What to do in Phnom Penh

Activities, attractions and tours

Phnom Penh featuring night scenes, a fountain and nightlife
Cambodia showing a monument and a park
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh which includes food
Cambodia featuring food

Places to Visit in Phnom Penh

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Phnom Penh, Cambodia while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Phnom Penh attractions from NZ$13, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Phnom Penh tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 298 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Phnom Penh. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Royal Palace

One glimpse of Royal Palace is enough to confirm that it was built for kings and queens. Look for the gilded roof and dramatic Khmer architecture of this dominant Phnom Penh landmark.
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Royal Palace which includes heritage elements, a garden and château or palace

2. Central Market

If shopping in Phnom Penh is on your list of things to do, make Central Market your first stop. From fragrant spices to antique furniture to souvenir shirts, the market offers a surprising variety of goods under its dome roof.
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Central Market in Phnom Penh

3. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Walk through Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum for a sobering reminder of the horrors that humanity is capable of committing. Although a visit here will leave you decidedly depressed, it is an important monument to the lives lost during the barbaric Khmer Rouge regime.
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Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

4. Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument

With its shimmering golden top, the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument creates a striking icon. This pillar is an instantly recognizable symbol in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.
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Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument showing a monument and a park

5. Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom towers above Phnom Penh on the only hill in the city. Enter the Buddhist monastery through the grand staircase on its eastern side. You will immediately notice the gates, which are adorned with lions and snakes.
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Wat Phnom featuring a temple or place of worship

6. Independence Monument

Walk or drive through Phnom Penh and look up; you can’t miss Independence Monument. This eye-catching structure dominates the city center.
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Independence Monument featuring a garden and a monument

Recommended things to do in Phnom Penh

Number of things to do
298
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Buffet Dinner Cruise Experience with Live Music: NZ$13
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Phnom Penh

Discover the most popular places to visit in Phnom Penh

Wat Ounalom showing religious elements

Riverside

Riverside is just one of the places to see in Phnom Penh, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Stroll along the area's riverfront or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Riverside
Royal Palace which includes heritage elements, a garden and château or palace

Royal Palace

Befitting the home of Cambodia’s royalty, the glittering golden roofline of this palace dominates Phnom Penh’s skyline.

Royal Palace
Central Market showing flowers and markets as well as an individual female

Central Market

Whether you’re looking for fresh food or a new watch, you can buy just about anything imaginable within the walls of Phnom Penh’s famous cross-shaped market.

Central Market
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

This former prison outside Phnom Penh brings to light the brutality of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge and honors the 17,000 people who lost their lives here.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Tuol Tom Pong Market

Tuol Tom Pong Market

During your visit to Phnom Penh, you can do some window-shopping at Tuol Tom Pong Market. Wander the area's riverfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.

Tuol Tom Pong Market
Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument showing a monument and a park

Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument

When you walk through Phnom Penh’s Wat Botum Park, pause for a moment to investigate this soaring Communist monument.

Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument
Wat Phnom featuring a temple or place of worship

Wat Phnom

Sitting atop what is considered the only hill in Phnom Penh, this eclectic Buddhist monastery features a fascinating array of shrines, stupas and ornate buildings.

Wat Phnom
Independence Monument featuring a garden and a monument

Independence Monument

Like a massive lotus blooming from Phnom Penh’s center, this monument is a touching tribute to the country’s independence and to the people who made it possible.

Independence Monument
Silver Pagoda

Silver Pagoda

After visiting Silver Pagoda, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Phnom Penh. Discover the area's fascinating museums and shops.

Silver Pagoda

Explore areas of Phnom Penh

Central Market showing flowers and markets as well as an individual female

Phnom Penh City Centre

4/5(113 area reviews)

Phnom Penh City Centre is a destination visitors seek out for its great bars, fascinating museums and beautiful river views. You might also want to check out attractions like Central Market or Orussey Market while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Phnom Penh City Centre
Wat Ounalom which includes a temple or place of worship and heritage elements

Daun Penh

4/5(23 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and stunning river views are just a few highlights of Daun Penh. Make a stop by National Museum of Cambodia or Central Market while you're exploring the area.

Daun Penh
Independence Monument featuring a monument and motorcycle riding

Boeung Keng Kang

Travellers come to Boeung Keng Kang for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Independence Monument and Preah Sihanouk Garden while you're in town.

Boeung Keng Kang
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Chamkar Mon

4/5(35 area reviews)

Casinos, cocktail bars and spas are some highlights of Chamkar Mon. Make a stop by Independence Monument or AEON Mall while you're exploring.

Chamkar Mon
Phnom Penh which includes food

Sangkat Tonle Bassac

While visiting Sangkat Tonle Bassac, you might make a stop by sights like AEON Mall and NagaWorld Casino.

Sangkat Tonle Bassac
Default Image

Sen Sok

3/5(2 area reviews)

Sen Sok is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like AEON Mall Sen Sok City and Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club.

Sen Sok

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh which includes food

Phnom Penh

Ponhea Lueu

Ponhea Lueu

Khsach Kandal

Khsach Kandal

Frequently asked questions

Is Phnom Penh worth visiting?
Offering a blend of culture and history, there are plenty of things to do in Phnom Penh. While you're here, check out Riverside, a key attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Phnom Penh?
Riverside and Sosoro Museum are two excellent places to start your holiday adventures. Remember to check out the dining and retail options in Phnom Penh while you're there too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Phnom Penh?
The top tourist attraction in Phnom Penh is Riverside, so be sure to add it to your itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Phnom Penh?
You can easily enjoy leading attractions like Riverside, Sosoro Museum and Phnom Penh Fantasy World with a three-day trip to Phnom Penh. On average, many travellers book four days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Boeung Keng Kang.
Is Phnom Penh a walkable city?
Some key attractions in Phnom Penh, like Riverside and Sosoro Museum, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Only 2 kilometres from central Phnom Penh is Daun Penh and Phnom Penh City Centre is 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Phnom Penh with kids?
Planning what to do in Phnom Penh with kids is easier than ever. Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, there are plenty of family-friendly sights to keep them busy here.

What to do in Phnom Penh for adults?
Monireth Boulevard and Prayuvong Buddha Factories are just two of the things to do in Phnom Penh. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Phnom Penh?
One of the top ways to discover free things to do in Phnom Penh is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on hip neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can experience without reaching for your wallet. Royal Palace is one spot that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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