The 7 Biggest Tourist Attraction in Phnom Penh

Cambodia, a captivating country in Southeast Asia, boasts a treasure trove of historical and natural wonders that attract visitors from around the world. From ancient temples to serene landscapes, Cambodia’s tourist attractions offer a diverse and unforgettable travel experience. Here are the five largest tourist attractions in Cambodia that should not be missed:

• Angkor Wat: The crown jewel of Cambodia’s tourist attractions, Angkor Wat is an awe-inspiring temple complex built in the 12th century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest religious monument in the world and is renowned for its intricate carvings, towering spires, and serene atmosphere. Visitors can explore the vast complex, marveling at the architectural wonders and immersing themselves in the rich history of the Khmer Empire.
• Siem Reap: The gateway to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is a vibrant city that offers a plethora of attractions beyond the ancient temples. Visitors can explore bustling markets, indulge in delectable local cuisine, embark on adventurous jungle treks, and witness traditional dance performances. Siem Reap’s vibrant nightlife and warm hospitality make it a delightful destination to experience the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Cambodia.
• Phnom Penh: Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh, is a captivating blend of history, culture, and modernity. Visitors can delve into the country’s past at the Royal Palace, explore the moving history of the Khmer Rouge regime at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and admire the architectural grandeur of the Silver Pagoda. Phnom Penh also offers vibrant markets, delectable street food, and a lively riverside promenade, making it a dynamic and captivating city to explore.
• Koh Rong: For those seeking paradise, Koh Rong is an idyllic island escape off the coast of Cambodia. With pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush jungle interiors, Koh Rong offers a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors can indulge in snorkeling, diving, hiking, or simply relax on the unspoiled shores, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.
• Tonlé Sap Lake: Situated in the heart of Cambodia, Tonlé Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This vast lake is a vital ecosystem that supports a diverse array of aquatic life and provides sustenance to local communities. Visitors can take boat tours to explore the floating villages, witness the unique fishing techniques, and observe the rich biodiversity that this unique lake has to offer.

The 7 Biggest Tourist Attraction near Phnom Penh

Royal Palace

• Address: Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.3 (9897)
• Opening hours:
  
  Monday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

  Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
• Reviews:
  
  Martine Grant✭✭✭✭✭

  a month ago

  What a magnificent piece of architecture Love the very long fresque You also get to see some ancient collections of pottery, artifacts, clothing etc… the gardens are beautiful too. Worth the $10 entry fee The Silver Pagoda is amazing

  Ramesh Kumar✭✭✭✭✭

  3 months ago

  I had the opportunity to visit the Royal Palace today, and I was truly awestruck by its grandeur and historical significance. The fact that the entrance ticket for foreigners is only $10 is incredibly affordable given the richness of the experience it offers. The Palace’s visiting hours from 8 to 11 and 14:00 to 17:00 are well-suited for exploring, but I imagine it would be even more enchanting in the evening, with the palace illuminated. I highly recommend a visit to the Royal Palace, and if you have the chance, consider coming in the evening for a truly magical experience.

  Martha Canipe✭✭✭✭✭

  2 months ago

  How anyone can say there’s almost nothing to see here… is beyond me?? This is a priceless collection of gorgeous architecture, several small museums, the amazing Silver Pagoda and so much more. I was here almost two hours! I highly recommend seeing this historic and cultural highlight in PP. Fantastic!

  Also, I’m posting a photo below of the hours. I found it often difficult to get accurate open hours in Vietnam and am already experiencing that again in Cambodia. Google maps “claims” to have double checked the hours three weeks ago by phone, but has something different than at the Palace. Go early as it gets very hot quickly, and you’ll beat some of the tour groups.

  Sam Bouckaert✭✭✭

  2 months ago

  It’s beautiful. I can understand that for people who have affection for the Royal family of Cambodia this is an important place to visit but to me it is more like a tourist trap. There are other very beautiful and much more quiet temples throughout the city you can visit for free or a small fee. $10 seems very pricey for an entrance ticket. Also covering your shoulders is insufficient, you need to wear a shirt or similar, otherwise your obliged to buy a T-shirt provided at the entrance. Elbows and knees don’t need to be covered but dress appropriately. At the time we went we could see The Throne room, dancing hall and Silver Pagoda. Sadly enough we missed the dancing hall because they decided to close down 30minutes before actual closing time. You’re not allowed to enter the Throne room, it’s beautiful but not particularly decorated in Khmer cultural style, it resembles more a European 18th century throne room. No pictures from the inside because not allowed. I would recommend to see the palace from outside the grounds and not bother with entering it.

  Emil Andersson✭✭✭

  a week ago

  An absolute must when in Phnom Penh, beautiful palace with a wonderful garden surrounding it.

  I was one of the first to get here after the midday opening at 2 pm. No queue or anything. This meant that at first glance I couldn’t see a lot of people, but after 15 minutes there were large crowds covering a lot of the open spaces. And it got harder to look around. As the main building is closed for walking in. This meant there became queues by every window to look inside the throne room.

  Important to know when going here is that it’s not open all day. The opening hours differ and it’s best to ask the guards by the gate. Don’t ask or listen to the tuktuk drivers outside, some of them lie and try to scam you with giving you a trip to another place in town.

  When I was here (Jan 2024) the opening hours were 8-11 am and then open again 2-5 pm.

