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Wander-Lush

41 Wonderful Things to Do in Kampot, Cambodia

Located halfway between Phnom Penh and the southern coast, Kampot is Cambodia’s capital of riverside relaxation. Use my bumper list of things to do in Kampot to plan your trip.

I’ve been to Kampot more times than I can count. When I lived in Phnom Penh , it was my regular long-weekend retreat. Whenever I go back to Cambodia , it’s always at the top of my list of places to revisit, right alongside Kampong Cham .

Kampot is clean, green, and brimming with beautiful French architecture. The city centre runs along a languid river, setting the tone for a laid-back pace of life.

But it’s not all about lounging and sipping Kampot cider in your bungalow – there are lots of things to do in Kampot to keep you busy. Whether you’re into outdoor adventure, art, or you like the sound of eating and drinking your way around one of Cambodia’s best destinations for foodies, Kampot has something for you.

Welcome to Kampot

Need a place to stay? Check out my comprehensive Kampot accommodation guide for all budgets.

Kampot is built up around the life-giving Praek Tuek Chhu river, which is the centrepiece of Kampot town. Compared with the Mekong or Tonle Sap, it’s a relatively clean waterway that’s safe to swim in (the further you go out of town, the better the water quality).

A wide, flower-lined promenade traces the river’s east bank along the edge of town, framing picturesque vistas of a distant Bokor National Park and flanking Kampot’s crop of riverside bars, hotels and boutiques.

Push just a few streets deeper from the riverfront and you’ll discover Kampot town proper, with its charming shop houses, old colonial villas and open boulevards.

Crowded with beautiful facades and leafy nooks, Kampot is best explored on foot or by bicycle – but if you’re staying at one of the popular resorts nestled in the jungle north of town, you will need to hire a scooter or find a tuk tuk to take you around.

As well as the best things to do in Kampot, this Kampot guide covers all the practical information you’ll need to plan the perfect trip.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Planning your trip to Kampot

First things first, here are a few essential things to know when planning a trip to Kampot.

When to visit Kampot

Kampot’s high season is during the winter months (November-January). This is a pleasant time temperature wise, but it’s busier and more expensive than usual. March-May is the hottest time of the year and should be avoided. The monsoon season hits mid-year and brings heavy rain and afternoon storms.

The best time to visit Kampot is during shoulder season after the monsoon (September-October), when the rice fields are green, temperatures are cool, and it’s less crowded.

Where to stay in Kampot

• Budget: Mad Monkey Hostel offers mixed and single-sex dorms, outdoor common spaces, and a revolving program of tours and activities.
• Mid-range: MAKK Hotel is conveniently located in town. The upstairs rooms open onto a breezy balcony where breakfast is served each morning. Staff here are delightful. There are free bicycles for guests.
• Boutique: Set in a restored heritage movie house, Hotel Old Cinema is one of Cambodia’s coolest boutique hotels. Read my full write-up here.
• Luxury: Kampot River Residence features well-appointed bungalows decorated in traditional Khmer style.
• Riverside bungalows: Samon Village is a family owned homestay -style accommodation on the opposite side of the river. Bungalows look out on the water, and there’s a large garden. Perfect for families.

Check out my comprehensive Kampot hotel guide for more inspiration, or browse all Kampot accommodation options on Agoda.

How to get to Kampot

• From Phnom Penh: Giant Ibis bus (4 hrs; $10; online tickets here ); Kampot Express van (3 hrs; $8; online tickets here ) or train (5 hrs; $7; Friday-Sunday only; tickets here ).
• From Sihanoukville: Champa Tourist bus (2 hrs; $6; online tickets here ).
• From Siem Reap: Giant Ibis bus via Phnom Penh (15 hrs; $20; online tickets here ).

Do you need a visa for Cambodia?

Most nationalities require a tourist visa to visit Cambodia for 30 days. Use the iVisa website to see if you need a visa, and to apply and pay for an expedited visa online.

41 Wonderful Things to Do in Kampot

Here are my absolute favourite things to do in Kampot, organised by genre and location.

Things to do in Kampot town

Take a spin around the Durian Roundabout

This may seem like a funny place to start, but the Durian Roundabout is Kampot’s most recognisable landmark. As the name suggests, it features a prominent sculpture of an oversized durian in the centre. Durian is a wildly popular fruit in Southeast and East Asia – if you’ve never tasted it (or at least smelt it), it’s a bit like overripe, stinky mango. The quirky traffic circle pays homage to Kampot’s days as a centre of durian production in the 1940s.

