Phnom Penh travel blog — The fullest guide for a budget trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Killing field

Here in the past was the Khmer Rouge massacre many Cambodians. With killing trees, trees or paths with signboards “Do not step on the bones,” this place can give you a direct view of the brutal history of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, a regime that has caused one of the most devastating massacres of the human.

National Museum of Cambodia

This is the home to the archaeological, religious and artistic of the Khmer. You can see more than half a million specimens from the 4th to the 13th century. All show the wealth of culture of the ancient Khmer kingdom.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

The heaviness in this place is largely attributed to the atmosphere of a dense atmosphere, S-21. At this place, you can experience space both in present and past. On the other side is the museum denounces the crimes of the Khmer Rouge. The last one is a notorious prison located in the capital. With its electric beds, stifling cells, walls with dry blood splotches, and the 10 pieces of advice S-21s, this place is a haunting place even if you visit it in the morning.

Markets in Phnom Penh

Go away from the sites filled with war memorabilia of Phnom Penh, you can catch tuk-tuk, visit and enjoy food at the markets here. From familiar dishes such as rice noodles, you can find very special and strange dishes of Cambodia such as fish sauce, fried insects, jelly wine … for only 5-8usd.

When eating full, do not forget to take a stroll around the market to buy souvenirs for your trip. You can find items made of silk, silver, and handbags … diverse with a variety of materials, designs, and prices.

Explore the nightlife

If you’ve been to Phnom Penh many years ago, you’ll probably notice a big change here. A few years ago, there was not much activity at night, people came home early and the visitors did not have much fun at night. As the second Bangkok of Indochina, Phnom Penh today has become a true nightlife hub.

Sisowath Port

Situated along the bank of the Mekong River, Sisowath Harbor is particularly beautiful at dawn. It is considered as the ideal to view sunrise of Phnom Penh. At night, you will feel the exciting atmosphere, along with restaurants, eateries, … Especially there is a night market for you to buy souvenirs.

Russian Market

It is one of the ideal destinations for anyone who loves shopping. In addition to souvenirs and food, you can come and try the best coffee in Cambodia.

Phnom Penh may not have magnificent temples like Angkor Wat, but it does not mean that there are no places to visit. Come here one time and experience the space that blends the modernity of a thriving urban with the hues of the past.

Phnom Penh travel blog: Where to eat in Phnom Penh?

Phnom Penh is an ideal destination for visitors to learn, explore the rich and unique cuisine of Cambodia in general and Khmer cuisine in particular. Below, there are some best places to eat in Phnom Penh.

Khmer Surin Restaurant – The most prestigious eating place in Phnom Penh

It is a K’mer-style restaurant in the center of the capital. It serves authentic Khmer and Thai cuisine. The space of the restaurant is decorated simple, airy with cute little widgets such as water jar, lotus, table set … This is really a good restaurant in Phnom Penh that you should not miss. Diners can choose their seats from sitting on the floor to sitting on the table, from the first floor to the second floor, while eating and watching the city is really a
wonderful experience.

Address: #9 Street 57, Boeung Keng Kang 1 Commune, Chamkar Mon District, Phnom Penh.
Price: Ranging from $3 – $8 USD/dish.
Phone: +855 12 887 320
Opening hours: from 7:00am to 10:00pm

Phsar Reatrey Night Market – Best Cheap Dining Places in Phnom Penh

Phsar Reatrey Night Market is located right next to the waterfront in Phnom Penh’s West Street, Sisowath Quay. This is not only a famous for eating the delicious and cheap food place in Phnom Penh but also a fun place bearing the bold traditional when you traveling to Cambodia. The market space is quite large with many stalls selling handicrafts, clothes, souvenirs … Besides, coming here you will enjoy the musical performances besides
enjoying the delicious food, famous specialty of Cambodia.

Address: Street 1 (Preah Sisowath Quay) in Wat Phnom Commune, Daun Penh District.
Opening Hours: On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 5 pm to midnight.

