Phnom Penh Full Day Tour: Local Guide, Lunch & Pickup

Summary

See Phnom Penh’s palaces, markets & history in one guided day

You’ll wander through Phnom Penh’s royal palaces and pagodas with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Taste Cambodian food at lunch, then face Cambodia’s tragic past at Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek. End your day haggling or people-watching in Central Market — it’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to try?” our guide Dara grinned, holding out a strange fruit from a market stall near the Royal Palace. I hesitated (it looked like something between a lychee and an alien egg), but everyone else was already popping them in their mouths. The morning had started fast — we’d barely finished gawking at the golden rooftops of the palace before Dara was weaving us through Silver Pagoda’s cool marble halls. There was incense in the air and monks gliding past, orange robes catching the light. I kept losing track of time — it felt like Phnom Penh just kept unfolding around every corner.

We climbed up to Wat Phnom next, which is this little hill right in the middle of everything. Dara told us about Lady Penh (the city’s namesake) while kids chased each other around the stupa. The view isn’t dramatic or anything but you can see how busy Phnom Penh is — tuk-tuks everywhere, people selling iced coffee on every corner. At lunch, we stopped at a local place where I tried amok for the first time (coconut-y, spicy, honestly still thinking about it). Someone at another table was laughing so hard they snorted — made me feel like we were really part of the city for a second.

The afternoon got heavier. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is not easy to visit — old classrooms turned into prison cells, faded photos on the walls. Dara didn’t rush us; he just let us walk quietly if we needed to. Then out to Choeung Ek Killing Fields — there’s birdsong and sunlight but also these glass panels filled with skulls that stop you cold. It’s hard to put into words what you feel there. I’m glad Dara was there to answer questions without making it all feel like some history lesson.

We finished at Central Market — yellow domes and endless stalls selling everything from knockoff sneakers to dried fish (the smell hits you before you see it). I bought a scarf after haggling badly; pretty sure I overpaid but whatever. By then my legs were tired and my head was full — Phnom Penh is intense and beautiful and complicated all at once. If you’re looking for a day trip in Phnom Penh that actually shows you both sides of the city, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Phnom Penh Full Day Tour

• Visit Wat Phnom
• Explore Royal Palace
• View Mekong River
• Walk along Sisowath Quay
• See Norodom Sihanouk Memorial
• Visit Independence Monument
• Tour Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21)
• Visit Choeung Ek Killing Fields
• Explore Silver Pagoda
• Shop at Central Market
• Optionally visit Russian Market

Top questions

How long does this full day tour in Phnom Penh last?

The tour covers a full day with multiple stops including lunch; expect around 7-8 hours total.

Is hotel pickup included for this Phnom Penh day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

What sites are visited during the tour?

You’ll visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), Choeung Ek Killing Fields, Independence Monument, Central Market or Russian Market.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant is included as part of your day trip in Phnom Penh.

Are entrance fees covered?

All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary are included in your booking price.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; walking is moderate with breaks throughout.

Can I choose between Central Market or Russian Market?

You have an option to visit either Central Market or Russian Market towards the end of your tour.

Who leads the tour?

A properly licensed local guide accompanies you throughout the day.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by comfortable transport, entry fees for all listed attractions including Royal Palace and Tuol Sleng Museum, cold bottled water along the way, a traditional Cambodian lunch at a local restaurant, plus guidance from a licensed local expert before returning to your hotel in the evening.