Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Phnom Penh
On all our tours, you will be personally guided by Sam Ang (Sam), a Khmer local and licenced English-speaking guide. Sam will immerse you in a rich cultural tour filled with his passion, friendship, knowledge and stories about Cambodia. A comprehensive itinerary is provided, and you will travel across the city to key sites including the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom Pagoda. Also included are in depth visits to the renowned historic sites of the Genocide Museum (S21) and Killing Fields. This tour is suitable for families, groups and solo travellers alike, but please note that the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields are unsuitable for most children, and that at temples, religious sites, and the Royal Palace, shoulders, backs and legs above the knee should be covered.
The Royal Palace, located on the riverside, is the official residence of the Cambodian King and his family. Here you will visit a range of ornate and colourful buildings with golden roofs and towering spires, that are a great examples of classic Khmer architecture. Our tour includes the Throne Hall, Napoleon III Pavilion, and the Silver Pagoda with its silver tiled floor and amazing artifacts. A visit to the Palace provides an interesting insight to Cambodia’s regal past and the richness of Khmer artistry and craftsmanship.
The impressive, Angkorian styled, Independence Monument was built in 1958 to commemorate Cambodia's 1953 independence from its colonial past under the governance of France. Located on a large roundabout, at the intersection of two major boulevards, it is in the very heart of the city. The Monument provides a notable landmark, reference point, and is the center of activity during many national celebrations.
Tuol Sleng, is a museum recording the Cambodian genocide committed by the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979 . The museum is the site of a former secondary school which was used as Security Prison 21 (S21) by the Khmer Rouge. A visit to this museum, and the closely associated Killing Fields, is essential to gaining understanding into the heartbreaking and tragic events that have shaped modern day Cambodian society. Toul Sleng was a place of detention, interrogation and torture, and its preservation maintains evidence of that recent and tragic period in Cambodia’s history. Visiting the museum serves to encourage visitors from around the world to promote peace.
The Killing Fields are sites around Cambodia where altogether about 1.3 million people were killed and buried by the then government under the leadership of the Khmer Rouge and Prime Minister Pol Pot. These terrible crimes against humanity are known as the Cambodian genocide. Most famous of these is Choeung Ek, a former orchard about 15 km from Phnom Penh, and now preserved as a museum for visitors to know and understand what happened during that tragic time. Choeung Ek was closely associated with the Tuol Sleng detention centre.
Central Market (Phsar Thmei) is a prominent art deco building in the shape of a cross with a spectacular central dome. The four wings of the cross are filled with stalls selling gold and silver jewellery, antique coins, fake name-brand watches and souvenirs. There are hardware stalls, a wet market, clothing and household items, food outlets…a huge range of products for sale. This is a popular place for tourists to browse, find a bargain or buy gifts and memorabilia to take home.
Wat Phnom is a Buddhist temple built on a tree-covered, man-made hill on the North side of the city. This is an historic and cultural landmark, and a place of tranquillity in the bustling city. The main stupa sits spectacularly atop the hill and enshrines the ashes of King Ponhea Yat who in 1434, arrived and built the city of Phnom Penh. Wat Phnom has become a central attraction in the city for both Khmer and overseas visitors and is a ‘must visit’ when in Phnom Penh.
City Highlights and the Killing Fields Day Tour lasts about 7 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
Prices start at $100 per person for this Phnom Penh experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup points include MEET_AT_DEPARTURE_POINT, CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyJgZNlQm5JZEJfyTvg83V68=.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 10 travellers can book together.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller The Genocide Museum and Killing Fields are not suitable for most children.
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Fantastic tour. Guide spoke fluent English and explained the history of Cambodia clearly. Visited city highlights and overall a 150/100% guide and tour. Thankyou.
Many thanks for your generous review. I hope to see you again.
Excellent tour visiting all main sites in Phnom Penh. Sam our guide was very informative and we enjoyed hearing about the history of Cambodia at the respective sites. Certainly would recommend
Thank you for your thoughtful and generous review Mr. Chris. I am glad that you and your daughter enjoyed my city tour in Phnom Penh. I hope to see all of you again soon. Many thanks. Sam Ang
When I booked my trip to Cambodia, I spent most of my time in Siem Reap (definitely DO reccomend) and had Phnom Penh as my last stop before returning to the USA. I booked this tour to see the capitol before going back to my country. I think Sam is one of the best tour guides I have had around the Earth, and I want you to know why. Sam is a former teacher in Cambodia and has spent his life promoting education, peace, and human rights around the world. He taught PE and English, and worked with kids with special needs. On tours with him, he brings all of his professional experience of being extremely well prepared, great communication, and knowledgeable to help others see the beauty of his country, like any good teacher would for their class. He wants you to have a good experience, feel extremely welcome, and see the beauty of his country. When I was hot, tired, and had a bit of a stomachache, Sam made it a top priority to make sure I was okay. (I did recover!) If you want to truly know Cambodia, go with Sam. His generosity, kindness, and knowledge are unmatched. On this tour, you go to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda which were extremely beautiful. Make sure to bring about $22 to pay for all the entrance fees for the entire tour. You can give it to Sam and he will take care of it. I did, and it was incredibly smooth and easy. You will also go to the Independence Memorials and market to get any trinkets from Cambodia you want. Having Sam as a guide really touched my heart. Sam's family was directly impacted by the Khmer Rouge genocide, and he is so thoughtful and passionate to promote peace and understanding. He will share with you the history of any detail of the event, including his family's story, and encourages questions for education and to protect future generations. When I went to the Killing Fields and S21 with him, it was one of the most moving experiences of my life. You also have the opportunity to talk to survivors (there are VERY FEW) at the sites and purchase their books which account for Pol Pot's regime. You cannot buy them on Amazon. They are $10 each, and there are four main survivors there still alive, so make sure you have cash to give them if you are interested. They will also sign them for you, take a picture if you would like, and answer any questions. I only knew general information, but if you had anything you wanted to know, you can ask them, and Sam will introduce you and show you where they were tortured and imprisoned. I have met Holocaust survivors before, and it was very similar: extremely positive but moving experience. Sam guides to not only provide a quality experience for international visitors, but to make a difference in the world of tomorrow so that genocide truly is a thing of the past. It is incredible, and I am so grateful for him. Sam will also take you to local restaurants that are very good and to temple that explains the name Phnom Penh. Anything you want to know, Sam can help you. He even showed me the North Korean embassy and a casino just for fun! He is a true local and this tour benefits local Cambodians. He takes great pictures too, which you can see in the review! It is a great way to learn more about the city and country as a whole, and I think it is a tour that you must do to truly experience Cambodia.
