Cambodia
Profiled in Phnom Penh · East Asia
Phnom Penh is a scruffy riverside boomtown where gold temple spires, French shophouses and rooftop bars crowd the same humid streets.
Cost of living
What a month costs
One of the cheapest capitals in the region. Local food and rent stay low, but international schools and imported goods push a family budget up fast.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Phnom Penh
- Royal Palace and Silver PagodaThe king's official residence with its gleaming spires beside the riverfront.
- National Museum of CambodiaTerracotta-red pavilion holding the country's finest Angkorian sculpture.
- Tuol Sleng Genocide MuseumThe former S-21 prison, a sobering record of the Khmer Rouge years.
- Choeung Ek Killing FieldsMemorial site just outside the city where victims of the regime were buried.
- Wat PhnomThe hilltop temple that gives the city its name, ringed by leafy gardens.
- Central MarketArt deco dome from the 1930s packed with jewellery, watches and street food.
- Russian MarketCramped covered bazaar in Toul Tom Poung good for silk, crafts and lunch stalls.
- Independence MonumentAngkor-style tower on a busy roundabout, lit up in the evenings.
- Sisowath QuayThe riverside promenade along the Tonle Sap, lined with cafes and bars.
- Wat OunalomHistoric riverside monastery that serves as the seat of Cambodian Buddhism.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- KampotSleepy riverside town about three hours south, known for pepper farms and old shophouses.
- KepSmall seaside spot near Kampot famous for its crab market and quiet beaches.
- Siem Reap and Angkor WatThe temple city northwest of the capital, a short flight or a long drive away.
- Koh RongWhite-sand island off Sihanoukville on the southern coast, reached by boat.
- OudongA former royal capital an hour north with hilltop stupas and mountain views.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Brown CoffeeThe polished local chain that set the bar for coffee culture across the city.
- Feel Good CoffeeSerious roaster with a loyal following for its single-origin brews.
- The ShopLong-running bakery cafe on Street 240 with pastries and light lunches.
- Cafe YejjSocial enterprise cafe near the Russian Market with fair-trade coffee.
- Backyard CafeHealth-focused spot in BKK1 known for smoothie bowls and salads.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- MalisFlagship of celebrated chef Luu Meng and the go-to for refined Khmer cuisine.
- RomdengGarden restaurant serving Cambodian classics while training at-risk youth.
- Friends the RestaurantBuzzy tapas spot run by the same social enterprise, a city institution.
- TopazLong-established French fine dining for a special occasion.
- Van's RestaurantFrench kitchen set inside a grand former bank building downtown.
- Eleven One KitchenRelaxed spot for healthy Khmer and Western plates in BKK1.
Morning
Best breakfast
- The ShopReliable early stop for fresh bread, eggs and strong coffee.
- Farm to TableLeafy garden cafe popular for weekend brunch and organic plates.
- Backyard CafeSmoothie bowls, eggs and juices for a lighter start.
- Vibe CafePlant-based brunch favourite with a busy morning crowd.
- Brown CoffeeEasy chain option for pastries and coffee before the heat sets in.
Residency
Cambodia is famously easy for long-stayers. An ordinary E visa extends to a renewable one-year permit with no minimum stay or income test, and retirees use the same simple route.
Tax
Salary and Cambodian-source income are taxed on a progressive scale up to 20 percent. Foreign-source income of individuals is generally left alone in practice, which suits remote earners.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Cambodia tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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