If you’re arriving in Kampot by bus or van, you’ll likely get dropped off near the roundabout. You can use it to get your bearings. Kampot Night Market branches off from the northern side. Take any of the streets south to reach the Old Market and main part of town. Walk east from the roundabout and you’ll soon get a glimpse of the Praek Tuek Chhu and Kampot’s beautiful riverside district.

Explore Old Market Street

Old Market Street bisects downtown Kampot into two halves, with the famous Durian Roundabout to the north, and the slightly-less-naff Saltworkers Roundabout to the south. Although the Old Market building itself is derelict, the street serves as Kampot’s main drag and is home to a handful of popular cafes and gift shops .

Chinese shophouses (with a spattering of 19th-century French architecture thrown in) dominate the skyline in Kampot, once a regional administrative capital and formerly Cambodia’s most important sea port. Many original buildings still line the streets – made all the more interesting by decades of ad-hoc additions and half-finished renovations.

A few buildings have been resurrected with a lick of brightly coloured paint, while other street-facing facades sit in various states of disrepair and decay.

Visit the Kampot Fish Market

Built in 1934, Kampot Fish Market once served as an open-air marketplace for the area’s fishermen to sell their catch of the day. (A similar market, the Crab Market, still exists in nearby Kep.) It later became a discotheque. When an Australian restaurateur bought the property in 2013, he went about restoring the building to its former Art Deco glory.

The result is stunning. The open facade has been preserved and painted a striking shade of Indochina yellow. Under vaulted ceilings, an upmarket restaurant serves locally caught seafood. The dining room backs directly onto the river, and there is a large outdoor terrace to sit and watch the sun go down. Some of the interior walls are decorated with murals by the same local artists who illustrated The Balé hotel in Phnom Penh and created many of the capital’s street murals.

Even if you don’t want to eat here, it’s worth dropping by for a look – and perhaps even an aperitif on the deck.

Swim inside an old movie theatre

Another heritage building to be given a second chance at life, the old 7 Makara Cinema recently re-opened as a 12-room boutique hotel. Hotel Old Cinema harks back to Kampot’s Golden Era, channeling dancehall vibes and French colonial decor.

Non-guests are welcome to use the hotel pool, located on the ground floor. Set beneath an open lightwell and surrounded by leafy palms, it’s a very relaxing spot. There is also a restaurant/bar that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, plus cocktails around the clock. There is a minimum spend of $6 if you want to go for a swim.

Cross the old French Bridge

Also known as Entanou Bridge, Kampot’s old French Bridge was built during the colonial period in the 1920s. Its grand steel arches were sadly destroyed by the Khmer Rouge – but the bridge was later rebuilt, and some of its original framework reconstructed.

A steady stream of pedestrians, motos and bicycles flows back and forth over the bridge that connects Kampot riverside with Thvi, a residential area on the opposite bank. For a good view of the action, duck behind the Kampot Tourist Office. Pylons at either end of the bridge prevent tuk tuks or cars from entering – instead, they must use the new bridge, located another 500m up the road.

Admire Kampot’s colonial architecture

As in Battambang and Phnom Penh, Kampot’s French government poured squillions into bestowing their regional capital with exquisite architectural landmarks. Kampot’s most impressive colonial buildings are located along the river south of the Old Market area. The National Bank of Cambodia, the Kampot Provincial Museum, and the brick-coloured Red Cross Kampot Branch have all been authentically restored.

During the Pol Pot era, the Khmer Rouge abolished currency and blew up the National Bank in Phnom Penh. Luckily, the Kampot branch didn’t meet a similar fate. The bank building has been completely rehabilitated, manicured hedges and all. It’s still used as a government building so you can’t go inside, but security guards stationed out front are happy for you to take photos through the fence or the open gate. Come after 5pm when the bank closes to get a snap without cars parked out front.

Learn about local history at the Kampot Provincial Museum

I must admit I was very skeptical of visiting the Kampot Provincial Museum. It took me four trips to Kampot before I decided to give it a go – but I’m so glad I did! Displays are a bit dated and the museum is pretty sparse overall, but it’s worth the cheap ticket price (adults pay $2) just to see the interior of the building.

Located south of the Old Market on the edge of the river, the museum is set inside the Old Governor’s Mansion. Like the National Bank next door, it has been beautifully restored, its plasterwork, heritage floor tiles and wooden shutters all brought back from the brink. Downstairs, anyway. Upstairs, the house is completely deserted – just a set of dusty old rooms. Staff don’t seem to mind if you wander around.

There is a fair amount of information in English. The most interesting exhibits detail Kampot’s colonial history and former residents. If you’re serious about your architecture, this is the place to learn more about civic projects including the Old Bridge and the Fish Market.

