Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you if you kindly choose to book via my links.
Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and holds a captivating blend of tradition and modernisation. Once known as the Pearl of Asia, it now stands as a vibrant and evolving hub where French colonial architecture meets modern skyscrapers, and ancient temples glimmer with gold.
With the backdrop of the Mekong river, its rooftop bars and buzzing cafes provide plenty of places to chill, too. I’ve put together a perfect itinerary for two nights in Phnom Penh to help you find the best way to absorb what this beautiful city has to offer.
How to get to Phnom Penh
There are a few ways to get to Phnom Penh from other cities. You can fly from London to Techo International Airport (KTI), with flights taking around 16 hours on average.
The airport is located in the Kandal Stueng District, Kandal Province, and from here it takes about 35 to 45 minutes to get to the city centre by car.
If you are travelling from another neighbouring country in South East Asia then the most economical way to travel is by coach. I came from Ho Chi Minh City with Giant Ibis Transport, with the crossing costing me around £17 at the time and taking around six hours in total.
Coach companies also deal with the visa which is vital if you are visiting Cambodia from the UK. If you are already in Cambodia, however, there are plenty of other transport links from Siem Reap and the other side of the country that borders Thailand.
How to get around Phnom Penh
In many neighbouring countries like Thailand, tuk tuks can be an expensive option but in Phnom Penh and Cambodia as a whole it is by far the most economical way to travel locally. With the Grab app it is super easy to book one too.
Currency in Cambodia
Currency in Cambodia is a little tricky and it takes a while to get your head around, as they use both Riel, which is a closed currency (it can only be exchanged inside Cambodia) and dollars. Riel is the official currency of Cambodia but in virtually all cases the price you’ll see is in dollars.
You can use both and can even combine the two together in one transaction. There’s usually a conversion telling you how many Riel are equal to a dollar.
Hotels in Phnom Penh
There are plenty of places to stay in Phnom Penh and I stayed at an apartment in The Bridge: SOHO, which was fantastic. They have an awesome rooftop pool, with great views across the city. There is also a grocery shop on the ground floor which is super handy.
Plantation Urban Resort is a stylish oasis close to the Royal Palace, costing around £60 per night.
For a more budget option however, Parc21 Luxury Boutique Hotel, is only £25 per night offering great views, a pool, gym and a luxury feel at a low price.
Things to do in Phnom Penh: 2 day itinerary
Summary – things to do in Phnom Penh
- Watch the sunset by the Mekong River
- Dinner at Avary Sky Bar
- Royal Palace of Phnom Penh
- Silver Pagoda
- Get a coffee at Backyard Cafe
- Wat Phnom Daun Penh temple
- See the Royal Palace light up at night
- Dinner at Palacegate Organic Sky Bar
- Get coffee at Tube Coffee Riverside
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields
- Check out the local markets
Day One: Arrival and evening exploration of Phnom Penh
Sunset by the Mekong River
The Mekong River is great for an evening stroll. Locals and tourists alike congregate here to enjoy the breeze.
You can buy Khmer-style grilled corn from a street vendor to enjoy as you walk and there are some great bars and restaurants here. Pastamania Riverside sells fantastic gelato.
Khmer Funk Sky Bar has a chilled, relaxed vibe and rooftop bar, offering great views of the river. Their fresh coconuts are absolutely delicious too.
Where to get dinner in Phnom Penh: Avary Sky Bar & Restaurant has fantastic vegan pizzas, along with views of the city and a pool.
Day Two: Wat Phnom Daun Penh Temple and the Royal Palace
Morning: Start your morning with a visit to the Royal Palace of Phnom Penh, which is the official residence of Cambodia’s king. The palace complex is absolutely stunning, showing the beauty of Khmer architecture, with its golden spires.
Right next door, you will find the Silver Pagoda, with its silver-tiled floor reflecting the precious treasures that it holds, including the Emerald Buddha and a life-sized gold Buddha studded with diamonds.
Entry generally costs around $10 USD and includes both the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.
Top tip: The palace opens at 8am so arrive early to avoid crowds.
Where to get coffee in Phnom Penh: Backyard Cafe offers a great ambience and excellent iced lattes.
Afternoon: A great way to discover more about Phnom Penh is by visiting its spiritual birthplace. The Wat Phnom Daun Penh temple is a spectacle of gold, where spirituality meets beauty.
It’s very peaceful to walk around, you can light incense and admire the amazing statues. Entry for this is just $1-$2 dollars or you can take a guided tour of both sights.
Top tip: Bring a sarong or trousers and a shirt to cover up. The Royal Palace and The Wat Phnom Daun Penh temple are both important sites of cultural and spiritual heritage.
It’s important to respect these places. Keep your shoulders and knees covered during your visit and don’t wear hats inside.
Evening: The Royal Palace lights up at night and Palacegate Organic Sky Bar gives you a good view over the palace. This beautifully laid out eatery has a fantastic selection of food including vegan and vegetarian options.
Day Two: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields
Where to get morning coffee in Phnom Penh: Tube Coffee Riverside is an interesting London-themed coffee shop, with some really nice iced coffee.
Morning: Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields
Phnom Penh holds a tragic history from Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge era. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, (also known as S21) and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields are a sobering but essential part of understanding Cambodia’s dark history.
It costs around $5 to enter the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and $6 to enter the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Guided tours or audio guides are also available.
Top tip: Allow three to four hours to visit both sites. They are about 30 minutes apart by tuk-tuk.
Book Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields Tour now
Afternoon: It’s great to check out the local markets and pick up a souvenir before you leave. The Russian Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung) is a colourful market to explore.
Here you will find hand crafts and quirky local fashion, including Cambodian pants. It’s also a great place to try traditional Khmer desserts or coconut waffles.
Safety and other useful information
Phnom Penh is generally safe, but it’s important to be mindful of petty theft, especially at night or in crowded areas. Bring a bumbag to keep your belongings safe.
The weather in Phnom Penh is hot all hot year-round, so pack light clothing, sunscreen, and stay hydrated. I also bought an eSim before I travelled to keep connected in Cambodia.
Spending two nights in Phnom Penh is definitely the perfect introduction to what Cambodia has to offer. Beyond this there’s plenty more to see and do in Cambodia, with the tranquil islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem, along with the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.
Whether Phnom Penh is a quick stop on your itinerary or your first deep dive into Cambodia, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of how beautiful this country really is.
This is a guest post from Tim Jones from Wildness and Wellbeing, a podcast and blog with a focus on how the outdoors can help your mental health. Tim travelled South East Asia last year.
