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Aerial view of central Phnom Penh, 2019

Phnom Penh, Cambodia · City guide

Phnom Penh travel guide

A riverside capital of palace gold, Art Deco markets and sobering memorials: compact, warm and easiest in the cool months with a driver and plenty of rest.

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Updated

Photo: Wise World Contributor · CC BY-SA 4.0

Phnom Penh is Cambodia's capital and largest city, set where the Tonle Sap river meets the Mekong and the Bassac begins. Wikipedia gives the city's founding as 1372, linked to the legend of Lady Penh and the hill that became Wat Phnom, and it has been the capital again since 1865. The census of 2019 counted roughly 2.1 to 2.4 million people in the municipality, depending on how the figure is read, so it is a big city by Cambodian standards but small beside Bangkok.

For a visitor the centre is easy to understand. The Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum sit close together near the riverfront on Sisowath Quay. Wat Phnom and the Art Deco Central Market lie to the north, the Independence Monument stands on Norodom Boulevard to the south, and the Russian Market is further south-west. Most of these can be done in short hops by tuk-tuk, which makes a two or three day stay manageable for older travellers if they pace the mornings.

The city also carries the memory of the Khmer Rouge years, 1975 to 1979. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school used as Security Prison 21, and the Choeung Ek memorial on the southern edge are the two sites most visitors include, and both were listed by UNESCO in 2025 as part of the Cambodian Memorial Sites, according to Wikipedia. They are serious, graphic places. Decide as a family whether children and elderly parents should go, and allow quiet time afterwards.

The practical picture for Indian travellers: Phnom Penh is hot all year, rainy from roughly May to October, and the main airport changed in September 2025 to the new Techo International Airport south of the city. Cambodia needs a visa for Indian passport holders in general (an e-visa or a visa on arrival, with fees that change), plus an online arrival card for flights. Check the official Cambodian e-visa portal and your airline before booking, and carry travel insurance that covers hospital care.

Before you plan

Phnom Penh at a glance

Best months
November to February is the driest…November to February is the driest and coolest window, with December and January the easiest. March to May is very hot, and heavy rain falls roughly from May to October, peaking in September and October.
Ideal trip length
2 to 3 days for the city2 to 3 days for the city; add a day for Oudong or a river excursion
Airport
Techo International AirportTecho International Airport (KTI), opened in September 2025 about 19 to 30 km south of the centre, replaced the old Phnom Penh airport (PNH), which closed to passengers on 8 September 2025
Railway station
No railway links India to CambodiaNo railway links India to Cambodia, and we did not verify a rail service useful to visitors; plan to arrive by air or road and check current services before relying on a train
Getting around
Tuk-tuksTuk-tuks, app-based rides such as PassApp and Grab, and hired cars with drivers; agree the fare before getting into a tuk-tuk. City buses and an airport express bus also run.
Daily budget
Roughly ₹2,500 to ₹7,000 per person…Roughly ₹2,500 to ₹7,000 per person per day excluding hotel and flights, for food, local transport and entry fees; varies with how often you hire a car
Senior comfort
Moderate: flat cityModerate: flat city, short hops by tuk-tuk, and air-conditioned museums and cafes, but heat, uneven pavements and traffic make long walks tiring
Language
KhmerKhmer; English is widely used in hotels, tourist restaurants and by tuk-tuk drivers in the main areas. Hindi is not widely spoken.

Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.

Best time to visit Phnom Penh: January, December. Month-by-month weather →

How to reach Phnom Penh by air, train and road →

How many days do you have?

Phnom Penh itinerary

One good day

1 day in Phnom Penh

Reach the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in the morning session, dressed with shoulders and knees covered, and allow two hours. Walk or take a short tuk-tuk to the National Museum for its Khmer sculpture and quiet courtyard. Have lunch and rest in the air-conditioned hotel or a cafe. In the late afternoon, walk the Sisowath Quay riverfront and, if you have energy, look in at Wat Ounalom nearby.

Royal PalaceSilver PagodaSisowath Quay RiverfrontWat Ounalom
Day-by-day plan →

Two days

2 days in Phnom Penh

Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda first, then the National Museum, a break at midday, and a slow riverfront walk with a look at Wat Ounalom.

