Phnom Penh blends riverside charm with grand boulevards and timeless architecture. You find a city that is energetic, warm, and full of everyday life along the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.
Discover Phnom Penh
Discover Phnom Penh
Why visit Phnom Penh?
What to expect
Expect lively streets filled with tuk-tuks, golden palaces, tree-lined avenues, and buzzing cafés. Neighbourhoods range from historic riverside quarters to emerging creative districts with galleries and boutiques.
Plan your trip
Phnom Penh works well as a first stop in Cambodia, with easy connections to Siem Reap, coastal towns, and neighbouring countries. Plan a few days here to adjust, explore, and then continue your journey through the region.
Top sights in Phnom Penh
Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
Walk through ornate courtyards, golden spires, and the famed Silver Pagoda with its shimmering floor tiles and treasured statues.
National Museum of Cambodia
Explore elegant pavilions surrounding a peaceful courtyard, home to an impressive collection of Khmer sculpture and artefacts.
Riverside promenade (Sisowath Quay)
Stroll along the river at sunset, watch boats glide past, and pause at cafés and bars overlooking the water.
Central Market (Phsar Thmey)
Step into an Art Deco landmark where stalls brim with jewellery, textiles, clothing, and everyday goods under a vast central dome.
Russian Market (Tuol Tom Poung)
Navigate narrow lanes filled with souvenirs, crafts, fabrics, and small eateries, ideal for bargaining and people-watching.
Wat Phnom
Climb the gentle hill to this landmark temple surrounded by shaded gardens, a calm spot above the city streets.
Independence Monument and city boulevards
See the striking monument at the heart of traffic circles and broad boulevards, especially atmospheric when illuminated in the evening.
Experience Phnom Penh's everyday rhythm
Getting around
Tuk-tuks are the easiest way to move between sights in Phnom Penh, with ride-hailing apps making fares simple to manage. For a different view, take a short boat ride on the riverfront, and use walking for the final stretch around markets and riverside streets.
Local life & culture
You see daily life spilling onto pavements, from early-morning exercise along the river to families gathering at city squares in the evening. Traditional crafts, contemporary art spaces, and small cafés give you a window into a city that is both historic and forward-looking.
Where to unwind
Head to the riverfront or a rooftop terrace to enjoy the breeze as the city cools towards sunset. Green spaces around Wat Phnom and smaller neighbourhood parks offer quiet corners, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.
A taste of Phnom Penh
Street food & local specialties
Try dishes such as fish amok, noodle soups, and grilled skewers at simple streetside stalls and local markets around the riverside and Russian Market areas.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Find relaxed cafés, bistros, and international eateries scattered through BKK1 and along major boulevards, where menus mix Cambodian flavours with regional and Western dishes so you can sample a variety in one sitting.
Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable evening, choose restaurants or bars overlooking the Mekong or city skyline, where you can pair refined Cambodian or fusion menus with wide river or rooftop views.
Retail therapy in Phnom Penh
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Modern shopping centres around the city offer international brands, cinemas, supermarkets, and air-conditioned cafés, serving as convenient stops between sightseeing.
Markets & local crafts
Browse Central Market, Russian Market, and smaller neighbourhood streets for silk, handicrafts, clothing, and locally designed homeware to bring home a piece of Cambodia.
Evening retail scene
As temperatures cool, markets and riverside stalls become livelier, with illuminated shopfronts and street vendors. Tuk-tuks and ride-hailing services make these evening shopping spots easy to reach and return from.
Best time to visit Phnom Penh
Cool and dry season (peak season): From November to February, temperatures are around 22–30°C (72–86°F) with lower humidity and clearer skies, ideal for walking and sightseeing. Hot season (shoulder season): From March to May, daytime temperatures often reach 33–36°C (91–97°F), with strong sun and warm evenings, so plan indoor breaks and early starts. Rainy season (low season): From June to October, expect 25–32°C (77–90°F) with short, intense showers, greener landscapes, and generally fewer visitors.