Thank you for you thoughtful and generous review Erikah. It was my pleasure to meet you and be your guide. It is especially rewarding for me to guide someone who is so interested and keen to learn. I love my country and culture and hope I can share more with you if you visit again. Many thanks.
Sam was an excellent guide for our visit to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center and S-21 prison in Phnom Penh. His English was clear and he was extremely knowledgeable, helping us understand the history of Cambodia in a meaningful way. Overall a great experience. highly recommend Mr Sam Ang.
Many thanks Advanture for taking time to review your tour. I am delighted that you enjoyed your tour. I hope to see you and your fiancée again soon. Best regards, Sam Ang Kesar-Kesor Khmer Tours
Sam was an excellent tour guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable and informative, sharing great details throughout the tour, and his friendly, approachable personality made the whole experience even better. Everything ran smoothly from start to finish, and we left feeling like we’d genuinely learned something. Highly recommend booking a tour with Sam!
Thank you so much Isabellau for taking the time to review the tour. I am delighted that you and your fiancé enjoyed it very much. I hope to see both of you again in Phnom Penh. Best regards, Sam
He was an amazing tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about the places, explained everything clearly, and was incredibly helpful. At the same time, if you had any questions, he was ready to answer you immediately. I had a lot of fun with him. If you're planning a trip to Phnom Penh, I highly recommend this tour guide.
Many thanks Dr. Daniel. ohm and Trenton for your very review. It was my pleasure to meet you and be your guide the second time. It is equally enjoyable for me to talk and learn from people from different countries. I hope to see you again in Phnom Penh.
I booked a private tour, and everything was effortless. Sam and the driver were early/on time, and all costs were clearly stated up front. I had good communication beforehand via WhatsApp, and everything on the tour could be customized (e.g., due to hot temperatures, I asked to skip a site and go someplace else instead). Honestly, though, what made the tour the most special was chatting with Sam, who worked as a learning specialist prior to becoming a tour guide and is obviously from Cambodia. I can go and see sites myself, read books by myself, etc., but booking tours allows for interactions and learning I would not otherwise have. I highly recommend - and fun fact: as a parent of two, Sam knows just about every possible kid-oriented place/activity, including playgrounds by feature and ranking, around!
It was my pleasure to meet you and be your guide. It is equally enjoyable for me to talk and learn from people from other countries. I hope to see you again in Phnom Penh.
Sam Ang was very knowledgeable and friendly. He was able to show us everything and allow us to return to the ship on time. I would highly recommend him.
Many thanks Mrs. Sonia for your best review. I am glad that you and your husband enjoyed my city tour. I hope to see both of you again in Phnom Penh. With best regards, Sam Ang
Sam was an amazing guide and very knowledgeable about Cambodian history. He also had insight into the reign of the Khmer Rouge as his family was personally affected. It was a great day going to the historical sites and Pagodas. He can be found on facebook with Kesar-Kesor Khmer tours. Sam-Ang Eng.
Fabulous! Many thanks Mrs. Stephanie for your very kind review. I am ready to appreciate it! I hope to see you again soon. Sincerely, Sam Ang Kesar-Kesor Khmer Tours, Cambodia
Had an amazing tour. Sam was very knowledgable and I learnt so much about the history of Cambodia. Visiting the killing fields and the prison, and learning about the historically recent genocide carried out by the Khmer Rouge is a very emotional part of the tour. However, I think it’s something we all should learn about. It’s very humbling. Also, I urge everybody to purchase a book or 2 from the people that are selling them at the killing fields and the prison. Still alive, and sitting in the very spot where they endured so much pain, so they can sell their story and perhaps make a few dollars in the process. I was on my own with Sam and a driver. Sam knew exactly what time to be where, and how to navigate the whole experience while avoiding all the crowds. I 100% recommend this tour. Tku Sam for an amazing day.
Many thanks Mr. Craig for your very kind review. I am glad that you enjoyed my city tour. I hope to catch up with you again in Phnom Penh. With best regards, Sam Ang
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Highlights and the Killing Fields Day Tour | 7 hours | 5.0 (117) | $100 | |
 Watch Live Khmer Traditional boxing in Phnom Penh | 2–3 hours | 5.0 (59) | $19 | View |
 Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Private Car-English Speaking Driver | 5–6 hours | 5.0 (133) | $135 | View |
 Private Half Day To Killing Field & S21 Genocidal Museum in Phnom Penh | 3–4 hours | 4.9 (150) | $65 | View |
 Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat, Bayon & Ta Prohm Day Trip | 15 hours | 4.9 (71) | $169 | View |
 Phnom Penh Full Day Private Tour Included All Admission Tickets | 7–9 hours | 4.9 (635) | $97 | View |
 The Killing Field and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) Tour | 4 hours | 4.9 (2,227) | $19 | View |