Itineraries for Your Trip to Phnom Penh
2 Days in Phnom Penh for First Timers
Once known as the Pearl of Asia, Phnom Penh has done much to regain its magical moniker in recent decades. The city is as known for its tragic attractions as its spectacular sights, but you don’t have to spend long in the city to get a feel for what I love most about it.
Two days in Phnom Penh gives you plenty of time to experience the main highlights, with a little left over to do a couple of my favorite things in the Cambodian capital, including wandering the city’s many markets and enjoying a drink—and a sunset—on Sisowath Quay.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) for insight into Cambodia’s history.
They call Cambodia’s wet season the wet season for a reason; if you’re visiting in summer, bring a rain jacket and umbrella.
There’s no better way to start your time in the Cambodian capital than on a city sightseeing tour. While you can hit the ground running and squeeze in the sights on your own or a small-group tour, you could also take a private tour with more flexibility and freedom. Whatever you choose, don’t miss the Royal Palace or the iconic Phnom Penh Central Market. Wat Phnom is also well worth a visit—the hilltop temple offers beautiful views over the city.
As beautiful as modern-day Cambodia—and Phnom Penh—is, the country and its capital have a tragic, not-so-distant past. This afternoon, visit two important historical sites, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, to learn about the Cambodian genocide and the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. Opt for a guided tour to deepen your understanding; not only do they include hotel pickup and transportation, but your guide will also answer any questions about what is often an understandably taboo topic.
End your first day in the Kingdom of Wonder with a relaxing sunset boat cruise. Perched on the banks of the Mekong, Tonlé Sap, and Bassac Rivers, Phnom Penh’s three rivers and stilted fishing villages are as much a part of the city as its streets and skyscrapers. Make a night of it with a dinner and drinks cruise, or choose a shorter sunset tour to give you more time to hit the hay—or the town.
If your first day was all about the main sights, your second is more focused on life in Cambodia’s capital, including food, markets, and street art. See all three first thing with a morning breakfast and a street art tour around the city. Go off the tourist trail with a visit to a local market and then dive into the city’s recent cultural renaissance with your in-the-know guide, who will take you to some of the city’s coolest urban areas.
This afternoon, swap city streets and skyscrapers for rice paddies and silk weavers with a trip to nearby Silk Island. You can visit nearby Silk Island on a small-group half-day walking tour, which includes hotel pick-up, boat transfers, and visits to a local market, community silk farm, and Buddhist temple.
Finish your final day in the Cambodian Capital with an evening tasting around town, enjoying some of the country’s best street food and stories. While mom-and-pop restaurants can be a little hit or miss in Asia, a guided tuk-tuk and street food tour takes all the guesswork away. Including hotel pick-up and drop-off, the tuk-tuk trip is just as much a part of the adventure; there’s no better way to see the city lights at night.
