Phnom Penh Travelers Recommend

From 1975 to 1979, under the leadership of communist dictator Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge carried out a mass genocide in Cambodia that led to the deaths of more than two million people. Here are a few places in and around Phnom Penh where you can learn more about this dark period of the nation’s history.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is housed within a high school that was turned into Security Prison 21 (S-21 Prison) during Pol Pot’s regime. It quickly became the largest facility of its kind in the country. Today, the museum testifies to the crimes of the Khmer Rouge against the 17,000 people held here.

Choeung Ek Killing Fields

A peaceful, rural area outside of Phnom Penh was the site of 17,000 executions of men, women, and children during the Khmer Rouge regime. Most of the mass graves have been left untouched, but a tower of 8,000 human skulls arranged behind clear glass panels give an idea of the scope of the atrocities committed here— an area now known as the Killing Fields.

Phnom Ta Reach

While not as well known as the Genocide Museum or the Killing Fields, this off-the-beaten-track site was where Pol Pot ordered prisoners to carve a tunnel through a rocky mountain over 650 feet (200 meters) long.

National Museum of Cambodia

While the National Museum isn’t directly tied to the Khmer Rouge, it puts the era into a greater historical context through one of the biggest collections of Khmer art and artifacts in the world.

Cambodia is a nation rich with history and ripe with beauty, and Phnom Penh offers travelers an ideal starting point to experience the best of both. With three days to spend in the Cambodian capital, you can see the city’s top attractions, learn about the Khmer Rouge, and explore a bit beyond the city. Here are some suggestions.

Day 1: Phnom Penh City

For your first day in the city, get oriented with a sightseeing tour around town. Go shopping at the Russian Market (the largest in Cambodia), stroll the manicured gardens of hilltop Wat Phnom Temple, and marvel at the ornate architecture of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Choose between a half-day morning tour and a full-day tour that includes an exploration of the Khmer Rouge history in the afternoon. Whether you go with a guide or on your own, you won’t want to miss the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, which together tell the story of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge during the 1970s. If you’d prefer to explore the Cambodian capital at your own pace, consider the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, which stops at major city landmarks, as well as the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Refuel with an evening food tour through the city by tuk-tuk. 

Day 2: The Mighty Mekong

The Mekong River and vast Tonle Sap Lake are critical to life in Cambodia. Today’s your opportunity to spend some time on the water to get a feel for day-to-day life in rural Cambodia. For a full day of activity, opt for a Mekong River cruise from Phnom Penh. Hop off at Silk Island to learn more about the area’s silk-weaving heritage, and soak up the unique landscape of Tonle Sap, the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. For a more intimate look at life on the river, spend the afternoon with a local fisherman learning how to throw nets to snag catfish and giant freshwater Mekong prawns. Whether or not you catch anything, you’ll still enjoy a simple seafood dinner prepared right onboard. If you haven’t yet sampled some traditional Khmer food, tonight is a good opportunity to do so.

Day 3: Cambodian Day Trips

Phnom Penh makes an excellent base for exploring other areas of Cambodia. Animal lovers might want to escape the heat and support a good cause with a visit to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center to observe rescued pileated gibbons, Siamese crocodiles, and Malayan sun bears. Those interested in Angkorian temples will find a quieter alternative to Siem Reap on a day trip to Phnom Prasith and Phnom Reap temples, while nature lovers can opt to spend a day hiking the trails of Kirirom National Park. Another popular option is a trip to Mt. Oudong with its reclining Buddha statue at Phnom Baset. No matter which option you choose, you’ll be back in Phnom Penh in time for a relaxing dinner at a riverside restaurant or for a cultural performance at the National Museum of Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city, sits at the confluence of three rivers, including the mighty Mekong. It’s a city where old and new collide—a city of two million people that is at once captivating and overwhelming. If you’re pressed for time, here are some tips for how to spend 24 hours in Phnom Penh.

Morning: City Sightseeing

Start your day with a city tour—you’ll get to see a lot in a limited amount of time. Depending on the itinerary you choose, you might visit the stately Royal Palace, browse the collection of Khmer art at the National Museum of Cambodia, and climb to the top of Wat Phnom, one of the city’s best-known Buddhist temples. For greater flexibility (and to tour at your own pace), climb aboard the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, which stops at several important landmarks in and around Phnom Penh.

Afternoon: Khmer Rouge History

Start your afternoon with a visit to the somber Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Housed in the former Security Prison 21, the museum offers an introduction to the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, who murdered more than one million Cambodians between 1975 and 1979. Many sightseeing tours include the museum, as well as a trip south of the city to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. While sobering, a visit to these two sites is critical to better understanding modern Cambodia as it continues to recover.

Night: Sunset Cruise

This evening, wind down with a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Choose a cruise with an open bar and fresh fruit to snack on, or a dinner cruise with a full barbecue buffet onboard. Glide past the city, see the floating villages of Tonle Sap, and watch the sun set over Silk Island. You’ll get back to the city with enough time for some shopping or street-food grazing at the riverside Phnom Penh night market.  

