Visit The Top Tourist Spots and Things to do in Phnom Penh

November 16, 2020 Mustafa Natalwala 2504 Views

Phnom Penh is the national capital of Cambodia. It has been the capital since French occupation of Cambodia. During the colonial years, it was known as the pearl of Asia as it was one of the most incredible cities built by the French in Asian region. There are still some beautiful French built places to visit in Phnom Penh. The city was previously known as Krong Chaktomuk Serimongkul, which means the City of Brahma’s Faces. The name is derived from Hindu mythology as it holds great significance in the region. Many of the things to see in Phnom Penh are pertaining to Indian culture and Hinduism. This connection with India is reflected in the culture and language as well. Many of the best things to do in Phnom Penh pertaining to art, festivals and traditions would seem quite similar to those in India.

The city’s current name means Penh’s Hill, named after Lady Penh. According to the folklore, Lady Penh was a wealthy widow living in the region. She once came across a tree floating in river Tonle Sap. There were 4 statues of lord Buddha made from bronze and 1 statue of Lord Vishnu made from stone inside the tree. The Lady then raised a hill to build a Buddha temple and a Vishnu temple in the region. These are among the most popular Phnom Penh tourist attractions known as Phnom Wat or the Hill Temple. The city was also given her name to honor her actions. Besides the Phnom Wat, there are numerous buddhists and hindu temples for Phnom Penh sightseeing. Majority of these are located along the banks of the rivers.

The city also has a dark past. When you visit Phnom Penh, do pay respects to the victims of a cruel regime which claimed lives of more than 2 million people at Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. If you are looking to plan your itinerary for Phnom Penh travel, do check out the plan presented in the following section. It will help you plan your trip around Phnom Penh attractions. Though there is much more to enjoy in the city than temples and museums. Besides Phnom Penh tourist spots, the city is also enjoyed for its many experiences like Khmer Massages, Traditional Dance Performances, Local Art, Street Food, Silk Shopping and more. Do enjoy a sunset boat ride and a tour in tuk tuk rickshaw. These make for memorable experiences among activities in Phnom Penh.

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Table of Contents

The Best Tourist Places to visit in Phnom Penh in 3 Days (A Complete 3 Days Travel Itinerary)

This section covers the best things to do in Phnom Penh in three days. The tourist attractions featured in this list are in close proximity to one another and draw out a path which can be explored without much hassle. You will be able to enjoy several experiences and tourist places in Phnom Penh as you walk the path outlined by this itinerary.

Day 1

1. Wat Phnom

This Beautiful Buddhist temple was erected by Lady Penh. The temple has a beautiful story around its origin and is most visited by tourists for its architecture and religious significance. You will need about an hour to explore the temple.

2. Koh Dach Island (Silk Island)

Also known as the silk island, the island is actually a large village. You can learn all about the craft of making silk and silk items at this place. The place also offers some of the most interesting activities in Phnom Penh concerning silk items. It is also a great Phnom Penh tourist attraction for shopping. You will need 2 hours for this place.

I suggest you should do a private tour of Koh Dach Island (Silk Island) from Phnom Penh.

3. Central Market

Central Market usually holds the top spot among places to visit in Phnom Penh for shopping. It is among the largest of its kind markets in Asia. You will need 1 or 2 hours to explore this market depending on how eager you are to shop.

4. Al Serkal Mosque

This is the largest mosque in the country. Al Serkal Mosque was completed in 2014. It is a modern structure with striking features and beautiful white glow. You can take 30 to 45 minutes to explore this Phnom Penh attraction.

5. Phnom Penh Night Market

The night market is a hustling and bustling street with variety of food and shopping options available. It has a completely different character to it as compared to the central market. You can take about 30 minutes to an hour to explore the best things to do in Phnom Penh at night here.

Day 2

1. Wat Ounalom Pagoda

The Pagoda is known for its intricate carving both outside and inside the temple. You would encounter several monks at this temple. You can interact with them freely as long as you are respectful towards them. You will need about an hour to explore some of the things to see in Phnom Penh in Wat Ounalom Pagoda.

2. National Museum of Cambodia

This museum embodies the history of the region. It is the largest museum in the country. You can see historical, cultural and artistic exhibits in the museum. It will take you 2 to 3 hours to explore the museum.

3. The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is among the top places for Phnom Penh sightseeing. The entire palace is incredibly beautiful. There are shrines, art collections, royal courts, royal exhibits and more to explore in the Palace. You can easily spend 3 hours or more at the palace as there are so many major Phnom Penh attractions within the Royal Palace.

4. Silver Pagoda

The Pagoda is actually a part of the Royal Palace, sitting on the southern end of the complex. This particular temple is visited in Phnom Penh for numerous statues of Buddha made from precious gems and metals. You will need about an hour for this temple.

Day 3

1. Independence Monument

The iconic monument signifies independence of Cambodia from French rule. You don’t need more than 15 minutes for this Phnom Penh attraction as it is accessible. You can only see it from across the street.

2. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

The museum showcases exhibits from the dark Khmer Regime which led to deaths of over 2 million people. You will need about 2 hours to learn about the various aspects of the museum.

I suggest you should book your tour of Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in advance.

3. The Russian Market

This is again one of the best places to visit in Phnom Penh for shopping. You can buy several souvenirs and try out amazing street food. You can keep aside an hour to enjoy this market.

4. Wat Langka

This is one of the oldest temples in the city and one of the biggest Phnom Penh tourist attractions. The temple was built in year 1442 by monks from Sri Lanka, hence the name. You need about 30 minutes to an hour for this temple.