Walk a lap around the Lotus Pond

Behind the Museum you’ll find an almost perfectly round lake with a shrine in the middle and a pagoda set on its edge. The Lotus Pond is a popular spot among locals for a dusk-time stroll. When I last visited, the poor lotuses that blanket the water had all but dried up as a result of the unseasonably hot weather.

Even if the flowers aren’t in bloom, there’s still a feeling of tranquility and reverence about the place.

Photograph the Chinese School

Kampot is best-known for its French colonial buildings. In reality, there are lots of different architectural styles that combine to give the city its unique character. Jue Ming Chinese School is probably my favourite building in town. Kampot has long been home to a prominent Chinese community, and the School speaks to their place in society. It’s still in use today – although I didn’t go inside the last time I was there.

Painted pink and with an ornate coin roof, it’s impossible to miss as you walk inland from the Lotus Pond towards the Saltworkers Roundabout.

Discover contemporary artists at the Kampot Art Gallery

Update: As of December 2020, Kampot Art Gallery has relocated to Phnom Penh and is now known as PiPetPi Gallery 282.

Managed by Australian collector Liz, Kampot Art Gallery is devoted to showcasing local Khmer artists. Contemporary photography, canvases and sculptures by creatives from Kampot, Battambang and other parts of the country are displayed in two breezy upstairs galleries. There’s also a rotating program of special exhibitions.

Downstairs, you’ll find a gift shop selling papergoods and upcycled jewellery.

Pick up a novel from Bookish Bazaar

If you need to replenish your holiday reading materials, Bookish Bazaar just off the Old Market sells a great selection of novels, non-fiction volumes and guide books. Most offerings are pre-loved and go for very reasonable prices. If you have a book you want to offload, you can bring it in to swap or sell.

Upstairs reading nooks and the downstairs cafe are perfect places to curl up with a book on a rainy Kampot day.

Shop for ethical fashion at Dorsu

Lightweight fabrics and relaxed fits – Dorsu has found a way to encapsulate Kampot’s laid-back attitude in fashion form. The ethical women’s and menswear label was founded by Australian Hanna Guy and local entrepreneurs Pharith Yin and Kunthear Mov back in 2008.

It started as a project to raise funds for the nearby Chumkriel Language School, and has since grown into a successful sewing workshop that offers fair wages and up-skilling opportunities to Cambodian women and men. All the materials used in Dorsu’s collections are fabric remnants sourced from the big garment factories outside of Phnom Penh.

Dorsu has two stores in Kampot, one on Old Market Street and another shop/workshop next door to Cafe Espresso. They also have a new shop in Phnom Penh’s Russian Market.

Update 2020: Sadly, Dorsu has closed the doors of its brick-and-mortar shop in Kampot. Shop online instead or visit their branch in Phnom Penh.

Rummage through Khmer collectables at Kampothead

Set in Kampot’s Old Royal Cinema , complete with original floor tiles and imposing concrete facade, Kampothead is a window onto Cambodia’s past.

The petite knickknack shop peddles an oddball edit of vintage and antique wares sourced from the Kingdom and all over Asia. In a backpacker and expat-heavy town where a strong ‘hippy’ aesthetic has taken root – set in a country where there’s seemingly little regard for anything that’s not new and shiny – Khmer-owned Kampothead couldn’t be more perfect.

Twirling around the shop floor in a 1960s sundress, owner Sutee curates Kampothead’s crowded shelves, but it was her husband – an artist and designer – who first sourced the knickknacks. Overwhelmed by the collection he had accrued through years of travel, the couple opened Kampothead to try and lighten their load.

The store’s centrepiece, an ancient electrical switchboard from Hong Kong, frames the front counter, where relics of Cambodia’s dancehall days intermingle with other Asian curiosities. Some items are decaying and in need of repair – just like Kampot itself – while other collectables are in remarkably good shape.

Among them are dainty Japanese ceramics, winged creatures set in resin, Indian woodblocks, balm tins etched with curvy Khmer script, family photographs from old Saigon, French linen shirts, cigar boxes, old hand-painted shop signage… The list goes on. Items are well priced and Sutee will always cut you a good deal.

Outdoor activities & adventurous things to do in Kampot

Kayak the ‘Green Cathedral’

The most idyllic stretch of Praek Tuek Chhu river lies 5km north of Kampot city, where the waterway naturally curves to accommodate thickets of jungle foliage and mangrove swamps. The Green Cathedral is a lush still-water loop where you can gently paddle a kayak.

