Summary
- Central Market: the busiest
- Riverside: the most touristic
- Prampi Makara: the most authentic
- Boeung Keng Kang: the most chic
- Tonle Bassac: the most alternative
- Toul Tom Poung: the most family-friendly
Are you planning to stay in the so-called pearl of Southeast Asia? Here are the best places to sleep in Phnom Penh!
Gateway and capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is an ambivalent city. Many tourists do not want to discover more than its airport. However, it is an essential step to understand the country. In addition to its opulent markets and crowded boulevards, the capital has many heritage treasures. The National Palace of Phnom Penh, Wat Phnom, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the Silk Island...
Your soul of adventurer pushes you to stop there? In this article, you will find all the keys to choose the ideal area to stay in Phnom Penh.
Also to be read: The 9 must-do things to do in Phnom Penh
Central Market: the busiest
The Central Market district adopts the name of the largest market in Phnom Penh. A true nerve centre, it is home to a very diverse population. It is here that the Khmers and foreigners rub shoulders the most! The district is home to many shops. At the central market, you will find an extraordinary offer. Exotic fruits, handicrafts, textiles, electronics, etc... It is also the ideal place to taste the delicious traditional cuisine! But the main advantage of Central Market is its accessibility. The district allows easy access to the main tourist attractions of the city, but most importantly, it houses the bus terminal. Ideal to be able to radiate throughout the country!
Here you will find a wide range of accommodation at very affordable prices. A good option if you want to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the capital. On the other hand, avoid it if you are looking for a quiet area.
Find an Airbnb at Central Market
Riverside: the most touristic
Riverside is located in Daun Penh, the city's most touristy district. It is here that the Sisowath Quay is located, which runs along the Tonle Sap River until it meets the Mekong River. It is lined with many bars and restaurants, but not only! You will find there the national palace of Phnom Penh and its silver pagoda, or the Wat Ounalom temple. The place is very animated, and sees passing as much locals as tourists. In the evening, the atmosphere is particularly pleasant! Street vendors offer local street food and you can picnic among the Khmer families. However, be careful to avoid certain areas of the neighbourhood, which are more sensitive and are home to girls' bars.
Riverside is the most touristy area of Phnom Penh. Therefore, it has a very wide range of accommodation. From the first price guest house to the high standing hotels, you will surely find what you are looking for!
Prampi Makara: the most authentic
Do you want to dive into authentic Phnom Penh? Escape the tourist bustle? Turn to the Prampi Makara district. Located in the center of the capital, it offers good access to the main points of interest. However, you will find very few tourists there. If it is not the prettiest district of Phnom Penh, it exudes a unique atmosphere. The shops are run by the locals, the restaurants are typical. You will find the Orussey market, one of the main business centers of the capital. Real whirlwind of noise and smell, it attracts hardly any foreigners.
Prampi Makara is the ideal neighbourhood to sleep in. Room rental, house exchange, couchsurfing... Many solutions are available to you to enjoy it.
Find an Airbnb at Prampi Makara
Boeung Keng Kang: the most chic
Boeung Keng Kang, nicknamed BKK, is the expatriate district. Radiating around the Independence Monument, it is the most chic area of the capital. For the past few years, it has been experiencing a breathtaking boom. The old colonial houses are gradually being replaced by high buildings. They are home to the luxurious accommodations of western immigrants and high-class hotels. You might as well say that it is not the most authentic place in the city! However, if you want to go out in the evening in trendy bars, this is the place to stay in Phnom Penh.
Prices are higher than elsewhere in the city, but still very affordable by European standards. Moreover, in the lot, you will also find cheap guest houses.
Please note: the district is subdivided into sub-districts, BKK1, BKK2 and BKK3.
Find an Airbnb at Boeung Keng Kang
Tonle Bassac: the most alternative
Tonle Bassac is a good alternative to BKK if you are looking for a place to sleep in Phnom Penh. Although the neighborhood is home to many expatriates, it has retained a certain authenticity. Its small streets are pleasant to walk through. They mix typical Cambodian houses, colonial houses and buildings with more modern architecture. Here you will find many trendy bars and restaurants. The neighborhood is a bit hipster, but not very touristy. This ambivalence gives it a lot of charm.
You'll find hotels and guest houses here at better prices than in BKK, its neighbour. Finally, accommodation in Tonle Bassac allows you to easily access the tourist attractions of Phnom Penh. Indeed, it is located not far from Riverside and the Independence Monument.
Find an Airbnb at Tonle Bassac
Toul Tom Poung: the most family-friendly
Toul Tom Poung has many advantages to stay in Phnom Penh. It is here that the Russian market is located, a rather touristic market, but which has a certain cachet. The neighborhood is a little in his image. It is home to many shops and restaurants run by Westerners and many expatriates live there. However, the Khmer population remains the majority. During the day, all these beautiful people take part in the animation of the district. Besides the Sisowath quay, it is perhaps the most pleasant area for pedestrians! Especially since it is located only 10 / 15 minutes from the center by tuk-tuk. In spite of this, in the evening, the streets become quiet again.
If you are with your family and looking for a place to sleep in Phnom Penh, this is a good option. It is also an ideal area to find cheap accommodation.
