Things to Do in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Walking Guide

Phnom Penh is a city of contrasts where gilded temples, French-era architecture, and bustling markets meet at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonlé Sap, and Bassac rivers. As the capital of Cambodia, it offers an energetic character defined by a rich heritage, riverfront promenades, and a culture looking forward to the future. Neywo features a free audio guide for Phnom Penh with 26 narrated places to help you explore the city at your own pace.

What to See in Phnom Penh: Key Landmarks and Heritage

Exploring the city reveals a layered history spanning ancient empires, the colonial era, and modern architectural milestones.

• Wat Phnom: Rising 46 metres, this hilltop Buddhist temple complex is the tallest religious building in the city and gives Phnom Penh its name. Its origins reach back to the 14th century, and the current structures were rebuilt in 1926.
• The Royal Palace: Serving as the official residence of Cambodia’s king, this grand complex stretches along the western bank of the Mekong where the river divides into four arms. First built between 1866 and 1870 and largely rebuilt between 1912 and 1932, the palace stands on the site of a former citadel.
• National Museum of Cambodia: Located just north of the Royal Palace, this cultural repository is the country’s leading archaeological museum. Housed in a historic building constructed between 1917 and 1920, it holds one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art, featuring over 14,000 objects from prehistoric times through the Angkor era.
• Central Market (Phsar Thmei): Built in the 1930s, this bright yellow art deco landmark features a 26-metre-high central dome with four arch-roofed arms stretching across the block. It remains a bustling hub of commerce.
• Independence Monument: Standing on a central roundabout, this lotus-shaped stupa was built in 1958 to commemorate Cambodia’s independence from France. It rises in five tiers adorned with Angkor lotus and naga motifs.
• Chaktomouk Hall: Built in 1961, this fan-shaped concrete theatre spreads out like a palm leaf, blending traditional Khmer motifs with modern structural design.
• Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Housed in a former secondary school, this stark memorial served as Security Prison 21 during the Khmer Rouge regime. The original classrooms were turned into tiny detention cells to detain and torture perceived enemies.
• Choeung Ek: Located about 17 kilometres south of the city, this tranquil memorial marks a former Killing Field where mass executions took place between 1975 and 1979. A Buddhist stupa at the site holds thousands of skulls sorted by age and sex.

Things to Do in Phnom Penh

Beyond its major monuments, things to do in Phnom Penh include sampling Khmer cuisine, browsing everyday neighborhoods, and experiencing the city’s vibrant street scenes. Travelers often combine a visit here with trips to other destinations in the country, such as Siem Reap to the north, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kep, or Bokor. Whether you are looking for a Phnom Penh self-guided walking tour or a comprehensive Phnom Penh audio guide, the city rewards close attention.

Explore Phnom Penh with Neywo

Download Neywo and explore the capital with a free Phnom Penh audio guide. The app includes 2 walking tour(s) designed to guide you through the city’s most significant sights. Each story plays automatically as you reach the place, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule, and narration is available in 11 languages.