Most lodges on the river hire out kayaks and life jackets to non-guests for a small fee. It’s a good idea to call in advance if you’re travelling during high season. We usually use the gear at Champa Lodge, where prices start from $3/hour.

Before you set out, ask staff to point you towards the river loop. It’s an easy paddle down gentle currents that takes about 1.5 hours to complete. The corridor of palm trees that lines the riverbank widens and contracts with each bend, and shallow rivulets trail off in every direction, leading to crab pots, lone fishermen and sinking shacks. The backwaters are mostly shaded, but remember to dress sensibly if you’re out during the day.

Motorbike in Bokor National Park

Preah Monivong Bokor National Park lies 37km west of Kampot Old Market. At an elevation of 1km, it was originally established as a French hill station where people could go to relax and escape the heat (similar to Dalat in Vietnam ).

Bokor is the perfect place for a DIY motorbike adventure. If you don’t ride, you can hire a taxi or tuk tuk for the day to take you up and around. This post provides detailed information about visiting Bokor National Park.

Go urbexing

Bokor boasts magnificent flora and fauna (including an elusive population of wild gibbons and sunbears ), but it’s the park’s man-made structures that are most iconic. Hotels, private villas, Catholic churches and a grand casino built by the French and long abandoned dot the landscape. The ridge is perpetually shrouded in mist, adding to the ghostly feel.

Some of the buildings have been repurposed, but it’s possible to go inside many of the abandoned, derelict structures.

Join a Kampot pepper tour

Kampot peppercorns are known the world over for their superior taste. It’s thought that pepper trees were first introduced to the area by the Sultan of Aceh, who sought to protect his precious crops from the Dutch when they colonised Indonesia. Pepper has been commercially cultivated in Kampot as far back as the 13th century. By the 1920s, almost all pepper consumed in France – an estimated 2,600 tonnes – came from this part of Cambodia!

Almost all of the country’s pepper trees (and cacao trees) were destroyed in the 1970s to make way for cooperative rice farms. In recent decades, the industry has experienced a resurgence, and now pepper farming is once again a profitable business.

Green, black and yellow pepper is grown and milled in plantations around the city. Popular farms including La Plantation and Khmer-French Farmlink offer free guided tours, where you can see the pepper trees and learn all about the harvesting process.

Visit the Kampot salt fields

Along with pepper, Kampot is also known as a producer of fine sea salt. Vast salt pans line the lip of the river on the outskirts of town, edged with huge warehouses used for storing equipment and keeping harvested salt away from the elements. At the right time of year, you can watch salt workers raking the fields for crystals. Note that the fields are usually empty on Sundays.

The easiest way to explore the salt fields is by bicycle. From the Old Market, take the river road south until you see Kampong Treak Mosque. The salt flats are located inland from there.

Cycle through the rice fields

Any piece of empty land that’s not being used for salt or pepper is planted out with rice. Kampot’s rice fields are particularly pretty because they’re ringed with towering palm trees. The best time to see the rice fields is at the end of the wet season or at harvest time.

The photo above was taken during ‘transplant’ season, when farmers take last year’s clippings and re-plant them in the ankle-deep, shimmering water.

Explore Kampot’s cave temples

Phnom Chhngok Cave Temple is a 7th Century Hindu shrine set in a limestone cave on the outskirts of Kampot. When you arrive at the site via a bumpy rode, you need to continue walking or cycling through farmland to reach the cliffs where the caves are hidden. There’s no official entry fee, but you might be charged a few dollars to enter. The cave is well lit.

Get high with Climbodia

If tight spaces are your thing, Climbodia offers caving and climbing guided tours for all levels, from beginner to advanced. The four-hour Discovery Tour combines easy rock climbing, abseiling and caving to introduce you to the area’s curious rock formations.

Tours depart daily from the Climbodia office in town. Safety gear is provided, but advanced bookings – and sturdy shoes – are essential.

Track down Kampot’s secret lake & waterfall

Brateak Krola Lake, AKA Kampot’s ‘secret lake’, might not be such a secret now that it’s pinned on Google Maps. It’s still a lovely place to chill out in the afternoon, especially if you hit up one of cafes on the edge of the water. Khmer Root Cafe, open daily from 11am-5pm, serves wholesome veg-based cuisine in a rustic bungalow overlooking the lake.

The exact location of Kampot’s secret waterfall still remains something of a mystery. If you have your own motorbike and you’re up for a bit of adventure, ask around and try to track it down.

