Phnom Penh
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At a glance
- Country
- Cambodia
- Region
- Phnom Penh
- Population
- 2.3 million
- Best time to go
- November to February
- Main airport
- Phnom Penh Techo International (KTI)
- Coordinates
- 11.56°N, 104.93°E
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Overview
Cambodia's capital sits where the Tonlé Sap river meets the Mekong, a low-rise city of gilded pagodas, tree-lined French boulevards and fast-growing towers. The riverside promenade is its front room, busy with joggers, families and food sellers as the heat fades.
Phnom Penh is also where Cambodia confronts its past, and a visit to the Khmer Rouge memorials is sobering but important. Balance it with markets, excellent Khmer food and sunset on the water.
Things to see
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Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0 Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
The king's golden-roofed palace complex, with a pagoda floored in silver tiles and filled with Buddha statues.
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Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0 National Museum of Cambodia
A red sandstone building holding the world's finest collection of Khmer sculpture, set around a peaceful garden courtyard.
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Photo: Michael Gruijters at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
A former school turned Khmer Rouge prison, now a harrowing memorial. The audio guide is excellent.
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Photo: Timgray200, CC BY-SA 3.0 Choeung Ek
The memorial stupa and killing fields outside the city, a quiet and deeply moving place to reflect.
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Photo: Khmerloy9, CC BY-SA 4.0 Wat Phnom
The hilltop temple that gave the city its name, shaded by trees and visited by locals making offerings.
Things to do
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Sunset river cruise
Take a boat out where the rivers meet and watch the palace roofs glow as the sun goes down.
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Photo: Rik Schuiling / TropCrop-TCS, CC BY-SA 4.0 Browse the markets
The Art Deco Central Market is grand and orderly, while the Russian Market is a cramped warren of crafts and street food.
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Photo: sharonang, CC0 Eat Khmer food
Try fish amok, lok lak and a bowl of kuy teav noodle soup for breakfast at a busy local stall.
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Day trip to Oudong
The former royal capital to the north has stupas on a hilltop with views across the rice fields.
Where to stay
Riverside
Lively and central, close to the palace and museum, with plenty of bars and guesthouses.
Hotels in RiversideBoeung Keng Kang (BKK1)
Leafy and upmarket, with boutique hotels, cafés and some of the city's best restaurants.
Hotels in Boeung Keng Kang (BKK1)Tuol Tom Poung
Around the Russian Market, a younger area of coffee shops and good-value stays.
Hotels in Tuol Tom Poung
Getting around
Tuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps such as Grab and PassApp are cheap and everywhere. Walking is pleasant along the river.
The new Techo International Airport lies well south of the city, so allow around an hour by taxi or airport bus to the centre.
When to go
November to February is dry and relatively cool. March to May is very hot, and the rains run from May to October. The Water Festival brings huge riverside crowds, usually in November.
Plan your trip to Phnom Penh
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.