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Capital

Phnom Penhភ្នំពេញ

Give Phnom Penh two nights for the Royal Palace and the sites of the Khmer Rouge period, then move on to Siem Reap or the coast.

Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Rules in force · 3
  • Cambodia ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra. Some nationalities can also get a visa on arrival.
  • Cambodia ↗Angkor Wat and other active temples enforce a dress code: shoulders and knees covered, or you are turned away at the gate.
  • Cambodia ↗US dollars are used for most tourist prices; carry clean, undamaged small notes and some riel for change under one dollar.

Phnom Penh is Cambodia's capital and largest city, where the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers meet. The riverfront holds the Royal Palace and National Museum, and the city has memorials to the 1975–79 Khmer Rouge period. It is hot, busy and easy to see in two days.

At a glance

Known for
Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda · Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum · Choeung Ek Killing Fields · Central Market · Riverside cafes
Best months
Nov–Feb (cooler and dry)
Avoid
Mar–May (very hot) and Jun–Oct (rain and street flooding)
Nights
2
Airports
PNH Phnom Penh International (West of the centre; taxi or ride-hailing)

Where to sleep

Riverside (Daun Penh)

Close to the palace, museum and restaurants.

BKK1

Quieter, with cafes and restaurants; a short ride from the river.

Getting around

Tuk-tuks and ride-hailing apps are the norm and are cheap; agree the fare first. Central sights are walkable in the cooler hours.

Watch out

  • Bag snatching from passing motorbikes: hold bags away from the road.
  • Dress modestly at the palace and memorial sites; check dress codes.
  • Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek are sobering: allow time and plan for a lighter afternoon.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Phnom Penh. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

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Sources

Sources