One of the most rewarding cultural sights in Phnom Penh, the National Museum of Cambodia is the country’s leading museum of Khmer art and archaeology, and one of the best places to gain a broader understanding of Cambodia beyond the city itself. Opened in 1920, the museum is housed in a beautiful terracotta-coloured building of traditional Khmer-inspired design, with peaceful courtyards and galleries that make it as appealing architecturally as it is historically.

What makes the museum especially worthwhile is the quality and importance of its collection. It holds one of the world’s finest collections of Khmer sculpture, ceramics, bronzes and religious art, with objects spanning from the pre-Angkor period through the great Angkor centuries and beyond. For travellers visiting Angkor Wat or other temple sites elsewhere in Cambodia, the museum adds invaluable context, helping make sense of the artistic and religious traditions that shaped the country’s greatest monuments.

The museum is also very manageable in scale. Rather than feeling overwhelming, it lends itself to a calm and thoughtful visit, with galleries arranged around a central garden. The courtyard itself is part of the charm, giving the museum a quieter and more reflective atmosphere than many city museums.

For most travellers, the National Museum of Cambodia works especially well combined with the nearby Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. It suits those interested in history, religion, sculpture and the deeper story of Cambodia, and for many visitors it becomes one of the most satisfying and illuminating stops in Phnom Penh.