Now that I’ve had the chance to spend a few days in Cambodia’s capital, I can wholeheartedly attest that it’s a fascinating place that I really enjoyed. It managed to feel both cosmopolitan and exotic; fairly accessible, yet still a bit of an adventure. I know that for most people heading to Cambodia, the temples of Angkor and perhaps the beaches will be the biggest draw. But I think you’d be remiss not to plan for a few days in Phnom Penh as well. It really is a pretty fun city with a lot to do and many different attractions to enjoy.
On that note, and in no particular order, here is a list of my personal favorites from Phnom Penh….
My Favorite Things in Phnom Penh
- The Royal Palace. This was the biggest tourist attraction I took in while in the city, and it really is pretty impressive (and made up for my slight disappointment with the National Museum: not bad, but I guess I was expecting something a bit bigger and grander in scale). The Royal Palace is easy to walk around and features all sorts of architecturally interesting buildings and impressively manicured gardens, as well as a nice central garden/pond filled area where you can relax on your way out, as I did. It’s definitely a sight worth seeing.
Royal Palace gardens
- Tuk-tuks. To be honest, I was a little hesitant about getting into my first tuk-tuk (a sort of cart with a cushioned bench attached to a motorbike, manned by a driver who can whisk you anywhere in the city for a few dollars). Were they really a safe way to navigate the city’s super-crowded streets and intimidating traffic? Well, aside from motorbikes they’re pretty much the only way, so that settled that. And after a day or two, I grew to really love the tuk-tuk experience. You get to ride through the congested streets and watch as your driver adeptly navigates traffic that would give most people a panic attack back home, so skillfully that you soon lose any fear of getting into an accident (trust me, it’s far, far less scary than trying to walk around the city!) And you get a view of the capital that’s unmatched by a car or taxi, because you have the chance to absorb the sights, sounds, smells and feel of the city as you whiz past. It wasn’t long before I found myself getting excited every time I got to take another tuk-tuk, and it’s still one of the things I miss most about Cambodia now.
- The Food. Prior to arriving in Phnom Penh, I’d spent several days in the remote Cambodian countryside, and while it was an incredible experience, I was more than ready to switch up my soup- and rice-filled diet for something a bit more diverse and exciting when I got to the city. Phnom Penh didn’t disappoint. Pretty much every kind of food you could ever want can be found here, and I didn’t even have time to try all of the restaurants I’d hoped to sample. I did especially love Blue Pumpkin, a popular, stylishly designed expat-hangout which features good Western food (I ate there three times and had the same thing at every meal: tuna sandwich with avocado, French fries, and ice cream. Not exactly cultural immersion, but hey, I needed a break from rice!) I ate more authentic Khmer cuisine at my other favorite spot, Frizz, where I dined twice and enjoyed their excellent penang chicken curry and rice. Next time I’m in Phnom Penh, I look forward to checking out even more discoveries on the foodie front.
- Bliss Spa! Anyone who knows me knows what a spa junkie I am, and there was no way I was going to miss out on an inexpensive massage (or three) while in Cambodia. Bliss Spa was recommended by every blogger, guidebook, and person familiar with the country as the best spot for a massage, and indeed, it was amazing. For $30 you can get a 90-minute massage, and $22 will buy you an hour. (Go for the hour and a half, obviously, if you have enough time). I had two excellent massages there, the staff are delightful, and the setting is beautiful, calm and relaxing (and even features a shop selling all types of clothes and decorative items in front; I would have loved to buy one of the beautifully designed throw pillows to take home, if I could have fit it into my luggage!) Bliss Spa is a fantastic experience and one you absolutely must try if you’re in Phnom Penh.
- The People. This is really more of a universal Cambodia thing than Phnom Penh specific, but I have to close this list by mentioning how wonderful the people in the city were. Everyone I met was kind, friendly, and helpful; I didn’t have a single negative encounter during my entire trip, and was really blown away by how lovely the Khmer people are. As many others have said (and it’s true) the people alone may be the best reason to visit Cambodia. As it’s true of the country, I’d say it’s true of Phnom Penh as well.
Have you been to Phnom Penh? What did you think of it? What were your favorite things in the city?