Khmer Food Village Restaurant – Good restaurant, should not be missed in Phnom Penh

Khmer Food Village Restaurant is one of the must-eat spots to visit in Phnom Penh. The restaurant has open space, wide, serving at the same time to more than 100 unique dishes of the Kh’mer people. Traditional dishes, delicious, tasty, affordable cuisine in a beautifully decorated setting makes you can’t resist. Walking around a restaurant you can find good foods in Cambodia to suit your wallet pocket and needs.

Address: Next to Hun Sen Park, opposite Naga World Hotel.
Opening Hours: from 10am – 10pm.
Cost: The price of food here ranges from $2 – $10/dish.

Old Quarter – Certain eating place must go in Phnom Penh

The Old Quarter in Phnom Penh has almost all the dishes from different cuisines such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India, Vietnam and of course there is no lack of traditional dishes of the Cambodian people, Kh’mer. Long ago, this is considered a prestigious dining place in Phnom Penh you definitely have to visit. Moreover, in the evening there are vibrant and exciting bars that add to the attraction with any visitor.

Phsar Thmei Market – Good food, cheap, attractive dining place in Phnom Penh

Located in the heart of Phnom Penh, visitors can not only visiting, shopping for souvenirs but also enjoy Cambodian specialties. Phsar Thmei Market has long been known as the culinary paradise of Phnom Penh with countless dishes such as Phnom Penh Noodle Soup, fried insects, rice noodles, grilled fish, fried and grilled poultry, jaggery rice cake…

Address: Neayok Souk, Phnom Penh 855
Phone: +855 10 405 086
Hours of Operation: 07:00 to 18:00 daily
Cost: Ranging from $0.5 – $1.5 per dish.

Phnom Penh travel blog: What to buy in Phnom Penh?

Most visitors to Cambodia usually choose to buy glutinous rice or silk cloth, trumpets, flutes as gifts for relatives or friends. There are some visitors who choose to buy aromatic rice, dried fish or other types of fish sauce.

Silverware: Including products made of silver such as neck bracelets, bracelets, decorations, furniture … These silver products are sold are alloys with 70-80% silver.

Sculptures: You can buy sculptures on stone, wood or silver with images such as Buddha, Apsara, …

Krama: Any tourist who travels to Cambodia wants to buy a handkerchief as a gift. Price is around $1/item, if you buy more will be cheaper.

Silk: Koh Dach is a famous island with products made of silk. If you buy a silk scarf, it costs about $2.

Or you can buy other Cambodian specialties as gifts:

• Dried beef: Cambodian dry beef is soft, delicious, you can buy at the market with cheap price.
• Jaggery sugar: It ranging price from $2 – $3 per kilo, liquid form, dense, yellow, and is similar to honey.
• Dried fish: Cambodian dried fish is sweet, aromatic, prices range from $6-$15 / kg.
• Dried Snake: It has sweet and aromatic taste, the price is from $6 to $15 / kg.
  Beef sausage from $6- $10 / kg.

We have listed the best shopping places in Phnom Penh here. Let’s check it out: Phnom Penh shopping — Top 8 best shops, markets & shopping malls in Phnom Penh you must visit.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Phnom Penh you can refer to

• Shared Bus Transfers from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh, Kampot, or Kep by Giant Ibis
• Phnom Penh Airport Transfers (PNH) for Phnom Penh
• Shared Bus Transfers between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville by Giant Ibis
• Private City Transfers between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
• Shared Bus Transfers from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by Mekong Express Bus Limousine
• Shared Bus Transfer between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh by Giant Ibis
• Private Phnom Penh International Airport Transfers (PNH) for Phnom Penh
• Phnom Penh City Day Tour
• Phnom Penh Half Day City Trip with Shared Van
• Phnom Penh Half Day Cycling Tour
• Hidden Phnom Penh City Tour
• Phnom Penh Heritage Tour
• Phnom Penh Past and Present Half Day Tour
• Phnom Penh Heritage Tour
• Phnom Penh Historical Tour
• Phnom Penh Killing Fields & S21 Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Tour
• Classic Phnom Penh Tour

Are you finding more top things to do in Phnom Penh: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Phnom Penh shopping — Top 8 best shops, markets & shopping malls in Phnom Penh you must visit. And Siem Reap travel blog — The fullest Siem Reap travel guide for a budget trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia.