Phnom Penh is the busy capital city of Cambodia and although maybe not as attractive as say Siem Reap or the islands, there is still plenty of things to do here that shouldn’t be missed. Cambodia’s capital is noisy, busy and cultural.
If you’re short on time then here’s my itinerary on how to spend a day and a half in Phnom Penh.
Day 1 in Phnom Penh
Morning
If you can make it up in time for dawn then head down to the riverfront and you will see the locals engaging in mass group exercise with loud music and using the free outdoor gym equipment. If you’re a bit late then not to worry, the river front is a lot calmer than in the centre where traffic emerges from all directions! Enjoy a morning walk along the river before having breakfast in one the many cafes along the riverfront.
Now you’re in the perfect spot to explore the 3 main temples by the river. The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are in the same complex and this is where the king resides. Locals like to sit on the grass outside and feed the birds. Close by the river is Ounalomย Pagoda, the headquarters of Cambodia’s Buddhism.
This was my favourite temple, very pretty, quiet and I even got blessed by a monk which is a wonderfully spiritual experience. Just be sure when visiting these temples that knees and shoulders are covered.
Lunch
After a morning of temple exploring you will have worked up an appetite, so either grab a bite by the river or head to one of Phnom Penh’s markets. Central market is closer to the riverfront but I enjoyed the Russian market more and it’s has great food stalls there too.
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon strolling around the markets. Central market is under a huge dome and sells jewellery, t-shirts, watches and basically anything and everything. It’s fairly spacious compared to the Russian market, which has narrow lanes and is bursting with people.
Still, this was a favourite of mine. Getting its name from the numerous Russian expats during the 1980’s, this market is popular for tourists picking up cheap souvenirs- just be careful of fake goods. The food stalls are really tasty here and there’s a space out back to sit and eat, whist taking in the city’s atmosphere.
If you have time after shopping then why not head to the Olympic Stadium and go for a quick swim in the outdoor pool. Then entrance fee is cheap and they also have a running track and football pitch.
Some of the nicer hotels will also allow you to use their swimming pool and facilities for a small charge, if you fancy reading a book or chilling by the pool.
Evening
Phnom Penh has many beer gardens, which are outside areas to unwind after a long day and well…drink beer! If in a group you can buy a big pitcher between you and sit, enjoying good food and the relaxed atmosphere. There is also the night market which is pretty relaxed and interesting for a visit.
Enjoy some good food and entertainment here. If you’re after something a bit more lively then the riverfront has many rooftop bars and clubs to choose from. Top Banana, Pontoon and the Eclipse Sky Bar are a few popular spots.
Day 2 in Phnom Penh
Morning to Early Afternoon
The last day in my Cambodia itinerary is a half day in Phnom Penh. This is a good time to fit in a visit to the S21 Prison and the Killing Fields (Choeung Ek). During the Khmer Rouge era this old school turned prison, was used for torture in which ‘prisoners’ were then transported to the killing fields to be executed.
The communist regime resulted in famine, disease and execution throughout the country, in which almost a quarter of the population died. This will be a very sobering experience but to get a sense of Cambodia’s history I would advise a visit here. It certainly left a lasting and humble impact on me.
The killing fields are a little bit out of town (30-40 min tuk tuk ride) but if you leave at 8-9am then you can be back in the city by around 2pm, in time to catch an afternoon bus to your next destination. You can easily hire a tuk tuk or taxi for the day to take you to both places. And I would recommend to see both.
So that’s it for 36 hours in Phnom Penh- hope you enjoyed the post and as always share amongst friends or save to Pinterest for later ๐
Have you been to Phnom Penh? Anything else you would recommend on this itinerary? Russian market or Central market? Tell me you’re thoughts below.
