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Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

Royal Palace, Phnom Penh: Our most recommended tours and activities

Visit 11 places in the City included S21 & Killing Field

1. Visit 11 places in the City included S21 & Killing Field

Spend your day in Phnom Penh learning about the city's distant and recent past with a local guide. Enjoy a local lunch as you explore museums, parks, monuments, and the streets via a tuk tuk or van. First, stop at some of the most significant sites in Phnom Penh: Wat Phnom and Lady Penh Statue. Before visiting the actual Temple you will see the statue of Lady Penh, who Phnom Penh is named after. Learn her story before taking the steps up to the Wat (Temple). Next, see Wat Onnalom with your guide. Learn about its 15th century foundation. Learn why it is one of the most important monasteries in Phnom Penh. Continue to The National Museum to admire one of the best examples of traditional Cambodian architecture. Then you’ll see the outside of The Royal Palace and the public park in front, known as a local spot to relax and socialize. Next, the Cambodian Vietnam Friendship Monument commemorates the former alliance between the two countries. It is located not far from the Royal Palace in Botum Park. From here, you’ll continue to see the King Norodom Sihanouk Statue, which stands impressively on the largest park strip in Phnom Penh. Next, you’ll see the striking Independence Monument, representing independence of Cambodia from French colonization. The last stop before lunch is at the Genocide Museum. Then, make a lunch stop at a local restaurant before heading to the Killing Fields, followed by The Russian Market – a great place to pick up Khmer products for souvenirs. Finally, explore the satellite city or the “Paris to Phnom Penh”, Diamond Island. Along the way you will see the Patriarch of Monks Statue, the Buddhist Institute, the Cambodian Parliament Building, ChinaTown, and Upper and Lower Mekong Rivers and Tonle Bassac.

Private Half Day Tour to Royal Palace–National Museum

2. Private Half Day Tour to Royal Palace–National Museum

Pick up you at the lobby of hotel and transfer to visit the Royal Palace. We explore the stunning Royal Palace complex, home to the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation. We begin amid the beautiful royal gardens, landscaped with tropical plants and studded with gleaming spires. We enter the Throne Hall where the royal receptions are held and the Cambodian king's coronation took place. We then pass the Napoleon III Pavilion made from iron, a gift from the French emperor in the 19thcentury.We continue to the Silver Pagoda, named after the 5000 silver tiles covering the floor, each weighing 1kg. Inside are some of the country's most cherished treasures, including a life-size gold Buddha studded with 9584 diamonds, the largest weighing 25 carats. Then, We leave the Royal Palace and continue to the nearby National Museum, home to the world's finest collection of sculpture from the Angkor period. The exquisite building was completed between 1917 and 1920 and features a lush courtyard garden surrounded by collections from the pre-Angkor, Angkor and post-Angkor periods. We concentrate on the incredible sandstone sculpture from Angkor, as well as the intricate bronzes.

Phnom Penh: Mekong River Sunset Cruise

3. Phnom Penh: Mekong River Sunset Cruise

Start the tour with a hotel pick-up in the afternoon before transferring to the boat pier. Climb aboard the boat for a trip on the Mekong River, where you can enjoy a joint sunset cruise on the Mekong and Tonle sap rivers. Enjoy a sunset view of the colonial sights in Phnom Penh Capital City, the beautiful developing capital city of Cambodia. The riverfront offers views of some of the city’s most interesting sights including you a great opportunity to explore the Mekong. See Tonle Sap, Four Faces River, the Royal Palace, and Diamond Island. Discover the quaint fishing neighborhoods comprised of stilted houses. Relax and enjoy the sunset with free-flowing drinks (beer and soft drinks) and fruit platter, before back to your hotel.

Phnom Penh: Historical Guided Tour

4. Phnom Penh: Historical Guided Tour

Our driver and knowledgeable guide will be waiting for you at your hotel, ready to take you on an incredible journey. Royal Palace is your first stop are home to King Sihamoni and closed off to the public, but you will be able to visit the sacred Silver Pagoda that lies in the palace complex. This sacred site provides an opportunity to experience a unique part of Cambodian history, culture and art that no other place in the country can offer. Then, head to the Wat Phnom when exploring the city and it is a 14th-century Buddhist temple that stands at 27 meters tall, making it the highest religious structure in this area. This temple has a long history, offering visitors insight into the culture and religion of Cambodia. The complex features several highly decorated structures, including a large stupa at its center. Your included visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum will introduce you to the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. Your expert guide will tell you the story of this period in detail, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of this dark chapter in Cambodia's history.

