Explore Phnom Penh the Right Way: The Best Places to Go in Phnom Penh

Among all of the best Cambodia tourist places, the capital city of Phnom Penh stands apart an one of the most interesting and quaint destinations in Asia. Standing at the confluence of the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers, Phnom Penh is also known as “The Pearl of Asia”. There several amazing places to see in Phnom Penh, which make the city the perfect destination for your next vacation!

The Best Places to Go in Phnom Penh

The city brings together the charm of riverside romanticism, historical sites, and busy narrow streets that are full of life with the modernity of industrial and infrastructural expansion in an eclectic mix. With many interesting places to visit, Phnom Penh promises an array of modern attractions, rich history, and deep cultural heritage. Whether you want to indulge in sightseeing or you are a history enthusiast, there are many places to go in Phnom Penh to keep you busy. A vibrant and extraordinary destination, Phnom Penh is one of the top three destinations for tourists in Cambodia. Any tourist spot in Phnom Penh that you plan to visit will not disappoint you. That being said, here are the top tourist places in Phnom Penh that you can add to your list:

1. Royal Palace
2. National Museum of Cambodia
3. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
4. Wat Phnom
5. Killing Fields of Cheoung Ek
6. Silver Pagoda
7. Independence Monument
8. Psar Toul Tom Poung (The Russian Market)
9. Koh Dach (Silk Island)
10. Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre

1. Royal Palace

The primary residence of the King of Cambodia and a tourist spot in Phnom Penh that attracts people from all over the world, the Royal Palace is a richly constructed complex that houses the throne, several richly built monuments, intricate decorations, and manicured gardens. The Royal Palace sits on the banks of the Tonle Sap River. Within the palace grounds, you will also find the Silver Pagoda, which is another great tourist spot in Phnom Penh. The floor of the Silver Pagoda is adorned with more than five thousand silver tiles, and it houses an awe-inspiring collection of Buddha statues. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are among the most beautiful places in Phnom Penh.

2. National Museum of Cambodia

The country’s main museum, the National Museum of Cambodia is another popular tourist spot in Phnom Penh. The National Gem should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Phnom Penh during your vacation. The museum lets you witness the artistic marvels and the rich heritage of Cambodia, taking you on a journey through time. The museum displays an extensive collection of artifacts, like bronzes, ceramics, and sculptures, that span several historical periods. This is one of the best places to visit in Phnom Penh, which will leave you with appreciation for Khmer history and art.

3. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is one of the places of interest in Phnom Penh that stand reminder of the dark past of the country. The museum used to be a high school at one time, which was converted into a secret prison, better known as S-21. The prison was where thousands of innocent Cambodians were imprisoned and tortured over false crime accusations. Today, the prison is a museum that showcases the genocide that the Khmer Rouge officials committed in the past. This may not be one of the most pleasant places to visit in Phnom Penh but the exhibits that include artifacts, photographs, and other displays can help you gain a better understanding of Cambodia and of the many atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime.

4. Killing Fields of Cheoung Ek

Another one of the places to see in Phnom Penh, Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre or the killing fields was the location of the mass executions of prisoners during the Khmer Rouge regime. The victims, more often than not, were innocent civilians from the secret S-21 prison. The Khmer Rouge regime lasted for more three years, from 1975 to 1979. The victims consisted of more than seventeen thousand people, including children as well. While killing fields had been constructed all over the country, Choeung Ek was the largest one. The people were executed on a mass scale and buried together. The site was discovered in 1980, and more than eight thousand human skulls were recovered from the fields. A stupa was erected at the site in 1988, housing around a thousand human skulls, bones, and pieces of clothes. The killing fields are counted among the top places of interest in Phnom Penh, especially for

5. Wat Phnom

One of the most beautiful places in Phnom Penh, the Wat Phnom is a large Buddhist temple, the tallest religious structure in the city. The temple is perched on top of a hill and is one of the top places to visit in Phnom Pehn that you must visit on your trip to Cambodia. Wat Phnom has a rich history, being the esteemed birthplace of Phnom Penh and a cherished sanctuary. Not only is the temple popular among the locals who visit Wat Phnom to pray for good luck and success, it is also one of the top tourist attractions in Phnom Penh. The tranquil environment of Wat Phnom is created by the temple itself, which is surrounded by a beautiful garden and offers mesmerising views of the city below.

6. Wat Moha Montrey

Wat Moha Montrey is counted among the top places to go in Phnom Penh. The temple was built in 1970, when the temple century, or cement vihara, was completed. Moha Montrey, the name of the temple translates to “The Great Minister”, as the temple had been constructed in the honour of Chakrue Ponn, one of the ministers of King Monivong. Between the years 1975 to 1979, the Khmer Rouge uses the temple for storing corn and rice. The temple is one of the most popular places to go in Phnom Penh among locals as well as tourists and showcases splendid architecture and murals that depict the story of Buddha.

7. Independence Monument

The next in the list of places to see in Phnom Penh is the Independence Monument, located in the heart of the city. The monument was built in 1958 to commemorate the country gaining freedom from colonisation by France on the 9th of November 1953. The tower stands 37-metre tall and was designed by the famous Cambodian architect, Vann Molyvann. The monument has been built in the form of a lotus-shaped stupa, the distinct design of which has made it one of the most iconic landmarks and tourist attractions in Phnom Penh.

8. Psar Toul Tom Poung (The Russian Market)

The Russian Market is one of the hippest tourist places in Phnom Penh. Otherwise known as Psar Toul Poung, the Russian Market earned its moniker in the 1980s, when almost all visitors in the market used to be large groups of Russian expats. The Russian Market is one of the best places to go in Phnom Penh for tourists looking for souvenirs. You can choose from an extensive range of options, like statues of Buddha, wooden handicrafts, antiques, silk fabrics, handmade silver jewellery, decorated lamps, artwork and paintings, musical instruments, stone and wood carvings, and other handmade products.

9. Koh Dach (Silk Island)

There are several places to visit in Phnom Penh that are not very far from the bustling streets of the city but feel worlds apart. One of these places to see in Phnom Penh is Koh Dach or Silk Island. The unexpected tropical paradise sits on the Mekong River and is revered as the epicentre of all the silk weaving traditions of Cambodia. Silk Island is also one of those tourist places in Phnom Penh that has a blissful and laid-back atmosphere that offers you respite from the chaos of the city, where you can immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the country.

10. Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre

The Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre is one of the most highly recommended places to visit in Phnom Penh. The sanctuary is located about an hour’s drive from the main city and is a remarkable place that is a safe haven for several endangered and rescued animals. Whether you are a nature lover or wildlife enthusiast, this is one of the best places to see in Phnom Penh that you must visit on your trip to Cambodia.

There are so many places to see in Phnom Penh that you will be spoiled for choice. Make sure you explore all Cambodia tour packages available, so you can find the one that suits your travel plans and purposes best.