Updated May 2026

Royal Palace, Phnom Penh's iconic riverside.

ព្រះបរមរាជវាំងចតុមុខមង្គល · Sisowath Quay

Built in 1866 by King Norodom I at the Chaktomuk confluence — where the Mekong splits into the Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac rivers — the Royal Palace is Cambodia's most important royal and cultural landmark. The 18-hectare complex along Sothearos Boulevard houses the gilded Throne Hall, the Silver Pagoda (with its 5,329 solid silver floor tiles), the Moonlight Pavilion, and the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoni. Living near it means waking up to river views, manicured palace walls, and one of Southeast Asia's great riverside promenades.

Royal Palace Area Phnom Penh
Royal Palace · Sisowath Quay · Daun Penh
Hero photo: Royal Palace and Chaktomuk riverside
District
Daun Penh
Sothearos Blvd · Khan Daun Penh
Palace Founded
1866
King Norodom I · 18 hectares
1BR Rent From
$400
/ month · area average
Vibe
Royal & Riverside
Heritage · Polished · Central
Live Properties

Apartments & condos near the Royal Palace right now

Live properties for rent and for sale near the Royal Palace and Sisowath Quay. Full pricing visible by default. No form wall. Tap any properties to see full details and contact the lister directly.

No properties found for for rent near the Royal Palace.

Price Insights

Royal Palace area condo & apartment prices

Median sale and rental prices near the Royal Palace and Sisowath Quay. Refreshed quarterly. Riverside and high-floor units command a significant premium over street-level stock.

Rent & sale prices by type

Median asking prices, Royal Palace area

Studio apartment$350 – $550/mo↑ Active
1BR apartment$400 – $900/mo↑ In demand
2BR apartment$800 – $1,500/mo↑ 6%
Riverside / Serviced units$900+/moPremium
Condo sale price$2,000 – $3,500/sqm↑ Stable
Sale price · per sqm
$2,750*

Condo units, mid-floor, riverside location. Riverfront premium is significant — high-floor river-view units trade at $3,500+.

Royal Palace
$2,750
BKK1
$2,850
Koh Pich
$2,200
Toul Kork
$1,710
PP average
$1,395
See what these prices look like in real properties

Browse current apartments and condos near the Royal Palace. Full pricing visible, no signup, no form wall.

Who Lives Here

Living near the Royal Palace: who picks this area

A qualitative read of who actually lives near the Royal Palace. Not a census, but useful for figuring out whether you'll fit in.

01

Expats & long-term residents

Long-term foreign residents drawn by the central riverside location, historic atmosphere, and the concentration of embassies and NGO offices in Daun Penh. Many choose this area specifically because they want to live within walking distance of Cambodia's most iconic landmark and the Sisowath Quay promenade.

The prestige lifestyle choice
02

Diplomats & embassy staff

Numerous foreign embassies are concentrated in Daun Penh, and their staff often live in the immediate area. The palace walls, security presence, and quiet residential streets between Streets 184 and 240 make this one of the safest and most coveted addresses for diplomatic missions.

Embassy row · Sothearos Blvd
03

Tourism & hospitality professionals

With the Royal Palace and National Museum attracting visitors year-round, the area supports a large hospitality industry — hotel managers, tour operators, restaurant owners, and guides often live in nearby serviced apartments or furnished flats to stay close to the action.

Riverside economy · High turnover
04

Property investors

The area's stable demand from tourism, diplomacy, and expats makes it one of Phnom Penh's most reliable yield markets. Investors from Cambodia, China, and further afield buy riverside condos as income assets, knowing the Royal Palace's permanent presence anchors long-term value.

Stable · Long-term value
Area Map

Royal Palace area map

The Royal Palace complex covers 18 hectares along Sothearos Boulevard between Streets 184 and 240. It sits at the Chaktomuk confluence — where the Mekong splits into the Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac rivers — opposite the ancient citadel site of King Ang Chan II. Sisowath Quay runs the length of the riverside to the east.

Sihanouk BlvdNorodom BlvdTonle SapRiverSisowath QuayRoyal PalaceSilver Pagoda insideNational MuseumWat Botum ParkFrench EmbassyRiverfront Apts / FCCDaun PenhChamkarmon / BKK1 →Koh Pich ↓← Toul Kork 4 kmChaktomukConfluence
Royal Palace & riverside residences
National Museum & cultural sites
Parks & green space
Embassies & government
What's Nearby

Schools, restaurants & amenities near the Royal Palace

Walking and driving times from the Royal Palace area. Most everyday needs are within walking distance along the riverside or in the surrounding Daun Penh district.

International Schools

5 nearby
American Pacific Intl. School~6 min
ICS International School7 min
Invictus International School12 min
Lycée Français René Descartes~8-12 min

Hospitals & Clinics

4 nearby
Calmette Hospital~15-20 min
Khema International Polyclinic8 min
Intercare Hospital~10-15 min
Preah Ang Duong Hospital~8-10 min

Supermarkets

5 nearby
Lucky Supermarket (Riverside)5 min walk
Super Duper8 min
Aeon Mall Phnom Penh10 min
Phsar Kandal10 min walk

Cafés & Restaurants

100+ nearby
Pizza 4P's 313 QuaysideOn quay
Malis Restaurant5 min
BROWN Riverside8 min walk
The Museum Café~2-5 min walk

Culture & Landmarks

6+ sites
Royal Palace & Silver PagodaOn site
National Museum of Cambodia~2-5 min walk
Wat Phnom10 min walk
Chaktomuk Walk StreetOn site

Parks & Open Space

3 nearby
Sisowath Quay promenadeOn site
Wat Botum Park8 min walk
Neak Banh Teuk Park10 min walk
Wat Phnom gardens10 min walk
Getting Around

Royal Palace area transport & walkability

The Royal Palace area is one of the most walkable in Phnom Penh. Sisowath Quay is a car-light promenade. Most major destinations are reachable by tuk-tuk or short drive, and PassApp is abundant here due to tourist demand.

9Walkability
/ 10

The Sisowath Quay riverfront promenade is among the most walkable stretches in Phnom Penh. The Royal Palace, National Museum, multiple restaurants, and major landmarks are all within easy walking distance. Daun Penh streets are generally quieter than BKK1 or Toul Kork. The riverside path itself is a genuine pleasure on foot — morning walks to the Chaktomuk confluence are a daily ritual for many residents.

Driving distances from Royal Palace area

BKK13.5 km12 min
AEON Mall 1 (Sothearos)2 km7 min
Koh Pich (Diamond Island)3 km10 min
CBD (Vattanac Tower)2.5 km8 min
Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market)5 km18 min
Techo Intl Airport26 km30–45 min
Watch out: Monivong Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard carry heavy traffic during peak hours. The riverside promenade itself is calm, but cross-city commutes by car can be slow 7–9am and 4–6pm.
Honest Take

Royal Palace area pros & cons: what's great, what isn't

We won't pretend the Royal Palace area is for everyone. Here's the honest version, from a Cambodia-based team.

What worksStrengths
  • +Living next to a UNESCO-calibre landmark. The Royal Palace complex — 18 hectares of gilded Khmer architecture, manicured gardens, and the Silver Pagoda — is your nearest park. The palace walls block city noise from the east, creating pockets of calm rare in central Phnom Penh.
  • +Chaktomuk confluence views. Sitting at the junction of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Tonle Bassac rivers, the Sisowath Quay promenade offers views that no other part of Phnom Penh can match. Sunrise over the water with the palace in the background is genuinely spectacular.
  • +Walking-distance dining, culture, and nightlife. The FCC, dozens of riverside restaurants, Wat Ounalom, the National Museum, and the Sisowath Quay night market are all within a 10-minute walk. No other district in Phnom Penh has this cultural density.
  • +Diplomatic and government proximity. Multiple embassies and ministries are in Daun Penh. For those working in diplomacy, international organisations, or government-adjacent sectors, this is the most convenient residential address in the city.
  • +Prime, stable investment market. The palace's permanent presence has anchored this district's value since 1866. Year-round tourism and institutional demand from embassies and NGOs mean vacancy is low and rental demand is durable.
What to watchTrade-offs
  • Tourist traffic is constant. The Royal Palace receives visitors every day it is open (7:30–11am and 2:30–5pm). Sisowath Quay is among the busiest tourist corridors in Cambodia. Peak season — November to February — significantly intensifies foot traffic and noise around the palace perimeter.
  • Higher cost of living. Restaurants and cafés along Sisowath Quay are priced for international tourists and diplomats. Everyday groceries and services are noticeably above the Phnom Penh average. This is not a budget-living area.
  • Limited new condo stock. The area is dense with colonial-era buildings and hotel-style residences rather than large modern condo towers with amenities like gyms and pools. Those wanting full-service condo buildings will find better options in BKK1 or Koh Pich.
  • Peak-hour traffic on surrounding roads. Norodom and Monivong Boulevards carry significant traffic. The promenade itself is calm, but car commutes from the area can be slow during school run hours and the evening peak.
  • Limited green space beyond the quay. Wat Botum Park is the nearest formal park, about 8 minutes' walk. There is no large open recreational space equivalent to Koh Pich's Central Park or BKK1's Olympic Stadium proximity.
Property Types

Property types near the Royal Palace

The Royal Palace area offers a mix of colonial-era apartments, riverfront serviced residences, and modern condos. Shophouses and landed property also exist in the broader Daun Penh area.

~50%
Apartment
Colonial & mid-rise
~30%
Serviced Apt
Riverside residences
~15%
Condominium
Modern strata-title
~5%
Shophouse
Commercial / residential
Notable Buildings

Notable residences near the Royal Palace

The buildings that define the Royal Palace area's residential offer. A mix of colonial-era conversions, serviced residences, and modern riverside condos.

Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra
Sothearos Blvd · Luxury serviced residences
5-star hotel with long-stay suites facing palace
Riverfront apartments (Sisowath Quay)
Sisowath Quay · Serviced & furnished units
Riverside serviced apartments with Tonle Sap views
FCC (Foreign Correspondents' Club)
Sisowath Quay · Heritage building · Riverside
Iconic 3-storey colonial, restaurant & bar landmark
Colonial-era apartments (Sts 178–240)
Daun Penh · Renovated heritage stock
French-era converted flats in heritage buildings
Nagara Phnom Penh
Riverside · 26 floors · Mixed residential
Modern condo tower in the river district
Modern condos, Daun Penh
Khan Daun Penh · Strata-title, foreign-eligible
New condo stock near the palace district
Sub-Areas

Zones within the Royal Palace neighbourhood

The Royal Palace area can be loosely divided into three zones: the riverside promenade strip, the palace-adjacent heritage zone, and the broader Daun Penh residential hinterland.

i

Sothearos Boulevard

"the palace front"

The main approach boulevard running along the palace's western and southern perimeter between Streets 184 and 240. The palace's main visitor entrance is near Street 240. Embassies, the Sofitel Phnom Penh, and the most prestigious residential buildings in the district line this boulevard.

Vibe: Prestige, diplomatic · Best for: Diplomats, senior professionals
ii

Sisowath Quay

"the riverside promenade"

The waterfront boulevard facing the palace's eastern wall and the Chaktomuk confluence. Flanked by international restaurants, boutique hotels, the FCC, and serviced apartments with direct river views. The most tourist-facing zone, and Phnom Penh's most animated evening strip.

Vibe: Lively, visitor-facing · Best for: Hospitality workers, short-term stays
iii

Daun Penh hinterland

"the quieter back streets"

The residential blocks west of the palace — Streets 240, 178, 19, and their cross-streets. More local in character, with colonial-era apartment buildings, boutique streets, and a mix of Cambodian and expat households. Quieter and slightly more affordable, while still a 10-minute walk to the quay.

