Knowing the best markets for local shopping will make things easy for you to bring souvenirs back home. And this is why I am here to introduce you to the few very best options that you can explore. Depending on what you like, local markets below will have so many things for you to choose from. You can go to some or even all because you will come across vast options of items you will like.
Boeung Keng Kong Market
Best Market For Second-Hand Items
Opening Hours: 6AM – 5PM Daily
My friends and I love going to Boeung Keng Kong Market to shop for second-hand clothes and shoes. Literally just went there yesterday to look for boots, and man, I am a sucker for boots. You can find a pair of cool shoes for 4$ or less, if you are good at bargaining. The great thing about this market is that the second-hand items look new and nice. It is also a great place to go when you want to get some seasonal clothes for trips outside the country.
Winter clothes are quite expensive though, but still cheaper than most places out there.
There are different sections in the market where you will find different things. We are talking about food stalls and salons, and pretty much anything you look for. Boeung Keng Kong Market is big, and the options are quite endless so you will surely find some great souvenirs there. The best part is most sellers can speak English, so the language barrier is not an issue at all.
Central Market
Best Market For Daily Items & Shiny Accessories
Opening Hours: 6:30AM – 5:30PM Daily
Located in the heart of the capital city, Central Market is the cleanest market with a structure that looks like no other. This bright yellow market is popular for jewelry and gem stalls in the center of the dome. Around the landmark are Khmer food, clothing, electronics, flowers, handmade items, souvenirs, and many more.
When shopping in a big market like this, one of the things that you should have is bargaining skills. Things in Cambodia are not high-priced, especially regular items and souvenirs. And if they cannot sell at the price you bargain, there are always the exact same things somewhere else. But if you don’t feel like it is overpriced, then feel free to purchase the items you find interesting.
Night Market
Best Market For Nighttime Exploration
Opening Hours: 5PM – 11PM
After walking along the riverside in the evening, the night market is definitely the place to drop by. It is a small open-air market where you can explore and see things in the evening. You will see many stalls that sell a wide range of daily things such as accessories, clothes, drinks, food, etc. Not sure if you are into fake designer products, but there are so many options there too. We are talking about clothes, handbags, watches, and more. If you are lucky, you might be there when there is a live performance on a stage there too.
Night market is the best place to go after your long day of visiting the museums and the Royal Palace nearby. The walk along the riverside is nice, and there are plenty of pubs and restaurants along the way too. You can try street food there, and the most common way to dine is by sitting on the mat on the floor. And just like any other market, make sure to bargain the clothes and souvenirs that you want to buy.
Olympic Market
Best Market For Fabrics & Travel Accessories
Opening Hours: 7AM – 6PM Daily
It is my mom’s favorite shopping place for clothes, and I also go there to buy luggage. Basically, Olympic Market has a wide array of imported products from other Asian countries. You can find many clothing options, electronic devices, and so many other things of good quality. The trick is that clothing can be very expensive, though they don’t look that good in my opinion. The sellers will tell you that it is a famous brand; hence the high price. So the decision is all yours, whether to purchase or to walk away.
As for other items like bags, luggage, shoes, and so on, make sure to bargain. They usually give you the price twice as expensive. Don’t be afraid to walk away because there are so many things that are the same. And most importantly, the seller will call you back when you walk away.
Olympic Market is the best place in town to find nice fabric, with quality that you can trust. You will come across fabrics of all colors and patterns that will impress you. And if you want to find evening dresses for a cheap price, go to the second floor. It is a total heaven up there, with bright and shiny dresses that you will surely love. Once you get hungry from all of the walking, go to the third floor for some nice food. When you are done, you can explore this floor as well since there are also clothes, shoes, etc. It’ll be a good experience, and you should definitely go there.
Orussey Market
Best Market For Accessories & Clothes + Many Things
Opening Hours: 8AM – 5PM
This is the biggest and most crowded local market in Phnom Penh, where you can find literally everything but local souvenirs. With 3 floors in total, you can spend hours exploring the market. The ground floor is mostly a grocery and wet market, but you will also find food stalls there too. Electronics, gadgets, household items, kitchen utensils, toys, and many other things are also on the ground floor. Compared to other markets, the goods here are the cheapest.
The second floor would be accessories, clothes, and shoes of various fashion trends. A majority of clothes cost between USD5 to USD15, depending on your bargaining skill. Some shops even have prices printed so that you can see how much without having to ask. As you walk, you will hear the sellers calling you to buy or check out items in their shops.
It is very crowded, hot, and loud, and you have to be patient when you are there. The walkway is small, and there are heaps of people so there will be a lot of bumping and squeezing your way through. The good thing is there are so many things to see and buy, and it is a great experience worth having.
Russian Market
Best Market For Handmade Items & Souvenirs
Opening Hours: 6AM – 4:30PM Daily
Aka Toul Tompoung Market, Russian Market is one of the best markets for souvenirs in Phnom Penh. Full of handmade souvenirs and nice items, Russian Market stands out among both locals and foreigners. Want to find vast choices of aroma oil and scented candles? Russian Market has those, in so many stores you lose counts. Looking for some cheap clothes or vintage stuff? Russian Market is definitely the place to go to.
From accessories to souvenirs and more, this market has them all for you. The convenient part is the price is displayed on the accessories so you won’t have to bargain. All accessories like bracelets, necklaces, and rings are at a very cheap and reasonable price. You can also find things like lasers, pocket knives, and religious accessories at small stores around the Russian Market as well. It is pretty crowded and hot there, so make sure to wear comfy clothes.
It is true that the options are limited, with only 6 local markets to explore. However, these are the best options where can find what you are looking for and see things you’ve never seen before. Each local market in Phnom Penh has different things to offer, and it will be worth it. If you have time, you should definitely explore all 6 and see which one you like the most. In case you don’t, I highly recommend you stick to Russian Market.