Royal PalaceSilver PagodaWat OunalomCentral Market (Psar Thmei)Wat Phnom
Day-by-day plan →

Three unhurried days

3 days in Phnom Penh

Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in the morning, the National Museum before lunch, and a riverfront walk toward evening.

Royal PalaceSilver PagodaWat PhnomCentral Market (Psar Thmei)Independence Monument
Day-by-day plan →

See the day-by-day Phnom Penh itinerary →

The places that explain Phnom Penh.

Places to visit in Phnom Penh

Places to visit · 3 guides

What and where to eat in Phnom Penh.

Food to try in Phnom Penh

Food and restaurants · 31 guides

Khmer food is not vegetarian by default. Fish sauce, prahok (fermented fish paste), shrimp paste and meat stock are common in dishes that look plain, and street stalls often share woks. Strict Indian vegetarians and Jains should not rely on saying 'no meat' alone. The most dependable options are dedicated vegan and vegetarian restaurants, many of them run in a Buddhist or health-food style, and Indian restaurants, which exist in the city but are fewer and smaller than in Bangkok.

This guide lists the venues we could verify on a published vegan and vegetarian directory: Masala Dosa Street Kitchen for Indian vegetarian food, and the vegan cafes Sacred Lotus Cafe, Sundays and Bong Bonlai at YK Art House. The directory also lists several mock-meat vegetarian restaurants such as Surn Yi, Maitreya and Magnolia; we could not open their pages, so we have not tagged them. We did not find a restaurant that states a fully Jain kitchen, so Jain travellers should phone ahead and ask about onion, garlic and root vegetables. Opening hours and addresses change, so confirm before you go, drink bottled or filtered water, and avoid raw salads and ice from unknown sources.

Food and restaurantsCharles Haynes · CC BY-SA 2.0

Alley off Street 240, near Street 19, close to the Royal Palace

Artillery Cafe ₹₹

A health-food cafe in an alley off Street 240, near Street 19, listed for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and raw dishes, plus cold-pressed juices, smoothies, coffee and mango pancakes.

  • 45 minutes to 1 hour
  • Breakfast or lunch
  • Health cafe

Pair with Royal Palace

Read full guide Map

Markets, makers and what to take home.

Shopping in Phnom Penh

Shopping · 2 guides

The Central Market (Psar Thmei) is an Art Deco landmark from 1937 under a central dome, selling souvenirs, jewellery and gold, electronics and clothing. The Russian Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung), south-west of the centre, is better for silk and cotton scarves, handicrafts and factory-second clothing, but it is cramped and hot, so go in the morning.

Bargaining is normal in both markets, but start low and stay friendly. Prices may be quoted in US dollars or riel; check the change you receive. Treat 'designer' watches and branded goods as fakes, keep a hand on your bag, and avoid carrying valuables in a rucksack on your back, since bag snatching is a known problem in busy tourist areas.

Where Phnom Penh makes, performs and gathers.

Culture and crafts in Phnom Penh

Culture and craft · 2 guides

Hotels that shape the trip, not just the night.

Where to stay in Phnom Penh

Hotels and stays

The areas to compare: Riverside and Sisowath Quay, BKK1 (Boeng Keng Kang 1), Central Market and Wat Phnom area.

Where to stay in Phnom PenhCompare hotels in Phnom Penh

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.

Living places of faith — visit with respect.

Temples and places of worship in Phnom Penh

Places of worship · 4 guides

Choose without overthinking

Which Phnom Penh experience is right for your trip?

Most plans get crowded because nobody is willing to choose. These comparisons make the trade-offs clear.

Royal Palace or National Museum, if you only have a morning?

Choose the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda for the royal setting, gilded roofs and the Silver Pagoda's treasures, but expect heat, queues and a strict dress code. Choose the National Museum if you prefer a calmer, shaded visit: it holds Khmer sculpture from the Angkor period in a pavilion with a garden courtyard.

Tuol Sleng or Choeung Ek, if you can manage only one?

Tuol Sleng, in the city, explains how the Khmer Rouge prison worked through photographs and cell blocks. Choeung Ek, on the southern edge, is a memorial ground with a stupa and mass graves. Many visitors pick Tuol Sleng for context and Choeung Ek for remembrance; either is heavy, and neither suits young children.

Central Market or Russian Market?