Vibe: Residential, calm · Best for: Long-term expats, local families
Compare Nearby Areas

Royal Palace area vs BKK1, Koh Pich & Tonle Bassac

The Royal Palace area competes with BKK1 for the expat and investor market, and with Koh Pich for riverside living. Here is how they stack up.

Royal PalaceBKK1Koh PichTonle Bassac
Sale $/sqm (condo)$2,750$2,850$2,200$2,220
Property mixApt + serviced + condoCondo & serviced aptCondo + villa + shophouseHigh-rise condo
Walkability9 / 108.5 / 107 / 107 / 10
Expat densityHigh + touristsVery highModerateHigh
Neighbourhood characterHistoric & vibrantOrganic & café-drivenPlanned satellite cityModern high-rise
Best forCentral riverside livingWalkable expat lifeFamilies + CIS schoolModern condo living
Frequently Asked

Royal Palace area: FAQ

The questions buyers and renters ask us most about living near the Royal Palace. Straight answers, no marketing fluff.

Yes. It is one of the more premium areas in Phnom Penh. The combination of the palace's permanent presence, the Chaktomuk riverside location, and the concentration of embassies and government institutions keeps rental demand consistently high. Everyday costs — cafés and restaurants along Sisowath Quay in particular — are priced for tourists and diplomats rather than local budgets.

Rent typically ranges from $400 to $900/month for a 1-bedroom apartment. 2-bedroom units range from $800 to $1,500/month. Riverside and serviced units — those with direct views of the Tonle Sap and Chaktomuk confluence — start at $900+/month. Prices are higher than most Phnom Penh neighbourhoods due to prestige, river views, and consistent demand.

Yes. It is especially popular for expats in diplomatic, NGO, or hospitality roles. The walkable riverside, access to the National Museum, Wat Ounalom, and the vibrant Sisowath Quay dining scene make it one of the most liveable central addresses in the city.

Condo sale prices range from approximately $2,000 to $3,500 per sqm. Riverside and high-floor units with views of the Chaktomuk confluence command the upper end. Per-unit prices start from around $150,000 for a 1-bedroom in the wider Daun Penh area, with premium riverfront units trading above $300,000.

Yes. The palace has been the official residence of Cambodia's kings since 1866 and is the permanent home of King Norodom Sihamoni — it is not going anywhere. That permanence, combined with year-round tourism and the concentration of embassies and institutions, makes the surrounding area one of Phnom Penh's most stable rental markets. Gross yields typically range from 6% to 8%.

Yes. The public eastern courtyard — including the gilded Throne Hall, the Silver Pagoda (floor inlaid with 5,329 solid silver tiles), the Napoleon Pavilion museum, and the Moonlight Pavilion — is open to visitors 7:30–11am and 2:30–5pm. The entrance fee is US$6.25. The Khemarin Palace (the King's private residence) is closed to the public. Dress code is strict: no shorts, short skirts, or bare shoulders. Remove shoes before entering the Silver Pagoda.

BKK1 is more organically expat, denser with cafés and restaurants, and slightly more expensive per sqm. The Royal Palace area offers something BKK1 cannot: direct river views of the Chaktomuk confluence, a 600-metre golden palace wall as your backdrop, and one of the most historically significant addresses in Southeast Asia. Choose BKK1 for street-life and walkable café culture; choose the Royal Palace area for riverside prestige and the sense of grandeur no other part of Phnom Penh provides.

Live Market Snapshot · 2026

A working royal palace since 1866 — still the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoni, and the most prestigious address in Phnom Penh.

$400
1BR rent from
$2K+
Sale / sqm
6–8%
Rental yield
★ Prime
Investment grade
Royal Palace · Daun Penh1BR from $400/mo · condos from $2,000/sqm
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