ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS
Ostro Hotel is located in the beating heart of Phnom Penh’s nightlife district. There are so many exciting things to see and do nearby, from tours to food and tourist attractions. Checkout this page for our recommended activities in the neighborhood, or ask our front desk staff for their suggestions.
Our Top Picks
Tours & Activities
Sunset River Cruise
Phnom Penh is located where the Tonle Sap River and Mekong River meet. Sunset cruises are a great way to relax after a long day or work or traveling. Many riverboats are available for hire, and some include dinner, drinks and even live music, for group tours or even private evenings out on the water. There are many options for you to explore, and our staff will be happy to help. Don’t miss the opportunity to watch the sun go down over the Mekong River, from the promenade of a classic, Cambodian Mekong Riverboat. A once in a lifetime experienced not to be missed.
Khmer Cooking Class
Taking a cooking class is a popular activity for many visitors, but our recommendation is La Table Khmère Cooking Class. Cambodian’s gastronomy is rich and varied, with tastes and flavors that differ from neighboring countries. In this class you will learn to cook Cambodia’s traditional fine cuisine in a relaxed and friendly environment. Learn the raw ingredients and Khmer methods of food preparation. Then enjoy a delicious meal at the end. Read more…
Motogirl Tour
This is simply one of our favorite tours to recommend in Phnom Penh. This group of entrepreneurial young women set out to break stereotypes and run their own tour company. Join the Motogirl Freedom Riders and let them show you the Phnom Penh that they know. They offer a range of tours, including day, nightlife and shopping tours. Good fun for the whole family in support of a local women’s business. Read more…
Full & Half-day Bike Tours
Bike tours are one of the best ways to get to know a country. From shorter citry rides, to even half-day, full-day, or even multi-day cycling adventures. There are bike tours for everyone, from families with kids to the professional cyclist training for their next race. Cambodia by bike offers you the chance to stop and meet locals far off the regular tourist tracks, and explore beyond the limits of the city to the surrounding countryside. Chekcout some of the top rated bike tours here: Read more…
The Riverside Walk
Take an early morning or evening walk along the riverside promenade. This is a great way to get to know Phnom Penh. Enjoy the riverside views of boats moving through the waters where the Tonle Sap and the Mekong Rivers meet. From local street food to a sidewalk gym, to great bars and restaurants, this is one of the most relaxing activities in the neighborhood. Read more on TripAdvisor
Unique Architecture Tour
Phnom Penh is a hotspot for architectural attractions. From the ancient times during the Khmer Empire, to the New Khmer Architecture movement founded by Van Molynan in the 1950s. From the Olympic Stadium to the Art Deco Central Market, there are so many interesting and hidden architectural wonders scattered across the city. Join one of the many architecture tours for a chance to explore these sites alongside passionate local architecture students and artists. Read more
Photography Tour
Cambodia is a photogenic country. There are so many colors, places, people and bright plants to capture for your memories. Photography tours are a great way to see the country and visit unique places with trained local experts. And of course, a great opportunity for you to gain new photography skills and experiences. Checkout some of the available photography tours in Cambodia here: Read more
Cambodia Country Club
A classic country club located between the city and the airport, the club offers a wide range of activities. This includes horseback riding, archery, volleyball and football, table tennis, swimming, and so much more. For a weekend retreat or an afternoon of exercise, checkout the Cambodian Country Club. Read more…
Attractions & Hotspots
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is a complex of buildings which serves as the residence of the King of Cambodia. You can visit inside during the day to see the King’s residence, but also to explore some information and displays on Cambodia’s history. It’s also worth a visit at night to see the palace lit up from outside. There is some history on display inside the palace. Read more on TripAdvisor
The Killing Fields
Choeung Ek is the site of a former orchard and mass grave of victims of the Khmer Rouge – killed between 1975 and 1979 – in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, about 17 kilometers south of the Phnom Penh City Centre. Though a painful place to visit, it is well worth a trip for those who have an interest in history or to gain a deeper understandings of the tragedies that occurred here during the Khmer Rouge period. Read more…
Wat Phnom
Wat Phnom, meaning Mountain Pagoda, was first built in 1372. Legends say that Daun Penh (grandmother Penh) found a large koki tree in the river. Inside the tree she found four bronze statues of the Buddha. She constructed a small shrine on a hill, and this became the sacred site of Wat Phnom. In 1437, King Ponhea Yat had the hill raised even further. His ashes are stored in the stupa to the west of the pagoda. Today, Wat Phnom is still an active part of ceremonies and public events. It’s a nearby site well worth a visit. Read more…
S21 – Toul Sleng
Tuol Sleng means “Hill of the Poisonous Trees.” Today it is a museum chronicling the Cambodian genocide. Once a school, the building served as Security Prison 21 (S21) during the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 until its fall in 1979. An estimated 20,000 people were imprisoned at Tuol Sleng, and many died. We encourage those with an interest in history to visit, and gain a better understanding and appreciation for Cambodia’s tragedies. Read more
National Museum
The National Museum of Cambodia is the countries largest museum of history and is the leading archaeological museum. It houses the world’s biggest collections of Khmer art, including over 14,000 ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects, dating from prehistoric times to periods before, during and after the Ancient Khmer Empire. The Royal University of Fine Arts is located on the west side of the museum. The museum is under the authority of the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. The museum buildings were constructed between 1917 and 1924. Read more…
Independence Monument
