Must-Visit Destinations in Phnom Penh beckon you to a city where riverside charm meets a whirlwind of history and energy. Nestled at the confluence of the Tonle Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers, Cambodia’s capital is a vibrant blend of ancient wonders and modern hustle. Whether you’re plotting your Phnom Penh travel guide or just dreaming of adventure, this list of the top 10 Phnom Penh attractions will spark your wanderlust. From palaces to markets, let’s dive into the best places in Phnom Penh that promise an unforgettable journey!
Top 10 Must-Visit Destinations in Phnom Penh
1. The Royal Palace
First up on our list of Phnom Penh tourist spots is the Royal Palace—a dazzling introduction to the city’s royal soul. Built in 1866 when King Norodom moved the capital from Oudong, this sprawling complex is a feast of golden roofs and Khmer-French flair, hugged by golden-yellow walls. The Throne Hall’s 59-meter tower, topped with four Brahma faces, has seen coronations and grand ceremonies since King Sisowath’s days.
Just steps away, the Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo Morakot) floors you—literally—with 5,000 silver tiles, plus a Baccarat crystal emerald Buddha and a 90-kilogram gold statue sparkling with 9,584 diamonds. It weathered the Khmer Rouge, who used it as a storage dump, and still shines today. Open 8–11 AM and 2–5 PM, it’s $10 to enter (free for kids under 6). Cover your shoulders and knees, hit it early to beat the heat, and let the Tonle Sap River views sink in as you explore Phnom Penh.
2. Wat Phnom
From royal grandeur, let’s head to a cornerstone of Phnom Penh sightseeing—Wat Phnom, where the city’s story began. Just north of the palace, this hilltop temple sits on the city’s only natural rise, a modest 27 meters. Legend has it that in 1372, a widow named Lady Yeay Penh found four Buddha statues in a tree trunk washed up by a Tonle Sap flood. She built a shrine here, sparking a settlement that grew into the capital—“Penh’s Hill.”
Rebuilt in 1926, it now boasts a central stupa with King Ponhea Yat’s ashes, a sanctuary of bronze Buddhas, and murals bursting with Khmer tales. The naga-flanked staircase offers killer city views, while locals pray for luck during Pchum Ben. It’s $1 to enter, open dawn to dusk, and the shady park below is a perfect breather among Phnom Penh must-see stops.
3. The National Museum
Since we’re already near the palace, let’s slip around the corner to the National Museum on Street 13—it’s a natural next step in our Phnom Penh travel guide. Housed in a terracotta-red beauty designed by French historian George Groslier in 1917, this museum opened in 1920 and guards over 14,000 Khmer artifacts. You’ll find sandstone gods like Vishnu from Phnom Bakheng, the soulful Jayavarman VII statue (the Angkor Thom visionary), and bronzes tracing back to the 6th century.
Staff heroically hid pieces during the Khmer Rouge years, saving this legacy. The lotus-filled courtyard feels like a secret escape. It’s $10 for adults, $5 for kids, open 8 AM–5 PM—no photos inside, but the history makes it one of the top destinations Phnom Penh offers.
4. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Speaking of history, there’s a darker chapter we can’t skip among Phnom Penh attractions. A short tuk-tuk ride south to Boeung Keng Kang brings us to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, or S-21. Once Tuol Svay Prey High School, it turned into a Khmer Rouge prison in 1975 under Pol Pot. Nearly 20,000 souls—teachers, kids, monks—entered; only 12 walked out. The mugshots lining Building B, rusty shackles in Building A, and tiny brick cells in Building C tell a brutal tale.
Survivor Vann Nath’s paintings and a stupa of skulls hit hard. Open 7 AM–5:30 PM, it’s $5 entry, $8 with the audio guide (don’t miss it). It’s a heavy stop, but it flows right into understanding Cambodia’s resilience—a true Phnom Penh must-see.
5. Central Market (Phsar Thom Thmei)
After that intensity, let’s lighten things up with some shopping at Central Market, or Phsar Thom Thmei—one of the best places in Phnom Penh to dive into local life. A quick hop north from Tuol Sleng, this 1937 icon—built by French architects Jean Desbois and Louis Chauchon—sports a mustard-yellow Art Deco dome and four wings across 8,000 square meters. It was one of Asia’s biggest markets back then, renovated in 2011 to keep its charm.