Angkor Wat and Floating Village: 3-Day Private Tour

5. Angkor Wat and Floating Village: 3-Day Private Tour

Explore Angkor Wat and visit the enchanting floating villages of Cambodia. See Ta Prohm jungle temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees, and trek along tranquil forest roads that are inaccessible by car. View Cambodia's dense jungle from the top of Ta Keo Temple, built by the Khmers over 1,000 years ago. On this private 3-day tour visit the ancient Buddhist university of Preah Khan, built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII, and admire the famous island temple Neak Pean. Go boating on the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia, and see one of Cambodia's famous floating markets as well as a crocodile farm. Experience the exquisite ‘Women’s Citadel’, then trek up Kbal Spean Hill to see the hidden waterfall and an 11th century carving of Hindu deities on the river bed. Then visit Banteay Samre Temple. Day 1: Ta Prohm /Ta Nei /Takeo/Angkor Thom/ Bayon (L) Morning visit to Ta Prohm. Continue to Tanei, a temple inaccessible by car, and then Ta Keo Temple. Afternoon visit to the Victoria Gate of Angkor Thom, Elephant Terrace, and Leper King Terrace, the enclosure of the Royal Palace. Also visit Phimean Akas Temple, Baphuon Temple, and the impressive Bayon Temple. Evening dinner at a local restaurant with an Apsara traditional dance performance. Day 2: Angkor Wat/Preah Khan/Floating Village (L/D) Morning visit to Angkor Wat. Continue to Preah Khan and Neak Pean. Afternoon visit to the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. Day 3: Banteay Srei/Kbal Spean/Banteay Samre (L) Morning visit to Banteay Srei. Continue to Kbal Spean, and enjoy a picnic lunch and visit to a sugar palm farm to meet the local farmers. Visit Banteay Samre Temple. Return to the city, where the tour ends at your hotel.

From Siem Reap: Angkor Wat and Floating Village 3-Day Trip

6. From Siem Reap: Angkor Wat and Floating Village 3-Day Trip

Day 1: We should depart at 8:00 am from your accommodation and before taking you to the Angkor Archaeological Park, we will take you to buy the Angkor pass first and drive you to the last ancient capital city of the Khmer Empire names as Angkor Thom(Gigantic city) to visit beautiful stone temples such as BAYON( temple with many smiling faces), Terrace of Elephant, Royal Palace area, Terrace of Leper King and Baphoun( It is considered as largest Hindu temple in Angkor Thom ). We will have lunch at a local restaurant opposite the Angkor Wat temple. After enjoying your lunch, we continue to explore the most spectacular Angkor Wat temple. If you prefer to watch the sunset, the best spot is Phnom Bakheng hill and we should arrive at the mountain's top before 4:30 pm. Day 2: You will be picked up from your hotel at 8:00 am via a private A/C vehicle to Banteay Srei known as " ladies' temple". This journey takes you through rural Cambodian villages, where you may observe locals going about their everyday lives and admire beautiful landscapes such as rice paddies and traditional dwellings. Stop at the most authentic village"Phum Preah Dak" where you can learn how the local people make palm cake and palm sugar. Afterward, we continue to the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei and jungle temple of Beng Mealea. After all the crawling, we stop for lunch at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy Cambodian food. After having a great lunch, then we'll go directly to see two main temples of Rolous Group like Bakong temple and Lolie temple and then continue to Kampong Phluk, flooded & fishing village of Tonle Sap lake, located just 21 kilometers from Siem Reap town. Once in the lake port, we'll take a local boat from the ferry to explore the famous floating villages of Kampong Phluk. There, you can see firsthand what everyday life is like for the many families who make their living primarily from fishing. Most families live on the lake shore in brightly colored houses on long poles, so the high water levels are not a problem during the rainy season. Explore the flooded mangrove forest surrounding the area, which is home to a variety of species, including crab-eating macaques and 3,000 inhabitants. We will then take you to visit a Buddhist monastery built on an artificial island and back to your hotel in Siem Reap. Day 3: Please ask your hotel’s staff to pack a takeaway breakfast and we will pick you up at 4:40 am for the sunrise tour at Angkor Wat temple. In order to avoid the crowd, we will start to visit the jungle temple of Ta Prom known as ‘’Tomb raider temple” early and continue with other temples like Preah Khan (Father temple), Neak Pean Ta Som (Tree’s temple), East Mebon (10th century brick temple) and Pre Rup temple known as temple royal crematorium. Drop you off at your hotel.

Half Day Royal Palace, National Musuem and Wat Phnom Tour

7. Half Day Royal Palace, National Musuem and Wat Phnom Tour

A guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to Phnom Penh City. Your first stop is Wat Phnom, a 14th-century Buddhist temple. At 27 meters, it is the highest religious structure in the city. Your next destination is the Royal Palace (under renovation) – a majestic building constructed in 1866 by King Norodom. Stroll through its beautiful gardens while admiring the various pagoda style structures. The silver pagoda is named after its floor, which comprises of 5,000 silver tiles. Inside, it houses a gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds. Finally, you will visit the National Museum – a museum dedicated to preserving the Khmer art. Among the hundreds of pieces are examples of pre and post Angkorian art.