The Central Market is a central Art Deco building and easy to reach, so it is better for a short, photogenic stop. The Russian Market is further out, with silk, handicrafts and clothing, but is hotter and more cramped. Go to either in the morning.

Tuk-tuk or hired car?

A tuk-tuk is open-air and cheap for short hops but hot and exposed to traffic. A hired car with a driver costs more, but is air-conditioned and better for Choeung Ek, Oudong or any day with older travellers.

Map

Open in Google Maps →

Know before you go

Phnom Penh travel tips

  1. 01

    Heat and rain

    Daytime highs are above 30 C in every month and reach about 35 C in April. The wettest months are September and October. Plan sights for the morning, carry water and a small umbrella, and rest after lunch.

  2. 02

    Entry and arrival card

    Indian passport holders generally need an e-visa or a visa on arrival, and flying visitors must complete the Cambodia e-Arrival Card online before arrival. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the official e-visa portal and with your airline.

  3. 03

    Money

    The riel is the national currency, but US dollars are widely used for tourist spending. Carry small dollar notes in good condition, as torn notes may be refused, and check the change you receive.

  4. 04

    Dress

    The Royal Palace and temples require covered shoulders and knees. Remove shoes before entering temple halls. Wear light, loose cotton clothing and a hat for outdoor sights.

  5. 05

    Getting around

    Tuk-tuks and app rides such as PassApp and Grab are common. Agree a fare before you get into a tuk-tuk, or use an app. A hired car with a driver is easier for older travellers and for out-of-town trips.

  6. 06

    Bag and phone snatching

    Theft from tuk-tuks and pedestrians is a known problem in tourist areas. Keep bags on the side away from the road, do not carry a phone loosely in hand near the road, and avoid wearing a bag on your back.

  7. 07

    Memorial site etiquette

    Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek are places of mourning. Dress modestly, speak quietly, and follow site rules on photography. Consider the age and health of the people in your group before you decide to go.

  8. 08

    Food and water

    Fish sauce and prahok are common in Khmer cooking, so vegetarian and Jain visitors should ask carefully or choose vegan and Indian restaurants. Use bottled or filtered water, and avoid raw salads and ice from stalls.

Phnom Penh with elderly parents: what to know

  • Plan sightseeing for the morning and rest from late morning to mid-afternoon. The palace and museums are partly outdoor, and the heat is strong in every month.
  • The Royal Palace requires covered shoulders and knees. Carry a light shirt or wrap so you do not have to buy clothes at the gate.
Phnom Penh with parents: full guideAdd concierge support

Day trips from Phnom Penh

OudongAbout 35 km north-west; roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by roadThe royal capital of Cambodia from 1618 to 1866, with hilltop stupas and the royal necropolis on Phnom Oudong. There are many steps, so it suits fitter visitors; older travellers can enjoy the view from the base.
KampotSouth of Phnom Penh, a few hours by roadA quiet riverside town known for pepper and its colonial buildings. Better as an overnight stay than a day trip. See the Kampot guide.
Siem ReapNorth-west of Phnom Penh; a short flight or a long road journeyThe base for Angkor Wat and the Angkor temples. Most travellers fly or take a long bus ride, so treat it as a separate trip. See the Siem Reap guide.

Useful answers

Phnom Penh FAQs

How many days are enough for Phnom Penh?

Two days cover the Royal Palace, the National Museum, one memorial site and the markets at an easy pace. Add a third day for Oudong or for a slower pace.

What is the best time to visit Phnom Penh?

November to February is the driest and coolest period, with December and January the most comfortable. April is the hottest month and the heaviest rain falls from roughly May to October.

Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Cambodia?

Yes, in general. Wikipedia's summary of Cambodian visa policy says ordinary Indian passports need a visa, either an e-visa or a visa on arrival, and that flying visitors must also complete the Cambodia e-Arrival Card. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the official e-visa portal and with your airline.

Is Phnom Penh easy for vegetarian and Jain travellers?

Vegetarians can manage if they eat at vegan, vegetarian and Indian restaurants, since fish sauce and prahok are common in Khmer cooking. Jain travellers should phone ahead; we found no restaurant that states a fully Jain kitchen.

Should we visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng?

They are important but distressing, with graphic displays. Many families choose one, avoid bringing young children, and leave time to rest afterwards.

Related guides

Sources and further reading

Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.

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