Go SUP or kite boarding

If kayaking is too milquetoast, SUP Asia offers stand up paddleboarding tours and equipment hire in Kampot and on the Mekong in Kratie . Group tours that take you through Kampot and Kep depart twice daily from their office in town. If you opt for a customised tour, you can SUP at sunset – or even try your hand at SUP yoga.

Relaxing things to do in Kampot

Kick back on the Kampot riverside

You don’t need to be out on the water to enjoy Kampot’s river vibes. Champa Lodge, Greenhouse and most other resorts on the northern part of riverside welcome drop-ins to have a drink or just chill in their gardens. It’s safe to swim in the water, although I personally choose not to. Currents can get very strong in the wet season, so take extra care and avoid swimming at night or if you’ve had a few too many drinks.

Banteay Srey Project on the oppsite side of the Old Bridge has a lovely lounging area where you can enjoy vegan food and fresh juices. They even provide Khmer-style swimmers for free if you forgot yours. Note that Banteay Srey is a women’s only space (more in the next section).

Have a massage at Banteay Srey Spa

Banteay Srey Project was founded as a vocational training center for disadvantaged Cambodian women. The Project runs three social enterprises in Kampot – a women’s spa, a yoga studio, and a vegan cafe.

The setting – a traditional wooden house up river from the Old Bridge, right on the river – is really stunning. Massages and beauty treatments are performed en plein air on the house’s veranda. Although I personally didn’t love the back and neck massage I ordered, I really enjoyed relaxing in the bungalow.

Go cruising with Love the River

If laying down the paddles and lying back under the shade of a parasol sounds more like your thing, Love the River offers private trips through the Green Cathedral and beyond in a traditional wooden longtail boat. Tours last 3 hours, and include time to disembark for a swim and a short walk around a fruit plantation.

Boats leave in the early morning (from 6am) and again after 5pm for sunset from the jetty at Greenhouse. Advance bookings by phone are required.

Foodie things to do in Kampot

Join a cooking class at la plantation.

The only thing better than seeing how Kampot pepper is harvested is learning how to use it to make a stir fry – or better yet, Kampot pepper crab. La Plantation Pepper Farm hosts 3-hour cooking masterclasses with resident kitchen whizz, Chef Wantho. Starting from $20 per person including lunch, it’s incredibly good value.

Eat Authentic Italian at Ciao

It’s an unlikely contender, but Ciao might just be my favourite restaurant in Cambodia. Chef Diego, an expatriate from Pescara, runs the kitchen with his partner and sometimes his mum when she’s over from Italy. Paper-thin pizzas (fired in a tiny wood oven), tagliatelle (made from scratch using a WWII-era pasta machine) and gnocchi all come sparingly dressed with fresh, local ingredients. The homemade meatballs are the best I’ve ever tasted, and the two-cheese pasta with Kampot pepper is otherworldly.

Ciao used to occupy a tarpaulin-covered stall on Street 277 near the Old Market, but it’s since relocated to the balcony of Diego’s house on Newport Street (roughly a 15-minute drive from town). If you take a tuk tuk over, ask the driver to come back for you – otherwise Diego can help to order you a ride back on PassApp . He serves lunch daily and dinner every night except Thursday. If it’s quiet, they might even invite you to eat with them – which is what happened to me last time I visited!

Diego often runs out of pizza dough or pasta (or both) mid-service, so plan to arrive early. Ciao is both tiny and very popular with expats (especially on Saturdays), so expect to wait a while for your meal. Cash only.

Sip Kampot’s best coffee at Cafe Espresso Roastery

Australian-owned Cafe Espresso is Kampot’s trendiest eatery. Bright, airy and filled with gorgeous artwork, it’s all about the coffee: espresso, pour-overs, Aeropress, siphons and for simpletons like me, on-point flat whites. Locally grown coffee beans are roasted in-house daily (under the label Rumble Fish), and if you love it as much as I did, you can take a packet home with you.

Come hungry, because the food is exceptional. Cafe Espresso does a great job of highlighting local ingredients, including Kampot sea salt which is added to their house-made caramel. Try it stirred through an old-fashioned milkshake or doused liberally over fluffy pancakes. Cafe-style savory meals – I love the Kampot eggs benny – also come with Kampot salt and pepper on the side.

Related: Where to find the best cup of coffee in Phnom Penh .

Brunch for a cause at Epic Arts

Epic Arts is a Kampot mainstay and one of the most popular cafes in the Old Market area. A social enterprise, the eatery generates funds for arts-based therapy programs for Cambodian adults and kids. Staff employed at the cafe are hearing impaired – they’ve come up with some inventive ways to ensure smooth communication. The food and coffee are great, and service is always with a smile. Eating here is a really special experience.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Nom Tom Bakery

New on the Kampot food scene, Nom Tom is a roving bakery run by Belgian expats. The bakery truck parks on the riverside opposite Vanna’s Restaurant from Tuesday to Saturday, selling artisanal bread, sweet pastries and buttery croissants from 7am until they run out (which doesn’t take very long).

