Phnom Penh travel guide for first-time visitors
Plan two to three days in Phnom Penh: the Royal Palace and National Museum, the riverside, the markets and the genocide memorials, with tips on getting around and staying safe.
In this guide
Phnom Penh is where most visitors first meet Cambodia: a fast-growing capital on the meeting point of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, with royal architecture, crowded markets, French-era streets and sobering reminders of the country's recent past. Two to three days is enough to see the highlights without rushing.
Getting your bearings
The city centre sits on the west bank of the rivers. Sisowath Quay, the riverside promenade, runs past the Royal Palace and is the easiest landmark to navigate by. South and west of the palace lies BKK1, a leafy district of cafes and guesthouses, and further south is Tuol Tom Poung, home of the Russian Market. Street numbers follow a grid: even numbers run roughly east–west, odd numbers north–south, though house numbers can be confusing, so save locations on a map app.
What to see
- Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. The King's residence is partly open to visitors. Cover shoulders and knees.
- National Museum of Cambodia. The finest collection of Khmer sculpture anywhere, in a red sandstone building next to the palace.
- Wat Phnom. The small hill that gave the city its name, with a pagoda and shady park.
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek. Former Khmer Rouge prison S-21 and the killing fields memorial south of the city. Visiting both in one day is emotionally heavy; many people split them.
- Central Market and the Russian Market. One is an art deco dome full of jewellery and everyday goods, the other a maze of stalls selling clothes, crafts and spare parts.
- The riverside at sunset. Families come out to stroll, exercise and eat as the heat fades.
A simple three-day plan
- Day one: Royal Palace in the morning, National Museum before lunch, riverside walk and dinner in the evening.
- Day two: Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, then a quiet afternoon; the history takes its toll.
- Day three: Russian Market, a cafe in BKK1, a sunset cruise or a half-day trip to Koh Dach silk island.
Getting around
Tuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps are cheap and easy. Apps show the fare before you ride, which avoids haggling. Agree a price before you get into a street tuk-tuk. Walking is possible in the cooler early morning, but pavements are often blocked by parked motorbikes and stalls.
Staying safe
Phnom Penh is generally friendly to visitors, but bag snatching from passing motorbikes does happen. Keep phones away from the roadside, use a cross-body bag and avoid hanging bags off the side of a tuk-tuk. Traffic is the bigger daily risk: cross streets slowly and steadily so drivers can see you.
When to visit
November to February is the most comfortable time, with lower humidity. March to May is very hot. The rainy season, roughly May to October, brings short heavy showers and greener surroundings, and is usually quieter.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phnom Penh worth visiting or should I go straight to Siem Reap?
It is worth at least two days. The museums and memorials explain the Cambodia you'll see everywhere else, and the city has a character of its own.
Do I need cash?
US dollars and Cambodian riel are both used. Many cafes and malls take cards and QR payments, but carry small notes for tuk-tuks and markets.