Phnom Penh: Royal Palace & Killing Fields Full-Day Tour

A Day Through Cambodia's Grandeur and Its Hardest History

You start at the Royal Palace and climb Wat Phnom for city views, move through the National Museum's pre-Angkorian collection, then spend the afternoon at Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields learning Cambodia's recent history. A private guide leads you between all five stops, entry fees are covered, and hotel pickup takes the logistics off your hands.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Royal Palace1h · entry included
2. National Museum of Cambodia1h · entry included
3. Wat Phnom1h · entry included
4. Choeung Ek Genocidal Center30m · entry included
5. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum1h · entry included
6. Russian Market30m

Phnom Penh sightseeing and history tour

• Visit Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
• Explore National Museum of Cambodia
• Climb Wat Phnom hilltop pagoda
• Tour Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
• Visit Killing Fields at Choeng Ek
• Shop at Russian Market

The experience

You climb a set of stairs worn smooth by thousands of feet, and the city spreads out below you. That's Wat Phnom, the hilltop pagoda that gave Phnom Penh its name. It's the first real pause in the day, and your guide is already pointing out the riverfront, the neighborhoods, the way the light hits the water. The morning starts at the Royal Palace, where the Silver Pagoda's floor is lined with solid silver tiles, and then moves into the National Museum, housed in a fabulous old building filled with art and artifacts from the pre-Angkorian era. These are the places that anchor the city's identity: the ones tourists see in photographs.

After lunch (on your own at a locally loved café), the tone shifts. The afternoon takes you to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the former S-21 prison, and then to the Killing Fields at Choeng Ek. These aren't easy stops. Your guide will walk you through what happened here during the Khmer Rouge regime, and the weight of it doesn't lift when you leave. But that's partly why people come: understanding this history is how you actually understand Cambodia, not just visit it. The Russian Market comes after, a chance to walk through stalls of souvenirs and local handicrafts, though by that point in the day most people are quiet.

The whole tour runs about eight hours with a private guide who handles the route, timing and all entry fees. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't have to arrange transport or figure out how to get between these scattered stops. Lunch is your own choice, which gives you flexibility if you need it.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private guide for the full day.
• entry fees to the Royal Palace, National Museum, Wat Phnom, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeng Ek Killing Fields.
• transport by private vehicle.
• time to browse the Russian Market.

Options for this experience

4 options

Group 6-7 personUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Private tour for a group of 6 to 7 people, pickup is included

Group of 3 to 5 peopleUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Private tour for a group of 3 to 5 people, includes pickup

Group of 2 peopleUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Private tour for a group of 2 people, pickup is included

Solo traveler group (one person)Guide in English · 08:00Private tour for a group of 1 person, includes pickup

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcome

Operated by Bravo Indochina Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Phnom Penh's major landmarks and understand its recent history in one structured day without arranging transport or entry tickets yourself: the private guide and included fees handle both.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

How long is the full-day Phnom Penh tour?

Approximately eight hours, including all stops and travel time between sites.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a private guide, all entry fees and taxes, and transport by private vehicle. Lunch is separate and at your own expense.

Do I need to book lunch in advance?

No. The tour stops at a locally loved café in the afternoon, and you choose what to eat and pay separately.

Is the Russian Market included in the tour?

Yes, it's the final stop of the day where you can browse souvenirs and local handicrafts.

Are the Killing Fields difficult to visit?

Yes. Tuol Sleng Museum and Choeng Ek are sobering reminders of the Khmer Rouge regime. Your guide provides historical context, but the experience is emotionally heavy.

What's the best time of day to visit Wat Phnom?

The tour visits in the morning, which gives you clear views of the city from the hilltop before the afternoon heat peaks.

Can I skip the Killing Fields if I'm not comfortable visiting?

That's best discussed with the tour operator at booking. The afternoon is structured around both sites, so advance notice is important.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it's suitable for all physical fitness levels. Wat Phnom involves climbing stairs, but the pace is manageable.