Related: The best bakeries & brunch cafes for breakfast in Phnom Penh .

Quench your thirst at Kampot Juice Box

This side-of-the-road juice shack at the top of the Old Market boasts an inventive menu of fresh fruit juices and smoothies (mango and turmeric is my personal favourite). I love that everything is blended fresh to order, and if you drink in, served in a glass with a bamboo straw to cut back on plastic waste.

Taste Kampot’s international flavour

Along with Chef Diego at Ciao, dozens of other expats have set up restaurants and cafes in Kampot over the years. Portuguese, Mexican, Israeli, British and French are just some of the international cuisines on offer. The food scene in Kampot is really outstanding – you can’t really go wrong whatever you choose.

My favourite restaurant in town is Twenty Three, which specialises in modern European made with seasonal ingredients.

Try a Kampot Cider

Kampot’s own brand of cider is fizzy and mellow, and it’s best served over ice. The Rusty Keyhole is one of the more popular drinking holes in town, with good views over the river and a pleasant afternoon breeze.

Drink beer & eat sushi at Kampot’s first nanobrewery

Beer and sushi might seem like a strange combination, but at Japanese-run Flowers Nanobrewery , it’s all the rave. Pair a house-brewed lemongrass pale ale with a freshly rolled salmon and cream cheese or a plate of steaming pork dumplings.

Flowers is only open on weekends from 3.30pm and has a limited number of tables, so it’s recommended to arrive early. If you’re visiting during the week, you can still try Flowers beer at Twenty Three and a handful of other venues around town.

Things to do in Kampot at night

Soak up an unmissable Kampot sunset

As the gently serrated horizon swallows up the afternoon sun, distant palm trees turn into shards of shadow and the rippling river carries glittering rays across its surface. Yes, Kampot at dusk really is that good.

The jungle-clad part of the river north of Kampot town is by far the best place to watch the sun go down, and this is where most tourists flock come 6pm. Kayaking from Champa Lodge, an ideal sunset vantage point can easily be reached by following the river to the right. (This is the same spot where one of the sunset cruise boats stops.)

Plan to hit the water at around 5pm – if you don’t have a watch, you can tell the time by the fishing trawlers that set off every evening at dusk like clockwork. Once you’ve paddled the river loop, you should be perfectly timed to float back into the main lagoon for a textbook sunset.

Cocktails on the balcony at Rikitikitavi

The high-set timber balcony at boutique hotel Rikitikitavi is a pleasant place to watch the sun go down on another perfect Kampot day. Set yourself up at the front bar for the best views. Kampot Fish Market, down on the water below, also has a great vantage point from the back deck.

Grab a cheap bite at the Kampot Night Market

Kampot Night Market is open daily from mid-morning, but it really kicks off at about 5pm. Local families and couples flock here to shop, ride the slightly bizaare amusement park rides, and eat street-style Khmer food. If you’re travelling on a budget, this is the best place to pick up a cheap, quick meal.

The best day trips from Kampot

Day trip to kep beach.

Kep is a small beachside town on the coast about 25km (or 40 minutes’ drive) southeast of Kampot. A tuk tuk from Kampot to Kep will cost you between 7 and 10 USD one-way. If you want to take the scenic route, board the Crab Shuttle , a wooden boat that leaves Kampot at 9am daily and arrives in Kep at 11.20am. Tickets cost $10 one-way or $13.50 return (the boat leaves Kep at 3pm).

Start your day in at Kep Coffee, an unassuming little cafe hidden in the brush near Koh Tonsay jetty on the eastern side of town. The omelettes, sandwiches and homemade cakes are all delicious.

Round the peninsular to Kep beach, passing the town’s famous crab statue on the way. Here you’ll find hammocks and beach chairs for hire, coconut vendors and a stretch of beautiful white sand.

Kep’s crab market is the city’s main draw. The best way to experience it is by first walking through the line of restaurants that crowd the road. When you hit the low-strung tarpaulins, you’ve entered the market. Head right to the back and the market backs onto the sea and a working jetty, where you can see the crab traps being hauled and set.

Kep Sailing Club is a beautiful spot for lunch. It’s pricey (and definitely more expensive than eating at one of the crab shacks), but its worth it for the beautiful decor and ocean views.

