Phnom Penh is a city with different personalities where freshness meets tradition in the tree-lined streets of various neighborhoods. Find the perfect place for your stay with our guide to the best neighborhoods in Phnom Penh.
By: Mark Barnes |
Published: April 6, 2024
Phnom Penh is a somewhat underrated destination in Southeast Asia.
As the royal capital, it boasts regal architecture, world-class museums and exhibitions dedicated to the nation’s tragic history.
But it also has bustling local markets, trendy rooftop bars, excellent street food, and a decidedly Asian atmosphere, but one lacking the craziness that overwhelms some of the region’s other big cities.
Phnom Penh is made up of several distinct neighborhoods, each offering something different.
We cover all the best places to stay in Phnom Penh and why you should stay there, plus hotel recommendations at different budget points.
IN THIS GUIDE
THE BEST NEIGHBORHOODS IN PHNOM PENH
MOST POPULAR CITIES PHNOM PENH
Before exploring the different neighborhoods of Phnom Penh, here are our best hotel recommendations:
MAP – BEST AREAS IN PHNOM PENH
There are 5 main districts of Phnom Penh, each with their own attractions and ambiance. Travel time between different areas is 5-20 minutes by tuk tuk ($2-4), so you don’t have to worry about basing yourself near a specific attraction.
To learn more about getting around and the best time to visit, read things to know before going to Cambodia.
HOTEL CHARGES
For each hostel, pension or hotel, we have indicated an approximate budget level.
- Budget – $ – up to $40
- Mid-market – $$ – $40 to $120
- Luxury – $$$ – $120 and more
Phnom Penh hotels can offer very good value for money and mid-range hotels are often lovingly designed and feature elegant rooftop pools. If you ever want to treat yourself to a high-end hotel, Phnom Penh is a good place to do so.
1. RIVER EDGE
The main attractions of Phnom Penh are located in the Riverside district.
Here you will find grand palaces, historic museums and ornate temples surrounded by gardens. With open spaces, wide roads and a riverside promenade, this part of Phnom Penh seems a little less hectic.
There are many good places to eat and drink, including several along the Sisowath Quay overlooking the river.
Riverside is more expensive and more touristy than other areas, but the range of hotels is excellent.
This is a great choice for first-time visitors.
WHAT’S IN RIVERSIDE?
- The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.
- River cruises departure from Sisowath quay.
- THE Cambodian National Museum.
- THE Sisowath Quay walk along the river.
WHERE TO STAY
- Penh House Hotel ($$) – Stunning rooftop pool and bar in a chic, conveniently located city hotel.
- Hotel Emion ($$) – Modern and stylish apartments just a stone’s throw from the river with great views from the infinity pool.
- Hotel Kvl ($$) – Winner of Best City Hall in 2023 in a stunning riverside location near the Grand Palais.
- Pavilion ($$) – Beautiful old colonial house with an oasis-style courtyard. A relaxing adults-only getaway.
- Hyatt Regency ($$$) – Elegant bars and restaurants evoke memories of colonial Singapore at this upscale resort.
2. SANGKAT VOAT PHNUM
Sangkat Voat Phnum is a small neighborhood just north of Riverside.
It is dominated by Wat Phnom, a beautiful temple located on a small hill, which comes alive with locals on public holidays. Just around the corner, the night market is our favorite place to eat in Phnom Penh and the new Sosoro Museum is one we found interesting.
Strangely, the Sangkat Voat Phnum district offers the selection of the best 5-star hotels in Phnom Penh and many of the best budget options.
It’s a central location and easy to walk to Riverside.
WHAT’S IN SANGKAT VOAT PHNUM?
- Sightings Phnom Penh night market.
- Top of a hill Vat Phnom.
- New Sosoro Museum.
- Elegant Sora roof cocktail and whiskey bar.
WHERE TO STAY
- Onederz ($) – Excellent hostel with a mix of dorms and private rooms right next to the night market with a rooftop pool.
- M9 Kirirom Hotel ($/$$) – Great value riverside hotel with clean, modern rooms and a handy mini market.
