Activities and leisure in Phnom Penh — sport, culture, going out
Activities in Phnom Penh for expats — sport, fitness, culture, going out, associations, museums, nightlife and events for the expat community.
- Difficulty
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In 3 bullets
- Accessible sport: modern fitness centres at 30–80 USD/month, outdoor pools, padel, tennis, yoga — the offering has grown considerably since 2020.
- Cultural life: the Alliance Française de Phnom Penh is the hub — cinema, exhibitions, concerts, French classes and monthly events open to all.
- Active community: expat sports clubs, CCIFC networking apéros, hiking groups — Phnom Penh offers a structured social life for expats.
Sport and fitness
Gyms
Phnom Penh has caught up in terms of fitness. Modern gyms offer weightlifting, group classes (yoga, pilates, spinning, CrossFit), indoor and outdoor pools.
Fit One (multiple locations, BKK1 and Sen Sok) — the most widespread fitness chain. Recent equipment, group classes included, pool at some sites. Membership: 40–60 USD/month.
Bodytone Gym (BKK1) — popular with expats, coaching available, long opening hours (6 am–10 pm). ~50 USD/month.
CrossFit Phnom Penh and METCON (BKK1/TTP) — quality CrossFit, certified coaches, tight-knit community. Expect 80–120 USD/month.
The Factory Phnom Penh (BKK1) — hybrid coworking + fitness space, yoga, pilates, community events. Day pass or monthly membership.
Swimming
Most 4–5 star hotels (Raffles, Hyatt, Palace Gate) sell monthly pool access (50–100 USD). The National Olympic Swimming Pool (Olympic Stadium, Chamkar Mon) is open to the public at a modest fee.
Tennis and padel
TK Tennis Academy (Toul Kork) and Phnom Penh Tennis Club — covered and open courts. Court rental 8–15 USD/hour, lessons available.
Padel Phnom Penh (Sen Sok) — a booming sport, modern courts, hourly rental or membership.
Combat sports
Several Muay Thai, Khmer boxing (Pradal Serey) and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) academies exist in BKK1 and TTP. Beginner classes available, popular with expats.
Yoga and wellness
Yoga Phnom Penh (BKK1), One Library Yoga (TTP), Sama Sama Yoga — quality yoga studios, classes in French or English, drop-in rate (8–15 USD) or monthly membership.
Cycling
The Phnom Penh Cycling Club organises weekly Sunday morning rides (departure 6 am from the Riverside). The route varies: city ride or province outing. Mixed levels, friendly atmosphere. Free, sign up on Facebook.
Running and walking
The Riverside (Sothearos Promenade) is the favourite running spot for expats: 4 km return, well-lit, lively in the morning. The parks around the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom are pleasant for walking. The Phnom Penh Hash House Harriers group organises social runs every week.
Culture and arts
Alliance Française de Phnom Penh
The French cultural reference centre. Rich monthly programme: film screenings, concerts, exhibitions by Cambodian and French artists, dance performances, workshops. Annual membership: ~40 USD (library access + reduced prices for events).
- Address: 9 Street 184, Daun Penh
- Programme: afcambodge.org
Must-see museums
National Museum of Cambodia (Daun Penh) — the world’s largest collection of Khmer art, from Angkor temple sculptures to everyday Khmer objects. Entry: 10 USD. Open daily 8 am–5 pm.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) — former Khmer Rouge prison, listed as a historic monument. A difficult but essential visit to understand Cambodia’s contemporary history. Entry: 8 USD.
Choeung Ek Memorial (killing fields, 15 km from the centre) — open-air memorial, audio guide available in English. Entry: 6 USD.
Bophana Museum (Street 200, Daun Penh) — Cambodian film archive, audiovisual archives, exhibitions on Khmer cinema. Free entry or pay as you wish.
Performing arts
Sovanna Phum Arts Association (TTP) — classical Khmer dance performances, shadow puppetry. Shows on Friday and Saturday evenings, ~10 USD. Apsara dance is a UNESCO intangible heritage.
Chaktomuk Conference Hall (Riverside) — multi-purpose venue hosting concerts, shows and Khmer and international cultural events.
Social life and networking
Community events
CCIFC (France-Cambodia Chamber of Commerce) — monthly networking apéros, conferences, business directory. Essential for French entrepreneurs and executives. Annual membership required.
Club Français de Phnom Penh — relaxed evenings, sports activities, pétanque, family events. Open to French speakers of all nationalities.
Alliance Française — French classes + community of Cambodian learners and expats, a good opportunity to build a mixed network.
Active Facebook groups
- “Expats in Phnom Penh” (+60,000 members) — the reference English-language group for good addresses, events and recommendations.
- “French Expats in Cambodia” — daily mutual support from the French-speaking community.
- “Phnom Penh Activities & Events” — calendar of sports and cultural events.
Going out and nightlife
Bars and cafés
BKK1 and Tonle Bassac concentrate most expat bars. Varied atmospheres: rooftop bars (Hyatt Regency, 360°), neighbourhood bars, craft beer bars (Hops Craft Beer & Eatery), whisky lounges.
Le Bouchon (Riverside) — French wine bar, charcuterie boards, relaxed evenings.
Hops Craft Beer (BKK1 and TTP) — Cambodian and imported craft beers, mixed expat/local clientele, not too loud.
Cinema
Legend Cinema (Aeon 1 and Aeon 2) — modern screens, films in VO (English with Khmer subtitles), sometimes dubbed into Khmer. Ticket: 5–10 USD. Some French premieres via the Alliance Française.
Day trips from Phnom Penh
| Destination | Distance | Journey time | What to see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Dach (silk island) | 15 km | 30 min boat | Weaving villages, swimming |
| Kirirom (national park) | 115 km | 2h drive | Hiking, fresh air, lake |
| Kampot | 150 km | 2h30 drive | River, spices, kayak |
| Kep | 170 km | 3h drive | Crab, beach, relaxation |
| Udong (ancient capital) | 40 km | 45 min drive | Stupas, panoramic views |
Monthly leisure budget
| Profile | Leisure budget | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimalist | 50–100 USD | Basic gym, a few outings |
| Standard active | 150–300 USD | Fitness, outings, Alliance Française, 1–2 day trips |
| Intense social life | 300–600 USD | Clubs, CCIFC events, restaurants, province weekends |
2025 estimates — excluding long-distance travel. Cultural activities (museums, AF) are very affordable.
FAQ
Are there English-speaking sports clubs?
The expat community in Phnom Penh is largely English-speaking. The Phnom Penh Cycling Club, Hash House Harriers and most CrossFit/yoga studios operate in English. Facebook groups list teams looking for players.
Can you dive from Phnom Penh?
Not directly. Diving is done from Koh Rong or Sihanoukville (3–4h by road or boat from Phnom Penh). Some agencies offer organised diving weekends from the capital.
Are there activities for children?
Yes: Phnom Penh Water Park (Sen Sok), Sorn Sopheak Metapak Park (Koh Pich), rides and activities at Aeon Mall, children’s workshops at the Alliance Française. Family life is well integrated in the Toul Kork and Chroy Changvar areas.
Can museum tickets be bought online?
Rarely — Phnom Penh’s museums still operate mainly with cash payment at the entrance. Arrive early in the morning to avoid tourist groups.
Sources (3)
Every fact in this guide comes from official documents or government sites. An access date is recorded for each source.