Sisowath Quay is the area that runs along the western side of the Tonle Sap River in the city of Phnom Penh in Cambodia. This promenade area is a bustle of activity from early in the morning and is the heart of activity in the city in the evening for tourists and locals alike. The best thing about the Sisowath Quay is that you can reach all other parts of Phnom Penh from here and it is not far from some of the major attractions of this beautiful and historically interesting city. It stretches over 3 kilometres and it is recommended that you take a taxi, moto (a motorbike taxi) or a tuk-tuk (a motorised rickshaw) to the Royal Palace and work your way back.

Just as a general point of information, the currency of Cambodia is the Riel, but you will find that many transactions are carried out in US Dollars. If you are due any change for a transaction you may get mixed currency or purely Riel if you are due less than 1 US Dollar. Tuk-tuks are a very cheap method of travel and a one way journey around the city will cost as little as $1. A moto costs a little bit more at around US$3 and a taxi around US$7. Still very cheap I’m sure you’ll agree!

As the sun rises early in the morning, you will find many people getting their daily fix of exercise along the boulevard at Sisowath Quay. Along with joggers and walkers, you will find Sisowath Quay awash with music; the local people and many ex-pats like to give themselves a good exercise session in the morning before the midday sun makes it too hot to move. You can spend the day watching the world go by and relaxing in this beautiful city or you can take in some of the attractions that are within short distance of the quay. These include the Royal Palace itself and the National Museum.

When visiting the quay, you will find that there are a number of hotels, restaurants, cafés and bars to choose from. From breakfast time you can sit outside the cafés and watch the locals buzzing past, carrying out their daily business. The choice of food is vast; you will find American cuisine alongside French dishes. If possible, take the time to sample some of the local Cambodian food, which has a very strong Thai influence.

There are also several shopping opportunities in this area of the city. You will find shops offering touristy souvenirs alongside art galleries, jewellery shops and boutiques offering sumptuous silks and linen. There are also a few markets to be explored and haggle with the local stallholders to grab a bargain to take home.

The Sisowath Quay tends to quieten down in the afternoon as many people take the opportunity to escape the heat; but in the evening time, once the sun has gone down, the quay becomes alive again. Indeed, it is one of the trendiest places to be at night in Phnom Penh. There are a variety of bars and nightclubs including the prestigious Foreign Correspondents Club of Cambodia (known s the FCCC for short). You can enjoy a delicious cocktail in its famous horseshoe shaped bar for as little as US$4.50. If you are lucky you may just see some famous faces from journalists to diplomats in this upmarket establishment.

Many of the bars on the quay close relatively early but you will find some in the back streets that are open until the early hours of the next day. There are bars that are themed around popular sports or you can enjoy some live music whilst you sip your drink. If you are looking for a bit of fun you can approach one of the fortune tellers that line the boulevard of the quay and have your future foretold. No matter whether you are looking for a bit of excitement or just want a pleasant stroll along the riverside, you can have it all at Sisowath Quay in the amazing city of Phnom Penh.