Daun Penh

Overview

Daun Penh is the northernmost of Phnom Penh's central districts, stretching from Wat Phnom in the north to Sihanouk Boulevard in the south, and from the Tonle Sap River in the east to Monivong Boulevard in the west. It was the first area developed by the French colonial administration from the 1860s onward, and today retains more colonial-era buildings than any other district in the city.

The French designed Daun Penh on a European grid system — wide, tree-lined boulevards (Norodom, Monivong, Sothearos) intersecting with numbered streets — a layout that makes the district more navigable on foot than the older, organically developed areas. Colonial villas, government ministries, embassies, and heritage hotels line these boulevards, many in remarkably good condition.

The district's character is administrative and cultural rather than residential. In the mornings, government workers stream into ministry buildings; tourists queue at the Royal Palace and National Museum; the Riverside fills with walkers and vendors. By evening, the focus shifts to Sisowath Quay, the FCC bar terrace, and the restaurants around Street 240.

Where to Stay

• Raffles Hotel Le Royal (Monivong Blvd): Cambodia's most historic grand hotel — built 1929; legendary pool; suites from $350/night; day use and afternoon tea available for non-guests
• The Plantation Hotel (Street 184): Excellent boutique in a renovated French villa; pool in a beautiful colonial courtyard; from $80/night
• The Pavilion (Street 19): Twin-pool colonial boutique; very popular with travelers wanting both history and modern comfort; from $65/night
• Palace Gate Hotel (Sothearos Blvd): Well-located mid-range facing the Royal Palace gardens; from $45/night
• Anise Hotel (Street 278): Clean budget-boutique in a colonial building; from $25/night; good WiFi

Where to Eat

• FCC Phnom Penh (Sisowath Quay): Riverside colonial dining — the most atmospheric terrace in Phnom Penh; Cambodian and international menu; mains $9–18; cocktails $5–8
• Elephant Bar at Raffles Le Royal: Legendary hotel bar with colonial memorabilia and 1930s-era cocktails; Singapore Sling variation and Femme Fatale cocktail are classics; $8–12 per drink
• Tamarind (Street 240): Excellent Middle Eastern-Mediterranean restaurant in a colonial villa garden; mains $8–14; great vegetarian selection
• Khmer Surin (Street 57): Traditional Thai-Khmer restaurant in a beautiful old villa; mains $5–10; one of the most charming dining settings in the district
• Central Market food hall (Psar Thmei): Breakfast and lunch only; noodle soups, baguette sandwiches, fresh fruit; $1–3; fascinating market-hall atmosphere

What to Do

• Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda: Cambodia's most important royal monument; 19th-century Khmer architecture with the famous Silver Pagoda floor (5,329 silver tiles) and Emerald Buddha; $10 entry; dress modestly; open 7:30 AM–5 PM
• National Museum of Cambodia (Street 13): Red-ochre French colonial building housing the world's finest collection of Khmer sculpture; $10; open 8 AM–5 PM daily; the sandstone Vishnu from Angkor Wat is unmissable
• Wat Phnom: The hilltop pagoda on Phnom Penh's only natural hill (27 m), said to mark the city's founding in 1372; colorful interior, resident elephants (controversial), surrounding park popular with families; $1 entry to the sanctuary
• Central Market (Psar Thmei): The 1937 Art Deco dome is extraordinary — walk all four wings for jewelry, electronics, clothing, and food; early morning is best
• Colonial architecture walk: Self-guided walking tour of Daun Penh's colonial buildings; pick up the Phnom Penh Heritage Walk map from Monument Books or the National Museum; approximately 2-hour walk

Getting Around

• Walking: Royal Palace to National Museum to Wat Phnom is a 30-minute linear walk; the whole district is walkable in comfortable weather (avoid midday, April–June)
• Tuk-tuk: $1.50–2.50 for most in-district trips; agree price before boarding
• Grab/PassApp: Works well; $1.50–2 within Daun Penh
• Bicycle: Flat streets; cycle-friendly in the morning; available from several guesthouses for $3–5/day

Budget Guide

• Budget: $20–35/day (guesthouse $18–25, local eats $2–5, market food)
• Mid-range: $65–110/day (boutique hotel $50–75, restaurant dining $10–18)
• Comfortable: $120–250/day (Plantation or Pavilion, colonial dining)
• Luxury: $300–600+/day (Raffles Le Royal, fine dining every meal)
• Sights budget: Royal Palace $10 + National Museum $10 + Wat Phnom $1 = $21 for all major sights