Two days in the Cambodian capital gives you enough time to explore the city’s past, including the dark days of the Khmer Rouge, as well as its modern culinary and cultural scenes. Here are our recommendations for how to spend the ultimate 48 hours in Phnom Penh. 

Day 1: History and Heritage

**Morning:**Get oriented with a city sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh this morning. Choose between the flexibility of a private tour and the value of a small-group tour as you make your way from the Royal Palace to the National Museum of Cambodia to the hilltop Wat Phnom temple. Alternatively, make use of the hop-on hop-off bus to explore at your leisure.

**Afternoon:**To fully understand Cambodia, you have to learn about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. This afternoon, learn about a dark chapter in Cambodian history as you visit two critically important sites, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in a former high school that was used as a death camp, and Choeung Ek, one of the Killing Fields where altogether more than a million Cambodians were murdered.

**Night:**After a long day of sightseeing, unwind this evening on a sunset cruise on the waters of the Mekong River. Sip cocktails or enjoy a dinner buffet as you float past the banks of Phnom Penh and the villages of Tonle Sap. 

Day 2: Food and Culture

**Morning:**This morning, head to the rural community of Silk Island (Koh Dach) for a glimpse of day-to-day life in rural Cambodia. Cruise to the island to visit a silk plantation, or take a walking or cycling tour of the island’s villages to learn more about its farms and silk weavers. 

**Afternoon:**Treat your tastebuds to some of Phnom Penh’s best bites this afternoon on a tasting tour. Sample local specialties such as fried noodles, spicy papaya salad, Khmer curries, barbecued meats, and exotic fruits from markets, cafés, restaurants, and street-food stalls. 

**Night:**Wrap up your trip with a special night at the National Museum of Cambodia for a cultural performance as Cambodian mythology comes to life through music, dance, and beautiful costumes. For something a bit more low-key, explore the city’s burgeoning beer and cider scene with a pint at a local brewery.

When you need a break from the bustle of the Cambodian capital, hop on a bike for a 2-wheeled excursion—whether for a few hours or a few days—outside the city. You’ll get a look at local life on the outskirts of town while taking in local villages, farmlands, and the Mekong River. Here are your best bets.

Single-Day Bike Tours

Rather than riding in the city itself, most Phnom Penh cycling day tours take you just outside the urban area to explore locations around the Mekong River, such as Silk Island, known for its silk-weaving demonstrations and village life. Or, bike the back roads on a tour to Oudong Mountain, passing by rice fields, temples, and villages.

Multi-Day Bike Tours

To get a feel for how people live in rural Cambodia, book a multi-day cycling tour to destinations outside the city. An overnight tour to Kirirom National Park, located 70 miles (110 kilometers) from Phnom Penh, gives you the chance to admire the natural beauty of the area as you pass by lakes and through forests. Some tours include a homestay with a local family. For an even longer adventure, opt for a Pepper Route bike tour, where you’ll ride along country roads to see villages and Khmer temples. Some tours include visits to Khmer Rouge Killing Fields sites, where you can learn about a sobering piece of Cambodia’s history.

While Southeast Asian influence is evident in dishes in Phnom Penh, many Khmer recipes pre-date the chili’s popularity. As a result, food here is milder than that of neighboring Thailand, making the city an ideal gateway to the rest of the region’s cuisine. Here are some of the best foods and food-related experiences in Phnom Penh.

Must-Try Dishes

As in many Southeast Asian countries, breakfast in Cambodia is typically a savory affair. Start your day with an early morning bowl of nom banh chok, a dish of rice noodles in a savory broth with bean sprouts, banana flowers, cucumbers, green onions, mint, and basil.

If you only have time to try one Khmer dish in Phnom Penh, make it fish amok, mild white fish cooked in a rich and creamy curry and steamed in a banana leaf bowl. Milder but just as flavorful as its Thai counterpart, Khmer curry is often made with chicken, coconut cream, and diced sweet potatoes served over rice or a baguette. Those who prefer red meat can sample bò lúc lắc, stir-fried beef seasoned with Kampot pepper on a bed of fresh vegetables. No matter what you order, be sure to try it with a dollop of prahok, a favorite Cambodian condiment of fermented fish paste.

Must-Do Experiences

Embark on a tasting tour of Phnom Penh’s best street food from the stalls of Phsar Kandal and Phsar Chas markets.

Sip coffee in the city’s old French quarter.

Get a feel for how local chefs shop with a guided visit to Phnom Penh’s famous Central Market and Russian Market.

Discover the secrets of Khmer cooking during a hands-on class led by a local chef.

Hop aboard a tuk tuk for an evening of food and craft-beer tasting.

Learn how Cambodian beer is made during a tour of the Kingdom Breweries facility, sampling various beers and ciders along the way.