Is Phnom Penh Worth Visiting? 7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Skip It

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When planning a trip to Cambodia, many travelers face a common dilemma: to rush straight past the capital to the temples of Angkor Wat, or the sandy shores of Koh Rong Samloem, skipping the capital entirely. Is Phnom Penh worth visiting, or is it just another transit hub?

I’ll be honest with you… When we decided to spend a week in the city, I had no idea what to expect so I had the same dilemma. If you’re wondering what kind of things to do in Phnom Penh, or how to plan your itinerary in Cambodia, you aren’t alone.

Drawing from our own week exploring Cambodia’s capital, we’re cutting through the noise to share an honest look at what the city is really like.

Is Phnom Penh Worth Visiting? The Short Answer

Absolutely, but it depends on your travel style and how much you’re into history or how well you handle chaotic traffic. If you skip it entirely, you will miss out on the emotional and historical side of the country, such as the sobering memorials of the Killing Fields and S-21 Museum.

However, if what you really crave is a relaxing beach getaway, the fast-paced nature of the capital might feel overwhelming.

For anyone looking to understand modern Cambodia beyond the ancient ruins, it is absolutely worth at least a couple of days on your itinerary.

Top Things to Do in Phnom Penh (And Why It’s Worth It)

To see why the capital deserves a spot on your itinerary, you have to look beyond the surface. Phnom Penh is a city of contrasts: balancing heavy and painful history with a vibrant, fast-paced daily life.

7 Top things to do in Phnom Penh

1. Confront the Somber History at S-21 Prison and the Killing Fields

This is the emotional anchor of the capital.

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 prison) is a former high school turned into an interrogation center and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields is undeniably heavy and heart-wrenching. Walking through these sites is quiet, and at the same time, emotionally exhausting, but it provides crucial context for Cambodia’s resilience.

The modern Cambodia you see and explore today exists because of everything that happened roughly five decades ago that reveal the deep, painful layers the country had to overcome to reach where it is now.

→ Here is everything you need to know about visiting the Killing Fields and S-21 Prison.

2. Experience the City Through Guided Tours and Local Activities

While we loved exploring Phnom Penh at our own pace, sometimes it’s nice to let someone else handle the logistics, especially if you want to dive deeper into the culture or enjoy a stress-free evening out.

If you prefer structured activities over independent exploring, here are a few highly-rated experiences worth adding to your itinerary:

🌅 Mekong River Sunset Cruise

What to expect: Watch the sun go down over the city skyline from the water. Many options include a light buffet or free-flowing drinks to unwind after a day of exploring.

🌿 Traditional Khmer Cooking Class

What to expect: Head out to a local’s home to discover fresh market ingredients, and get hands-on experience crafting authentic Cambodian meals.

🥊 Live Kun Khmer (Traditional Boxing)

What to expect: Experience the high energy and passion of a live traditional Cambodian kickboxing match up close with ringside seats for an unforgettable night out.

🏛️ Phnom Penh Heritage Tour

What to expect: Step back in time using a digital audiovisual guide and electric vehicle or tuk-tuk to discover 22 major historical and architectural landmarks from the city’s colonial past.

2. Admire the Architecture at the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda

If you want a break from the dust and traffic outside, walking through the Royal Palace complex offers a different shift in scenery.

It’s the best place in the city to experience classic Khmer architecture up close, with its golden roofs and immaculate courtyards. The highlight is the Silver Pagoda, where the floors are paved with thousands of heavy silver tiles. It’s an ornate, grand space that gives you a glimpse into Cambodia’s royal history right in the middle of the capital.

Entry Fee: $10 USD per person, cash only.

Entry Gate: Public entrance is only allowed via the eastern gate.

3. Soak in the Vibe Along Sisowath Quay (The Riverside)

By late afternoon, the promenade along the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers comes alive. It’s the best place to watch locals exercise, play games, sell their products or watch the boats drift by as the sun sets over the water, offering a much slower, breezier pace to the otherwise hot and humid city.

We loved going out for walks in that area because we could see Cambodian families and people in their most natural everyday activities, something that we truly appreciate in each country we visit.

If you are still wondering, “is Phnom Penh worth visiting?”, keep reading.. I’m sure the next few reasons will completely convince you to add it to your itinerary.

