Top Tourist Attractions in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
A city map of top visitor attractions in Phnom Penh, including landmarks, historic districts, museums, viewpoints, and signature neighborhoods.
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is Cambodia's capital on the Mekong and Tonle Sap, a city where royal architecture, Buddhist wats, Art Deco markets, riverfront life, Khmer Rouge memorial sites, and a fast-changing food and arts scene sit close together. The mapped attractions are Royal Palace Phnom Penh, Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng Museum, Central Market Phnom Penh, and Wat Phnom. It suits history travelers, culture-focused visitors, photographers, market shoppers, food travelers, and anyone trying to understand Cambodia beyond Angkor.
Two days is the minimum for a balanced visit. Use one day for the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum if adding it, Wat Phnom, riverfront walking, and Central Market. Use another for Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and, if appropriate, the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, giving those sites enough time and emotional space. High season from November to March brings clearer dry weather; May to October is greener but wetter; Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben, and the Water Festival can affect traffic, opening hours, and hotel availability.
Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism describes the Royal Palace as a classic Khmer architectural compound, with public access to the Throne Hall, manicured gardens, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Silver Pagoda, stupas, Royal Dining Hall, Chan Chhaya Pavilion, and a French building associated with Napoleon III; Khemarin Palace remains the king's protected residence and is not open to the public. Tourism Cambodia says the palace was built in 1866 and that the Throne Hall has a 59-metre tower used for high official celebrations, coronations, and audiences. Visitors should dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and expect only parts of the palace grounds to be open.
The Silver Pagoda, within the palace compound, is known for its silver-tile floor, Emerald Buddha, gold Buddha images, royal gifts, stupas, and Reamker/Ramayana murals. Ministry-linked tourism material says the pagoda was built between 1892 and 1902, reconstructed in 1962, and houses more than 1,600 art objects; Lonely Planet notes many of the silver tiles are covered for protection. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is the memorial site of the Khmer Rouge S-21 interrogation and detention center; its official site lists daily hours, including public holidays, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, international admission at USD 5 for adults, USD 3 for children 10 to 17, free entry for children under 10 with proof of identity, cash payment in riel or U.S. dollars, and optional audio guide. Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism describes Central Market, or Phsar Thmey, as a 1937 landmark with a large dome, four arch-roofed arms, fresh produce, cooked food, clothes, souvenirs, jewelry, gold, electronics, stationery, and flowers. The U.S. State Department listed Cambodia at Level 2, with specific Phnom Penh street-crime cautions and a do-not-travel warning for areas along the Cambodian-Thai border due to armed conflict.
Visitor Tip: Visit Tuol Sleng separately from palace sightseeing, carry cash for smaller sites, and use Grab or hotel-arranged transport after dark because phone and bag snatchings are a known Phnom Penh risk.
Information current as of July 20, 2026. Visitor details can change; double-check official sources for current hours, prices, reservations, access rules, accessibility, parking, transit, weather closures, and event impacts before visiting.