As the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is likely where you’ll arrive when flying in from most neighboring countries. Despite being the capital city, you can see the majority of the main sites over 2 days in Phnom Penh.
For more information on visiting Cambodia check out this post.
What to Know about Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is a busy city with people and traffic like any other capital city. But unlike the large cities neighboring Cambodia, you will find it’s much quieter than Bangkok and easier to cross through traffic than in Saigon. It has only been 30 years since the first elections following the terrible time period of the Khmer Rouge, but Phnom Penh is continuing to grow into a larger more modern city.
What to do over 2 days in Phnom Penh
There are a variety of popular sites to visit in Phnom Penh ranging from religious monuments to public markets. These are the top sites to visit during 2 days in Phnom Penh.
Visit Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
A must visit during your 2 days in Phnom Penh is the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.
The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is where the king of Cambodia resides. You will not visit the palace residence, but you will have the opportunity to see a number of royal ceremonial buildings while visiting the palace grounds.
The palace is open in the morning from 8-11am and afternoons from 2-5pm. However, they stop entry a minimum of 30 minutes prior to closing, and quickly shuffle people out of the palace area prior to the closure time. The Silver Pagoda however will remain open while the palace is closed.
If you plan to take a guided tour, the tour lasts roughly 45-50 minutes and will end in the Silver Pagoda complex. You will need to arrive earlier if you want to return to the palace after your tour has finished. You can not get re-entry to the palace in the afternoon if you went in the morning. Keep that in mind and plan your day accordingly.
The cost of entry is $10 per person. While there you can have a guide walk you around the complex. The guides will be out in front of the entrance and you can pick whichever one you want. The price of the guide is an additional $10. Credit cards are not accepted, if you have large bills this is the place to break them. I think the guide is worth the cost to understand not only the history of the sites, but also get background on how the royal family is woven into Cambodian history.
Silver Pagoda
The second half of the complex is the Silver Pagoda. Within this section you’ll find the pagoda (or temple). Photos are not allowed inside this temple but can be taken of the building. In the complex you’ll find incredible murals depicting ancient Cambodian mythology. Many have been beautifully restored, or are in the restoration process currently. Also, there are huge royal stupas (mausoleums) which are dedicated and hold the ashes of the late Cambodian Kings.
Museums
The National Museum of Cambodia is a beautiful space to visit, both for the architecture and artifacts. Although the museum was built in the early 1900s it was designed to reflect the traditional Cambodia style of architecture you will see at the nearby palace. The museum has many beautiful statues as well as a section with art from modern Cambodian artists. The large courtyard is a wonderful spot to sit and quietly enjoy the reflecting pools.
The museum is open from 8am-5pm. The best time to visit is while the palace is closed during the middle of the day. You can either go before or after you visit the palace. Tuk tuk drivers will tell you the museum is closed to try to get you to take a tour with them. That is incorrect, the museum does not close during the day. The entry fee is $10 for adults, if there is a guided tour available I recommend joining that to understand more of the history within the museum.
The Genocide Museum is dedicated to the tragic history of genocide in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge. The worst of the atrocities took place in Phnom Penh and outside the city in the killing fields. Be prepared for a somber experience here or if you choose to visit the killing fields. This museum is also further from the palace and main temples. If you plan on visiting, you can also check out the Russian Market, which is not much further south.
Temples
As a Buddhist country you’ll find a mix of historic and newer temples throughout the city. The two largest in the city center are Wat Ounalom Monastery and Wat Phnom Daun Penh.
The Wat Ounalom Monastery is a short walk from the palace and the National Museum. This monastery dates back to the 1400s when Phnom Penh became the capital of Cambodia. At the main entrance there is a large golden Buddha statue in front of the main temple. In the back of the complex you’ll find many traditional mausoleums known as ‘chedi’, as well as a few smaller shrines “guarded” by local street cats. There are a number of different spaces open to the public, so be sure to walk around while visiting.
The other main temple in Phnom Penh is Wat Phnom Daun Penh. Located further north in the city center, near many of the government buildings, you’ll find Wat Phnom. The pagoda is located at the top of the hill, as well as the large stupa or chedi. While this pagoda has a smaller shrine than Wat Ounalom the surrounding area around the temple is nice to walk or enjoy a break on a nearby bench.
Markets
Phnom Penh is a city full of markets. So whether you’re looking for a good deal on clothes, spices, or electronics you forgot to pack, you can visit many of the markets during 2 days in Phnom Penh.
Central Market
The Central Market is the easiest to visit as it is located between the National Museum and Wat Phnom. This market is unique from the others as it was built in the 1930s during the French Colonial era in the Art Deco style popular at the time. It has a beautiful central dome featuring jewelry vendors, with four hallways radiating out.
