Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s energetic capital and is undergoing rapid development. Phnom Penh has returned to better times since its troubled history, particularly under the oppressive Khmer Rouge regime.
Along the banks of the Mekong and Tonle Siap Rivers, Phnom Penh has a combination of modern and old buildings. With mopeds buzzing by and places in the city waiting to be visited like the Palace, S21 Museum, and Tuol Sleng.
In this post, we will go through things to do in Phnom Penh Cambodia. So let’s get started!
Read More On Cambodia
- Amazing Things To Do in Siem Reap
- Can You Drink Tap Water in Cambodia?
- Cambodia Travel Tips
- Which is Better Phnom Penh or Siem Reap?
- Fun Things To Do in Battambang
- Is There Uber in Cambodia?
- How Much Does A Beer Cost in Cambodia?
Is Phnom Penh Worth Visiting?
Phnom Penh is worth visiting. The city is developing very fast in a major hub and has an energetic vibe. If you enjoy exploring places and learning about the local history you can visit the Palace, Museums, and Tuol Sleng.
At night you will find bars spread around the city with Street 51 and Riverside being the main areas.
Is Phnom Penh Expensive?
Phnom Penh is not expensive, especially if compared to cities in Europe and its prices are similar to that of Thailand, Bali, and Malaysia. Hotels in Phnom Penh can be incredibly cheap starting from $12 for a double room.
You can get a beer for as cheap as $0.75 and a meal for about $4. Transportation can be a little expensive.
Things To Do In Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the capital city in Cambodia which has some amazing sites to see and nightlife. There are fun things to do in Phnom Penh that will keep you busy for a while.
Here are some of the best things to do in Phnom Penh.
Learn About Cambodia’s History
Cambodian culture can be seen just by strolling along the streets but if you want to learn more about Cambodia, it is important to find out about its history.
The killing fields are a big part of Cambodia’s history. There are two main attractions in Phnom Penh to learn more about the killing fields. These are.
- Choeung Ek Genocidal Center.
- Tuol Sleng Museums was known as S-21 Prison.
Both museums tell the story and the part these places played in Cambodia’s dark history under the regime of the Khmer Rouge.
The S-21 Prison serves as a memorial monument to thousands of people who were murdered as well as imprisoned and the genocidal center or killing fields serve as a peaceful ground.
You may find the place slightly depressing but visiting the museums will give you an understanding of Cambodia’s history under the Khmer Rouge.
Shop At The Central Market
When it comes to markets in Southeast Asia, are always busy with loads of colorful stalls that can appear like a giant maze. Phnom Penh is no exception when it comes to the market.
The two popular markets in Phnom Penh are.
- Psar Thmei, Russian Market.
- Central Market with lively locals.
Markets in Phnom Penh offer a wide choice of local arts, handicrafts, furniture, and fake designer handbags.
Go, Visiting Temples
Even though most people will think of Siem Reap when it comes to temples but Phnom Penh also has a few temples (wats) that a worth a visit.
The temples around Phnom Penh are.
- Phnom Chisor.
- Wat Langka.
- Ta Prohm.
- Wat Phnom.
- Wat Ounalom.
Similar to visiting other temples in Southeast Asia, make sure to cover the knees and shoulders because temples are sacred grounds that locals use to pray.
Enjoy Phnom Penh’s Nightlife
Phnom Penh’s nightlife may not be on the list especially when you are not planning to spend much time in the city. Phnom Penh has more than its fair share of bars and clubs.
There are two main areas in Phnom Penh where you will find the best bars and clubs. These are as follows.
- Street 51 area.
- Riverside.
Beers in Phnom Penh are affordable for example in the Street 51 area you can expect to pay between $0.75 cent to $1.50 for a beer.
Sample The Local Food
Southeast Asian countries are a great place if you have a foodie. You will find a great range of extreme foods in Phnom Penh such as deep-fried crickets, crawlies such as giant tarantulas, fertilized duck embryos, and more.
Most markets in the city also offer local cuisine which you can try.
Have An Adventure Day
If you think there will be no adventure activities in Phnom Penh, then you would be wrong. Phnom Penh is full of adventurous activities such as white water rafting, zip-lining, kayaking, rock climbing, and trekking.
If you do not want to do something extreme, you can just explore the city with a motorcycle. You certainly will find something amazing along the way. Happy exploring!
Cruise On The Mekong River
The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, is situated between the Tonle Sap River and the Mekong River. There are tours available to explore the city through the river, you can go and visit the villages along the river banks.
However, the most popular cruise by far is the Sunset River Cruise. Floating villages may be something common in Siem Reap, but Phnom Penh has a different vibe from floating villages known as Kompong Chhnang.
This floating village in Phnom Penh is not touristy and more low-key than Siem Reap.
Visit The Animal Sanctuary
Cambodia is home to a wildlife sanctuary. An animal sanctuary is a place dedicated to the conversation and rehabilitation of animals.
You can get close to the animals by spending a day feeding, trekking, and even washing them in their natural habitat.
In Cambodia, there are animal sanctuaries you can visit which are Wildlife Sanctuary and Mondulkiri Elephant. You can interact with an elephant, of course, in a natural and ethical way.
Is It Safe in Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh is safe for travelers but using common sense is a big factor in staying safe. Like any other city, it does have its share of petty crime. Just keep your valuables such as mobile phones out of sight, and leave the bling at home. And you will have a safe trip.
USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES
Book Accommodation
Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.
Booking Flight
Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.
Booking Transportation & Things To Do
Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.
Wrapping Up
Finally, Phnom Penh is a vibrant city, that has a good range of things to do from exploring museums, nightlife, and more. Decide on what you want to do and start enjoying what Phnom Penh has to offer.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on things to do in Phnom Penh Cambodia has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there are any other places to visit.
Did you enjoy this post? Then don’t forget to pin it!
