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Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh

Month guide · Phnom Penh · Cambodia

Phnom Penh in April

What April is really like in Phnom Penh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.

Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team

Photo: plusgood, CC BY 2.0

Quick answer

April is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 35°C (95°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 12.4 hours of daylight. The hottest month; over Khmer New Year many residents go home to the provinces and the city is unusually quiet, with some shops closed.

Key facts

Average high / low
35°C (95°F) / 25°C (77°F)
Rainy days
About 6
Daylight
About 12.4 hours
Crowds
Quiet
Hotel prices
Average

Weather in April

April is the 2nd-warmest month in Phnom Penh: days average 35°C (95°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 30 days. Compared with March (35°C (95°F)), April is about as warm; by May highs stay near 35°C (95°F).

Sunrise (15 April)
About 05:49
Sunset (15 April)
About 18:12
Daylight
About 12.4 hours

Cool dry season (November–February). Sunny, dry and relatively comfortable, with the Water Festival in November; the main tourist season.

Crowds and prices

On a 1–5 scale, April rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in January). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.

Events in April

  • Khmer New Year — three-day national holiday (mid-April)

Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.

What to do in April

With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.

National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0

Museum · Royal Palace and Street 240

National Museum of Cambodia

The terracotta-red museum built in the 1910s–1920s holds the world's leading collection of Khmer sculpture, from pre-Angkorian figures such as the eight-armed Vishnu of Phnom Da to the serene seated statue of Jayavarman VII and a huge bronze reclining Vishnu from the West Mebon.

Time needed
1.5–2 hours
Cost
Mid-priced
  • Art
  • History
  • Rainy day
  • Architecture
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), Phnom Penh
Photo: Michael Gruijters at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

Museum · Toul Tom Poung

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)

Take the audio guide and allow time; many visitors pair it with Choeung Ek on the same day, which is emotionally heavy, so consider separate days.

Time needed
2 hours
Cost
Low cost
  • History
  • Rainy day
  • Iconic
Royal Palace, Phnom Penh
Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0

Palace · Royal Palace and Street 240

Royal Palace

Built from 1866 when King Norodom moved the capital to Phnom Penh, the palace compound faces the river with tiered golden roofs, the Throne Hall used for coronations and manicured gardens.

Time needed
1.5–2 hours with the Silver Pagoda
Cost
Mid-priced
  • Iconic
  • Architecture
  • History
  • Photo spot
Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh
Photo: plusgood, CC BY 2.0

Religious site · Royal Palace and Street 240

Silver Pagoda

Walk the full mural gallery around the courtyard; it is often skipped but shows the whole Khmer Ramayana.

Time needed
45 minutes
Cost
Mid-priced
  • Iconic
  • Art
  • History
  • Architecture

What to pack

For highs near 35°C, lows near 25°C and 6 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.

Is April a good time to visit Phnom Penh?

A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, November–February are better overall. Compare every month.

Phnom Penh in other months

Questions travellers ask

+Is April a good time to visit Phnom Penh?

It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The hottest month; over Khmer New Year many residents go home to the provinces and the city is unusually quiet, with some shops closed.

+How warm is Phnom Penh in April?

Average highs are around 35°C (95°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).

+Does it rain a lot in Phnom Penh in April?

Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.