Cambodia is a country full of both impressive and tragic history. From its rise to power as one of the first and largest Southeast Asian empires to the tragic rule of the Khmer Rouge, there is so much to learn from this country, and there is no better place to do it than in Phnom Penh, its capital city.
If you are visiting Phnom Penh and are not sure where to begin, this article is for you. Within this travel guide, you will find all the information you need to plan a great trip to Phnom Penh, as well as a comprehensive list of things to do, where to stay, and more. Without further ado, here are the 8 best things to do in Phnom Penh for solo travelers:
- Phnom Penh Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Phnom Penh?
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8 Best Things to Do in Phnom Penh
- Visit the Royal Palace
- Visit Wat Phnom Daun Penh
- Stroll Around the Central Market
- Learn the History of the Khmer Empire at the National Museum
- Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or S21 Museum
- Visit the Killing Field
- Check out the Independence Monument
- Hang out at Sisowath Riverside Park in the Evening
- More Phnom Penh Activities
- Southeast Asia Video
- How to Get to Phnom Penh?
- How to Get Around Phnom Penh?
- What to Pack for Phnom Penh, Cambodia?
- Further Reading for Backpacking in Cambodia
Phnom Penh Itinerary Map
8 Best Things to Do in Phnom Penh
1. Visit the Royal Palace
First and foremost, we are going to visit the Royal Palace, one of the most famous landmarks in Phnom Penh, where you will be able to witness Cambodia's finest architecture: the Royal Palace, as well as the beautiful Silver Pagoda, located inside.
The Royal Palace was built in the 19th Century during the reign of King Norodom. It served as the royal residence of the Cambodian monarch until the early 20th century when the Khmer Rouge took power and began its reign of terror. This continued until 1993 when the reign ended and Cambodia established a constitutional monarchy. The palace once again became the official residence of the King of Cambodia, and it is now open to the public.
One of my favorite things about the palace is its stunning architectural features, from the gilded roofs to intricate ornamentation, with stunning design. It just reminded me of home (Thailand).
- Base Villa (Budget)
- Phnom Penh Katari Hotel (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Baitong Hotel & Resort Phnom Penh (High-End)
- Phnom Penh: The Killing Fields & Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (4 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Sunset Cruise tour: Freeflow Drinks & BBQ buffet, unlimited (1.5 hours)
- Visit 11 places in the City included S21 & Killing Field (8 hours)
Inside the palace, you will find yourself surrounded by a high yellow wall, and in the middle, there will be multiple ornate buildings and pavilions, including the Throne Hall, the Silver Pagoda, and various residences that you can explore.
The Silver Pagoda is a must-visit as it is one of the most remarkable pieces of architecture here, with its exterior almost entirely covered by over 5,000 silver tiles. Inside, you can find numerous priceless artifacts, including the Emerald Buddha made of baccarat crystal and more.
The Royal Palace is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 10 USD per person. If you have just arrived in Phnom Penh and are not sure where to begin your exploration, the Royal Palace is a great place to start.
Where to Stay in Phnom Penh?
2. Visit Wat Phnom Daun Penh
After you are done with the Royal Palace, you can make your way north and visit Wat Phnom Daun Penh, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in the city that dates all the way back to the 14th Century.
It is located on top of a hill, surrounded by gardens, benches, and a park, which makes it a great place to stroll around and escape the heat of the day. The temple has some truly distinct Cambodian and French colonial architectural styles, as well as a variety of statues, shrines, and religious relics that you can check out.
The temple is open from 7 AM to 6 PM on weekdays. It is closed on the weekends, so be sure to plan your visit carefully. The entrance fee is only 1 USD, which is another reason to visit this place while you are in Phnom Penh.
3. Stroll Around the Central Market
Continuing on from Wat Phnom Daun Penh, you can make your way west and go for a stroll around the Central Market, a local market housed in one of Phnom Penh's most iconic and historic structures.
The building was built in the 1930s during the French colonial period with a blend of modern and colonial architectural styles, combining elements of Art Deco and traditional Khmer architecture. This makes it one of the most unique structures you will find here.
Inside, you will find yourself in a large cross-shaped building with four wings radiating from the central dome, and you will be surrounded by all kinds of shops that sell fresh ingredients, clothing, jewelry, electronics, and more. Be sure to spend some time exploring the market while you are here.
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4. Learn the History of the Khmer Empire at the National Museum
Not too far from the Royal Palace, you will find the National Museum of Cambodia, an excellent place to visit if you want to learn more about the mighty Khmer Empire that ushered in the golden age of trade and prosperity across the region.
The museum is housed in this stunning crimson-colored structure, featuring traditional Khmer design elements such as a red terracotta tiled roof, an ornate facade, and beautiful garden courtyards.
The National Museum is also home to one of the most extensive collections of Khmer art and artifacts in the world. Its collection includes sculptures, ceramics, bronzes, ethnographic objects, and textiles dating from prehistoric times to the Angkorian period and beyond.
The most famous and valuable exhibition of all is the collection of excavated artifacts found at the temple of Angkor, which includes statues of Hindu deities, Buddha images, and other religious and mythological figures, allowing us to get a glimpse of what life was like back in its heyday.
If you want to learn more about the ancient history of this part of the world, there is no better place to be than here. The museum is open from 8 AM to 11:30 AM and again from 1:30 PM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 10 USD.
5. Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or S21 Museum
Next up, we are going to visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as the infamous S-21 concentration camp, a Khmer Rouge torture camp that has been converted into a museum dedicated to all the victims of the camp.
