Que faire à Phnom Penh ?

S-21 and Killing Fields — the absolute priority

These two sites are not attractions — they are places of remembrance that change the way one views Cambodia and the world. Between 1975 and 1979, the Khmer Rouge exterminated nearly a quarter of the Cambodian population. S-21 (the former high school turned prison) and Choeung Ek (one of the execution fields) bear witness to this with rare rigor and sobriety.

Kanika sunset cruise

The Kanika is our boat. Two hours on the exact confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap, with a view of the Royal Palace and the city lighting up, a cocktail on the upper deck. This is the evening we systematically recommend to everyone arriving in Phnom Penh.

Transparency: we operate the Kanika. We recommend it because we know it better than anyone — independent reviews confirm this.

Phnom Penh Heritage Tour

An old electric bus travels through the Art Deco streets of the former French quarter, passing the colonial train station, stopping at Wat Phnom, and passing by the Central Market, Royal Palace, and Central Post Office. 2 hours and 15 minutes of the city narrated by guides who live there. It's the ideal format for the morning of arrival, to get oriented before exploring solo.

Transparency: we also operate the Phnom Penh Heritage Tour.

Royal Palace & National Museum

These two sites are close to each other and can be visited in the same half-day. Visit the National Museum before going to Angkor — the original statues are displayed there, while copies remain at the temples. You will understand better what you will see next.

• Royal Palace + Silver Pagoda: 10 USD, open 8 AM-11 AM and 2 PM-5 PM. Proper attire required (shoulders and knees covered). Sarongs available for free at the entrance. Allow 1.5 hours.
• National Museum of Cambodia: 10 USD, open 8 AM-5 PM. French audio guide recommended. The largest collection of Khmer art in the world. Allow 1.5-2 hours.

The markets

• Phsar Thmei (Central Market): the Art Deco building from 1937, pale yellow dome, a must-see for its architecture. Quality street food at all four entry points. Jewelry and textiles under the central dome.
• Phsar Toul Tum Pong (Russian Market): chaotic and dense atmosphere, favored by locals for bargain hunting — textiles, silver, crafts. Very good Khmer street food. Best visited in the morning.
• Phsar Kandal: the local market, not very touristy. Fish, vegetables, fresh cakes. Best to go early for immersion.

Strolling in the colonial quarter

Phnom Penh retains one of the best-preserved Art Deco heritages in Asia. Here are a few streets to explore on foot:

• Pasteur Street (Street 51) and Street 240: colonial villas turned into cafes, galleries, and designer boutiques.
• Riverside (Sisowath Quay): the promenade with a view of the Mekong, lively in the evening.
• Central Post Office and Art Deco train station: two 1930s buildings not to be missed if you pass through the Daun Penh area.

Unusual museums & cultural places

• SOSORO — Museum of Economy and Currency: 5 USD (8 USD with audio guide), located in the former French town hall from 1908. 2,000 years of Cambodian history told through currency. Much more captivating than one might imagine.
• Bophana Center: audiovisual archives open to the public. Films of King Sihanouk, archives of the Enlightenment in Cambodia, documentaries. Free entry, open Monday-Saturday.
• Factory Phnom Penh: a former textile factory of 3.4 hectares converted into a creative hub. Galleries, street art, restaurants, weekend market. The Phnom Penh of the new generation.

Sample 2-day itinerary in Phnom Penh

On nous pose souvent ces questions

Questions fréquentes

What to do if you only have one day in Phnom Penh?

Choose: either a memory day (S-21 in the morning, Choeung Ek in the afternoon, Kanika in the evening), or a heritage day (National Museum, Royal Palace, markets, cruise). The memory day is the most important for understanding Cambodia — if you could only do one, it would be that one. But a day for both is too short to do them seriously.

Are there activities for children in Phnom Penh?

S-21 and Choeung Ek are not recommended for children under 12 (difficult images, traumatic content). However, the Royal Palace, the National Museum, the Kanika cruise, and Factory Phnom Penh are perfectly suited for families with children. The Heritage Tour is generally well-received by curious children aged 8 and older (vintage bus, city stories).

Do you need a guide to visit Phnom Penh?

For S-21 and Choeung Ek, the audio guide (available in French) is a great substitute for a human guide — the recorded testimonies are of remarkable quality. For the city in general, the Heritage Tour offers a quality guided introduction. For a very personalized visit, several agencies offer French-speaking guides for the day (around 50-70 USD).