Phnom Penh Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh rewards visitors with royal architecture, moving historical sites and vibrant everyday street life along its rivers.

• Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda — The king's official residence features ornate golden-roofed halls, and its pagoda has a floor laid with silver tiles and treasured Buddha statues.
• National Museum of Cambodia — A striking red Khmer-style building housing one of the world's finest collections of ancient Khmer sculpture.
• Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum — A former school turned prison under the Khmer Rouge, now a sobering memorial that explains this dark period of history.
• Choeung Ek memorial — Outside the city, this site honours the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime and is usually visited with an audio guide.
• Wat Phnom — The hilltop temple that gave the city its name, set in a shady park and popular with local worshippers.
• Central Market and Russian Market — The Art Deco domed Central Market and the maze-like Tuol Tom Poung market are ideal for textiles, crafts, souvenirs and local snacks.
• Sisowath Quay and river cruises — The riverside promenade comes alive in the evening, and sunset boat trips run along the Mekong and Tonlé Sap.

Best time to visit Phnom Penh

The best time to visit Phnom Penh is during the dry season from November to February, when skies are clear, humidity is lower and temperatures are warm rather than oppressive. This is also the busiest period for tourism, so popular sights and hotels see more visitors.

March to May is the hottest part of the year, with very high temperatures before the rains arrive. The wet season runs from about May or June to October, bringing short but heavy afternoon downpours; mornings are often dry, the countryside is green, and visitor numbers fall, making it a good option for travellers on a flexible schedule.

Khmer New Year in mid-April is the country's biggest celebration, when many residents travel to their home provinces. The Water Festival, usually held in October or November, marks the reversal of the Tonlé Sap's flow, and Pchum Ben, a festival honouring ancestors, takes place around September or October. Some businesses may close during major holidays.

Getting from the airport

Since September 2025 Phnom Penh's commercial flights use the new Techo International Airport (KTI), about 20 km south of the city; the old Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) no longer handles passenger flights. Allow extra time for the transfer, as the airport is further out than the old one.

• Taxis — Official taxi counters and ranks are available outside arrivals; the journey to central areas such as the riverside or BKK1 typically takes around 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic.
• App-based rides — Ride-hailing apps are widely used in Phnom Penh and offer cars and tuk-tuks with the fare agreed in advance.
• Tuk-tuks — Tuk-tuks and auto-rickshaws are a common way to get around the city, though they are best for travellers with light luggage.
• Hotel transfers — Many hotels can arrange airport pick-ups, a convenient option for late-night arrivals.

Traffic can be heavy at rush hour and during festivals, so allow extra time when heading back to the airport.

Where to stay

Most visitors stay close to the river or in the central districts, within easy reach of the main sights, cafés and restaurants.

• Riverside (Sisowath Quay) — Lively and walkable, close to the Royal Palace and National Museum, ideal for first-time visitors.
• Daun Penh — The historic heart around Wat Phnom and the Central Market, with colonial buildings and good access to sights.
• Boeung Keng Kang (BKK1) — A leafy, upmarket area popular with expatriates, full of cafés, restaurants and boutique stays, suiting longer visits.
• Tuol Tom Poung — Around the Russian Market, with an artsy, local feel and independent cafés, good for travellers who like a neighbourhood vibe.
• Diamond Island (Koh Pich) — A modern development on the river with high-rise hotels and event venues, convenient for business travellers.

Travel tips

• Getting around — Tuk-tuks and app-based rides are the easiest way to travel; agree the fare in advance if you hail a tuk-tuk on the street.
• Money — US dollars are widely used alongside the riel, and small change is often given in riel; carry clean, undamaged dollar notes, as torn ones may be refused.
• Temple etiquette — Cover shoulders and knees at the Royal Palace and pagodas, remove shoes where asked, and never touch a monk or a person's head.
• Respectful visits — Behave quietly and respectfully at Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, which are memorials to victims of the Khmer Rouge.
• Safety — Bag snatching from passing motorbikes can occur, so keep phones and bags on the side away from the road, especially in tuk-tuks.
• Entry requirements — Visa rules vary by nationality, and some travellers can apply for an electronic visa; check official sources before you travel.