Home › Itineraries › Weekend
Weekend in Phnompenh

Weekend in Phnompenh

Trip Overview

This fast-moving but never frantic weekend locks you into the pulse of Phnom Penh. You'll glide past saffron-robed monks at sunrise, taste pepper-laced crab beside the Tonlé Sap, and watch pink skies melt over colonial balconies at dusk. One minute you're tracing Khmer Empire gold leaf, the next you're perched on a plastic stool slurping num banh chok while cyclo bells ring in the alley behind you. The pace is active only in distance, expect long, lingering meals and riverside breezes that press the reset button between sights.

Pace
Active
Daily Budget
$90-120 per day
Best Seasons
November, February for coolest, driest days
Ideal For
First-time visitors, Food lovers, Solo travelers, Couples

Day-by-Day Itinerary

A complete plan for every day of your trip

1

Royal Quarter & Riverside Revelry

Riverfront, Phnompenh
Begin with palace splendor, then dive into street-food alleys before sunset drinks on the Mekong.
Morning
Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
Step past the yellow chedi gate where guards in white gloves salute. Inside, 5,000 silver tiles clink beneath your feet while emerald-green nagas coil around pillars. Pause at the Moonlight Pavilion, the gilt roof catches early light and throws it back in liquid gold onto the lotus pond.
2.5 hours $12
Buy ticket at on-site booth. Opens 8 a.m., arrive by 7:45 to avoid bus groups
Lunch
Romdeng on Street 178
Modern Khmer, deep-fried tarantula optional
Afternoon
National Museum courtyard & Street 240 boutiques
Cross the gardens scented with frangipani to the terracotta museum. Inside, the 9th-century Vishnu sandstone torso rises above you, its fingers lacquered smooth by centuries of incense smoke. Afterward, drift south on Street 240 past indie silk shops where tailors pedal sewing machines on the sidewalk.
2.5 hours $5
Evening
Sundown cocktails at FCC rooftop, then dinner at Friends the Restaurant
Order a jasmine-gin sling while cargo boats slide past. Walk 5 minutes to Friends for pumpkin amok and lime sorbet under paper-lantern light.

Where to Stay Tonight

Daun Penh riverfront (Boutique hotel like The Pavilion or mid-range guesthouse)

Walking distance to night markets and ferry piers; tuk-tuks line up outside for easy onward hops

See all Phnompenh accommodation options →
Carry small notes, monks at Silver Pagoda accept modest donations for blessing strings tied around your wrist.
Day 1 Budget: $100
2

Island Escape & Twilight Markets

Koh Dach (Silk Island) & Russian Market area, Phnompenh
Cycle car-free lanes on a silk-weaving island, then grill your own beef on a hot stone back in town.
Morning
Ferry to Koh Dach and village cycling
Squeeze onto the wooden ferry with scooters stacked three-high. Ten minutes later you're pedaling past wooden looms clacking under stilt houses. The air smells of wet cotton and wood smoke. Kids chase you waving silk scarves dyed turmeric yellow.
3 hours including ferry $15 bike rental & ferry
Arrange bike through your hotel night before. Ferry runs every 20 minutes, no booking needed
Lunch
Homestay noodle soup on Koh Dach
Hand-pulled rice noodles in pork broth with morning glory
Afternoon
Russian Market (Toul Tom Poung) treasure hunt
Return ferry and tuk-tuk south. Duck under corrugated roofs into humid aisles where krama cloth smells of dye and grilled banana-leaf parcels hiss. Flip-flop stalls play 90s pop while a vendor spoons palm sugar onto coconut waffles for you to taste.
2 hours $5
Evening
DIY barbecue at Sovanna Phum or Bassac Lane cocktail crawl
Pick marinated beef, squid, and eggplant at Sovanna's open fridges. Volcanic stones sizzle at your table. Walk 10 minutes to Bassac Lane for neon-lit speakeasies pouring lemongrass-infused rum.

Where to Stay Tonight

BKK1 district (Hôtel chic like The Balé or contemporary hostel with rooftop pool)

Closer to airport for Sunday departures. Leafy streets calm after riverside buzz

See all Phnompenh accommodation options →
Bring a tote bag, Koh Dach silk scarves cost less than a latte and roll up tiny in your luggage.
Day 2 Budget: $80

Practical Information

Everything you need to know before you go

Getting Around
Use PassApp or Grab for metered tuk-tuks, type your destination in Khmer script to avoid haggling. Ferries to Koh Dach leave from the dock behind Night Market. The ride is part of the fun. Walking is possible between palace, museum, and riverfront. But midday heat calls for wheels.
Book Ahead
Reserve Friday-night hotel in Daun Penh during cool season; FCC rooftop accepts walk-ins but reserve a river-view table if sunset is non-negotiable.
Packing Essentials
Lightweight cotton, reef-safe sunscreen, small bills for temple donations, reusable water bottle (refill at cafés), and a compact rain jacket for sudden showers.
Total Budget
$190-240

Customize Your Trip

Adapt this itinerary to your travel style

Budget Version
Swap boutique stays for riverside hostels like Mad Monkey, ride shared tuk-tuks, and feast on market noodle soups, total drops under $120 for the weekend.
Luxury Upgrade
Check in at Raffles Le Royal for colonial grandeur, take a private longtail to Koh Dach, and end nights with tasting menus at Cuisine Wat Damnak, expect $400+.
Family-Friendly
Shorten museum time, opt for the air-conditioned National Museum wing, choose Koh Dach ox-cart ride over bikes, and dine early at Kids-friendly Daddy's Restaurant with high chairs and fried rice bowls.
Book Activities for Your Trip
Tours, tickets, and experiences in Phnompenh

Didn't see anything interesting yet?

Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Phnompenh.

See All Phnompenh Tours on Viator

Already found your activities?

Let us help you find the best accommodation in Phnompenh.

Accommodation Guide Search Hotels on Trip.com

Continue Planning Your Trip

Things to Do

Top attractions and activities for Phnompenh

Budget Guide

Trip costs and money tips for Phnompenh

Getting Around

Transport options and tips for Phnompenh

Where to Stay

Accommodation guide for Phnompenh