As more and more airlines fly directly to Siem Reap, many people are bypassing Phnom Penh altogether. That is such a shame, as Phnom Penh has so much to offer, and should not be missed. The skyline continues to grow as more and more skyscrapers are being built across town, with many of them decorated with colorful lights that come alive as the sun goes down. We recommend at least 2 or 3 nights in order to experience what this city has to offer.
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The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
Both the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum today serve as reminders of the atrocities committed against the Cambodian people by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979. Under the leadership of Pol Pot, nearly 2 million people were killed either by execution, starvation, disease or overwork. A visit to both of these sites is a must in order to get a sense of how brutally the people were treated under the Khmer Rouge. We recommend visiting the 2 sites back to back. You can easily hire a tuk-tuk for a few hours or for the day to take you around to all of the sites.
Sunset River Cruise
A fun way to end a long, hot day is to take a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. There are many boat companies that offer cruises either with dinner or without. We chose one that didn’t include dinner, but offered unlimited beer! Nothing better than slowly cruising down the river watching the sun go down over the city. It’s also a fun way to meet fellow travelers.
Head to a Rooftop for Sunset
Don’t miss the opportunity to watch the sunset from one of the many rooftops across the city. The city really comes alive as the sun starts to set and the buildings begin to light up. It’s all the more fun with a drink in your hand high above the street traffic below. We recommend the rooftop bar at the Sovanna Hotel for some of the best views, especially of the The Nagaworld Casino, which is extremely colorful at night.
Eat and Drink
We loved sampling as many varieties of food as we could during our stay in Phnom Penh. We especially liked trying some of the more exotic offerings at Sovanna II Restaurant in the Tonle Basac neighborhood. The restaurant is known for it’s barbecue, but we went with the frog’s legs and snails. They were both really good. The barbecue looked really good too.
One of the best places to go to sample a wide variety of delicious Cambodian food is the Phnom Penh Night Market. Located near the river and across from the Giant Ibis Bus Terminal, this is the spot if you are looking for cheap eats and a lively dining environment. Everyone eats sitting down on matts placed along the ground in the center. It’s a lot of fun!
We love a good Asian lager, but we were craving a little taste of home in the form of delicious craft beer. We found what we were looking for at Cerevisia Craft Brewhouse in the Tonle Basac neighborhood. The reviews on google aren’t great, but we found the place to be a hidden gem. The beers are delicious and the setting is tucked away from the street down a garden path. They also do trivia nights. What’s not to like?
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