FILLED · 10 spots

Phnom Penh (ភ្នំពេញ)

Capital: Phnom Penh  · You are in the capital

The capital and the heartbeat of Cambodia. Royal Palace, riverside sunsets, the heavy weight of S21 history, vibrant markets, and the country's deepest food scene. Most travelers begin and end their Cambodia trip here, and it deserves at least 2-3 full days.

First-timersFoodHistoryNightlifeShopping

Known for: Royal Palace · Tuol Sleng (S21) · Riverside · Russian Market · Independence Monument

Top spots (10)

Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda

ព្រះបរមរាជវាំង

★ 5/5

history  ·  Cost: $10 entry · $5 camera fee  · 08:00–11:00 and 14:00–17:00 daily

Why visit: The official residence of the King. Bright yellow throne hall, gold-tiled rooftops, and the Silver Pagoda whose floor is paved with 5,329 silver tiles. The most iconic photo of Phnom Penh.
Heads-up: Crowded mid-day. Closed 11:00–14:00 for lunch. Dress code strictly enforced — no shorts, no tank tops.
How to get there: Riverside, walking distance from most central hotels. Tuk-tuk from anywhere central is $2–3.
#must-see#photo-spot#family-friendly

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)

សារមន្ទីរទួលស្លែង

★ 5/5

history  ·  Cost: $5 entry · $3 audio guide  · 08:00–17:00 daily

Why visit: Former school turned Khmer Rouge prison, now a memorial. Sobering and essential context for understanding modern Cambodia. The audio guide (in 8 languages) is excellent.
Heads-up: Heavy emotional weight. Not appropriate for young children. Allow 2 hours minimum.
How to get there: Tuk-tuk from riverside ~$3. Most travelers pair it with the Killing Fields (Choeung Ek) outside the city.
#must-see#serious#history

Killing Fields — Choeung Ek

វាលពិឃាត

★ 5/5

history  ·  Cost: $6 entry · audio guide included  · 07:30–17:30 daily

Why visit: The execution site outside the city where prisoners from S21 were murdered. The memorial stupa is filled with skulls — silent and devastating. Best paired with S21 in the same morning.
Heads-up: Difficult emotional content; not for young kids. Combined trip with S21 is heavy — eat lunch between.
How to get there: 15 km south of central PP. Tuk-tuk return + wait ~$15. Combined S21 + Killing Fields tour packages also available.
#must-see#serious#history

Wat Phnom

វត្តភ្នំ

★ 4/5

temple  ·  Cost: $1 entry  · 07:00–18:00 daily

Why visit: The temple that gave Phnom Penh its name (it means "Temple Mountain"). Founded in 1372. A small green hill in the middle of the city — locals come to make offerings, monkeys wander the grounds.
How to get there: North end of the central district. Walking from riverside in 15min, or $1–2 tuk-tuk.
#quick-visit#photo-spot

Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung)

ផ្សារទួលទំពូង

★ 5/5

market  ·  Cost: Free to enter · $2–10 typical lunch · varies for shopping  · 07:00–17:00 daily

Why visit: The best souvenir market in Cambodia. Krama scarves, silver, antiques, knock-off branded clothing, and a famous food court at the back where locals eat. Bargain hard, smile harder.
Heads-up: Hot and crowded. Pickpocket-aware in tight aisles.
How to get there: Tuk-tuk from riverside ~$2–3. About 15 min from central hotels.
#shopping#food#must-see

Riverside (Sisowath Quay)

មាត់ទន្លេ

★ 5/5

nightlife  ·  Cost: Free walk · $1–3 street snacks · $5–15 dinner  · Anytime; best 17:00–22:00

Why visit: The 3 km riverside promenade where Phnom Penh comes alive at sunset. Locals exercise, kids fly kites, vendors sell snacks. Endless rooftop bars and restaurants face the Tonle Sap river.
How to get there: Central — most travelers stay within 10min walk.
#must-see#nightlife#family-friendly#photo-spot

Central Market (Phsar Thmei)

ផ្សារធំថ្មី

★ 4/5

market  ·  Cost: Free to enter  · 07:00–17:00 daily

Why visit: Yellow art-deco dome from 1937 — one of the architectural icons of Phnom Penh. Inside: jewelry, electronics, textiles, fresh food. Worth visiting just for the building.
How to get there: Central — short walk or $1 tuk-tuk from most hotels.
#photo-spot#shopping#architecture

Independence Monument

វិមានឯករាជ្យ

★ 4/5

history  ·  Cost: Free (view from outside)  · Anytime; best at night

Why visit: Lotus-shaped stupa marking Cambodia's 1953 independence from France. Beautifully lit at night. The roundabout it sits on is a hub of nightly local activity.
How to get there: Central, on Norodom Boulevard. Walking from riverside ~15min.
#photo-spot#quick-visit

National Museum of Cambodia

សារមន្ទីរជាតិ

★ 5/5

museum  ·  Cost: $10 entry · $5 audio guide  · 08:00–17:00 daily

Why visit: The world's best collection of Khmer sculpture — far better than the on-site museums at Angkor. Beautiful red sandstone building right next to the Royal Palace.
How to get there: Riverside, next to Royal Palace.
#must-see#history#photo-spot

AEON Mall (Mean Chey + Sen Sok)

ផ្សារទំនើបអ៊ីអុន

★ 4/5

food  ·  Cost: $3–8 food · varies for shopping  · 09:00–22:00 daily

Why visit: Modern indoor air-con escape from the heat. Two locations — AEON Mean Chey (riverside, the original) and AEON 2 (Sen Sok). Food court has every Asian cuisine, plus cinema and a kid-friendly arcade.
How to get there: AEON Mean Chey: $2–3 tuk-tuk from central hotels. AEON 2 in Sen Sok: $4–5.
#family-friendly#shopping#food#rainy-day
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