The museum is a sobering and poignant reminder of the brutality and atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge during its reign in the late 1970s. Inside, you will find many rooms filled with pictures of all the victims of S21, hanging on the walls, with information boards explaining all the torture methods conducted at S21, across the three-story building.
One of the most shocking things I learned from walking around S21 is the barbed wires installed to cover the building's exterior. Since the building was built as a school before it was converted into a torture prison, most of the floors have this open-air walkway that allows air to flow into the classrooms and keep the interior cool.
The barbed wires were installed to prevent the prisoners from jumping out of the window and committing suicide 😱. I definitely did not expect such a grim explanation for why the barbed wires were there. It was extremely disturbing to learn about it, and that barely scratches the surface of the horrible things that occurred here.
The S21 museum is a great way to understand Cambodia and where its people are coming from. The audio guide is essential if you want to really understand what happened here, so be sure to grab that at the entrance when you enter.
The museum is open from 8 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 5 USD per person. You can get there with a tuk-tuk or you can take the shuttle bus tour, which will also take you to the Killing Fields, a place we will be visiting next.
6. Visit the Killing Field
After visiting the S21 Museum, you can continue your journey and visit the Killing Field next. Also known as Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, the Killing Field is a place where the Khmer Rouge systematically massacred their own people and dumped their bodies to hide their atrocities.
After the discovery of the Khmer Rouge atrocities, the Killing Field has been converted into a burial site dedicated to all the victims who lost their lives here, with a glass-walled stupa containing all the skulls excavated here, right at the center of the field.
As you walk through the seemingly peaceful field, you will stumble upon many spots with information boards that explain the atrocities committed right on the spot, like this tree shown above, where babies were once executed by being beaten up against the tree until they died.
It is one of the most harrowing moments of my life as I walk through the field and learn more and more about the atrocities committed here. To think that a human being can do this to another human being is just... no words can describe how I felt about it all, but it is important for every traveler to visit this place and learn about it so that history won't repeat itself again.
Again, if you decide to visit the Killing Field, I highly recommend getting an audio guide to help walk you through each section as the atrocities are unveiled before you. You will feel all kinds of emotions flooding in as you walk through the field and listen to the audio tour reciting Pol Pot's infamous quote.
Better to kill an innocent by mistake than spare an enemy by mistake
The museum is open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 10 USD per person. You can get there by a tuk-tuk, which should cost around 15 USD both ways, or you can go for a shuttle bus tour, which will also take you to S21 Museum.
7. Check out the Independence Monument
Another impressive landmark you should check out while you are in Phnom Penh is the Independence Monument. It is situated at the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard and stands right at the center of a massive intersection, so there is no way you will miss it.
The monument was erected in 1958 to commemorate Cambodia's independence from French colonial rule that happened 4 years prior. The monument was designed by a Cambodian architect in the New Khmer architectural style, which combines elements of traditional Khmer architecture with modernist influences. It features a five-tiered roof design and is adorned with intricate carvings and decorative motifs.
It would be a shame to visit Phnom Penh without seeing this stunning structure, so be sure to drop by here in the evening, after you're done exploring all the other tourist attractions on this list.
8. Hang out at Sisowath Riverside Park in the Evening
Last but not least, be sure to check out Sisowath Riverside Park in the evening and hang out by the river. The place gets extremely lively the moment the sun sets, as the locals will often come out in droves and hang out with one another at the park.
The view of the river is also very nice, especially during the golden hour, so be sure to get there around sunset time. You can also go on a sunset cruise from here and enjoy a drink or two while floating along the Mekong River. You can check out some of the available sunset cruises here.
How to Get to Phnom Penh?
AirAsia has flights flying to Phnom Penh from virtually every major city in Southeast Asia, so getting here via an airplane won't be a problem. If you are coming from Siem Reap or another city in Cambodia, a minivan is recommended as it is convenient and not as expensive. The minivan leaves for Phnom Penh from Siem Reap twice a day, at 7:30 AM and 2 PM, and it will take you approximately 5.5 hours.
I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to compare flights and find the cheapest one from where you live to Phnom Penh that best fits your itinerary.
How to Get Around Phnom Penh?
If you are located in the tourist area, you should be able to cover the Royal Palace and the National Museum on foot quite easily. However, if you want to go further to the S-21 Genocide Museum or the Killing Fields, you will need to get a tuk-tuk. Most tuk-tuk drivers will make themselves known to you wherever you go, so you should have no problem finding one. However, make sure that you agree upon the price before getting on the tuk-tuk to prevent being ripped off.
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Phnom Penh, Cambodia?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Phnom Penh, Cambodia in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Backpacking in Cambodia
Looking for more information for your trip to Cambodia? Here is a selection of articles that might help you with your trip planning.
- Are you planning to travel to Cambodia as part of a big Southeast Asia trip? Check out our 3-month backpacking itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Cambodia was the first country I have ever traveled solo to. If you are interested in reading my thoughts on my first solo travel experience, check out: Curious Cambodia, a solo traveler's journal to the Angkor Wat.
- Want to travel to Siem Reap and see the Angkor Wat with your own eyes? Here is a complete travel guide and a 3-day itinerary for Siem Reap.
- Not convinced by my words about Cambodia? Here are 64 photos that will inspire you to visit Southeast Asia now.
- You can also watch my travel video about Southeast Asia here: Watch the "Asia Alive" travel video.
- Want to know where to go after Cambodia? How about One Day in Bangkok Itinerary or spending 2 weeks in Vietnam?
- For all articles about Cambodia, visit the Cambodia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all of my Southeast Asia-related articles on my Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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