Plan 01
1 day in Phnom Penh
- 01
Day 1: Palace, museum and riverfront
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.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Royal Palace About 1.5 to 2 hours, plus the Silver Pagoda Moderate Morning session, November to February Silver Pagoda About 45 minutes to 1 hour Easy Morning, November to February Sisowath Quay Riverfront About 1 to 2 hours Easy Late afternoon and evening Wat Ounalom About 45 minutes Easy Morning Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Royal Palace: The grounds are flat, with paths and some steps up to the halls, but there is little shade in the courtyards and the stone gets hot. Benches and covered walkways help; go early and carry water.
Plan 02
2 days in Phnom Penh
- 01
Day 1: Royal 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.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Royal Palace About 1.5 to 2 hours, plus the Silver Pagoda Moderate Morning session, November to February Silver Pagoda About 45 minutes to 1 hour Easy Morning, November to February Wat Ounalom About 45 minutes Easy Morning Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Royal Palace: The grounds are flat, with paths and some steps up to the halls, but there is little shade in the courtyards and the stone gets hot. Benches and covered walkways help; go early and carry water.
- 02
Day 2: Memorials, then markets
Visit Tuol Sleng in the morning and Choeung Ek afterwards if your group feels able; many visitors find one site enough. Return for a rest. In the late afternoon, see the Art Deco Central Market and Wat Phnom, then take a tuk-tuk past the Independence Monument at dusk.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Central Market (Psar Thmei) About 1 hour Moderate Morning Wat Phnom About 45 minutes Moderate Early morning or late afternoon Independence Monument About 30 minutes Easy Late afternoon or evening Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Central Market (Psar Thmei): The central hall is airy under the dome, but the radiating wings are crowded and stuffy, and the floors can be wet. Go early and keep the visit short.
With parents at Wat Phnom: There is a stairway up the hill; older visitors can go slowly or view it from the base. The grounds around are shaded in parts and have seating.
Plan 03
3 days in Phnom Penh
- 01
Day 1: Palace and museum
Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in the morning, the National Museum before lunch, and a riverfront walk toward evening.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Royal Palace About 1.5 to 2 hours, plus the Silver Pagoda Moderate Morning session, November to February Silver Pagoda About 45 minutes to 1 hour Easy Morning, November to February Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Royal Palace: The grounds are flat, with paths and some steps up to the halls, but there is little shade in the courtyards and the stone gets hot. Benches and covered walkways help; go early and carry water.
- 02
Day 2: Memorial sites
Tuol Sleng in the morning, then Choeung Ek, with a long lunch and a rest between. Keep the evening free; both sites are heavy for many people.
- 03
Day 3: Markets and monuments, or Oudong
Start at Wat Phnom, then the Central Market and the Independence Monument. If you prefer shopping, go to the Russian Market in the morning before the heat. Alternatively, hire a car for a half-day trip to Oudong, the former royal capital north-west of the city.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Wat Phnom About 45 minutes Moderate Early morning or late afternoon Central Market (Psar Thmei) About 1 hour Moderate Morning Independence Monument About 30 minutes Easy Late afternoon or evening Russian Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung) About 1 to 1.5 hours Moderate Morning Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Wat Phnom: There is a stairway up the hill; older visitors can go slowly or view it from the base. The grounds around are shaded in parts and have seating.
With parents at Central Market (Psar Thmei): The central hall is airy under the dome, but the radiating wings are crowded and stuffy, and the floors can be wet. Go early and keep the visit short.
Read before you go
Guides for the stops on these routes
Pacing
Pacing a Phnom Penh trip for parents and children
- 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.
- Hire a car with a driver or use short tuk-tuk hops; pavements are uneven and motorbikes ignore crossings, so do not rely on walking between sights.
- Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng are emotionally heavy and involve walking on uneven ground. Visit only one in a day if either parent finds crowds, heat or distressing images hard.
- Arrange travel insurance that covers hospital care. Private clinics such as International SOS and Royal Rattanak were listed in a travel guide, but confirm them with your insurer.
- Drink bottled or filtered water, and carry any regular medicine with its prescription in your hand baggage.
Book the pieces
Stay close to the route
Pick a base near the first day's sights. Our guide to where to stay in Phnom Penh compares the areas.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.