Month guide · Phnom Penh · Cambodia
Phnom Penh in August
What August is really like in Phnom Penh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 17 rainy days and roughly 12.5 hours of daylight. Frequent rain and high humidity; the rivers rise and the Tonle Sap runs back towards the lake.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 17
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in August
August is the 8th-warmest month in Phnom Penh: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 33°C (91°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 17 of its 31 days. Compared with July (32°C (90°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs stay near 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 05:50
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 18:20
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
Hot season (March–May). Temperatures around 35°C and heavy humidity; Khmer New Year in mid-April empties the city as people go home to the provinces.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes August one of the better-value months to book.
Events in August
August has no major recurring festival in Phnom Penh, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Wat Phnom and Central Market
Wat Phnom
The small wooded hill that gave the city its name: legend says a woman called Penh found Buddha statues in the river in 1372 and built a shrine on this mound.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Outdoors
Market · Wat Phnom and Central Market
Central Market (Phsar Thmei)
Eat at the food stalls on the market's edge, where noodle soups and grilled meats are cheap and fresh.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Shopping
- Food
- Kids
Market · Toul Tom Poung
Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung)
Named after the Russian expatriates who shopped here in the 1980s, this low, cramped market sells silk, krama, handicrafts, clothing from local garment factories, motorbike parts and food.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
Waterfront · Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
Sisowath Quay riverside
Walk the stretch between the Royal Palace and Wat Ounalom around sunset, then stop for a drink overlooking the water.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 25°C and 17 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Phnom Penh?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, November–February are better overall. Compare every month.
Phnom Penh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Phnom Penh?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Frequent rain and high humidity; the rivers rise and the Tonle Sap runs back towards the lake.
+How warm is Phnom Penh in August?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Phnom Penh in August?
Expect rain on about 17 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.