Inside, goldsmiths craft jewelry, while outside, vendors hawk silk scarves, krama, and fresh rambutan. The air hums with haggling and sizzling fish. Open 7 AM–5 PM, it’s free to roam—just bring cash and try a num pang sandwich. It’s the perfect palate cleanser after history’s weight when you visit Phnom Penh highlights.
6. Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung)
If Central Market whets your shopping appetite, let’s venture a bit south to the Russian Market—Phsar Toul Tom Poung—another gem among Phnom Penh tourist spots. Named for Soviet expats who flocked here in the ‘80s during Vietnam’s post-Khmer Rouge rule, this gritty maze in Toul Tom Poung district is less polished but packed with soul.
Factory overrun tees, stone Buddhas, and silver trinkets line narrow aisles, while food stalls steam with kuyteav noodle soup and grilled pork. Open 6 AM–5 PM, it’s a 15-minute tuk-tuk from downtown—cash-only, hit it early before the heat. Grab a $1 iced coffee at the nearby Best Iced Coffee stall (a legend since 1981) to keep the energy flowing as you explore Phnom Penh.
7. Sisowath Riverside Park
Now that we’ve shopped ‘til we dropped, let’s unwind back near the river at Sisowath Riverside Park—a standout in Phnom Penh sightseeing. Just a ride north from the Russian Market, this 3-kilometer stretch along Sisowath Quay—named for King Sisowath (1904–1927)—is Phnom Penh’s chill zone. French colonial planners shaped it in the 19th century, and it’s bounced back from Khmer Rouge neglect.
Palm trees line a walkway with King Sisowath’s statue, while the Tonle Sap River offers sunset stunners. Mornings hum with tai chi; evenings buzz with sugarcane juice vendors and quay-side bars. Free, open 24/7, it ties the Royal Palace to the Night Market—perfect for a Khmer fish amok dinner at FCC when you visit Phnom Penh highlights.
8. Wat Ounalom Monastery
Sticking by the riverside, let’s pop into Wat Ounalom Monastery, just steps from the park—a serene addition to the top destinations Phnom Penh boasts. Founded in 1443 under King Ponhea Yat, this gem marks Phnom Penh’s early days as a royal hub. Its name nods to a relic—a hair from Buddha’s eyebrow—in a seven-story stupa from the 1950s. Once home to 500 monks and the Supreme Patriarch, it took a hit from the Khmer Rouge, who smashed statues, but it’s thriving again. The vihara’s murals and golden Buddhas dazzle, and a quiet cemetery whispers history. Free entry (donations welcome), open daily—catch dawn chants for a soul-lift in this peaceful retreat.
9. Phnom Penh Safari
Feeling refreshed? Let’s take a wild detour 21 kilometers out to Phnom Penh Safari, a unique twist among must-visit destinations in Phnom Penh. Opened in 2018 by tycoon Ly Yong Phat, this 60-hectare park packs in 800+ animals—lions, cheetahs, dolphins, you name it—across 100 species. Its “Four Kingdoms” setup mimics natural habitats, with trams to zip around. Daily shows feature tigers and orangutans, though some flag thin animals and bullhook use (check Tripadvisor for updates). It’s $15 for adults, $8 for kids (free under 90 cm), open 9 AM–6 PM. A 45-minute drive from Wat Phom, it’s a fun family break—just weigh the ethics before you go.
10. Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
To wrap up, let’s circle back to history with a 15-kilometer ride southwest to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek—a sobering finale to our Phnom Penh travel guide. This ex-orchard turned into a Khmer Rouge killing ground from 1975–1979, taking 17,000–20,000 lives from Tuol Sleng. Axes and bamboo replaced bullets, with 129 mass graves unearthed in the ‘80s.
The 62-meter stupa holds 8,000 skulls, and the Killing Tree—where babies were smashed—stings the soul. Bones still surface after rain. Open 7:30 AM–5:30 PM, it’s $6 with an audio guide (1–2 hours, a must). A $15 tuk-tuk combo with Tuol Sleng ties it all together—dress respectfully for this sacred stop that ranks high among Phnom Penh must-see sites.
Conclusion
Phnom Penh flows from royal glitz to raw resilience, bustling markets to quiet retreats. These Must-Visit Destinations in Phnom Penh stitch together a journey you’ll never forget—grab a tuk-tuk and dive into the best places in Phnom Penh. Which one’s calling you first? Let’s chat about it!
Explore more about Cambodia:
Top 10 Must-Try Dishes in Cambodia: A Journey Through Flavors
Leave a comment