Day trip to Rabbit Island

Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) sits just off the coast of Kep. It boasts a beautiful stretch of beach and a few rustic bungalows.

If you’re taking the Crab Shuttle from Kampot, the captain can make arrangements for you to transfer straight to another boat bound for the island. If not, make your own way to the pier and take one of the local boats that depart at 9am and 1pm ($8 return) or charter a private boat (approx. $25 return).

Day trip to Bokor National Park

Here’s everything you need to know about organising a DIY trip to Bokor, or joining a Bokor National Park tour.

Map of things to do in Kampot

Click to open the interactive map in Google Maps.

6 things to pack for Kampot

• Swimming kit. Pack togs and a quick-dry towel if you plan on swimming in the river or partaking in any river sports. A long-sleeved rashie (sun shirt) is also a good idea if you have sensitive skin.
• A reusable water bottle. Absolutely essential in Cambodia for minimising plastic waste and staying hydrated. I love my S’Well water bottle – it’s vacuum insulated to keep water icy cold for the whole day, and it doesn’t sweat. If you like your mango smoothies, pack a reusable smoothie cup as well.
• Rehydration tablets or sachets. At the end of a long day bike riding or exploring temples, your body will be crying out for electrolytes (believe me!). I prefer Hydralyte tablets because they come in a handy tube. If you forget to bring some from home, the Double D brand is sold at most pharmacies and grocery stores in Cambodia.
• Rain jacket and travel umbrella for the wet season. Wet season is my favourite time to travel in Cambodia because the countryside is so verdant. Downpours come out of nowhere, so it’s essential to have a rain jacket with you at all times (I love the packable rain jackets by Lomon for women and EZRUN for men ). I also carry a travel umbrella in case it’s too hot and steamy to wear a jacket. This one is UPF 50+, making it great for sun cover as well.
• A sturdy day pack. An anti-theft backpack is particularly good for using in Cambodian cities. Opt for a minimalist backpack that doesn’t stand out.
• Cambodia guide book. I prefer Lonely Planet’s dedicated Cambodia guidebook or regional guidebook that also covers Laos, Vietnam and Northern Thailand.

More Cambodia travel resources

• Where to stay in Kampot – Complete Kampot accommodation guide
• Getting around in Cambodia – How to use PassApp to book a tuk tuk
• 51 Free things to do in Phnom Penh
• Phnom Penh accommodation guide – The best Phnom Penh hotels
• Resort style swimming pools in Phnom Penh
• The best restaurants in Phnom Penh
• My guide to Kampong Cham, Cambodia’s most charming town
• Where to stay in Siem Reap
• The best tours in Siem Reap – A comprehensive guide

What are your favourite things to do in Kampot? Have a question about Kampot travel or another destination in Cambodia? Leave your comments below.

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Dear Emily, thank you soooo very much for website/suggestions we always consult it wherever possible (so far for Georgia, Armenia, Oman and Cambodia). We just returned from Cambodia (PP, Siem Reap and Kampot). Kampot is cute, and the highlight was to stay at the Old Cinema Hotel, thank you, its such a gem!!! extra bonus Le Cafe Kampot, 1min down the road from the hotel does good coffee and frappès.

Wanted to share some info too, re pepper plantations we went to “Sindora, Garden of Pepper” and had a delicious lunch there with 100% their produce. The owners are lovely and apart from selling pepper/various ayuvedic spice combos, they are involved in a reforestation project of their land. A very nobile cause indeed. On the way back into Kampot we popped into La Plantation, beautiful property but to be honest it is too much of a large scale “factory” business / too touristy and impersonal for my liking. Would have loved to pop by BoTree plantation too (unfortunately didn’t have enough time), their peppers have won several awards, and it is a family run farm. Next time.

Also : -the former fish market is now a Starbucks but the building is still very beautiful. – the Kampot Provincial Museum is permanently closed – KHMER COLLECTABLES AT KAMPOTHEAD in the Old Royal Cinema also closed. (I mentioned it to the lady at the Old Cinema Hotel and she said that perhaps it could become the next/2nd project – fingers crossed, as its currently all boarded up, so sad) – we did a fun cooking course with Sophia at “Lucky Kitchen Cooking Class” (on TripAdvisor) on her rooftop a short distance from the center. She used to have a restaurant in Sihanoukville until it become super touristy/expensive. – the lady with the croissants/various pastries truck is still around and going strong, in front of Vanna’s restaurant (also worth popping in for some Khmer dishes) beside the river.

Thanks so much Nancy for the updates, this is extremely helpful. So glad you got to stay at Old Cinema! I will be returning there when I visit Cambodia at the end of this year!

