Top things to do in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phnom Penh
City Guide: Top things to do
Got a couple of days up your sleeve in Phnom Penh and looking for a few suggestions? These are some of our favourite things to do outside of the Social cycles itinerary!
Food
Feel Good Cafe. Great philosophy of employment, education and empowerment. And a pretty good place for a coffee as well. There’s two sites in Phnom Penh. Perfect if you’re missing some home comfort lattes and espresso style coffee. Google Map Link. and website.
Farm to Table.F arm to Table offers a lush garden laden with jackfruit trees, and with an old tractor for kids to clamber around on. It aims to promote organic farming methods and has a healthy menu of all-day breakfasts, salads, sandwiches and shakes. See Google map link and Instagram page.
Lot 369. If you’re out near the Russian market, this is the best cafe around for quality coffee, healthy salads and smoothies and all the comforts of home. Click through for Instagram page, and google map link
Hops Brewery & Craft Beer. perfect if you love a craft beer. With their own beer brewed on site, there a great range of flavours and international beers with international prices. Instagram page, Google map link and website.
Friends the Restaurant. First social enterprise training restaurant, established by Friends International NGO. Vocational training to empower disadvantaged youth. Western friendly dishes that do good and taste great. Website, Google map.
Dine in the Dark. Offering 3 course Western or Khmer menus in pitch black darkness. Providing opportunity for the visually impaired, this restaurant empowers people who are blind to serve you as you use your senses to work out what you’re eating. Website. Google map.
Romdeng. The best place in Phnom Penh to try tarantulas! This vocational training restaurant offers the very best of Western friendly Khmer food. Our Social Cycles tour visit every time and are pleased to support Friends Intl. Website and google map link
Backyard Cafe. Perfect if you’re craving a cleanse! The home of healthy food in Phnom Penh with heaps of vegetarian, vegan and raw options to choose from. Instagram page, Google map link and website.
Culture
The Killing Fields. Everybody should do at least one of either the Killing Fields or Genocide Museum. The audio tours give an incredible insight into the horrific recent history of the Khmer Rouge. Allow half a day, including transport (14km from city). Google Map Link.
S-21 Genocide Museum. If you’re just going to visit one museum, this is the one to see. Allow a few hours for a sobering experience. Excellent audio tour and something everybody should learn about. Just 3.5km from the centre,near Russian market. US$8 entry. Google Map link.
Wat Phnom. Literally translating to ‘temple on the hill’, this pagoda is the tallest in the city, standing at 27m. Built in 1372, this temple is worth the walk if you’re looking to fill in your afternoon. Google map link.
National Museum one of the world’s largest collections of Khmer art, including sculptural, Khmer ceramics, bronzes & ethnographic objects. Its collection includes over 14,000 items, from prehistoric times to periods before, during and after the Khmer Empire. Website and Google Map.
The Royal Palace. If you want to see how the other ‘half’ live, then this is a great place to visit. Make sure to wear full length short and have your shoulders covered. Check times for opening hours as it is not open all day. Admission applies. Website & Google Map.
Khmer Kickboxing. Even if you’re not into combat sport like this, an evening at a Cambodian kickboxing match is raw, gritty and very real. Ask your hotel or tuk tuk driver how to get there (closest is 6km out of town, in a local warehouse) and for times (usually weekends only). Free.
Shopping
Central Market. Easily the best market in Phnom Penh. Great place to find some local food stalls for lunch and the huge roof allows a reasonably cool temperature whilst you browse the jewelry, technology, fashion and other items. Not really designed for tourists. Google Map link
Russian Market. Established in the 1980’s and often frequented by tourists, mainly Russians, Toul Tum Market is also known as the Russian market. Good for souvenirs and tourist orientated presents. Can be quite hot, busy and crowded at times. Google Map.
Pharmacy. Sorya Mall is located very close to the Central Market. Great pharmacy should you need it, as well as a supermarket. An abundance of other shops including telcos (Smart) to get a sim card. Google Map
Friends’n’Stuff. The social enterprise arm of Friends International, this shop is the perfect place to buy presents for folk back home. Upcycled materials produce ethical fashion that supports social programs. Don’t give money to kids, shop here instead. Google Map link. Website.
Aeon Shopping Mall. Had enough of the heat and looking for some home comforts to escape to? Aeon mall has all your favourite Western brands in the comfort of air conditioning. You’ll feel like you’ve never left home. Google Map and website.
Street 240 is a quiet street behind the Royal Palace, with a lot of shops and eateries in old French colonial houses. You’ll find a mix of boutique fashion & souvenir shops, cafes, shops belonging to charities and NGOs promoting fair trade and goods made by locals. Google Map link.
Avoid
Giving money to poor children. A lot of children selling items or begging will tell you they need the money to go to school. The reality is that the money received keeps the kids from going to school. Read more about this sad and unfortunate scam here.
Visiting an orphanage. Orphanages are not tourist attractions. Donations can actually increase the amount of orphans in Cambodia, not help them. Read more about the issue here, and learn more about better ways to help here.
Short term volunteering. Unless you have a unique specialized skill, short term volunteering rarely has a positive impact, and can often have a negative impact. We’d recommend a minimum of 3 months to volunteer and only to train local adults in your speciality. Read more here.
The Milk Scam. If you’re asked to buy milk formula for a sleeping baby, DON’T! The babies are often drugged to keep them from crying, the women are rarely related to the child and the shopkeeper is going to buy the formula back (less commission) after you’ve left the area feeling good about yourself.