Where to stay in Phnom Penh: the best neighbourhoods (2026)
As one of our members puts it, Phnom Penh "isn't extraordinary in itself, but it's well worth a short detour." Travelers usually stay two or three nights right at the start of a trip to Cambodia, splitting time between the Royal Palace, the markets, and the sobering history of the genocide sites.
Two rivers frame the city, and daily life naturally clusters along the water. Three areas stand out: the Tonle Sap riverfront, the neighborhood around the Central Market, and the more residential Boeung Keng Kang. Budget: $35 to $104* for a room, and just $9.20* for a dorm bed.
The influences of different Asian and European cultures are still visible. You can also see that the city is modernizing.
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At a glance: our picks by traveller type
Pick the profile that suits you to head straight to the recommended neighbourhood.
The neighbourhood map in Phnom Penh
Get your bearings on the neighbourhoods and must-see sights before choosing where to drop your bags. Click a name to jump to its description.
Riverside and the Royal Palace Along the Tonle Sap
for a first visit and sunsets
The Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda, the National Museum with its Khmer sculptures, followed by a long stroll along the river where locals come out in droves at dusk. Cafes and guesthouses line Sisowath Quay. This is the most practical area for a two-night stay since everything is within walking distance. The downside is the noisy traffic and the constant stream of tuk-tuk drivers pitching rides along the promenade.
You can check out the Central Market, stroll along the river, or visit the security prison, which serves as a memorial to the genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge.
What to see & do in the area
Where to stay in this area
The Plantation Urban Resort & Spa Luxury
Large colonial mansion with two pools and a garden behind the Royal Palace. A quiet oasis right in the center.
Penh House Hotel Mid-range
Boutique hotel with bright rooms a few blocks from the river, featuring a rooftop pool.
Okay Boutique Hotel Budget
A straightforward, well-run spot near the riverfront, popular with travelers passing through.
Pros
- Palaces, museums, and the river on foot
- The widest selection of outdoor terraces
Cons
- Noisy traffic along the quay
- Constant tuk-tuk solicitations
Central Market and Wat Phnom The commercial center to the west
for markets, transportation, and large hotels
The Central Market, a yellow art deco hall built in 1937, anchors this business and shopping district, which extends north to the hill of Wat Phnom, where the city gets its name. This area holds the historic hotels and modern high-rises, plus the bus stations for Siem Reap and the coast. The neighborhood is very busy during the day, much quieter at night, and lacks river views.
Where to stay in this area
Raffles Hotel Le Royal Luxury
A 1929 palace with gardens and a shaded pool, serving as a living piece of the city's history. Located next to Wat Phnom.
Pacific Hotel Mid-range
A large, functional hotel steps from the Central Market, convenient for bus departures.
Cardamom Hotel Budget
A community-run spot with simple rooms where the proceeds fund a local social program.
Pros
- Markets and bus stations within walking distance
- The city's historic hotels
Cons
- Quiet in the evening
- No direct river access
Boeung Keng Kang The residential district to the south
For peace and quiet, good food, and longer stays
Often called BKK1, this embassy and villa district is the most comfortable base for a multi-night stay, featuring leafy streets, coffee shops, quality restaurants, and boutiques. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the former S-21 prison turned memorial site, is located here alongside the Independence Monument. Properties tend to offer more square footage and lower rates than those along the waterfront. Plan for a ten-minute tuk-tuk ride to reach the Royal Palace.
What to see & do in the area
Where to stay in this area
Baitong Hotel & Resort Luxury
Eco-conscious hotel featuring a vertical garden and a large pool on a quiet street.
Sensory Park Urban Hotel Mid-range
Bright, modern property right in the center of the neighborhood, five minutes from Tuol Sleng.
Kolab Sor Hotel Budget
Well-run boutique hotel with a pool at rates lower than riverside alternatives.
Pros
- Quiet streets and great dining
- Larger rooms for the same money
Cons
- Ten minutes by tuk-tuk from the Royal Palace
- Few sights within the immediate area
Our tips for booking the right place
- Memorial sites take up real emotional space during the day: Tuol Sleng in town and Choeung Ek fifteen kilometres to the south are often visited on the same day and leave visitors drained. Travelers in our community agree: the visit is profound and not recommended for children or sensitive individuals. Plan to head back to the hotel afterward rather than keeping up a packed schedule, which makes a quieter neighborhood the right choice.
- The Russian Market is worth the trip: Toul Tom Poung, located three kilometres south of the center, is the local favorite for crafts, textiles, and street food. You will find almost no hotels here, but a tuk-tuk gets you down in a quarter of an hour from any of the three areas in this guide.
- Two or three nights, then onward to the rest of the country: The capital is quick to tour, and several of our members note that the rest of Cambodia feels completely different. Buses and boats for Siem Reap, Battambang, or the coast depart early in the morning from the west side of town, so staying near the central market if you head out that way saves you an extra trek.
- Booking a room right on Sisowath Quay: traffic and patio dining run late here, and soundproofing is rarely up to the task.
- Picking a hotel north of town toward the airport to save money: the commute into the center easily takes forty minutes during rush hour.
- Grabbing a windowless room in the cheapest riverside guesthouses: it is common at these rates, and photos do not always show it.
FAQ: where to stay in Phnom Penh
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