Phnom Penh is a bustling, upcoming and beautiful city in Southeast Asia. Whether you are a foodie, a history buff or an adventurer, Phnom Penh is an exciting destination. Read on for our city guide to Phnom Penh.
Why Go to Phnom Penh
While Southeast Asia has always been a popular destination, Phnom Pehn is just becoming a tourist destination. So, if you are looking for a more far flung trip for your next big escape, head to Cambodia.
Where to Stay
Phnom Penh is a busy city in a developing country, so that means lots of people everywhere. And this translates to traffic, so you’ll want to stay near the sites you are interested in checking out. For us, this meant staying downtown; the Plantation Urban Resort and Spa was the perfect choice!
A former French administrative building, the Plantation is a beautiful oasis in the middle of the city. You instantly feel relaxed as soon as you walk in. And after a busy day exploring sweltering Phnom Penh, you’ll welcome this feeling, oh and did I mention that the pool is also only a few steps away as well?
When you arrive, you enter through a breath-taking entryway made up of a tree and koi pond.
The check in area is an open-air lobby and there is tropical greenery everywhere you look.
Rooms are spacious, the breakfast is amazing and the courtyard pool is the only place you’ll want to be after touring the city all morning.
What to Do
Phnom Penh has a full history and visitors can experience the good along with the bad. Starting with the good, visit the Royal Palace and the National Museum. Both of these were just steps from the Plantation.
The National Museum is a gorgeous building, so be sure to allow some time to just explore and get some pretty shots outside. Once you enter, you can check out tons of ancient artifacts and art. After that, spend some time in the courtyard, which is a perfectly manicured example of Southeast Asian landscaping and traditional design.
After the National Museum, head over to the Royal Palace which is just as stunning as it sounds. But be aware, all visitors must have their shoulders and knees covered, men and women, so dress respectfully. As you walk through the palace grounds there are lots of photo opportunities. The golden buildings, the beautiful landscaping and the historic frescos are definitely worth the visit.
After a morning of admiring the beautiful sites, head to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to learn about the darker side of Cambodian history—the Khmer Rouge. The museum explains this time in history and doesn’t shy away from this part of Cambodian history.
Where to Eat
Phnom Penh is an amazingly foodie city. With everything from traditional Khmer food to trendy expat hangouts, you will eat a variety of dishes during your stay.
La Pergola – The fine dining restaurant at the Plantation is a great place to start your Phnom Penh food tour. Elevated Asian fusion dishes satisfy and amaze here. The presentation is beautiful, the ingredients are fresh and the presentation just perfect. Try the waygu beef & kampot pepper tartare and the lamb tenderloin. And don’t skip dessert, the matcha cookie is just picture perfect.
Malis – For high end Khmer food, you have to visit Malis. Another example of some beautiful Phnom Penh architecture, Malis simply a pleasant place to be. And when you sit down for lunch or dinner, you wont be disappointed. The menu is filled with Khmer classics, taken to the next level. Start with the classic Amok, a traditional fish dish, then move to the Takeo sausages and then green mango salad and then wok friend zucchini and the saraman beef curry. And if you visit during mango season, you just have to have their version of mango and sticky rice. Everything from the staff, to the atmosphere to the food creates the perfect dining experience. This is truly a can’t miss in Phnom Penh.
Lot 369—For a trendy weekend brunch, head to Lot 369, which is popular with expats and is run by Aussies. As you’ll find in Phnom Penh, your dollar goes quite far, and even at a stylish place like lot 369 you can guiltlessly treat yourself to plenty of Instgrammable treats like Khmer coffee, avocado toast, and Aussie dishes like the brekkie stack.
Sora Sky Bar– Head to the Sora Sky Bar at the Rosewood Hotel to take in 360 views of Phnom Penh over a sunset drink with your travel buddies. The craft cocktails feature plenty of local flavors and the views can’t be beat. Also, they have a fabulous happy hour menu from 7-9pm each night.
Key Tips for Visiting Phnom Penh
While Phnom Penh is safe to visit, you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep your belongings close to you, even when riding in a tuk tuk, don’t use your phone on the street, and generally just consciously observe your surroundings. Regardless of the city’s growing pains, Phnom Penh is a remarkable city filled with friendly people, incredible sites and tasty food, so have fun!
For more Cambodia travel blogs, head over to our pieces on Siem Reap and Angkor Wat!