Situated at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers, Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia is a beautiful city with a lot to explore. Whether you are a history buff, looking for new cultural experiences, or just like pretty locales to relax in, Phnom Penh attractions have it all. And once you want a break from all the Phnom Penh sightseeing, there are always riverfront cafes to chill at.
While the country’s most famous tourist destination is easily Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh is the city that’ll surprise you over and over again with the gems it has to offer.
Here are places to visit in Phnom Penh that you must check out
1. National Museum of Cambodia
While it is one of those Phnom Penh attractions that were inaugurated in the French Colonial period, the architecture of this beautiful red sandstone building is all Cambodian. One of the most beautiful places to visit in Phnom Penh, this museum is home to all things culturally Cambodian, and with its 14,000 exhibits, arranged according to different historic periods, visiting the National Museum of Cambodia sure deserves to be on the list of things to do in Phnom Penh.
2. Vimean Ekareach
The Cambodian Independence Monument, or Vimean Ekareach as it is locally called is the structure that marks the country’s liberation from French colonial rule. The end of the period that lasted nearly a century, from 1863 to 1953, is celebrated with great vigour each year on 9th November. One of the most important Phnom Penh places to visit, the monument is washed in the colours of the Cambodian flag each evening, making it a sight to behold.
3. Choeung Ek Memorial
Like many other countries, Cambodia has also had dark periods in its history, the bloodiest of which was the Cambodian Genocide. Grim, and yet equally important to know about, Choeung Ek Memorial is one of those places to visit in Phnom Penh that will make you reflect. Killing Fields, where the memorial was erected, is where close to 15,000 people were brutally executed and buried by the Khmer Rouge, making it one of the more poignant Phnom Penh places to visit.
If you are a history buff and would want to learn more about this period, you can also explore the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh.
4. Wat Phnom
Perched upon a hill, visiting this Pagoda is one of the things to do in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh that you’ll cherish for a long time. Not only does it offer a stunning view of the city, but this Pagoda is where the city gets its name from, making it one of the Phnom Penh attractions that signify national pride. Since this was built and rebuilt multiple times, the walls tell many stories, including illustrations from the Jataka tales, and Reamker, which happens to be the Khmer version of Ramayana.
5. Wat Ounalom
The oldest and the most prominent of the 5 Pagodas in the country, Wat Ounalom is one of the places to visit in Phnom Penh that comes with a relic like no other. Built to house one of Lord Buddha’s eyebrow hair, this shrine was home to 500 monks and close to 30,000 titles in its library before the Khmer Rouge decided to attack it. The hair miraculously survived the attack, and draws a large number of visitors, making it an important part of Phnom Penh sightseeing.
6. Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
Situated in the same complex, these two Phnom Penh attractions are a cultural experience like no other. The Royal Palace, which is home to Cambodia’s royalty, lets visitors explore many of its buildings, giving you a view into the lifestyle and history of the family. The highlights include Throne Hall and Moonlight Pavilion, and a visit here makes for an amazing addition to things to do in Phnom Penh.
Once you have witnessed the regal buildings, head to the Silver Pagoda for a glimpse of the Emerald Budhha, known to be made of Baccarat crystal.
7. Cambodian Living Arts
A country’s culture is best experienced through its art forms, making a visit to Cambodian Living Arts a must in the things to do in Phnom Penh. Housed in the National Museum of Cambodia, the organisation hosts traditional Apsara and Khmer dance performances which are even more surreal considering that the forms were lost during the Khmer Rouge regime and were brought back to life painstakingly.
8. Sisowath Quay
After so much of cultural experiences, it is obvious that one would want to pause their Phnom Penh sightseeing and explore the city as it stands today, and Sisowath Quay is just the place for it. The riverfront neighbourhood that is home to the most stunning cafes, bars, and restaurants is the perfect place to wind down, and for us, just the view itself makes it one of the best things to do in Phnom Penh.