Zone 1 — Daun Penh & Riverside (our recommendation)
The historic neighborhood of Phnom Penh, along the Mekong River, is our recommendation for a first stay. All the major sites are within walking distance or a short tuk-tuk ride: Royal Palace, National Museum, Central Market, Sisowath Quay (departure point for the Kanika), colonial architecture. It is the area richest in history, culture, and visual interest.
Daun Penh / Riverside en résumé
Pour qui : voyageurs à leur premier séjour, amateurs d'architecture, ceux qui veulent être au cœur de la ville
Pour qui pas : voyageurs cherchant la quiétude, végétation et calme résidentiel
Prix indicatifs : 25-50 USD (guesthouses bien tenues), 80-180 USD (boutique-hôtels), 400 USD+ (Raffles Le Royal)
Points forts : Palais Royal à pied, fleuve à pied, marchés à pied, départ Kanika à pied
The Raffles Hotel Le Royal, a historic palace opened in 1929, is the reference address in this area — Somerset Maugham, Jackie Kennedy, and many war correspondents have stayed here. Carefully restored, it offers the best breakfast in the city and a colonial bar (the Elephant Bar) that is a must-visit even if you’re not staying there.
Zone 2 — BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)
BKK1 is the favorite residential neighborhood of the expatriate community in Phnom Penh — specialty cafes, restaurants of all nationalities, local designer shops, clinics and pharmacies, co-working spaces. Quiet and green (compared to the rest of the city), with shaded streets and a density of good restaurants per square kilometer that rivals any Asian capital.
BKK1 en résumé
Pour qui : voyageurs qui préfèrent le confort résidentiel, les bons restaurants de quartier, ceux qui reviennent et connaissent déjà le centre historique
Pour qui pas : ceux qui veulent tout à pied (centre historique à 10-15 min en tuk-tuk)
Prix indicatifs : 40-80 USD (guesthouses et petits hôtels), 90-200 USD (boutique-hôtels)
Points forts : meilleure scène de restaurants et cafés de la ville, calme relatif, quartier sûr
Streets 278, 240, and 63 in BKK1 concentrate the best dining options in Phnom Penh: French, Italian, Japanese, contemporary Khmer cuisine, and brunch. If you are staying for more than 3 days in Phnom Penh, this is where you will go for dinner — no matter where you are sleeping.
Zone 3 — Toul Kork & North of the City
Currently under development, Toul Kork is a more residential and local neighborhood than BKK1, with correspondingly lower rents and hotel prices. There are fewer tourist sites in the immediate vicinity, but a more authentic Cambodian neighborhood life. Suitable for long-stay travelers looking to immerse themselves in the daily life of the city.
Toul Kork en résumé
Pour qui : longs séjours, voyageurs cherchant une immersion locale, budgets serrés avec confort correct
Pour qui pas : premiers séjours, ceux qui veulent être près des sites touristiques
Prix indicatifs : 20-40 USD (guesthouses), 50-100 USD (appartements meublés à la semaine)
Distance centre historique : 20-25 min en tuk-tuk
The Palaces of Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh has two exceptional addresses for travelers seeking the ultimate experience:
- Raffles Hotel Le Royal (Daun Penh): the historic palace of the city, opened in 1929, restored and operated by Raffles. Colonial architecture, tropical gardens, two pools, spa, several restaurants. From 400-600 USD per night. The buffet breakfast in the garden is one of the best in the region.
- Rosewood Phnom Penh (Vattanac Tower, center): the contemporary palace of the city, in the Vattanac tower, with a 360° view of the Mekong and the city from the upper floors. Fine dining restaurant, rooftop bar (Sora), spa. From 350-500 USD per night.
Practical Tips
- Pool: less universal than in Siem Reap in mid-range hotels — check before booking if this is important to you.
- Tuk-tuk and PassApp: the PassApp (or Grab) app transforms travel around the city. You don’t need to be near the sites if you use the app — tuk-tuks arrive in 3-5 minutes anywhere in the central neighborhoods.
- Airport: the new Techo Airport (KTI) is about 45 minutes to 1 hour from the center depending on traffic. Fixed taxi fare is about 25 USD, or book a transfer through your hotel or Welcome Pickups.
- Noise: Phnom Penh can be noisy — pagodas with amplifiers, honking, neighborhood parties. Check recent reviews on noise levels if you are sensitive, especially in budget hotels in the center.
- High season: December to February. Book 2-3 weeks in advance for popular boutique hotels. The rest of the year, availability is ample.
Questions fréquentes
For a first stay of 2-3 days, Daun Penh and the riverside: you will be within walking distance of the entire historic center, the river, and the departure point for the Kanika. For a second stay or a longer visit, BKK1 offers superior residential comfort, a better restaurant scene, and less noise than downtown. Both areas are good — it really comes down to personal style.
Yes, but with more disparity than in Siem Reap. Phnom Penh is a larger city, with neighborhoods of very different levels. Filter Booking.com or Google results by recent ratings (above 8/10) and read reviews in French from the last three months. The best affordable guesthouses are concentrated in Daun Penh, around Street 172 and the riverside.