- Tribe Phnom Penh ($$/$$$) – Modern Uber hotel between Wat Phnom and the river with swimming pool, gym and spa.
- Raffles Le Royal Hotel ($$$) – Modern luxury with classic elegance in a stunning old French colonial building.
- Rosewood Phnom Penh ($$$) – High-end hotel with the Sora Sky Bar at 37th floor to admire magnificent views with their extensive whiskey list.
3. CENTRAL
Central Phnom Penh doesn’t have any major tourist sites, so it seems much less touristy than other areas. With two of the city’s best markets, Central Market and Orussey Market, it has a vibrant local atmosphere that we loved on our last visit.
One of the best reasons to choose the center, however, is its location. Nothing is more than a 5-10 minute tuk-tuk ride away, so you can easily access Phnom Penh’s best attractions.
The lack of major tourist sites means you can often find a good deal on accommodation in the centre.
WHAT’S IN THE CENTRAL?
- Excellent food stalls at Central Market.
- Local atmosphere in Orussis market.
- One more local atmosphere.
WHERE TO STAY
- Crazy monkey ($) – A lively and social hostel between Central and BKK1 with a choice of dorms and rooms. They have a great outdoor pool.
- Plantation Urban Resort & Spa ($$/$$$) – Beautiful colonial-style hotel in a very central location with spacious, modern rooms and a large swimming pool.
- White Manor ($$/$$$) – A boutique hotel in the former American consulate with an open-air restaurant, lap pool and gardens.
4. BKK1 & BASSAC
BKK1 and Bassac are two adjacent neighborhoods and the center of Phnom Penh’s expat community.
The area doesn’t have many tourist spots, but you’ll find specialty cafes, Western restaurants, spas, and yoga studios.
It’s also the best place to stay in Phnom Penh for nightlife. Little Langka Lane is full of stylish restaurants and hidden bars, while nearby Bassac Lane offers great food, live music and a lively atmosphere.
Hotels here offer better value than in Riverside (just $2 by tuk-tuk), but they may not be as smart.
WHAT’S IN BKK1 & BASSAC?
- Specialty Coffee, Try Temple Café St51.
- Excellent meatballs Mom Wong.
- Chic cocktail bars Langka Alley.
- Outdoor dining on Bassac Way.
WHERE TO STAY
- Khmer Surin Boutique Guesthouse ($/$$) – Good-value guesthouse with well-appointed rooms and a small rooftop pool. The restaurant offers some of the best Khmer dishes in Phnom Penh.
- Patio Hotel & Urban Complex ($$) – Stylish boutique hotel with a rooftop pool, well-appointed rooms, and a great location on Langka Lane.
- Rambutan ($$) – A renovated 1960s gay-friendly villa with a laid-back vibe, saltwater pool, tropical garden, and spa.
5. TUOL TOMPOUNG
Tuol Tompoung is a local neighborhood, located southwest of the city center.
The Russian Market is the epicenter of the neighborhood, selling everything from pig’s trotters to wicker baskets, exhaust pipes to silverware. Around the market, cocktail bars, cafes and trendy restaurants monitor the excitement.
It’s slightly outside of central Phnom Penh and about a 20-minute tuk-tuk ride (around $4-$5) from the main attractions in Riverside.
But this increasingly bohemian part of the city offers good value accommodation with a vibe that can be relaxed, becoming increasingly frenetic the closer you get to the market.
Tuol Tompoung offers good atmosphere at good prices.
WHAT IS THERE IN TUOL TOMPOUNG?
- THE Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.
- THE Russian market.
- Excellent coffees, try Lot 369 overlooking the market.
- Nice atmosphere and views at Social club at sunset.
WHERE TO STAY
- B&B hosted in the Netherlands ($) – Nestled in an alley, this small B&B is like an oasis in a slightly less salubrious part of the city. The friendly hosts will help you make the most of your stay.
- Hotel La Chronique ($/$$) – This modern hotel has a laid-back French vibe in a bustling part of town, just a short walk from the Russian Market.
- Luxury boutique Parc 21 ($/$$) – Modern apartments with kitchenettes and laundry rooms, as well as a rooftop swimming pool. Each room has a balcony overlooking the city.