5. Cambo Cruise

The cruise takes you on a ride along Mekong River on aboard a traditional Cambodian boat. You can either take a lunch cruise or a sunset cruise. It is a good hour long cultural experience complete with food, beverages, activities and entertainment.

I suggest you should try a Sunset Cruise with Dinner.

If you are enjoying Phnom Penh travel from more than 3 days, you can check other tourist attractions and activities listed below. We have gathered almost all the best things to do in Phnom Penh and divided them by categories. You can discover that as you read below.

Things to do in Phnom Penh

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Phnom Penh

Royal Palace
Wat Phnom
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot
National Museum of Cambodia
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center
Independence Museum
Wat Ounlom Monastery
Cambodia Vietnam Monument
Botumvatey Pagoda
Wat Langka
Statue of King Father Norodom Sihanouk
Al Serkal Mosque
Moha Montrei Pagoda
Wat Koh Pagoda
Samdach Hun Sen Park
National Library
Preah Ang Dornkeu Shrine
Koh Krobey Pagoda
Museum Phnom Penh
Samdech Chuon Nath Statue
Stupa of Princess Kantha Bopha
Wat Champouh Kaek
Svay Pope Pagoda
Mongkol Serei Kien Khleang Pagoda
Wat Sowann Thamareach
Cathedral Church
Pavillon Napoleon

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Phnom Penh

Koh Chen River
Phnom Baset
Stung Prek Thnot
Tonle Sap River
Tamao Mountain

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh Safari
Botum Pagoda Park
Royal Cambodia Golf Club
Fantastic Water World
Sovannaphum Arts Association & Art Gallery
Diamond Island Park
Garden City Water Park
Royal Palace Park
Preah Thineanang Dheva Vinnichay
Koh Dach Beach Resort
Grand Phnom Penh Water Park
Khmer Massage
Apsara Dance Show

Shopping in Phnom Penh

Central Market
Aeon Shopping Mall
Russian Market
Phsar Chas Market
Orussei Market
Phnom Penh Night Market
Street 240
Kandal Market
Sorya Center Point Mall
Olympic Market
Central Mall
City Mall

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Phnom Penh

Tuk tuk rickshaw tour
Sunset River Cruise
Kickboxing Match

Sightseeing in Phnom Penh

Koh Pich
Preah Sisowath Quay
Silk Island Village
Koh Oknha Tei
Riverside Park

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Phnom Penh

Artillery
Pork and Rice Man
Boat Noodle Restaurant
Malis
Chiang Mai
Topaz
Friends
Backyard Cafe
Frizz
Eleven One Kitchen
Le Deli Bistro Gourmet
The Sushi Bar
Lemongrass
Irina
Lucky Burger
Angkor India
Piccola Italia Da Luigi
Mexicano
Romdeng
Sesame Noodle Bar
Taj Mahal
Freebird Bar & Grill
Warung Bali

Where to Stay in Phnom Penh?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Phnom Penh. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Phnom Penh.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Phnom Penh

How to Reach Phnom Penh?

By Air

The city’s eponymous international airport is the fastest route for Phnom Penh travel. It is the largest airport in the country as well. You can get direct flights to visit Phnom Penh from Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai, Singapore and many other cities. Once you reach the airport, you can either take a bus or a cab to reach the places to visit in Phnom Penh. Buses charge a fixed ticket regardless of how near or far you plan to travel. It is quite cheap to get around for all the best things to do in Phnom Penh with buses. The cabs are expensive compared to the bus, but it’s not too expensive either. The cabs do overcharge at the airport. The charges in the city are fair and moderate.

By Road

You can easily get a bus to visit Phnom Penh from almost every major town and city in Cambodia. There are also several international buses for Phnom Penh travel from Bangkok, Ho Chi Min City, Pakse, and Vientiane. Do check the timings of the buses and expect delays in the journey. The road conditions are not excellent and there are unexpected traffic blocks along the way. So plan your journey for things to see in Phnom Penh accordingly.

You can catch a train for Phnom Penh travel from Poipet and Sihanoukville. The trains are quite cheap. The arrangements are also quite comfortable. You will also pass by a few Phnom Penh tourist attractions before you reach the city’s train station.

If you are traveling by road for Phnom Penh sightseeing, you should look for routes 4,5,1 or 2. Each of these connects you directly to the city. Routes 1 and 5 run along the banks of Tonle Sap river and offer a beautiful view for a road trip to visit Phnom Penh attractions.

By Water

You can use water route to visit Phnom Penh from Siem Reap. There are ferries and speedboats available for Phnom Penh travel. The journey can take anywhere between 4 to 8 hours depending on which boat you choose. You will also come across a few Phnom Penh tourist spots during the journey. Some of the boats also provide on board snacks and lunch, giving you a proper tour with a guide. It is one of the most popular activities in Phnom Penh for Cambodian locals.

Image Reference

Wat Phnom – Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi / Flickr
Koh Dach Island – Marie / Flickr
Central Market – Shankar S. / Flickr
Al-Serkal Mosque – Io Herodotus / Wikimedia Commons
Phnom Penh Night Market – Marco Verch Professional Photographer / Flickr
Wat Ounalom – Yidian Cheow / Flickr
National Museum of Cambodia – Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi / Flickr
The Royal Palace – Adam Hill / Pixabay
Silver Pagoda – Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi / Flickr
Independence Monument – Paul Mannix / Flickr
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum – Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / Wikimedia Commons
Russian Market – William / Flickr
Wat Langka – Marcin Konsek / Wikimedia Commons
Cambo Cruise – Thanate Tan / Flickr