Guide to Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh, at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers is the capital of Cambodia and it’s largest city.

Top reasons to visit Phnom Penh

Explore ‘the Paris of the East’

Learn about the shocking Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge

Main areas of Phnom Penh

Due to the war and the Khmer Rouge, Pnomh Penh is a little underdeveloped, with chaotic traffic, overburdened electricity and poor quality roads. Slowly, the city is improving - stunning skyscrapers are being built, traffic lights, and the river front is being improved with modern restaurants and bars. Investment from increasing tourist numbers is being reinvested to develop fancy hotels and restaurants, along with upmarket residential districts

When to go to Phnom Penh

The weather in Phnom Penh is hot and humid, with showers in the late afternoon during rainy season.

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Top Attractions in Phnom Penh

• Independence and Liberation Memorials
• Raffles Le Royal Hotel
• Central Market
• Grand Post Office Building
• Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
• Olympic Stadium - built for 1960 Olympics that never happened
• The Royal Palace
• Sisowath Quay
• Temples - Wat Botum, Wat Phnom, Wat Ounalom
• Mekong Cruises
• Mekong Bicycle Tours

Shopping in Phnom Penh

Popular tourist buys include silk, silverware, curios, made-to-order clothes and handicrafts.

If you would like to support local workers and craftsmen, look for the Heritage Friendly Business Logo from Heritage Watch, and organisation that promotes the preservation of Cambodia’s cultural legacy.

Recommended shops:-

• Antiques - Hidden Treasures
• Books - Bohr’s Books, International Book Centre, Monument Books
• Clothing - Close Out Factory Outlet, Beautiful Shoes
• Electronics - Central Market
• Handicrafts - Cambodian Handicraft Association, Kravan House
• Marketplaces - Night Market, City Mall, Olympic Market, Russian Market, Aeon Mall

Eating in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh offers some interesting culinary options, such as French-influenced dining, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and pizzas.

Some of the more exotic local delicacies include:-

• grilled small crabs
• duck embryo eggs
• grilled pigs ears
• chicken claws and gizzards
• grubs and pupae

Recommended restaurants include Baitong, Comme a La Maison, Red Chilli, Cafe Fin, K.K. Tandoor, Kathmandu, Aussie XL, Blue Cat, The Corn, Le Bistrot, La Luna d’Autunno, Le Wok.

Nightlife and Entertainment in Phnom Penh

Places to hang out for decent nightlife include St 104, St 278, St 108 and St 51 corner, which all feature restaurants and bars.

• Bars - Blue Cat, Rubies, Terrace Pub, Quealys
• Lounge - Eclipse Sky Bar (Phnom Penh Tower), Le Moon Terrace Bar
• Cocktails - Liquid
• Live Music - Equinox, Sharky’s Bar, Slur Bar
• Hostess Bars - Barbados, Golden Vine, Martini, One3Six, Sugar Shack, Zapata
• Museums - National Museum of Cambodia, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
• Cinemas - Empire Cineman, Flicks 2
• Spa - Feel Good Spa
• Art galleries - Meta House
• Casino - NagaWorld
• Theatre and Performance Arts - Armchair Theatre, Baxter Theatre, Richard Supper Stage, Artscape Theatre
• Thunder Ranch Shooting Centre
• Scuba Nation Diving Centre

Book a hotel today in Phnom Penh, Cambodia - find your hotel deals here, as we specialise in cheap hotels in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.