Free things to do · Phnom Penh · Cambodia
7 free things to do in Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Phnom Penh without paying an entry fee: Central Market (Phsar Thmei), Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung), Sisowath Quay riverside and Independence Monument are all free. Use PassApp or Grab for city trips; fares are usually lower than negotiated street prices.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Very affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- September
Free sights and experiences
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Market · Wat Phnom and Central Market
1.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
2.Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung)
Go early in the morning before the tin roof traps the heat, and eat breakfast inside before shopping.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
Waterfront · Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
3.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
Landmark · BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)
4.Independence Monument
Visit in the evening, when the park fills with locals and the monument is lit.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
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Religious site · Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
5.Wat Ounalom
Remove shoes before entering the halls and ask permission before photographing monks.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
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Religious site · BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)
6.Wat Langka
Ask at the pagoda for the current meditation schedule; arrive a few minutes early and dress modestly.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- History
Architecture · BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)
7.National Olympic Stadium
Go around 5–6pm to join the exercise crowd and watch the sunset from the top tier.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Wat Phnom and Central Market | Central Market (Phsar Thmei) | 1 hour |
| Toul Tom Poung | Russian Market (Phsar Toul Tom Poung) | 1–1.5 hours |
| Riverside (Sisowath Quay) | Sisowath Quay riverside and Wat Ounalom | 1 hour + 30–45 minutes |
| BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1) | Independence Monument, Wat Langka and National Olympic Stadium | 30 minutes + 1 hour + 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
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
Historic site · About 15 km south of the centre
Choeung Ek Genocidal Center
Go by tuk-tuk in the morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler and quieter; the audio guide is included with entry.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours plus travel
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Iconic
Religious site · Wat Phnom and Central Market
Wat Phnom
Come in the late afternoon, when the park around the hill fills with families and food vendors.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Outdoors
Experience · Riverside (Sisowath Quay)
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.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
More ways to save
- Use PassApp or Grab for city trips; fares are usually lower than negotiated street prices.
- Pay in dollars for larger amounts and use riel for small purchases, at roughly 4,000 riel to the dollar.
- Bring undamaged dollar notes; torn or heavily marked bills are often refused.
- Eat breakfast and lunch at markets, where a full meal costs a few dollars.
- Many sights, pagodas and parks are free, including the riverside, Wat Ounalom and the Olympic Stadium.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Phnom Penh expensive to visit?
Phnom Penh is very affordable for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Phnom Penh?
Central Market (Phsar Thmei): Eat at the food stalls on the market's edge, where noodle soups and grilled meats are cheap and fresh.