4. Discover the Diverse Food Scene

If you love good food, Phnom Penh’s culinary scene will genuinely surprise you. While we cooked in our apartment often, we tried several restaurants for dinner thanks to a long list from our Airbnb landlord, who has lived in the city for years (if you’ll ever read our blog, thank you so much Nathan).

We found incredible modern Cambodian dining right alongside amazing international spots, making us genuinely look forward to having dinner after a long day of exploring.

Here are our favorite spots:

• Le Langka: Tucked away into the Langka Lane and surrounded by other bars and restaurants, this stood out as the absolute best one for us! We visited on International Women’s Day and every woman received a complimentary red rose!

• Elia Greek Restaurant: As a Greek, I normally avoid Greek food abroad. But after four months of traveling, homesickness won. For a restaurant so far from home, it was pretty good! We enjoyed traditional salads, souvlaki, tzatziki, and the atmosphere with Greek music playing in the background.

• Eleven One Kitchen – BKK1: A very diverse menu with authentic Khmer cuisine and Western favourites. It also has a serene garden setting which is a great break from the busy city roads.

• Malis Restaurant: An upscale, beautifully designed venue serving refined, high-end traditional Cambodian cuisine. It’s an iconic choice for a special dinner.
• Kengkong Restaurant: Local restaurant with authentic Cambodian cuisine, like fish amok, beef lok lak.

5. Explore the Bustling Local Markets

If you want a true feel for local daily life, walking through Phnom Penh’s open-air markets is a must. It is a full-on sensory experience, but entirely worth it.

Here are some of the largest and most popular markets to check out:

• The Central Market (Phsar Thmey) is housed in a striking, iconic Art Deco building with a massive central yellow dome. We didn’t visit it ourselves, but our American host told us that it is the place to browse for clothing, jewellery, watches, and souvenirs.
• The Old Market (Phsar Chas), is closer to the riverfront and it offers a more traditional and raw slice of daily local life due to the numerous small food stalls and local vendors.

• The Phnom Penh Night Market (Phsar Reatrey) is usually active on weekends (Friday through Sunday evenings). This market stretches out along the riverside and it’s a great evening spot where rows of stalls pop up selling clothes, different types of street food, drinks, and local crafts.

• The Toul Tompong Market (Russian Market), in case you are looking for souvenirs, textiles, wood carvings, or local trinkets, this is the spot to hunt for deals.

6. Unwind with a Traditional Cambodian Massage

After a dusty, high-energy day of exploring, your feet and mind will desperately need a break. Booking a budget-friendly traditional Khmer massage quickly became our favorite evening ritual.

Here are our favorite places:

• Bodia Spa: Easily one of the best places to treat yourself. With multiple locations in Phnom Penh (and Siem Reap), you can keep pampering yourself as you travel. We caught a 20% promotion running daily between 10am and 4pm, which we were told they offer regularly.

• Samatha Spa: A popular choice with locations in BKK1 and Boeungkak, offering a professional and relaxing environment specializing in traditional Khmer techniques that work wonders on travel-weary muscles.

7. Discover French colonial architecture

Between the 19th and the 20th century, Cambodia spent 90 years under French rule. Although the city is rapidly developing, Phnom Penh is still dotted with buildings dating back to those days.

Why You Might Want to Skip It

While we think Phnom Penh is well worth visiting, we understand it isn’t for everyone. If you are looking for a relaxing beach escape or have very limited time and prefer to focus your trip entirely on Angkor Wat, the capital might not fit into your plans.

Because of its fast pace and reflective historical sites, those looking for a lighthearted, low-stress getaway often choose to bypass the city altogether.

How Many Days in Phnom Penh Do You Need?

For most travelers, 2 to 3 full days is the sweet spot.

This window lets you visit the key historical sites, wander the markets, and unwind in the evenings without feeling rushed. Staying longer can start to wear you down given the city’s intense energy, while anything less than two days feels too hurried. Once you hit that 2- or 3-day mark, you’ll naturally be ready to catch a bus onward to Kampot, Battambang, or the temples up north.

Final Verdict: Is Phnom Penh Worth Visiting?

Yes, it is a city of profound contrasts that adds incredible depth to any Cambodian itinerary. While it requires emotional energy and a willingness to look beyond the surface, the reward is a much fuller understanding of the country’s modern spirit.

If you are wondering how many days in Phnom Penh you should book, or if you are still looking for more things to do in Phnom Penh to fill out your plans, carving out a few days to explore its markets, history, and food scene makes it a stop well worth making.