Things to do in 

Phnom Penh

Imagine returning from Phnom Penh, filled with tales of bustling markets, silent temples, and river rides at sunset. This vibrant city reveals its heart slowly, each corner offering intriguing things to do. Stroll through hidden neighbourhoods, where warm smiles are the language of the day. Witness the city awakening to life in the morning, awash in the delightful chaos of local markets. Delve into the transformation of seasons as lantern-lined streets shimmer during the Water Festival. Take the less traveled path, tasting homemade delicacies in local homes. Phnom Penh, in its serene simplicity, unfolds a layered story waiting to be discovered.

Explore Phnom Penh off the beaten path

Move gently beyond the big sights and look for alternative things to do that link you with studios, soft river light, and evening rituals at an easy pace.

Cultural experiences: Join the free meditation at Wat Langka in the early evening; bring a shawl and slip in quietly. After dinner, walk to Meta House for a relaxed film screening or artist talk with an iced tea in hand.

Small museums and galleries: SOSORO Museum tells Cambodia’s story through money and trade with crisp displays and models, and it’s rarely crowded. Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center screens short archival films and hosts small exhibits you can browse in under an hour. Java Creative Café’s gallery near Independence Monument rotates local shows, and you can linger over coffee while you look.

Less crowded scenic viewpoints: Ride the small ferry to Areyksat before sunset and watch the city skyline glow from the opposite riverbank. On weekdays, the boardwalk on Koh Pich (Diamond Island) stays calm at dusk—ideal for a slow walk and photos.

Shop for local products & souvenirs: Go mid‑morning to Tuol Tom Poung Market and duck into the fabric aisles for krama scarves or a quick tailor visit. Trunkh. on Street 294 sells clever Khmer‑designed home goods that fit in a carry‑on. For meaningful gifts, the Daughters of Cambodia shop near Riverside offers handmade accessories that support fair work.

Popular neighbourhoods

Phnom Penh city's soul is painted across its neighbourhoods, where together local experiences and influential history unravel the exuberant urban tapestry. We invite you to embark on a journey that traverses through some of Phnom Penh's most cherished locales.

Riverside: Revel in the relaxing waterfront allure of this neighbourhood. Take a languid stroll along the vibrant promenade, flanked with sights of traditional boats cruising over the Mekong and Tonle Sap river.

BKK 1: Invigorate your senses at the hub of modern lifestyle and entertainment in Phnom Penh. A medley of swanky shopping malls, cosmopolitan eateries, and contemporary art galleries will keep your itinerary filled.

Russian Market: Immerse yourself in a bustling carnivalesque display of local commerce. The labyrinth streets overflow with colourful silk fabrics, ornate handicrafts, antique coins and flavoursome local cuisine, igniting a true market experience.

Daun Penh: Navigate through the historic epicentre of the city. The foreseeable presence of notable landmarks, including the grand Royal Palace and the National Museum, imbues the air with an unmistakable essence of regality.

Tonle Bassac: Discover Phnom Penh's trendsetting neighbourhood, a melting pot of charming cafes, upscale restaurants, and trendy boutiques. It's here that you'll find the much acclaimed and innovative Art Street, a testament to Phnom Penh's evolving creative scene.

Things to do in Phnom Penh by season

Spring: Expect heat, so start early at the Royal Palace and riverfront before tucking into cafes and museums at midday. Khmer New Year in April fills pagodas and streets with games, offerings and music, a lively time for families.

Summer: Short, dramatic showers green the parks and cool the air, ideal for market browsing, cooking classes and ferry rides to Silk Island where looms clack under stilt houses. Photographers find moody skies and mirrored streets.

Fall: Rains ease and river levels peak, setting the stage for Pchum Ben ancestor ceremonies in pagodas and, in November, the Water Festival with longboat races surging past the riverfront. Couples drift along on sunset cruises as lanterns come on.

Winter: Cool, dry months make it the best time to wander boulevards, cycle out to Koh Dach, or day trip to Oudong’s hilltop stupas. Rooftop terraces and boutique pools feel breezy rather than blazing.

Circle the calendar for Khmer New Year in mid-April, Pchum Ben in September or October, the Bon Om Touk Water Festival in November with boat races and fireworks along Sisowath Quay, and Independence Day on 9 November with parades and illuminated floats.