One Day in Phnom Penh: Part of a Cambodia Itinerary
You can see most of the historic and cultural sites in just one day in Phnom Penh!
Key Info on Visiting Cambodia
Whether you’re in Phnom Penh for one day or one month, there are a few rules that apply to all visitors:
1. You Need a Visa
You’ll need a visa to visit Cambodia, which is easy to apply for online. Just check your dates to make sure the visa covers your entire stay.
The cost of a Cambodian Visa is about $35.
Once you’ve applied and paid the visa fee, it should arrive in your email (to be printed) within a couple of days.
2. Update Your Vaccines
Ensure you are up to date on routine vaccinations and consider any additional vaccinations or medications recommended for the region. My doctor recommended a typhoid shot and a hepatitis shot.
3. Cash is King
US Dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia. Bring a lot of small denominations ($1s, $5s, $10s). It’ll make it easy for tipping, and also buying things in stores and restaurants.
The US Dollar goes far in all of Southeast Asia. Even tipping generously, you’ll likely only need to bring a couple hundred dollars to cover your costs for the week.
Top Tours in Phnom Penh
Tourism has become more important than ever as an economic driver in Cambodia. Many tour guides offer their services to a wide range of destinations to include on a Phnom Penh itinerary. Here are five of the best, with excellent reviews:
➡️ Click to Book: Phnom Penh Tour
- Full-day tour, including hotel pickup and admission tickets to all top sites.
➡️ Click to Book: Phnom Penh & Killing Fields
- Tour Phnom Penh, plus the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields
- Hotel pickup, a ferry ride, and a bike tour of Silk Island
➡️ Click to Book: Mekong Sunset Cruise
- Private sunset cruise Tonle Sap and Mekong River
➡️ Click to Book: Private Driver to Siem Reap
- Take a private car to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat & other temples)
Where to Stay in Phnom Penh
You can use this interactive map to plug in your travel dates. It’ll show you options for hotels listed on reputable sites, from Hotels.com to Booking.
Consider a stay at the Hyatt Regency, which is down the block from the Royal Palace.
The main hotel building was once a royal family dwelling. These days, two towers have been added to the backside to create the hotel.
The rooms are spacious, and the views of the city of Phnom Penh are beautiful.
The restaurant is open and airy, and the pool and cabanas are an oasis in the city.
How to Spend One Day in Phnom Penh
You can pack a lot into 24 hours in Phnom Penh. Take a tuk-tuk from the airport to your hotel. Look for the gentlemen in the yellow shirts waiting outside. The ride will take 20 minutes (more or less) and cost $10 US (more or less).
1. Breakfast
You may be jet-lagged, and find yourself up early, wandering the streets of Phnom Penh with the monks who attend school here.
I’d suggest the Backyard Cafe, which is down the block from the Royal Palace. It usually opens around 7:00 am.
2. Phnom Penh Central Market
You’ll find several wings to wander in the market, featuring vendors selling everything from seafood to clothing to housewares.
It has a unique art deco style, and is surrounded by tuk-tuks and motorbikes dropping people off.
3. Wat Phnom
According to legend, a wealthy widow named Daun Penh discovered four statues of Buddha in the Mekong River. She brought them to the hill and constructed a small shrine to house the statues, which eventually led to the establishment of Wat Phnom.
Today, Wat Phnom is a popular tourist attraction and a significant cultural site in Phnom Penh. Visitors can climb the hill to reach the temple, enjoy the lush gardens, and explore the various pagodas and statues within the temple complex.
The presence of Wat Phnom on a hill is what gives Phnom Penh its name, with “Phnom” meaning hill, and “Penh” believed to be derived from the name of the woman who founded the temple, Daun Penh. The city has grown and developed around this historic temple, making it a central and iconic part of Phnom Penh’s landscape and culture.
4. Wat Phnom Arts & Crafts Center
I loved this little indoor market, which is full of traditional arts and crafts. It’s far less chaotic than the Central Market.
The sales benefit the vulnerable in Cambodia, and people with disabilities.
5. Hemisphere Sky Bar
By this point, you might need a drink or a snack. I’d suggest this sky bar, which is across the street from Wat Phnom.
The rooftop patio overlooks the Tonle Sap River, which joins the Mekong just downstream. The sky bar also gives you a good view of the entire city of Phnom Penh.
6. Take the Ferry
A tuk-tuk driver will bring you to the ferry to Silk Island. The ferry itself is 25 cents per person!
The boat will be full of locals. If you miss one boat, the next one is likely coming to dock in a few minutes.
Off the ferry, you can rent bikes on Silk Island to ride around. Alternatively, you can have your tuk-tuk driver take the ferry over to the island with you and continue the ride with him.
7. Explore Silk Island
Silk Islang lives up to its name. You’ll find silkworm farms here, and learn how they eat leaves and then form a silky cocoon.
The cocoon is boiled to help separate the silk threads, which are then wound by an old bicycle into spools.
Families run the looms here, producing silk scarves, dresses, and other materials.
8. Snack Time
After taking the ferry back from Silk Island, I’d suggest heading to Streat 172, which is a block north of the National Museum of Cambodia. It’s lined with small restaurants, serving Indian, American, Ethiopian, and Asian foods.
9. The National Museum of Cambodia
The National Museum is a beautiful complex, known for its collection of Khmer art and historical artifacts. This includes sculptures, stone statues from the Angkor period, bronze statues, pottery, ceramics, and other objects from various periods of Cambodia’s history.
10. The Royal Palace
The palace grounds open in the mornings, and again in the afternoons. Entry is $10 US (and cash only).
