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MAY 2023
Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital city of Cambodia, is a fascinating destination for travelers seeking to explore the country's rich history, culture, and cuisine. From awe-inspiring temples to bustling markets, there is no shortage of things to see and do in Phnom Penh. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple on a romantic getaway, or a family on vacation, this city offers a variety of experiences to suit all tastes and interests.
In this blog post, I’ll share some of the top things to do while traveling in Phnom Penh, so you can make the most of your trip to this exciting city.
Day 1 – Arrival
Before flying into Phnom Penh International Airport, I recommend applying for an E-Visa via https://www.evisa.gov.kh/. I paid 72USD (471CNY) for two T-Visas. This is a single entry, 30-day long visa and is valid for 3 months. The processing time is about 3 business days, so plan ahead!
The other option is getting a visa upon arrival in the Phnom Penh airport, but to save time, I highly recommend the online application. The steps are super clear on the website, and we had no hassle using them when entering and exiting Cambodia.
The other thing I highly recommend organizing before arriving in the capital city is your mode of transportation. You can either pre-book a tuktuk via the Grab app, or a taxi (if you have lots of luggage) via Klook. Enjoy a discount off your next tour/hotel/transport/show booking here.
After getting through immigration, retrieving your bag and exiting the airport, I recommend heading to the SIM card kiosks while the driver is pulling the car around. A 7-day unlimited data plan cost 5USD (32RMB). I found that most all providers were similar in price. We had absolutely no issues with Metfone and would use their service again.
If you’re looking for a treat-yourself kind of holiday, I truly cannot recommend The Rosewood Phnom Penh enough. It’s classified as a 5-star hotel for a good reason. Here, you will find exceptional service, top of the line amenities, and a variety of places to eat on the property. We arrived at our hotel around noontime, and the staff were so accommodating to let us check into our stunning - and I mean drop-dead GORGEOUS - Mekong River suite. The Rosewood is in one of the tallest buildings in the city, so the views were unobstructed. The night view was a special one, seeing the bridges and buildings that dot the riverbank, all lit up!
We made a reservation at Sora Bar, their exclusive sky bar located on the 37th floor of the Rosewood, to try their highly rated signature drinks. Order the Butterfly Pailin and Khmer-Fashioned for a refreshing pre-dinner drink, while watching the sun set in the city.
For dinner, we dined at Cuts, the sophisticated steak and seafood grill. I cannot recommend the 12-hour slow-cooked wagyu beef cheek, Australian lamb rack, and lobster croquettes enough! Truly!
To round out our stay, we couldn’t leave without trying the sushi at Iza the next afternoon. The Pirikara maguro (spicy tuna and sweet & spicy aioli) was out. of. this. world!
Day 2 – Indulge In An Evening Food Tour
The next day, we changed hotels so we could take advantage of a property with an outdoor pool. Part of what I consider when booking accommodation are the amenities - i.e. pool and spa facilities! Does it look like the pool has enough lounge chairs? Is there a sauna in the locker room? These are the important questions that go through my mind when booking!
One of the BEST activities we did in Phnom Penh was the Lost Plate Evening Food Tour. We indulged in some of Cambodia's most iconic dishes like Khmer curry noodles, banana flower salad, delicious BBQ, and Battamong fish cake. Our English-speaking guide was extremely charismatic, knowledgeable, and made sure we were never hungry or thirsty. My favorite part of the tour were the desserts! We made a pitstop at one of the Lost Plate-approved street vendors where we had our pick of glutinous soups, sticky rice, and sweet fruit desserts. At the end of the night, we stopped at a local bar and had a cocktail with Cambodian herbs and rum and chatted with everyone on our tour – perfect nightcap in my opinion!
If you find yourself in Phnom Penh (or even in China or Portland, Oregon) and are looking to join a Lost Plate food tour, use code: JOURNEYWITHJANA for 5USD off at checkout!
Day 3 – Take In The Culture
Phnom Penh offers a unique blend of history, culture, and modernity. Three attractions that always top the capital city’s must-see lists are the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and National Museum. Here are some tips for your next trip to Phnom Penh:
Built in the 1860s, the Royal Palace is home to the current King of Cambodia.
Don’t forget to cover your shoulders and knees (scarves aren’t acceptable) when you visit the palace.
The Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace are on the same grounds, so you can experience both with one entry ticket (10USD, cash only).
The Silver Pagoda is named after its floor, which is made of five tons of pure silver!
Home to an extensive collection of Khmer art and artifacts that date back to the prehistoric era, the National Museum's galleries are filled with sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and other objects that offer insight into Cambodia's rich history and culture.
Highlights of the collection include ancient bronze drums, stone statues of Hindu gods and goddesses, and intricate carvings of Angkor Wat.
The entry fee to the museum is also 10USD, cash only.
The National Museum is right around the block from the palace and pagoda, so carve out a couple of hours in your Phnom Penh trip and you can do all three attractions in half a day.
Day 4 – Sunset Cruise Before Departure
The last day was essentially a full day because our flight back to Shanghai was late at night. That means we arranged a late check-out (5pm) with our hotel and had a relaxing pool day in the morning/afternoon and took a sunset cruise in the evening. Talk about ✨golden hour✨!
We booked Cambo Cruises via Viator and it was the best decision we made. We were able to see the capital at its most magical as we glided past the Phnom Penh skyline on this sunset cruise. There is no other way to experience the Mekong River! We sailed past the attractions we saw the day before and through the floating villages of Tonle Sap. The onboard bar offers cocktails, tea, coffee, and beer for purchase as well as an a la carte menu. Hotel pick up is included, and our tuktuk driver was prompt and very friendly. We were well-taken care of once onboard, and they had the loveliest crew which honestly made the whole experience worth it.
Overall, is Phnom Penh worth visiting? The short answer is: YES, it is. There is a stunning blend of ancient and modern energies in the city and surrounding areas. You’ll find a nice variety of historical attractions, tons of food & drink choices, modern accommodation options, and the friendliest locals!
Happy traveling,
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