September 26, 2017 — Nestled at the confluence of the Tonle Sap River and the Mekong, Phnom Penh is an unmissable destination on any journey through Cambodge. As the nation's capital, this city possesses a distinctive charm that offers visitors an authentic escape from the familiar.

To help you make the most of your time in Cambodia's capital, here are five essential destinations to discover.

The Royal Palace

Situated in the heart of the capital along Boulevard Samdech Sothearos, the Royal Palace stands as Phnom Penh's premier attraction. While serving as the official residence of Cambodia's king, portions of the palace remain open to the public.

Constructed in 1866, this palace represents a magnificent example of Khmer architecture. Sprawling across approximately 16 hectares, the site harbors countless treasures waiting to be explored.

Practical Information:

Opening Hours: mornings from 7:30 AM to 11 AM, afternoons from 2:30 PM to 5 PM.

Admission: €4.50 as of January 2017.

Photography: prohibited inside buildings.

Remember to cover your arms and legs upon entry. T-shirts and trousers are available for purchase at the entrance.

The Silver Pagoda

The Silver Pagoda, also known as Vat Preah Keo, is an important sanctuary housing royal ashes. Located within the Royal Palace grounds on its southern side, this sanctuary contains some of the country's most precious treasures.

Its silver floor, comprised of 5,000 tiles, ranks among these curiosities, alongside a life-size golden Buddha adorned with more than 9,000 diamonds, including one weighing 25 carats.

The National Museum

Located north of the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh's National Museum is easily recognizable by its distinctive ochre-colored building. Constructed beginning in 1917 and inaugurated in 1918, this museum houses one of Southeast Asia's most significant collections of Khmer craftsmanship, with over 14,000 pieces distributed across four galleries. A worthwhile visit for understanding Cambodian heritage and history.

Practical Information:

Opening Hours: daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Admission: $5 for children aged 10-17, $10 for visitors 18 and older.

Photography: prohibited inside the museum. Permitted outdoors.

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Tuol Sleng Museum, commonly known as the Genocide Museum, ranks among the most visited sites in Cambodia's capital. This former secondary school, converted into a detention center during the Pol Pot regime, served as the country's largest detention and torture facility. Only in 1979, following the Vietnamese army's liberation of the capital, was the camp transformed into a museum. Today, the site has been carefully adapted to welcome visitors. While sobering, a visit here proves essential to understanding the painful history of the Cambodian people.

The City Markets

The city's two principal markets are: Central Market and Russian Market. The first, known as Phsar Thmey, sits beneath an enormous art-deco structure painted in yellow, positioned between the Royal Palace and the railway station. Built in 1935 and recently renovated, this iconic building is divided into four wings, each housing specialized shops—electronics, footwear, clothing, butchery, and fishmonger services. The second, Russian Market or Tuol Tom Pong Market, stands in the city's southern district near the Toul Tom Pong Pagoda. It brings together numerous stalls offering an impressive selection of souvenirs at remarkably competitive prices.

Tourism — Charlène Nomadays — An early-stage SEO writer at Nomadays who evolved into content manager and head of communications, Charlène has fueled the company's adventure with passion and dedication from its inception. After spending seven years across Asia—from China to Thailand, passing through Mongolia and South Korea—she has woven travel into her very way of being. A lover of words, nature, and human connection, she commits herself to conveying in her writing a sensible, engaged, and responsible vision of tourism. For her, each article bridges curiosity, respect, and wonder.