Visitors can choose to hire a guide on the spot, or just walk around on their own.
The palace grounds are restricted, but you’re still able to go into the temples, buildings, and gardens.
The Silver Pagoda, located within the palace grounds, houses a collection of Buddha statues and artifacts, including a golden Buddha statue adorned with diamonds.
11. Sky Bar Happy Hour
After all the walking, you might be in need of another snack or happy hour.
Across from the palace is the Palace Gate Hotel. Their sky bar opens at 5:00 pm for happy hour.
Nearby, Touk is a 2nd-floor restaurant with a 4 pm happy hour. It features half-priced drinks on a patio overlooking the busy streets and river.
Another rooftop I’d suggest is the Five Five at the Hyatt Regency. They serve food late-night, and have an amazing view of Phnom Penh’s temples and skyscrapers.
Other Attractions in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh offers a variety of attractions and sites that showcase its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Here are a few other options:
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21): This former high school turned prison during the Khmer Rouge era has been preserved as a haunting reminder of the atrocities committed during that time.
- Killing Fields (Choeung Ek Genocidal Center): Located just outside of Phnom Penh, the Killing Fields are another somber reminder of the Khmer Rouge regime. Mass graves and a memorial commemorate the victims of this dark period of all-too-recent history.
- Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung): A favorite among tourists and locals alike, this market offers a wide range of goods, including clothing, handicrafts, jewelry, and street food.
- Independence Monument: This iconic monument stands as a symbol of Cambodia’s independence from French colonial rule.
- Mekong River Sunset Cruise: Taking a cruise along the Mekong River during sunset is a serene way to enjoy the scenic beauty of Phnom Penh.
- Street 240 and Bassac Lane: These areas are known for their vibrant arts and dining scenes. You’ll find galleries, boutique shops, and a wide range of restaurants and cafes.
Brief History of Phnom Penh
Here is an overview of the key historical events and developments in the history of Phnom Penh:
Foundation and Early History:
- Phnom Penh was founded in 1372 by a wealthy widow named Lady Penh (Phnom Penh means “Hill of Penh”) who is said to have discovered four Buddha statues on the banks of the Tonle Sap River. She built a small pagoda, Wat Phnom, on a nearby hill, which is considered the birthplace of the city.
- Phnom Penh served as the capital of the Khmer Empire during various periods, particularly under King Ponhea Yat in the 15th century.
French Colonial Period
- Cambodia became a French protectorate in the 19th century, and Phnom Penh was developed as a colonial city with wide boulevards and French-style architecture.
- The city’s colonial influence is still evident in many of its historic buildings, such as the Royal Palace and the Central Market.
Independence and Modernization
- Cambodia gained independence from French colonial rule in 1953 under the leadership of King Norodom Sihanouk. Phnom Penh continued to develop as the nation’s political and economic center.
- During the 1960s, Phnom Penh experienced rapid urbanization and modernization, with the construction of new infrastructure and buildings.
The Khmer Rouge Era
- One of the darkest chapters in Phnom Penh’s history occurred during the Khmer Rouge regime, led by Pol Pot, which came to power in 1975. The Khmer Rouge forcibly evacuated the city’s population, leading to widespread suffering and death.
- The city was largely abandoned and fell into disrepair.
Post-Khmer Rouge & Modern Era
- The Khmer Rouge was overthrown by Vietnamese forces in 1979, leading to a period of Vietnamese occupation.
- Phnom Penh gradually began to recover in the 1980s and 1990s, with the return of residents and the restoration of basic services.
- Phnom Penh has experienced significant economic growth and development since the 1990s, with foreign investment, tourism, and urban expansion playing key roles.
- The city has seen a construction boom, with high-rise buildings and modern infrastructure projects changing its skyline.
The Best Time to Visit Phnom Penh
The best time to visit Phnom Penh, Cambodia, largely depends on your preferences for weather and your tolerance for heat and humidity. Phnom Penh experiences a tropical monsoon climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Here’s a breakdown of the seasons to help you decide when to visit:
- Cool and Dry Season (November to February): This is generally considered the best time to visit Phnom Penh. The weather during these months is cooler and less humid, making it more comfortable for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Average temperatures range from 22°C to 32°C (72°F to 89°F). This is the peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher hotel prices, especially during December and January.
- Hot and Dry Season (March to May): Daytime temperatures can soar above 35°C (95°F) by May. If you can handle the heat, you might enjoy fewer tourists and better hotel deals.
- Wet Season (June to October): The wet season brings heavy rainfall and occasional flooding, especially in September and October. While afternoon showers might impact sightseeing, the countryside is green, and hotel prices are low.
Ultimately, the best time to visit Phnom Penh depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer milder temperatures and don’t mind the higher prices and crowds, the cool and dry winter season (November to February) is your best bet.
The wet season (June to October) is the least popular time for tourism due to the rain, but it can be a great time to visit if you’re looking for small crowds and hotel deals.
Is Phnom Penh Safe?
Phnom Penh, like many major cities around the world, has its own set of safety considerations. You’ll feel safe in the city, but the traffic is something that might catch you off guard! It’s chaotic, and there are no solid “rules of the road.”
While Phnom Penh’s streets are less dangerous than Hanoi’s, you should still be very careful while crossing on foot!
Wrap: Is Phnom Penh Worth It?
You can get a good sense of Phnom Penh’s history and culture in just a day or two, before moving on to Siem Reap or down the Mekong River toward Vietnam.
Visiting Phnom Penh can be an enlightening and culturally rewarding experience. It allows you to delve into Cambodia’s history, culture, and cuisine while also enjoying its modern amenities and vibrant urban life.