Killing Fields, S21, 10 Stop City Tour by Tuk-Tuk

8. Killing Fields, S21, 10 Stop City Tour by Tuk-Tuk

1. After morning pick-up the first stop will be to visit the darker and more tragic side of Cambodian history at the Genocide Museum. The now Museum was formally a girls school but became the site of imprisonment, torture and holding enclosure before being transported to the Killing Fields. Entry is $10 which includes an audio guide. 2. 45 minutes away is the Killing Fields, the second significant historical site of the Khmer Rouge Genocide in Phnom Penh. Entry is $6 and includes an audio guide. Following this we will return to the city and have lunch. 3. The afternoon commences with seeing and learning a bit about the impressive Independence Monument which represents independence of Cambodia from French colonisation which lasted for 90 years, from 1863 - 1953. Park Strip entry is free. 4. The King Norodom Sihanouk Statue also stands on the popular Park Strip of Phnom Penh. Built in honour of the King in 2013 after his death. 5. Next we go to the Cambodian Vietnam Friendship Monument which commemorates the former alliance between the two countries. 6. Located nearby is the Royal Palace where you can visit inside and admire the beautiful architecture and take advantage of the photographic opportunities that the Royal Palace offers. Entry fee: $10 plus another $10 for a guide. There is no audio guide available. 7. Admire one of the most beautiful examples of Cambodian architecture of the National Museum. This building also offer beautiful photo opportunities. Outside visit: Free 8. Wat Ounalom was originally built in 1442 and is one of the most important Temples in Phnom Penh. Entry: Free 9. Wat Phnom and Lady Penh Statue is the final stop for the day. Learn who Phnom Penh is named after and why. Temple Entry: $1.

Phnom Penh City Tour + Mekong River Boat Trip

9. Phnom Penh City Tour + Mekong River Boat Trip

Following a hotel pick-up at 08:00 from Phnom Penh City area hotel, your first stop will be Royal Palace. The Royal Palace is one of Phnom Penh’s most splendid architectural achievements. Next, head to Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh, a phenomenal area in Cambodia filled with hundreds of years of history. You will visit Cambodia's National Museum, offering a charming setting for a stunning collection of ancient Khmer art. Next up, you visit Wat Phnom. The temple has a strong connection with the establishment of the capital city of Cambodia. The current name of the city Phnom-Penh in native language means literally the hill of Ms. Penh. Wat Phnom temple was built in 1373.  After lunch at your own cost, you will board your boat and travel down the Tonle Sap River to where it meets the mighty Mekong River. You are cruising past the floating villages and onto the first of two islands. Your boat will first dock in the village of Prek Bongkong on Silk Island. Enjoy a tour of the working silk farm known as Heng Naysim Traditional Cambodian Weaving House, to see how silks are made by tracing the steps from collecting the silk from silkworms, to crafting the final shimmering sheets. You will have the opportunity to purchase beautiful handmade silk products direct from the farm. You will spend one hour back at Phnom Phen city by the same 1-hour boat ride. You will proceed to visit the Independence Monument. Built in 1955, this symbolizes Cambodian independence gained from French colonialism in 1953. This monument is a copy of the Bakong temple (a temple from the Rolous group of the 9th century). The one-hundred Nagas and snake motif can be seen in  historical, cultural, archeological, and business contexts. At approximately 18:00, you'll arrive back at your hotel in Phnom Penh city area where the tour will end.

Best of Phnom Penh: Half-Day Private City Tour

10. Best of Phnom Penh: Half-Day Private City Tour

At 8:00 AM, start your tour of the charming capital with a visit to the city’s namesake, Wat Phnom. The pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river. After, you will visit the Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom. See the different structures of this pagoda-style compound and stroll in its beautiful garden. Visit the Silver Pagoda named because of it’s floor that is comprised of 5,000 silver tiles. A gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha are also housed here. Continue to the nearby National Museum. Built in 1917, it is an exceptional example of traditional architecture and is exclusively devoted to preserving and displaying Khmer art and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces are housed here including both pre-and post-Angkorian pieces. At 12:00 PM, your tour will come to an end and your guide will transfer you back to your hotel.

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What people are saying about Royal Palace, Phnom Penh

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 173 reviews

Picked up in a tuck tuck and greeted by friendly and welcoming staff. The tour guide, on board, was knowledgeable, warm and entertaining, giving us a great insight into the different ways of life, along the river. Generous with beer and soft drinks and the fruit platter was a nice touch. Our tour guide even turned into a professional photographer! The sunset, on the Mekong, was absolutely beautiful! Lovely trip.

This tour is a great start to any trip to Phnom Penh and to Cambodia in general. Be ready to live the most intense emotional rollercoaster ever, as you’ll go from the magnificent Royal Palace to monuments that were the theater of the darkest times in human history. If you have children under 20 with you don’t take them on this tour, though. I’m an adult and some monuments traumatized me.

This cruise was excellent. We were out of the pick up zone and they still accommodated picking us up. The day was overcast, and there wasn’t much of a sunset, but you can’t pick the weather. However, the atmosphere, the tour guide, the people and overall experience was unforgettable. Highly recommend

We really enjoyed our tour. Our guide Sophy was extremely helpful, kind and very informative. He also gave us lots of nice recommendations of things to do and places to eat in Phnom Penh after our tour. We would really recommend this tour. Thanks Sophy.

Excellent guide who really brought history to life for us.