Phnom Penh Top Attractions

Royal Palace
A stunning complex of buildings, built in traditional Khmer style, including a Throne Hall and the intriguing, very French house built with iron, which was donated by Napoleon III to King Norodom in 1876.

Samdech Sothearos Boulevard (between Streets 240 and 184)
Tel: (023) 223 724.

Silver Pagoda
A delightful pagoda next to the Royal Palace, so called because over 5,000 silver tiles cover its floor, which also houses priceless Buddhas (including the Emerald Buddha and a life-sized gold Buddha covered in thousands of precious gems).

Samdech Sothearos Boulevard (between Streets 240 and 184)
Tel: (023) 223 724.

Wat Phnom
Located on the top of a small hill reached by a flight of steps with nagas (mythical serpents) on either side, this temple marks the spot of the foundation of Phnom Penh and is the most important in the city where residents come to pray for good luck.

Intersection of Street 96 and Norodom Boulevard

National Museum
A distinctive red-brick, pseudo-Khmer style building, constructed by the French in 1917, housing an extensive collection of Khmer sculptures from the pre-Angkorian period (seventh century) to the post-Angkorian period (14th century).

Street 13
Tel: (023) 211 753.

Tuol Sleng
Notorious prison during the Khmer Rouge years, originally a high school, where thousands of people were tortured and lost their lives; contains chilling photos, crudely built cells and instruments of torture.

Street 113
Tel: (023) 216 045.