Phnom Penh blends riverside charm, tree-lined boulevards, and vibrant local life with grand architecture and rich history. You find a relaxed capital with warm hospitality and a distinctive sense of place.
Discover Phnom Penh
Discover Phnom Penh
Why visit Phnom Penh?
What to expect
Expect busy markets, motorbikes weaving through traffic, and elegant landmarks overlooking the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. Neighbourhoods range from lively riverfront promenades to quieter streets filled with cafes and galleries.
Plan your trip
Phnom Penh works well as both a short city break and the starting point for exploring Cambodia, including Siem Reap and the coast. Plan time for the main sights, then add day trips or onward journeys into the countryside.
Top sights in Phnom Penh
Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
Walk through manicured grounds and ornate Khmer architecture, and see the Silver Pagoda with its gleaming floor tiles and treasured statues.
National Museum of Cambodia
Explore a graceful red sandstone building that houses sculptures, artefacts, and exhibits tracing Cambodia’s artistic and historical heritage.
Riverside Promenade (Sisowath Quay)
Stroll or sit along the riverfront where locals gather at sunset, with views of the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers.
Wat Phnom
Climb the gentle hill to this hilltop temple, set in leafy grounds that offer views over the surrounding city and a peaceful escape from the streets below.
Central Market (Phsar Thmei)
Step into an art deco landmark filled with stalls selling jewellery, textiles, souvenirs, and everyday goods beneath its impressive domed ceiling.
Russian Market (Tuol Tom Poung)
Browse a maze of alleys packed with clothing, handicrafts, and homeware, and pause at small stalls for drinks and quick bites between shopping.
Tonle Sap and Mekong sunset cruise
Take a relaxed boat trip in the late afternoon to see Phnom Penh’s skyline and riverside life from the water as the sun goes down.
Experience Phnom Penh’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
You can move around Phnom Penh mainly by tuk-tuk and taxis, which are easy to hail or book via local apps. For a different view of the city, consider a riverboat ride along the waterfront, then explore the last stretch on foot to discover side streets and hidden cafes.
Local life & culture
City life centres on the riverfront, markets, and small neighbourhood pagodas, where daily routines unfold from early morning until late evening. Creative spaces, galleries, and independent boutiques are growing, adding a contemporary layer to the capital’s traditional fabric.
Where to unwind
Relax in riverside parks or shaded cafe courtyards during the heat of the day, then head out around sunset when the air is cooler and the promenade comes alive. Many hotels and spas offer massages and pools, giving you calm spaces to recharge between sightseeing.
A taste of Phnom Penh
Street food & local specialties
Try dishes such as noodle soups, grilled skewers, and rice dishes from street vendors and simple eateries around Central Market, riverside lanes, and side streets in the city’s older quarters.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Discover relaxed restaurants and cafes in emerging neighbourhoods and small lifestyle complexes, where you can enjoy Cambodian flavours alongside Asian and Western favourites, with portions that make it easy to share and sample several plates.
Signature & scenic dining
Book a table on rooftop terraces or river-facing venues for elevated views of the skyline and water, or choose intimate restaurants in restored villas for a more refined evening with a sense of Phnom Penh’s architectural character.
Retail therapy in Phnom Penh
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Modern shopping centres bring together international brands, local labels, cinemas, and casual dining, offering comfortable air-conditioned spaces to shop and meet friends throughout the day.
Markets & local crafts
Visit Central Market, Russian Market, and nearby streets to look for textiles, silk, jewellery, carvings, and contemporary Cambodian design pieces created by local artisans and small studios.
Evening retail scene
After dark, markets and riverside streets stay lively with stalls, boutique shops, and small pop-up stands, often lit by colourful signs and streetlights, and you can reach many of these areas quickly by tuk-tuk or taxi.
Best time to visit Phnom Penh
Dry season (peak season), from November to February, offers warm, relatively less humid days around 25–30°C (77–86°F) with clearer skies and comfortable evenings. Hot season (shoulder season), from March to May, is hotter, often 30–35°C (86–95°F), with intense midday sun and occasional short showers. Rainy season (low season), from June to October, brings frequent afternoon downpours, high humidity, and temperatures around 27–32°C (81–90°F), but mornings are often bright and the surrounding countryside is lush and green.