A Couchsurfer’s Guide to… Phnom Penh

Cambodian Royal Palace by PlusONE/shutterstock

Best breakfast in town!
There are many options for breakfast/brunch in Phnom Penh and whatever your tastes are, you will not be disappointed! For a French touch, try Khema La Poste, they offer an unlimited buffet for only $11 everyday!

A historic moment!
The National Museum if you did NOT visit Angkor Wat. Otherwise, visit The Genocide Museum. I would advise you to visit PSE (Pour un Sourire d’Enfant) on the same day you will visit the Genocide museum, it will help you to keep hope in the world! For PSE you need to book in advance through their website. The visits are in English and French, it is an amazing place (if you have kids, you should definitely visit!)

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum by Gabor Kovacs Photography/shutterstock

Cute cafe!
The Shop is a good place to go! It has a few locations throughout the city. You will find many cafes on street 268 as well.

Best quick bite!
In Bassac Lane you will find the last Khmer cantine of the street, which is really good! Or, Katy Peri’s Pizza in the Center close the nightclubs is great and cheap.

Khmer street food by Pon Viro/shutterstock

Where to sweat!
Good Time Fitness Club, in Tuol Kork, is the best and cheapest! It is a $4 entrance and has everything you need. It is designed for middle class khmer and you will be almost the only barangue (foreigner).

Best view in the city!
Sora Sky Bar in the Rosewood Vattanac tower is a must-do (please be well dressed, flip-flops are forbidden for men!)

Vattanac Tower by Oskar Hellebaut/shutterstock

Family fun!
On Koh Pich Island (Diamond Island) you will find a fun fair which is opened almost every evening. For the kids – above 10 years olds – during the day, Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE) is probably a memorable experience for them.

Best day trip!
Silk island, few kilometers up from Phnom Penh, it will give you a glimpse of Cambodian country side and you will discover the silk tradition by visiting the museum or simply meeting people sewing in their own homes.

By Tayfun Yaman/shutterstock

Anything else…
Phnom Penh is a really exciting city, always changing, influenced by diverse cultures (such as Chinese and French), a mix that will not leave you indifferent!

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