Sunset cruise
By boat.
Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · trungydang — CC BY 3.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christophe95 — CC BY-SA 4.0
The capital's riverfront, a broad promenade along the Tonle Sap from in front of the Royal Palace northwards, where the river meets the Mekong. The flags of the world fly along it, facing a row of old colonial buildings and cafés. The quay comes alive early in the morning and late in the day, when the heat eases: groups doing open-air exercise to music, families and children, sellers of balloons, grilled corn and fruit, and monks in saffron robes crossing towards the nearby temples. Sunset boat trips leave from the quay, showing the palace's golden roofs from the water and the Chroy Changvar peninsula on the far bank. In the evening the waterfront lights up and fills with people. It is fairly safe, but keep your phone and bag close against snatch thefts from motorbikes. The heat is fierce most of the year, so go out in the morning or before sunset, with water and a hat.
By boat.
Along the quay.
Local life.
On the Tonle Sap river, running north from the Royal Palace
National Museum of CambodiaCambodia's largest museum of cultural history and its leading archaeological col6 minutes walk4.3
Royal Palace, Phnom PenhThe official residence of the King of Cambodia, a complex of palaces and halls b9 minutes walk4.2
Central Market, Phnom PenhA market and art deco landmark: a bright yellow building completed in 1937, crow13 minutes walk4.3
Wat PhnomThe temple that gave the capital its name, on a small wooded hill about 46 metre13 minutes walk4.5
Independence Monument, Phnom PenhA monument built in 1958 to mark Cambodia's independence from France in 1953, st19 minutes walk4.6Early morning or just before sunset, when the heat eases and families come out; sunset boats leave from here.