Phnom Penh Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Phnom Penh tours, the riverside capital of Cambodia where golden temples meet a moving history: the sobering Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng (S-21) Genocide Museum, the glittering Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, lively tuk-tuk city tours, sunset cruises on the Mekong, vibrant street-food adventures, and the silk-weaving village of Koh Dach. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Cambodia trip.
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Explore Phnom Penh by interest
Whatever brings you to Phnom Penh — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Killing Fields & S-21
Cambodia’s history.
ExploreRoyal Palace
Golden temples.
ExploreCity by tuk-tuk
Capital highlights.
ExploreStreet food
Khmer flavours.
ExploreMekong cruises
Sunset on the river.
ExploreSilk Island
Rural weaving village.
ExploreNational Museum
Khmer art treasures.
ExploreKampot & Angkor
Day trips beyond.
ExploreTop attractions in Phnom Penh
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Royal Palace
Silver Pagoda.
Killing Fields
Choeung Ek memorial.
Tuol Sleng (S-21)
Genocide museum.
City by Tuk-Tuk
Capital highlights.
Mekong Cruise
Sunset on the river.
Street Food
Khmer night eats.
Silk Island
Koh Dach weaving.
Wat Phnom
Hilltop temple.
Phnom Penh in 2 days
- 1Day 1: history & palace
- 2Day 2: markets & food
- 3Silk Island
- 4Mekong cruise
Phnom Penh in 3 days
- 1Day 1: history & palace
- 2Day 2: food & river
- 3Day 3: Silk Island or Kampot
- 4History, river & rural
30 min awayKilling Fields
Choeung Ek memorial.
City centre awayRoyal Palace
Silver Pagoda.
40 min awaySilk Island
Koh Dach weaving.
Riverside awayMekong Sunset
Sunset cruise.
In the city awayStreet Food
Khmer night eats.
3 hrs awayKampot & Kep
Pepper & crab.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Phnom Penh visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
November to February is the cool, dry season — the most comfortable time for sightseeing and tours in Phnom Penh.
Cool dry (Nov–Feb)
Pleasant, drier weather with lower humidity makes this the peak season; book popular tours ahead.
Hot season (Mar–May)
Very hot and humid, especially April; start tours early and stay hydrated in the midday heat.
Wet season (Jun–Oct)
Afternoon downpours bring greener landscapes and fewer crowds, with rain usually short and heavy.
For river cruises
The cool dry season offers the most pleasant evenings for Mekong sunset cruises.
Festivals
Events like Khmer New Year (April) and the Water Festival (November) bring colour and crowds; check dates.
One day
Killing Fields, Royal Palace and a cruise.
Two days
Add markets, street food and Silk Island.
Three days
The sweet spot: history, river and countryside.
Gateway
Phnom Penh links to Siem Reap and the coast.
With Kampot
Add days for Kampot, Kep or the Mekong.
Travelling with kids
Mix tuk-tuks, the palace and river cruises.
Tuk-tuks
Tuk-tuks (including app-based PassApp and Grab) are the classic, cheap and easy way to get around Phnom Penh’s sights.
On foot
The riverside and central area around the Royal Palace are walkable, though the heat and traffic can be intense.
By boat
River cruises and boats run from the riverside for sunset trips and Silk Island excursions.
From the airport
Phnom Penh International Airport is about 30–45 minutes from the centre by taxi, tuk-tuk or ride-hailing app.
To other cities
Buses, vans and taxis connect Phnom Penh with Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampot and on to Vietnam.
Ride-hailing apps
Apps like Grab and PassApp make getting tuk-tuks and cars easy with set prices.
US dollars & riel
Cambodia uses the riel, but US dollars are the everyday currency; carry small dollar notes, and you’ll get riel as change for small amounts.
Dress respectfully
Cover shoulders and knees for the Royal Palace and temples, and be quiet and respectful at the Killing Fields and S-21.
Beat the heat
Start sightseeing early, carry water and take midday breaks, as Phnom Penh can be very hot and humid.
Take a guide for history
A guide or audio guide greatly enriches the Killing Fields and S-21, giving essential context to a difficult history.
Watch your belongings
Keep bags secure and be alert to bag-snatching from passing motorbikes, especially near the riverside.
Pre-book popular tours
City, food and cruise tours fill up in peak season — book ahead.
Killing Fields tours
Guided history tours are popular — book ahead.
Street-food tours
Small-group food tours fill up — reserve early.
Sunset cruises
Mekong sunset cruises are in demand — pre-book.
Private city tours
Private tuk-tuk guides get booked up — reserve early.
Silk Island trips
Cycling and village tours have limited spots — book ahead.
Cool-season peak
November–February is busy — plan ahead.
Killing Fields tour
Around €15–40 for a guided Killing Fields and S-21 tour.
Royal Palace tour
About €20–45 for a Royal Palace and city sights tour.
City tuk-tuk tour
Roughly €20–50 for a half or full-day tuk-tuk city tour.
Street-food tour
Around €30–60 for a guided street-food tour.
Sunset cruise
About €15–40 for a Mekong sunset cruise.
How to save
Combine sights in one tour, join groups, and use tuk-tuk apps.
Phnom Penh through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Comfortable sightseeing.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best; book ahead.
- Best for
- Fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Very hot; start early.
- Best for
- Green, value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Afternoon rain.
- Best for
- Lush, quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Wettest; cheap.