The Best Backpacker Hostels in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

If you’re looking for a social and community-minded stay, Mad Monkey is the place for you. The hostel organises a range of activities for its guests to come together and explore the city, including sunset riverside tours, pub crawls and a cruise along the Mekong River. The shared and private rooms are clean, cosy and colourful, and you’ll also find a swimming pool, restaurant and rooftop bar that offers weekly sunset barbecues.

Backpackers who prefer a more chilled, laid-back atmosphere can make a beeline for this hostel. Take your pick from dorm-style or private rooms, which come minimally furnished with contemporary design cues. There’s a rooftop bar and restaurant for those who prefer to dine in, and the hostel also provides bikes for exploring the nearby Independence Monument and Wat Langka temple.

Located in the bustling BKK1 neighbourhood, this clean and cosy spot is ideal for those who want a quiet space to return to after an action-packed day of sightseeing. As only private rooms are offered (with space for up to three guests in some rooms), it’s a popular option among guests who are willing to spend a little more for a space of their own. Treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage at the on-site spa, then head out for dinner at one of the many excellent Cambodian restaurants nearby.

Popular among solo backpackers, this no-frills hostel offers compact rooms equipped with all the essentials. Rooms are clean and minimally decorated, with dorms featuring bunk beds and colourful murals. As far as sightseeing goes, Stay Inn Hostel is located just around the corner from the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and is also within walking distance of the Tuol Tom Pong Market.

For the quintessential backpacker experience, you can’t go wrong with B52 Hostel in Phnom Penh. It’s smack-bang in the heart of the action, with exciting bars, restaurants and cafes in the immediate vicinity. Rooms come in dorm and private configurations, all fully air-conditioned. The hostel offers a bike rental service for guests and also includes a restaurant where you can tuck into local and international grub.

Most hostels don’t come with an on-site swimming pool – but this one does. Located within a large villa, this self-dubbed party hostel is perfect for those who want a lively and sociable stay. Besides the expansive swimming pool, there’s that all-important bar, plus a restaurant and pool table. Dorms are rather roomy, set up in a mix of bunk beds and singles.

This charming hostel with shared dorms and female-only rooms best suits solo travellers looking for a budget-friendly stay. You can choose to grab a meal at the on-site restaurant and bar, or opt to explore the area’s many food options. Avid sightseers will be glad to know that it’s located near prime attractions, including the Royal Palace, National Museum of Cambodia and Kandal Market with its street-food stalls.

Situated on a quiet street in the heart of the city, this bright and funky hostel gets its name from the Khmer word for betel nut. It offers a range of contemporary shared and private rooms – all equipped with windows that let in plenty of natural light and fresh air. The hostel also takes being green seriously: water is heated using solar power, rooms are equipped with energy-saving lights and you’ll find plenty of oxygen-filtering indoor plants scattered throughout the property.