11 Awesome Things to Do in Phnom Penh (3 Day Visit)
I just spent five days in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, staying at the Aquarius Hotel, and on my last morning I put together this list of the best things to do in the city.
If you are planning a short trip, these 11 stops will fill two to three days nicely, with a mix of history, culture, food, and nightlife. I cover them in roughly the order I would do them, and I mention how much time each one needs so you can plan your days.
1. National Museum of Cambodia
The National Museum is the first place on my list, and it is definitely worth your time. Plan on about two to three hours. Entry is not expensive (foreign visitors pay around $10, so check the current price at the gate), and the building itself, a traditional Khmer-style structure, is part of the experience.
My one piece of advice is to either rent the audio guide or use your phone to take pictures of the items and the information plaques as you go. The collection is huge, and without context you will end up staring at objects thinking, "I don't get it." Once you understand what you are looking at, the whole place becomes absolutely fascinating.
A few things that stood out to me:
- A giant royal funerary urn. It stands roughly 17 feet tall. When a king passed away, the body was placed inside in a fetal position, and a procession carried it to the cremation. It is unbelievable to see in person.
- Ancient inscriptions. The museum displays stone tablets written in Sanskrit and Old Khmer. Sanskrit was the language of the elites and religious texts, while Old Khmer was the language of everyone else.
- The story of looted artifacts. The museum also covers how smugglers and dealers pulled artifacts out of Cambodia and sold them to collectors abroad. Cambodia has spent years working to get many of these pieces returned, and there are books written on the subject if you want to go deeper.
2. The Royal Palace
Next up is the Royal Palace, which is good for about an hour to an hour and a half. If this is your first time in Southeast Asia, you will probably want to spend longer.
If you have already seen the Grand Palace in Bangkok, this one is much smaller, but it is full of Buddhist symbolism and architecture, and it is still worth seeing while you are in the city. The Silver Pagoda inside the grounds is one of the highlights.
Keep in mind that a lot of the area is closed off to visitors, because this is where the king actually lives. The palace also closes for a break around midday, so go in the morning. Have your coffee, walk through the grounds, and you have a nice, quick morning trip done. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, or you will not be let in.
3. Bassac Lane
Bassac Lane is a local drinking area where expats who live in the city and local Cambodians come to hang out. It is a compact alley packed with small restaurants and cocktail bars, and it has a relaxed, local feel.
It reminded me of Pham Viet Chan, a nightlife area in Ho Chi Minh City for both locals and expats. If you are looking for something a little different once the sun goes down, and you want to grab food and drinks and hang out with friends, Bassac Lane is a great evening spot.
4. S-21 and the Killing Fields
Edge of David
Most travelers visit these two sites together as one combined day, and I say you absolutely must see both, 100%. The first stop, Tuol Sleng, also known as Security Prison 21 or S-21, is a former high school in the middle of the city that the Khmer Rouge turned into a prison and interrogation center in the late 1970s. Thousands of people were imprisoned and tortured here, and only a handful survived.
Expect to spend about three hours. Rent the audio guide, take your time, and see everything. It is intense, and it shows how deeply this country was traumatized. Roughly a quarter of the population died under the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979.
The second stop is Choeung Ek, better known as the Killing Fields
I would call it potentially optional, but I know you will regret it if you skip it. It is the best known of the mass grave sites outside the city, and it is about a 30 to 45 minute tuk tuk ride away from the center. You will spend about an hour there, and the audio guide here is excellent too.
My recommendation is to visit S-21 in the morning and spend the day there, then take a break for lunch and head out to Choeung Ek in the afternoon. Plan on seeing both. It is a heavy day, so go easy on yourself afterward and keep the evening light.
I have a full video on S-21 and the Killing Fields together, so check that out for the complete picture.
5. Chaktomuk Weekend Night Market
The riverside area around Chaktomuk is home to a night market that runs on weekends only. It is a standard Southeast Asian walking street with food stalls and shopping, and the riverside setting makes it pleasant.
I would not call it anything to write home about, but if it is the weekend and you are in Phnom Penh around 4 or 5 in the afternoon wondering where to go, the Chaktomuk walking street is an easy answer.
6. Rooftop Bars and Cocktail Bars
Like Saigon and Bangkok, Phnom Penh has a good selection of rooftop bars and cocktail bars. If you are visiting as a couple, a rooftop drink with a view of the city is a nice way to end the day.
The best approach is to do a quick Google Maps search and pick one that matches your budget and taste, since new places open all the time.
7. Streets 136 and 130
Anyone who knows Phnom Penh knows what these streets are. This is the city's red light area, filled with hostess bars. It is not really my thing, but it is part of the city's nightlife scene, so I think it is worth knowing about.
If you simply want to people-watch and see what the area is all about, you could spend an evening walking through. Use common sense, keep an eye on your belongings, and be wary of anything that seems too good to be true.
8. The Riverside
The riverside promenade is where the weekend night market sets up, but the waterfront is a big, expansive area worth visiting on any day. It is ideal in the evening for a walk with your partner, a run, or just a stroll before you head out somewhere else. Again, nothing to write home about, but it is a pleasant place to spend an hour.
9. The Russian Market
I am not a big market guy, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. The Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung Market) is a typical Southeast Asian market with food, trinkets, souvenirs, and clothes.
It got its name because Russian expats shopped there in the 1980s, and the name stuck. If you have been to markets in Thailand or elsewhere in the region, it is the same type of setup. This list would not be complete without it, and it is a good place to pick up souvenirs.
10. Sunset Cruise
You can take a sunset cruise on the river. In my opinion it is not as developed as the river cruises in Bangkok, but it is still a great way to see the city, it is very photogenic, and it makes for a fun early evening activity before you head out for dinner or drinks.
11. Wat Phnom
Last but not least is Wat Phnom, the temple that gave the city its name. According to legend, a woman named Daun Penh found sacred Buddha statues and built a shrine for them on a small hill, and the city grew up around it.
It is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Phnom Penh, it is not far from the center, and it makes a nice quick stop. You will not spend hours here, but it is worth seeing because the city is literally named after this temple.
Quick Tips for Your Trip
- How many days: Two to three days covers everything above at a comfortable pace.
- Getting around: Tuk tuks are everywhere. Use a ride-hailing app or agree on a price before you get in.
- Money: US dollars are widely used alongside Cambodian riel, so bring small bills.
- What to wear: Cover your shoulders and knees at the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom.
- Pacing: Do not put S-21 and the Killing Fields on the same day as a big night out. Give yourself room to process it.
Final Thoughts
Phnom Penh packs history, culture, and a lively evening scene into a very walkable and affordable city. If you only have a few days, start with the National Museum, the Royal Palace, S-21, and Choeung Ek, then fill your evenings with Bassac Lane, the riverside, or a rooftop drink.
EXPAT ESCAPE
Expat Escape is the course I wish I'd had when I started. I've been an expat since 2011, having lived in both Thailand and Vietnam for years (not months). This is what I'd tell a friend who asked me, "How do I actually do this?"
