guided culinary experiences with transportation included. Some higher-end establishments provide reservation-based shuttle services.
Lunch (11:30am-1pm) offers the best value with special set menus at many establishments. Dinner reservations are recommended for popular ethical restaurants, especially during high season. Street food is most vibrant and fresh between 5 and 7 pm along the riverfront.
Prawn Amok is a major national culinary tradition in Cambodia © sakadaphoto/Shutterstock
Tuk-tuks are the best way to get around this relatively compact capital, but if you enjoy walking, the French Quarter is probably the city’s only intact historic neighborhood with wide boulevards and colonial architecture.
Look out for Raffles Hotel, Manolis Hotel, and the former Banque de l’Indochine before heading riverward to the 90-foot-high hill of Wat Phnom, after which Phnom Penh was named. These attractions are must-visit highlights when considering the best things to do in Phnom Penh.
It’s the highest point in this low-rise city, so the views are not half-bad. Not-for-profit group KA Tours also runs an architecture tour around the city from the comfort of a pedal-powered cyclo.
Explore on foot during cooler hours or hire cyclos for an authentic experience. Tuk-tuks cost minimal amounts for short hops between sights. PassApp (local ride-hailing service) offers metered tuk-tuks, avoiding the need for price negotiations.
Early mornings (7-9am) offer cool temperatures and beautiful light for photography of colonial buildings. Guided walking tours typically start around 8am. Avoid midday heat (11am-2pm), especially during March-May when temperatures peak.
Cyclos in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
One of the best things to do in Phnom Penh is to take a cruise to the Silk Island. Also known as Koh Dach, the island is located on the Mekong River, about 15 kilometres northeast of Phnom Penh and is easily reachable by boat or ferry. The island is renowned for silk weaving, and a visit will allow you to explore the delicate process of silk making and buy silk products directly from the makers.
Regular ferry services depart from the Phnom Penh dock near the Night Market, taking 30-45 minutes each way. Organized tours combine boat transport with guided island experiences. Adventurous travelers can hire tuk-tuks to the ferry point and arrange return pickup times.
Mornings offer the best opportunity to see silk weavers at work in their workshops. The island is less crowded on weekdays. During wet season (May-October), occasional afternoon showers occur but create lush landscapes. Allow 4-5 hours for a complete island experience.
Colorful purse selling at silk island, Cambodia © Sothy An/Shutterstock
About 13km (8 miles) south of Tonlé Bati, turn left at the sign and head another 6km (4 miles) to reach Wildlife Alliance (Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre). The center, part safari and part wildlife rehabilitation facility, is home to numerous wild animals confiscated from poachers, traffickers, and people keeping them illegally as pets.
The center operates a breeding facility for endangered species and releases specimens into the wild when feasible. Both Betelnut Jeep Tours and Free the Bears organize enhanced tours of the center, with special access to the wildlife for their guests.
Located outside the city, the center is best reached via organized tours that include transportation. Independent travelers can hire tuk-tuks for the day or arrange private cars through hotels. Free the Bears and Betelnut Tours provide specialized access with included transportation.
Morning visits (8-11am) coincide with feeding times when animals are most active. The center is less crowded on weekdays. The cool season (November-February) will be the most comfortable outdoor experience. Allow 3-4 hours for a comprehensive visit with guided explanations.
Elephant spraying water © Herbert Boeck/Shutterstock
Exploring the rich history and spiritual significance of Wat Ounalom is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Phnom Penh. The headquarters of the Cambodian Buddhist sangha and Phnom Penh’s most important temple, Wat Ounalom stands northwest of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Cambodia (FCCC) and the Royal Palace.
To the west of the main temple stands a stupa said to contain the eyebrow hair of the Buddha. Within the temple are several archaic Buddha figures, smashed to pieces by the Khmer Rouge but since reassembled.
Also on display is a statue of Samdech Huot Tat, head of the sangha when Pol Pot came to power and was subsequently killed. On leaving the temple, turn right (south) along Sisowath Quay, the road that runs along the Sap River. This is a delightful area of small riverside cafés and restaurants where it is possible to experience the international affluence of the new Cambodia.
Located near the riverfront, Wat Ounalom is easily accessible on foot from most central hotels. Tuk-tuks charge minimal fares from anywhere in the city. City bus #1 stops nearby. Many visitors combine it with the nearby Royal Palace and National Museum for efficient sightseeing.
Early mornings (7-9am) offer opportunities to witness monks' daily routines and ceremonies. The temple is less busy on weekdays. Visit during major Buddhist holidays for special ceremonies and decorations. Modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required for entry.
Wat Ounalom is a buddhist temple located on Sisowath Quay near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh in Cambodia © Shutterstock
A narrow southwesterly route leads to the North Gate of the celebrated Silver Pagoda compound. Commissioned by King Norodom in 1892 and then extensively rebuilt by Sihanouk in 1962, the floor of the pagoda is lined with more than 5,000 silver tiles weighing more than 1kg each. The pagoda is also known as Wat Preah Keo, or “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”.
Visiting the pagoda is one of the essential things to do in Phnom Penh and in Cambodia in general. It houses the sacred symbol of the nation, the Emerald Buddha, which dates from the 17th century and is made of crystal. Note that photography within the building is forbidden.
Located within the Royal Palace complex, the Silver Pagoda shares the same entrance. Easily reached by tuk-tuk from anywhere in central Phnom Penh. Walking from the riverfront takes just 10-15 minutes. City buses #1 and #3 stop nearby.
Mornings (8-10am) offer cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. The pagoda closes during official royal ceremonies—check local news before visiting. Always dress respectfully with covered shoulders and knees. Combined tickets with the Royal Palace provide good value.
‘Silver Pagoda’ or Temple of the Emerald Buddha at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh © Shutterstock
Olympic Market, also known as Phsar Olympic or Phsar Thom Thmey, is a popular market named for its location next to the Olympic Stadium. You can find a wide range of goods at the market. The Olympic market in particular is known for clothes, shoes, accessories, and fabrics. You can explore a huge selection of traditional Khmer clothing as well as choose from modern fashion and sportswear.
Located near the Olympic Stadium, the market is easily reached by tuk-tuk from central areas (10-15 minute ride). City bus #5 stops nearby. Some travelers combine Olympic Market with a visit to the nearby stadium—a notable example of New Khmer Architecture.
Early mornings (7-9am) are best for serious shoppers seeking authentic local experiences and better prices. The market becomes extremely busy by mid-morning. Weekdays offer more relaxed browsing than weekends. Fabric sections are most active in the morning.
If you prefer to plan and book your trip to Cambodia without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.
written by
Meera Dattani
updated 30.04.2025
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