Phnom Penh Tours & Holidays
Join us on a holiday to Phnom Penh
Home to ornate palaces, bustling markets and serene temples, Phnom Penh is the epitome of Southeast Asian charm.
Cambodia's lively capital sits on the banks of the Mekong River and maintains a sense of authenticity, with a wide array of street food stalls lining its roads and brightly clothed monks often strolling its streets. The city's French colonial past is also visible, with a French Quarter home to elegant townhouses and landmarks hailing back to its days under European rule.
The best place to begin a Phnom Penh city tour is at the riverfront. This pedestrian-friendly area is home to the striking Royal Palace complex, the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, as well as a variety of green spaces and restaurants and bars, including the famous Foreign Correspondents' Club. The Phsar Thmey, or Central Market, sits at the city's heart and provides the chance to shop for souvenirs inside a grand art deco building. Just outside of the city is Choeung Ek, better known as the Killing Fields, which serves us a poignant reminder of the brutality suffered under the Khmer Rouge regime.
Ready to explore the culture and history of this enigmatic city? Be it a Mekong River cruise or a visit to the peaceful Wat Phnom, we offer thrilling and expertly crafted itineraries to make your holiday in Phnom Penh unforgettable.
Things to do in Phnom Penh
One of the very best things about visiting Phnom Penh is the breadth of experiences that the city offers. History, culture and nature can all be explored here in various forms, with attractions to suit all types of travellers. These are a few of the highlights of our Phnom Penh tours.
Explore the Royal Palace
As the official residence of Cambodia's king, only several buildings in the Royal Palace complex are open to visitors. However, being able to witness the grandeur of the magnificent throne hall and the adjacent Silver Pagoda, home to a life-sized buddha encrusted with nearly 10,000 diamonds, makes a visit here extremely worthwhile.
Visit the Killing Fields
A tour from Phnom Penh city centre to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek is another worthwhile experience. It was here that around 20,000 men, women and children were executed under Khmer Rouge leadership in the 1970s. Today, the site acts as a memorial to those people, with an audio tour and museum providing details of the atrocities that took place.
View fascinating artefacts at the National Museum
Discover nearly 1,000 years of Cambodia's history at the city's National Museum. Here you'll find a wide range of exhibits and relics, including bronze statues, ornately decorated ceramics and a wooden royal barge. There are also traditional dance performances held in the museum's courtyard on several evenings each week.
Things to see in Phnom Penh
Whether you're holidaying in the city or just enjoying a Phnom Penh day tour, you'll find plenty of incredible things to see. From world-class attractions and fascinating landmarks to the captivating sights and sounds of the lively street scenes, the city is a feast for the eyes. Here are a few must-sees for your visit.
Food and drink in Phnom Penh
Few Phnom Penh holiday packages would be complete without taking advantage of the chance to taste the delicious local cuisine. Southeast Asia’s oldest cuisine, Cambodian food features a variety of influences, from Chinese and Indian to French and Spanish. It is also similar to the cuisines of neighbouring Vietnam and Thailand, although Cambodian dishes tend to use less chilli and sugar.
As with other cuisines across Asia, rice is a staple in Cambodian cuisine and is eaten with almost every meal. Due to the various freshwater rivers found in the country, fish is another important part of the local diet. A wide variety of vegetables, usually stir-fried, are also enjoyed here, as are a broad range of herbs and dipping sauces. As Cambodia's national dish, amok trey is a great place to start when sampling the local cuisine. This spicy fish curry is made with a coconut-based sauce, with a tofu version available for those with a plant-based diet. Another popular delicacy to look out for is kuyteav, a noodle soup made with a pork or beef-based broth and served with toppings such as pork, fish balls, bean sprouts and shallots. Equally loved (and tasty!) is beef loc lac, which consists of slices of beef served with salad and a fried egg.
You'll find plenty of inviting places to eat in the capital. Eleven One Kitchen has a pleasant courtyard and is a great place to sample popular local dishes, while Malis offers a fine dining take on Khmer cuisine. The city has a burgeoning vegan scene, with eateries like Backyard Cafe serving up a range of plant-based dishes in a hip and leafy setting. For humbler dinner options, or a quick bite on-the-go, the city's food carts serve up mouth watering street food both day and night. For an after-dinner drink, try Bassac Lane. This former residential lane has been transformed into a tiny hub for trendy bars and restaurants.
