Phnom Penh in 5 days

Cambodia's riverside capital: golden palaces, a sobering history and a fast-rising café and bar scene. Best time to visit: November-February (cool, dry season). Average daily budget: $30 to $60 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Riverside (Sisowath Quay), The tourist heart: the promenade, palace, bars and restaurants along the Tonle Sap.

Morning: Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. The dazzling royal complex with its silver-tiled floor and emerald Buddha.

Afternoon: Explore Riverside (Sisowath Quay), The tourist heart: the promenade, palace, bars and restaurants along the Tonle Sap.

Evening: Riverfront sunset stroll. Walk Sisowath Quay as the light fades, then find a rooftop drink.

Eat: Fish amok, the creamy coconut-curry national dish

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang), Leafy, upscale district with the best cafés, boutiques and expat dining.

Morning: Tuol Sleng (S-21) and Choeung Ek. The genocide museum and Killing Fields, essential for understanding Cambodia.

Afternoon: Explore BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang), Leafy, upscale district with the best cafés, boutiques and expat dining.

Evening: Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung). Bargain for silks, crafts and souvenirs, then eat at the food stalls inside.

Eat: Beef lok lak with rice and a lime-pepper dip

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Daun Penh, The old colonial core around Wat Phnom, with French-era architecture.

Morning: A sunset cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong confluence.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Daun Penh, The old colonial core around Wat Phnom, with French-era architecture.

Evening: Wat Phnom, the temple-topped hill the city is named after.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Kuy teav, the morning rice-noodle soup

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Toul Tom Poung, Home to the Russian Market, hip cafés and a creative, local feel.

Morning: The artisan workshops and silk at Artisans Angkor's city outlet.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Toul Tom Poung, Home to the Russian Market, hip cafés and a creative, local feel.

Evening: Brunch and specialty coffee in the backstreets of BKK1.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Num pang, the Cambodian baguette sandwich

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Riverside (Sisowath Quay), The tourist heart: the promenade, palace, bars and restaurants along the Tonle Sap.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Riverside (Sisowath Quay), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Riverside (Sisowath Quay), The tourist heart: the promenade, palace, bars and restaurants along the Tonle Sap.

Evening: Dinner at Fish amok, the creamy coconut-curry national dish, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Riverside (Sisowath Quay).

Eat: Fish amok, the creamy coconut-curry national dish

Hidden gems

A sunset cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong confluence.
Wat Phnom, the temple-topped hill the city is named after.
The artisan workshops and silk at Artisans Angkor's city outlet.
Brunch and specialty coffee in the backstreets of BKK1.

Getting around

Tuk-tuks and the PassApp and Grab ride-hailing apps are the easiest, cheapest way around, with app-booked tuk-tuks removing the need to haggle. The riverfront and BKK1 are walkable in cooler hours. Traffic is busy and crossing roads takes nerve, so move steadily and predictably.

Safety

Phnom Penh is broadly safe for travellers, with the main risk being bag and phone snatching from passing motorbikes, so keep valuables out of sight and away from the road side. Avoid unlicensed money changers and be wary of late-night tuk-tuk scams. Solo female travellers generally feel comfortable with standard precautions, especially using app-booked transport at night.

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