top of page
Writer's pictureIne Vandenwyngaert

Phnom Penh, Cambodia: A Short Travel Guide

Updated: Nov 7, 2023

Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city of Cambodia, located in the south-central part of the country. It is a city of contrasts, in which ancient temples and palaces stand alongside modern skyscrapers and wide boulevards. The rich history and culture here are what make Phnom Penh a great place to start your Cambodian journey. In this travel guide, we share 8 of the best things to do in Phnom Penh as well as great places to stay, eat, and drink.


Royal Palace in Phnom Penh Cambodia
Royal Palace

 

Check out our video about Phnom Penh to see the best things to do through our camera!




Best Things To Do In Phnom Penh

  • Try the Cambodian food (dishes to try include fish amok, beef lok lak, saraman curry, and stir-fried noodles or rice)

  • Stroll Sisowath Quay

  • See the important Buddhist Temples (Wat Ounalom & Wat Phnom)

  • Visit the National Museum of Cambodia

  • Go on a sunset cruise

  • Admire the Royal Palace

  • See the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek

  • Visit Tuol Sleng Museum aka Security Prison S-21 (book your tour here)



Tuol Sleng Museum Phnom Penh Cambodia
Tuol Sleng Museum

Places To Stay In Phnom Penh


  • Onederz Hostel ($): is a low-key hostel f eaturing rooftop pool and terrace with river views. It is located in the heart of the city, close to all the main attractions. The price is very affordable, making it a great option for budget travelers. This is also where we stayed and we loved the food in the restaurant and the backpacker vibe!

  • GLOW PARK HOTEL Grand Royal Palace ($$): is a 4-star hotel located in the city center, close to the Royal Palace and other popular tourist attractions. It offers a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, fitness center, and restaurant. The price is reasonable, making it a good value for the money.

  • Plantation Urban Resort & Spa ($$$): is a 4-star hotel located in a quiet area of the city, away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist center. It offers a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, spa, and restaurant. The price is slightly higher than the other two options, but it is still a good value for the money.


Phnom Penh cityscape cambodia
Phnom Penh cityscape

Places To Eat And Drink In Phnom Penh

  • Backstreet Bar: located in Bassac Lane, this is a great place if you're looking for drinks and a vibrant nightlife

  • Backyard Café: great restaurant with healthy food options such as smoothies, salad bowls, and vegan dishes

  • Bassac Lane: the place to go for nightlife with a selection of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs

  • David’s Restaurant Homemade Noodles: a family-run restaurant that has been serving up delicious noodle soups and dishes

  • Eden The Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar: local restaurant that offers local dishes and has lots of seafood options

  • Gorkha Palace: for delicious Indian and Nepalese food, go here!

  • Kanazawa Japanese Restaurant: fancy Japanese cuisine

  • La Dolce Vita: great Italian restaurant

  • Labaab Restaurant: authentic Cambodian food in the heart of the city, try the amok here

  • Masala Dosa Street Kitchen: delicious vegan Indian dishes, but also serves a few Khmer cuisine options

  • Phnom Penh Night Market: go for some local cheap food

  • Planta: healthy vegan and vegetarian food options

  • Romduol Restaurant: local Khmer cuisine, it's not on Google Maps yet as it just opened, but it's located next to Kanazawa Japanese Restaurant

  • Tipsy Bean Coffee & Beer: great coffee bar that also offers pastries and smoothies

  • Xing Coffee: variety of coffees at a cheap price


fish amok phnom penh cambodia
local Khmer cuisine

Map Phnom Penh


Find all the places to go, eat, drink, and stay in Phnom Penh on Google Maps. To follow and save the list, do the following:

  1. Tap on the link to open it (click button below)

  2. Tap Follow. This list will now be added to the group of lists you follow.

  3. Optional: To unfollow a list someone shared with you, tap the list Saved.

If you follow the list we made, all our saved places of Phnom Penh will show up in Your Places. The places will also appear as suggested locations in Google Maps.



phnom penh cambodia google map

 

Use These Websites To Save Money On Your Trip To Phnom Penh


 

Are you having a hard time planning your trip to Phnom Penh? Get our Interactive Travel Planner to keep it all organized.


travel planner for chiang rai thailand trip


Need more travel inspiration? Check out our other destinations and articles about Cambodia:

Comments


World Wild Hearts

Hi! We are Ine & Zac. An international travel couple from Belgium and the US. We created World Wild Hearts to inspire new adventures and help you plan your next trip. Use these tips, stories, and guides to inspire your next adventure of a lifetime!

SAVE MONEY ON YOUR TRIPS

Cheap flights for travelers
Travel experiences
Affordable travel transportation
Book cheap hotels

DOWNLOAD FREE TRAVEL  RESOURCES

free travel resources

WATCH OUR TRAVEL VIDEOS

Travel videos

This post contains a few affiliate links. That means we may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. You can read our full disclaimer here. Thanks for supporting our travel blog!

travel youtubers

COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL PLANNER

Digital Travel Planner
AllTrails Ad for blog sidebar.png
bottom of page