How to Spend a Day in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Is Phnom Penh Worth Visiting?

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia and earned the nickname “The Pearl of Asia”, during the French colonial era in the early 1900s, which led to Khmer and French inspired architecture, bustling city streets, and vibrant culture. Today the city experiences rapid modern development and sports a sky line of high rises along the Mekong River. I began my journey through Cambodia in Phnom Penh because the city offers educational opportunities to learn about the history of the nation. What I learned during my time in this city, is there is also amazing food, night markets, and kind and generous local people. In this guide, I will share with you how to spend one day in Phnom Penh, and why Phnom Penh is definitely worth checking out during your trip to Cambodia.

Is Phnom Penh Worth Visiting?

In my opinion, yes. Phnom Penh is an important stop on your Cambodia itinerary to learn and understand the historical context of the country. In the 1970s, a genocide known as the Khmer Rouge took place in Cambodia, a radical communist movement where an estimated 3 million Khmer people were murdered at the hands of Pol Pot and his followers. The most popular reason travelers stop in Phnom Penh is to learn about the genocide by visiting the Choeung Ek Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. I visited these museums, and also found there was more to be explored, including affordable accommodation for solo and group travelers, delicious local food, unique local tours, and vibrant night markets.

Where to Stay: Mad Monkey Phnom Penh

If you’re traveling solo, with friends, or a couple on a budget, Mad Monkey Phnom Penh is a great hostel option during your time in Phnom Penh. They offer affordable bunk and private room options. I stayed in a private room with an ensuite bathroom. The room was spacious and clean, with a comfortable bed and air conditioning strong enough to combat the Cambodian heat. They also offer a ton of social events and tours which is a great way to meet people if you are a solo traveler.

Breakfast at Pu Rock Cafe

Pu Rock Cafe is simply the best. I had breakfast there twice during my time in Phnom Penh and I will absolutely go again if I ever return to in the city. Our waiter was super welcoming with a great sense of humor, we could have chatted with him all day! The menu offers a mix of Khmer and Western breakfast and lunch dishes, smoothies, and coffee. I ordered the chicken fried rice with a sunny side egg on top, a bowl of fresh fruit, and an iced oat milk vanilla latte. I also tried Khmer coffee, which is sweetened with condensed milk. It is a bit too sweet for my taste, but if you like sweet coffee you should definitely try out this local style coffee.

Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Tour

When visiting Cambodia, it is important to learn the historical context of the country in order to truly understand the resilience and strength of the Khmer people. The Khmer Rouge was a genocide on the Khmer people acted out by Pol Pot, a dictator who over thew the government in 1975 with a goal to establish an agrarian classless society. The genocide resulted in the murder of approximately 3 million Khmer people until the Vietnam government over threw Pol Pot in 1979. These horrific events greatly impact the social and political landscape of Cambodia today, and is a vital piece of history to learn as a visitor of the country. Because of how recent the genocide took place, every single local person you will interact with has been impacted either directly or indirectly by the Khmer Rouge.

The Khmer people are passionate about educating their people, especially the youth, and tourists about the Khmer Rouge in order to ensure something like this never happens again to their country or to other countries. I strongly encourage you to visit Phnom Penh at the start of your time in Cambodia to visit the Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum and educate yourself on the history of Cambodia and the resilience of the Khmer people.

I recommend booking your tour with Cheath, a local guide who taught us the history of the Khmer Rouge in a respectful and engaging way. The tour began with a shared van pick up from our hostel, where the tour began with an introduction from our tour guide on the history of Cambodia. The first stop was a guided tour of the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (Killing Fields), the location of one of about 300 “killing fields” where Khmer people were murdered by Pol Pot’s regime. Please remember to act and dress respectfully (covering your shoulders and knees), as you visit the grounds. I recommend bringing cash so you can purchase a rose and place it on the memorial in order to pay your respects.

The next stop on the tour was the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where our guide led us through a guided tour through the museum, which was previously a high school that was converted into a prison during the Khmer Rouge. The same dress code of covering your shoulders and knees applies here. I recommend bringing chash as you will have the opportunity to purchase books from local Khmer authors who have published their stories as survivors of the Khmer Rouge.

The Killing Fields and Genocide Museum Tour is a heavy and emotional day, but a necessary one in order to understand the Khmer people and pay respects to the millions of lives lost on the land you are traveling through.