  When going here you have to dress appropriately, cover knees, shoulders and elbows. I had an t-shirt and long trousers. A scarf is not enough to cover, and they will check your clothes before entering, (and after buying the ticket). If you don’t follow the dress code there is a small clothes vendor who will sell you trousers and shirt for $3 a piece.

  The entrance fee was $10(good to know, this is the price to enter the palace grounds which also includes the silver pagoda). But I do think it’s a little bit too much.

  Why isn’t it 5 stars? I don’t know if it was just when I was visiting or it usually is this way. But a lot of the palace garden and grounds were closed for tourists. Looking at one of their maps and comparing it to the map we got when going in. About a quarter of the palace grounds was open for tourists to see. The rest was closed off. Good to note that when going here they were renovating some buildings. This may be affecting the rest of the area. But it was closed off far from the renovations. This made it less worth the $10, but there is still a lot to see and learn. I would still recommend it when you are here

Independence Monument

• Address: Norodom Blvd, 41, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (4214)
• Phone: +855 96 563 8118
• Opening hours:
  
  Monday: Open 24 hours

  Tuesday: Open 24 hours

  Wednesday: Open 24 hours

  Thursday: Open 24 hours

  Friday: Open 24 hours

  Saturday: Open 24 hours

  Sunday: Open 24 hours
• Reviews:
  
  Ramesh Kumar✭✭✭✭✭

  3 months ago

  The Independence Monument in Phnom Penh is indeed a stunning and historically significant landmark. It stands as a symbol of Cambodia’s independence from French colonial rule. Its unique design and location make it a must-visit attraction for those interested in Cambodia’s history and architecture. It’s a place where you can appreciate both the architectural beauty and the historical importance of the monument.

  theary lor✭✭✭✭

  a month ago

  nice place to do exercise at morning and evening you can see lots of peoples come to play badmiton , walking, running, and biking etc ,,, lots of local restaurant around there too in the evening , big parking space nearby or you can park in restaurant near by independent or wat botom

  Mark Smith✭✭✭✭✭

  a month ago

  Independence monument in Phnom Penh was built in 1958 to memorialise Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953. Impressive. Statue of King Norodom Sihanouk is nearby.

  Jessica Smits✭✭✭✭✭

  5 months ago

  We were staying at a hotel across the street from the Independence Monument. We lucked out with great weather on a Friday evening, so we ventured out to explore. The monument is beautiful at night and completely open to walk through. The only difficulty is that the area in general is not very pedestrian friendly. Use caution when crossing roads – especially in this part of town. We entered via the west and enjoyed a stroll with locals as we went to the park that’s to the east. Go in the evening. The area is too congested with cars during the day time anyway.

  Raphael Navarro✭✭✭✭✭

  3 weeks ago

  Was built in 1958 to memorialise Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953. It stands on a roundabout in the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard in the centre of the city. It is in the form of a lotus-shaped stupa, of the style seen at the temple at Banteay Srei and other Khmer historical sites.  The Independence Monument was designed by the Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann, who was “personally selected and instructed” by Prince Norodom Sihanouk on how it should look like, combining “the religious and the secular.” It stands 37 metres tall.

Wat Phnom Daun Penh

• Address: ផ្លូវវត្តភ្នំ, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.4 (6776)

Wat Botum Park

• Address: Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.4 (3933)

Statue of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk

• Address: HW4J+H2V, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.6 (1655)

Silver Pagoda

• Address: HW6J+XMV, Oknha Chhun St. (240), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.4 (1706)

Silk Island

• Address: JWRQ+38H, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.2 (691)

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Top Tourist Attraction Alternatives in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital city of Cambodia, is filled with historical landmarks, cultural sites, and exciting attractions. Here are three top tourist attractions that are incredibly popular among visitors:

1. The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is a must-visit attraction in Phnom Penh. It serves as the official residence of the King of Cambodia and is a stunning example of the country’s traditional Khmer architecture. The palace complex includes several buildings, such as the Silver Pagoda, which houses many precious Buddha statues adorned with diamonds and gold. Visitors can explore the beautifully manicured gardens, intricate wall paintings, and ornate decorations. Guided tours are available to provide a deeper understanding of the palace’s history and cultural significance.

2. The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek

For a poignant and somber reminder of Cambodia’s tragic past, a visit to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek is a must. This site is a memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime, where almost 20,000 people were executed and buried in mass graves. Today, the site serves as a memorial and educational center, offering insights into the atrocities committed during the Khmer Rouge regime. Visitors can see the remnants of mass graves, a Buddhist stupa containing more than 5,000 human skulls, and audio recordings that provide personal accounts of survivors and victims.

3. The National Museum of Cambodia

The National Museum of Cambodia is home to the world’s largest collection of Khmer art. Located near the Royal Palace, this museum showcases sculptures, ceramics, bronzes, and various artifacts dating back to the prehistoric era. It offers a comprehensive overview of Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage and its artistic evolution. Visitors can marvel at intricately carved statues, ancient artifacts, and well-curated exhibits that shed light on Cambodia’s history and artistic traditions. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and educational programs to engage visitors of all ages.

• The Royal Palace: A stunning example of Khmer architecture that serves as the official residence of the King of Cambodia.
• The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek: A memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime, offering insights into Cambodia’s tragic past.
• The National Museum of Cambodia: Showcasing the world’s largest collection of Khmer art, providing a comprehensive overview of Cambodia’s cultural heritage.

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