2 days in Phnom Penh

Day by day

1. Day 1: Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

   Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum of Cambodia and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), then Sisowath Quay riverside in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Royal Palace

      The King still lives here, so only part of the compound is open, but it is the city's defining sight.

   2. Late morning

      Silver Pagoda

      It houses a small crystal Emerald Buddha and a life-size gold Buddha set with thousands of diamonds, and its courtyard walls are painted with a long Reamker mural.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Phnom Penh noodle soup

      Market food courts such as the Russian Market and noodle shops across the city, mostly in the morning.

   4. Afternoon

      National Museum of Cambodia

      A quiet garden courtyard with lotus ponds sits at the centre.

   5. Late afternoon

      Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)

      The classrooms, cells and walls of prisoner portraits are left largely as they were found, and the audio guide, available in many languages, tells survivors' and victims' stories.

   6. Evening

      Sisowath Quay riverside

      Walk the stretch between the Royal Palace and Wat Ounalom around sunset, then stop for a drink overlooking the water.

2. Day 2: Choeung Ek Genocidal Center and Wat Phnom

   Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, Wat Phnom, Central Market (Phsar Thmei) and Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung), then Sunset river cruise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Choeung Ek Genocidal Center

      A memorial stupa holds thousands of skulls arranged by age and sex, and the self-guided audio tour leads quietly around the orchard and excavated pits.

   2. Late morning

      Wat Phnom

      Today a pagoda and stupa crown the hill, reached by a naga-lined staircase, and locals come to pray for luck in exams and business.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Khmer rice noodles with fish curry

      Market stalls and street vendors in the morning, especially around Toul Tom Poung.

   4. Afternoon

      Central Market (Phsar Thmei)

      Jewellers and watch sellers fill the space under the dome, while the wings and outer stalls sell clothes, souvenirs, flowers and cooked food.

   5. Late afternoon

      Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung)

      Its central food court is one of the best places in the city for a noodle breakfast.

   6. Evening

      Sunset river cruise

      Bring your own snacks or choose a boat with drinks included, and sit on the upper deck for views of the palace.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 12–15 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.4 hours in December to 12.8 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Ride-hailing. PassApp and Grab are widely used to book tuk-tuks, auto-rickshaws and cars at a fixed price shown before you ride; this avoids haggling and is usually cheaper than street hire.

More or fewer days

• One day in Phnom Penh
• 3 days in Phnom Penh

Questions travellers ask