Lunch at David’s Homemade Noodles

This place is amazing. Cambodia is known for their hand-pulled noodles, and they are a must try during your visit. David’s Homemade Noodles Restaurant is a humble, family run restaurant and makes some of the best hand pulled noodles I tried during my trip. In addition to the incredible food, you can even sit outside and watch the noodles being made right in front of you while you enjoy your meal! The restaurant sign even says “order the noodle to see the show”. The family who owns and runs the restaurant are sure to make you feel welcomed and right at home. Eating at this place felt like having a meal in their home, I loved it! I ordered the fried noodles with beef and they were everything I hoped they would be, tender flavorful meat with warm fluffy noodles. I also tried the vegetable dumpling soup, which was refreshing, light, and flavorful. Don’t forget to order a can of Angkor Cambodia beer to go with your meal! David’s Homemade Noodles is a must try for delicious and authentic Khmer cuisine during your trip to Phnom Penh!

If you are visiting Siem Reap on your trip to Cambodia, be sure to check out my guide to the best restaurants in Siem Reap and try the best hand pulled noodles I found in the city.

Walking Tour with Mad Monkey Hostel

Mad Monkey Hostel offers a $10 walking tour to guests and outside guests. The tour is led by one of their Khmer staff, and offers a glimpse into local life in Phnom Penh with a walk through the city, a sunset boat ride across the Mekong River on the local ferry, a riverside walk, and a taste of local cuisine, including bugs! Whether you are traveling solo or with friends, this tour is a great way to meet people during your travels. I highly recommend this tour if you want to see and learn about the local side of Phnom Penh, beyond its high rises and pub street.

For dinner you will be eating your way through the walking tour! Our tour guide took us to a food stand on the riverwalk where we enjoyed meat skewers and other Khmer cuisine snacks made by a sweet local woman. We sat over a fire with Cambodian beers and learned about Khmer culture, food, and language. Next we walked over to the Phnom Penh Night Market to catch a traditional Khmer dance performance. Afterward we ate our way through the market, tasting local Khmer food, including bugs! I didn’t try any because I was too scared, but I liked watching other people try them!

Evening Cocktails at River Bistro

After the walking tour, I suggest wrapping up your evening with a cocktail along the river. You can either choose to talk back to the hostel with the group, or wander down Pub Street, which is close by to the Night Market. If you’ve read my Siem Reap Cocktail Bar Guide, you’ll know I’m not a huge fan of pub streets, but I love a good cocktail bar. The River Bistro is two blocks over from the pub street, across from the river walk, overlooking the Mekong River. You can enjoy a well priced beer or cocktail while people watch in a more relaxed setting than what the pub street has to offer. The staff was also incredibly welcoming and accommodating. When I was heading back to my hostel, it started pouring rain, and my waitress walked me over to my tuk tuk with an umbrella to make sure I stayed dry! Definitely check out River Bistro if you’re looking for a relaxing way to end the night.

Final Thoughts

Phnom Penh may not be the tourist heavy destination that travelers expect in Southeast Asia, but that is exactly what makes it so worthwhile to visit. Beyond the busy streets and rapid development, the city offers a mix of history, culture, food, and kind local people. From learning about Cambodia’s history at the Killing Fields and Genocide Museum, sharing hand pulled noodles at a family run restaurant, wandering through local markets, and floating along the Mekong River, Phnom Penh left a lasting impression on me. If you are planning a trip through Cambodia, I highly recommend spending at least a day or two in Phnom Penh, to better understand the heart and resilience of the Khmer people.

FAQs

How many days should I spend in Phnom Penh?

If you don’t have a lot of time, I would recommend at least one full day in Phnom Penh. If you are on a more relaxed schedule, you could spend 2-3 more leisurely days, taking your time to explore the city. It’s totally up to you and how you want to spend your time in Cambodia.

Does Phnom Penh have an airport?

Yes, Phnom Penh opened the Techo International Airport in late 2025.

How do you get from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap?

You can take a bus, shared or private van, or fly to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh.

How do you get to Kampot from Phnom Penh?

Kampot does not have an airport. You can take a bus, shared or private van, or the train to Kampot from Phnom Penh. I booked a shared mini van through my hostel, Mad Monkey Phnom Penh, and it cost $8 and took about 3 hours.

The Killing Fields and Genocide Museum Tour seems really sad, should I still go?

Yes. I believe educating yourself about the recent genocide in Cambodia is very important as a visitor. While these tours are very emotionally heavy, understanding the historical, social, and political context of the country will help you understand the local people on a much deeper level. My tour guide, Cheath, did an amazing job of explaining the history of the Khmer Rouge in a respectful and digestible way. You can book a tour with him here.