Phnom Penh City Guide — Attractions, Food & Tips

Phnom Penh City GuideCambodia's resilient capital city where gilded royal palaces, sobering genocide memorials, French colonial boulevards, and buzzing riverside nightlife paint a picture of tragedy and triumph.Key Facts

Country: Cambodia

Currency: USD / KHR (Cambodian Riel)

Language: Khmer / English

Time Zone: UTC+7

Best Time to Visit: November–February

Top Places to Visit

Royal Palace — The official residence of the King of Cambodia, a stunning complex of Khmer-style buildings with golden spires surrounded by manicured gardens. The Silver Pagoda floor is tiled with 5,000 silver blocks.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum — A former high school converted into the Khmer Rouge's most notorious interrogation centre. Now a harrowing museum documenting the atrocities through photographs, cells, and personal testimonies.

Choeung Ek Killing Fields — The most well-known of the Khmer Rouge execution sites, where a glass memorial stupa holds thousands of skulls. The audio tour provides deeply moving personal stories of survivors.

Central Market (Phsar Thmei) — A striking 1937 Art Deco dome — one of the largest in the world — housing a bustling market selling jewellery, watches, fabrics, electronics, and street food under its iconic yellow roof.

Sisowath Quay — The lively riverside promenade stretching along the Tonle Sap where locals exercise at dawn, tourists sip cocktails at sunset, and the palace glitters at night. The heart of Phnom Penh's social scene.

Local Food

Fish Amok — Cambodia's national dish — freshwater fish steamed in a fragrant coconut curry with kroeung spice paste and slok ngor leaves, traditionally served in a banana leaf cup.

Bai Sach Chrouk — Cambodia's beloved breakfast — thinly sliced pork marinated in coconut milk and garlic, grilled over charcoal and served with broken rice, pickled vegetables, and a bowl of broth.

Kuy Teav — A popular breakfast noodle soup with pork or seafood broth, rice noodles, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs. Each diner customises with chilli, lime, and condiments from the table.

Num Krok — Small coconut pancakes cooked in a special cast-iron pan — crispy on the outside, soft and coconutty inside. Sold from street carts throughout the city, especially near markets.

Back to PlanTrip