Phnom Penh offers river cruise departures with Emerald Waterways and Avalon Waterways and serves as a Mekong port of call for CroisiEurope nearly year-round.
Set at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers, Phnom Penh serves as Cambodia's political and cultural heart. The Royal Palace, with its Silver Pagoda and gleaming spires, reflects the country's monarchy and artistic traditions, while the adjacent National Museum houses an extensive collection of Khmer sculpture and artifacts. Central Market's Art Deco dome and bustling stalls offer a glimpse of daily commerce, and tuk tuks remain a popular way to move through the city's wide boulevards and riverfront promenade.
Beyond its palatial sites, Phnom Penh holds a somber chapter of twentieth-century history at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields memorial, both essential for understanding the Khmer Rouge era. Many calls also include an excursion to Oudong, a former royal capital northwest of the city, where hillside monasteries and stupas reveal a quieter, contemplative side of Cambodia. The pier area places visitors within easy reach of the city center for a full day of contrasts.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Phnom Penh.
Tour the Royal Palace complex
Wander the manicured grounds, throne hall, and Silver Pagoda with its solid-silver floor tiles and jade Buddha; go early to beat heat and crowds, and dress with shoulders and knees covered.
Confront the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng
Pair the memorial stupa at Choeung Ek with the former prison at Tuol Sleng for a sobering, essential look at the Khmer Rouge era; audio guides at both sites deepen the visit.
Explore Central Market by tuk tuk
Duck under the Art Deco dome for gems, textiles, and street snacks, then let a tuk tuk carry you along the riverfront promenade for an easy overview of the city's boulevards.
