Facts checked against live data · 6 Oct 2026

Cambodia · Region

Phnom Penh

Cambodia's riverside capital blends gilded pagodas and French-colonial boulevards with a sobering, deeply moving history at sites like Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields. Along the Tonlé Sap and Mekong confluence, Phnom Penh moves at a chaotic tuk-tuk hum, mixing royal grandeur with a fast-growing, unpolished urban energy.

Getting therePhnom Penh is served by Techo International Airport (KTI), which opened south of the city in September 2025 and replaced the old, more central Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH); from KTI, travellers reach downtown by taxi/ride-hail (~45–60 minutes) or the public Airport Express Bus. The city's railway station also links Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville on the coast and northwest towards Battambang and Poipet, while long-distance buses from regional hubs remain a common overland option.
How long to stayPlan on ~2–3 days to cover the Royal Palace, National Museum, and the Genocide Museum/Killing Fields, with an extra day if you want a slower pace along the riverside or a day trip beyond the city.

Top attractions

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.6★) — Phnom Penh attraction
Phnom Penh · ★ 4.6

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.6★)

The Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, the "Killing Fields" site on the southern edge of Phnom Penh, is open daily from 7:30am to 5:30pm. 4.6★ (2,148 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.

Riverside Walk Street: Phnom Penh Travel Guide — Phnom Penh attraction
Phnom Penh · ★ 4.7

Riverside Walk Street: Phnom Penh Travel Guide

Riverside Walk Street in Phnom Penh is the pedestrian promenade along the Tonle Sap/Mekong confluence near the Royal Palace, and it only formally operates as a car-free walking street on Saturday and Sunday, running 24 hours those two days.

Royal Palace of Cambodia: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.3★) — Phnom Penh attraction
Phnom Penh · ★ 4.3

Royal Palace of Cambodia: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.3★)

The Royal Palace of Cambodia is open daily from 8am to 5pm; go right at opening, since it's very popular and weekend crowds build fast after 10am. 4.3★ (13,715 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.

Royal Palace Park: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.5★) — Phnom Penh attraction
Phnom Penh · ★ 4.5

Royal Palace Park: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.5★)

Royal Palace Park is the riverside strip of lawns and shade trees running along Sothearos Boulevard in Phnom Penh, right outside the walls of the Royal Palace. 4.5★ (5,589 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.

Wat Phnom Daun Penh: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.4★) — Phnom Penh attraction
Phnom Penh · ★ 4.4

Wat Phnom Daun Penh: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.4★)

Wat Phnom Daun Penh is the hilltop temple that gives Phnom Penh its name, set on a small mound at the north end of the city's riverside grid. 4.4★ (9,539 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.

National Museum of Cambodia: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.2★) — Phnom Penh attraction
Phnom Penh · ★ 4.2

National Museum of Cambodia: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.2★)

The National Museum of Cambodia sits on Preah Ang Eng Street in Phnom Penh, beside the Royal Palace — a 1920s Khmer-style building holding Angkorian stone sculpture, bronzes and royal barges. 4.2★ (6,982 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.6★) — Phnom Penh attraction
Phnom Penh · ★ 4.6

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Phnom Penh Travel Guide (4.6★)

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum sits in central Phnom Penh — the museum itself is on Street 113 in the capital's Boeng Keng Kang area. 4.6★ (12,141 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.

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Top-rated things to do in Phnom Penh

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Frequently asked questions about Phnom Penh

How do I get to Phnom Penh?

Phnom Penh is served by Techo International Airport (KTI), which opened south of the city in September 2025 and replaced the old, more central Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH); from KTI, travellers reach downtown by taxi/ride-hail (~45–60 minutes) or the public Airport Express Bus. The city's railway station also links Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville on the coast and northwest towards Battambang and Poipet, while long-distance buses from regional hubs remain a common overland option.

How many days should I spend in Phnom Penh?

Plan on ~2–3 days to cover the Royal Palace, National Museum, and the Genocide Museum/Killing Fields, with an extra day if you want a slower pace along the riverside or a day trip beyond the city.

What is Phnom Penh known for?

Cambodia's riverside capital blends gilded pagodas and French-colonial boulevards with a sobering, deeply moving history at sites like Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields. Along the Tonlé Sap and Mekong confluence, Phnom Penh moves at a chaotic tuk-tuk hum, mixing royal grandeur with a fast-growing, unpolished urban energy.

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