Olympic Market
The Olympic Market is located further west in the city and is best accessed via tuk tuk. It is one of the largest markets in Phnom Penh, mostly utilized by locals. It is a 3 floor market that is easy to get lost among the maze of stalls. Here you’ll find mostly wholesale goods, especially clothing and beauty supplies.
Russian Market
Of the numerous markets in the city this was my favorite despite being the furthest to get to via tuk tuk. What I love about this market is that the size and scale is easy to navigate and manage. It is grouped by similar products. You’ll find fabric and tailors near the clothes. The souvenir stands grouped together on the opposite side of the building from household supplies and automotive parts. You will also find a row of small food stands in the north central part of the market. If you only have time to shop at one market, I recommend spending the extra time to get to this one.
Night Market
As the name entails this market is only open at night from 5pm – 11pm. There are a small number of food stalls at the west entrance. After you order your food you’ll sit in the center of the stalls and eat on communal rugs. You’ll mostly find clothes stands at this market, but there’s also a stage with live entertainment in the evening. Afterwards, exit through the east entrance to walk along the river.
Getting around during 2 days in Phnom Penh
Walking
Phnom Penh is not a very walkable city. With the exception of the riverfront, there are limited sidewalks, and often those are cluttered with cars and scooters parked in the way of pedestrians. You can walk, but know that you’ll be walking in the street. Your best bet to get around during your 2 days in Phnom Penh, is by ordering a tuk tuk.
Tuk Tuks
If you’re not familiar, a tuk tuk is essentially a motorized rickshaw. You have your driver in the front separated by seating for 1-3 people in the back. This is the easiest and cheapest way to get around town. You’ll see tuk tuk drivers at all major markets and tourist attractions offering rides, or even tours. The best option for a tuk tuk is to go through Grab.
What is Grab? Grab is the Uber of SE Asia. Download the app, set up an account, add your credit card and you’re good to go. You can choose between a car, a tuk tuk, or a scooter (depending on your city), and once you order they’ll arrive within a few minutes. A Grab will always be cheaper than getting a tuk tuk from the street. From my hotel I was charged $3 for a tuk tuk by the driver vs. the $1 or less it cost on Grab to return.
If you choose to hire a driver from the street, make sure you agree on your price ahead of time.
Around the palace you’ll also find numerous drivers stopping to chat with you and offer a tour of the city. These are not scams, but they will take you to sites further out of the city that may not be worth your time, especially if you only have 2 days in Phnom Penh. The more you engage the more persistent they are. Just tell them you have plans already and keep moving.
Where to eat and drink
If you are a fan of street food there are plenty of options to keep you satisfied for a low price over the span of 2 days in Phnom Penh. You’ll always find stalls around any of the markets, especially the Olympic Market. Be sure to get fresh fruit from a local vendor. You can get a bag of incredibly fresh cut pineapple for under $1.
Near the National Museum you’ll find a number of small restaurants walking north on Preah Ang Eng 13 and Samdach Sorthearo Blvd. Along Preah Ang Eng you’ll also find a lot of street food carts with shared seating areas.
- Warung Bali – delicious small Indonesian restaurant frequented by locals. You can find this opposite the royal palace park. It’s a great spot for lunch in between sites, but check the hours.
- David’s Noodle House – another popular spot for both tourists and locals. You can watch one of the staff make the noodles right at the entrance.
Preah Sisowath Quay
This is the main riverfront street. You’ll find more upscale hotel restaurants and rooftop bars along this long strip. Expect the prices to be higher as well.
Bassac Street & Bassac Lane
Further south in the city you’ll find a small section of car free streets that house dozens of tiny bars, restaurants and small clubs. It stays pretty quiet earlier in the evening, but is said to get busy on the weekends.
Where to stay during 2 days in Phnom Penh
During your 2 days in Phnom Penh, you’ll want to stay in the city center close to the main sites. What’s great about Phnom Penh is you can find very nice accommodations for $40/day or less.
Phnom Penh is divided north/south by a busy main street (highway 1). You’ll find the majority of popular sites between the highway and the river. You should stay either just off the highway or in towards the river. The east/west streets are numbered, and I wouldn’t recommend staying north of Street 110 or south of Street 310 to be closer to the activity.
I stayed at the G Mekong Hotel, an inexpensive 4-star hotel with large, quiet rooms. It is a short tuk tuk ride to the main tourist sites. You can add on an unlimited breakfast buffet for $9, or some packages will include breakfast for free. There is also a hotel on the roof with a bartender and food available to order. Take a break from the heat in the late afternoon with a dip in the pool and enjoy the sunset. Happy hour starts at 4pm with 2 for 1 drinks at a cant beat price of around $4. There’s also an on site spa with discounts for hotel guests.