The Independence Monument was built in 1958 to honor Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953. It stands on the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard, and was built in the form of a lotus-shaped stupa of a similar style to the ancient designs seen at the Khmer temple at Banteay Srei. It was designed by the Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann, under the instruction of Prince Norodom Sihanouk. A ceremonial flame on the interior pedestal is often lit by a royal or high official on special occasions. Read more
Street 136
Our neighboorhood is Street 136, the infamous nightlife district of Phnom Penh. Here you can experience so many exciting nocturnal attractions, from local bars and Karaoke spots, to find dining and sports. Many of our favorite bars and restaurants are located in this area. Checkout the Ostro Group page to learn more about our sister businesses. And don’t forget to ask our front desk for info on discounts or special promotions for Ostro Hotel guests at our neighboring hotspots. Read more…
Visit Bassac Lane
This once sleepy residential lane has grown into an exciting hub of activity and attracts thousands of locals, expats and tourists alike. It features drinking, dining and retail shops. Your visit to Phnom Penh is not complete until you have explored the boutiques or a night out here enjoying the bars and restaurants. Read more…
Explore Street 240
Street 240 is a trendy shopping local, nestled into a neighborhood of quaint French colonial buildings. This area caters to the artistic, a good alternate if you’re tired of the more traditionally touristy marketplaces in Phnom Penh. Here you will find fashion boutiques, art galleries, cafe’s and streetside eateries, as well as and local handy-craft souvenir shops. From light snacks with wine to hearty meals with vegan options, Street 240 caters to just about any budget and diet preference. There are even several local NGOs promoting fair-trade items. Read more…
Aeon Mall 1 & 2
For the shopper in you, Aeon Mall offers everything you could want. There are 2 Aeon Malls in Phnom Penh, one on the south side of the city (Aeon 1), and one on the north (Aeon 2) am text block. Aeon 1 features and indoor ice skating rink, great way to cool off after a day of shopping. Both offer countless fashion, clothing, and electronics shops, as well a broad range of restaurants and cafes. While both malls include large movie theaters, the Major Cineplex at Aeon 2 includes a new IMAX screen. Read more…
Olympic Stadium
Despite its name, the Olympic Stadium has never hosted an Olympic Games. The structure was built during the New Khmer Architecture Movement of the 1950s – 60s. It seats 70,000, and completed in 1964. Designer Vann Molyvann, one of Cambodia’s most famous recent architects, made use of massive earthworks to create the stadium, digging up 500,000 cubic meters of earth. Among the facilities are Olympic-size swimming pools, an indoor volleyball court with a capacity of up to 8,000. The diving boards and swimming pools were restored in 2017 after years of disuse, and are now enjoyed daily by the general public. Today, construction of a new stadium is under way. Read more…
Central Market
This market is well worth an afternoon of exploration. Located close by in the heart of Phnom Penh, this famous Art Deco landmark was completed in 1937, and features a 26m high domed ceiling. The design creates hallways housing countless stalls and a variety of goods. From fresh fish to gold jewelry made in Cambodia, you can find nearly everything here, including custom designed t-shirts that are a bit different than the typical tourist souvenirs. When it first opened it was said to be the biggest market in Asia, and it is still a busy hotspot today. Read more…
Koh Pich – Diamond Island
Koh Pich island is a newer district in Phnom Penh. This is the best place to come for a nighttime riverside stroll, as the promenade park is newly built, and the breezes off the Mekong River will keep you cool. Enjoy the views of Phnom Penh city lit up at night. Here you can also find a roller skate park, an amusement park and fairgrounds for kids, and many exciting food spots with indoor and outdoor eating options. A great spot for date night or for dinner and evening adventures with your whole family. Read more…
Russian Market
One of the most famous spots in Phnom Penh, Russian Market is well worth a visit for an afternoon of shopping. From tourist souvenirs to local food, there is nothing you can’t find here. We recommend this for clothes shopping on a budget. Don’t forget to negotiate. Sellers start very high for most visitors, but will be happy to haggle. That’s part of the fun of the experience. Read more…
Bars & Restaurants
130 Gastropub
You don’t have to go far to find some of the best food in Phnom Penh. 130 Gastropub is located in the lobby of Ostro Hotel. Here, guests staying with us can enjoy a complementary breakfast with juice, tea or coffee. But we cannot recommend this pub enough for lunch, dinner or even a late night snack. With some of the most unique blend of Mediterranean, Western, Middle Eastern and Asian food around, our menu at 130 Gastropub has something for everyone. Eat more…
Ostro Bistro & Lounge
Want to try some of the best food in town? Ostro Bistro & Lounge has one of the most diverse menus around. From Mediterranean to western and Asian, they have food for anyone. The bar features some of the best booze, and comes equipped with a live music stage, a large display for sports nights, and a DJ booth for special parties. Checkout their events and specials here: read more…
Tiger 136 Bar
One of the most luxurious bars on street 136, Tiger features long leather couches, bright lights, and a quality sound system. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Tiger 136 is perfect for large groups, dance parties or evening events. Located in the middle of Phnom Penh’s busy nightlife district, Tiger serves both food & drinks as well as imported wine, whiskeys and hard liquors. A VIP room provides music on requests, and the pool table is free to use for any of our guests. Read more…
JOPO Bar & KTV
JOPO Bar is the biggest hostess bar in Phnom Penh and provides a unique nightlife experience. Inside, there is a VIP room with KTV, comfortable seating, great music, and a wide selection of drinks. From Thursday to Saturday, there are a live DJ and dance shows in the evenings. There is also outdoor sitting for a truly enjoyable nightlife experience.. Read more…
OSTEX Bar 136
It’s the biggest girly bar on Street 136, nice counter with TV, high chairs, sofa seats, VIP Rooms upstairs, Pool Table, 60 Friendly Staff, Cool Beer, and Happy Hour. We have DJ every Friday, live Dance Show Every night from 8 pm till late. You can buy lady drink for just 3.75$ / Glass. There is no extra charge or any hidden cost. We guarantee 100% secure for all tourists to enjoy the nightlife in Phnom Penh. Learn more…