That’s great compilation! You can also go to stay at Pippali Hotel in Kampot, one of greatest escape for your stay.

Emily nice fantasy article about Kampot. Maybe a while since you’ve been. Not painting a true picture for people. Kampot is nice enough. A bit dirty, smelly, lot of poor looking old guys plus young girl couples, dregs of western society living here. Old dilapidated building have some charm sure, river brown water n trashy, no way clean to swim in. Need to update your blog.

Hi Ewan – I was last in Kampot at the end of 2019. I can’t imagine it’s changed that much – I hope not!

The river is much cleaner upstream around the Green Cathedral and this is where I suggest swimming.

Kampot has won awards for being one of the cleanest cities in Cambodia. My experience living/travelling in the country for more than 12 months confirms that. Yes there is a seedy side of course, but it’s nothing compared to Sihanoukville or Koh Kong. Each to their own, but I love Kampot and everything I’ve written here is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Kudos to a really informative post with great photos. Especially love the photo of the Fish Market. May we use it with a teaser and link to this article?

Please email me for image requests, thanks!

I loved my time in Kampot. There were so many eco-projects and vegetarian and vegan food options. Beautiful small town.

Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed your visit to Kampot as much as I did.

What a great list.. well done!!

Don’t forget the wonderful Live Music scene in Kampot too: Karma Traders rooftop bar hosts live music events every single Tuesday since 2016 and is popular amongst expats and tourists. Infamata Bar have weekly gigs and the Rhymes on the River boat operates every Thursday during high season too. Other venues include The Plantation, Samurai Saloon, Levels and Banyan Tree. Great music scene!

Thanks Matt, great tips!

Alll perfect recs! Update: Dorsu moved next door to espresso cafe and ciao moved out of the city center. It’s a bit difficult to get to, but still delicious!

Thanks so much for the update, Joanne! A friend just ate at Ciao and mentioned it had moved. I’ll be updating this post soon so I’ll be sure to include those details.

Glad to hear it’s still delish! I think of my dinners there often!!

So great – love your posts!

Thanks so much, Ashley! You have a beautiful website and I so admire your work! Hope you can partner with artisans in Cambodia one day.

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Things To Do In Kampot: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Heading to Kampot Cambodia? Well, you’re about to fall in love. From Kampot’s beautiful scenery to its laid-back vibe, Kampot should be on everyone’s Cambodia must-see list! We have a complete travel guide that covers everything from how to get to Kampot to what to see and do in Kampot just waiting for you below!

Places To Visit in Kampot

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Where is Kampot in Cambodia

Kampot is a river-side town located in southern Cambodia . Situated on the Preaek Tuek Chhu River, Kampot is a peaceful getaway from the bustling cities that many tourists visit while on their Cambodia holiday. To ground you, Kampot is about 155kms / 99 miles southwest of Phnom Penh and 99kms / 61 miles east of the coastal city of Sihanoukville .

Check out our Three Week Cambodia Itinerary

How To Get to Kampot

You have three options to choose from when booking your transportation to Kampot.

• Mini-Van (VIP Van)

The most cost-effective way to get to Kampot is by bus or mini-van and the most popular route is from Phnom Penh. However, transportation services from Siem Reap and Sihanoukville are also available options when wanting to get to Kampot.

How To Get From Phnom Penh to Kampot By Bus

The bus ride from Phnom Penh to Kampot takes about 5 hours and costs anywhere from $6 – $8 USD . Sorya is the company that operates the buses from Phnom Penh to Kampot. Their busses are older and honestly run fine, but for around the same price and shorter ride, most tourists opt for the second option, the mini-van (VIP Van)

—-> Check times and ticket prices for busses from Phnom Penh to Kampot at BookMeBus.com

How To Get From Phnom Penh to Kampot By By Mini-Van (VIP Van):

The most popular option tourists tend to take when heading to Kampot from Phnom Penh is the mini-van option. The ride takes around 3 hours (2 hours shorter than the bus option talked about above) and costs anywhere from $6 – $10 USD . There are several companies that operate mini-vans from Phnom Penh to Kampot but Giant Ibis and Champa Mekong are two great companies to go choose to ride with.

—-> Check times and ticket prices for mini-vans (VIP vans) from Phnom Penh to Kampot at BookMeBus.com

How To Get From Phnom Penh to Kampot By Taxi:

The last option is a taxi. Taxies are clean cars that fit up to four passengers . However, the car has a standard-size trunk. So, if you are carrying a lot of luggage , a mini-van will be your better option to take.

Taxis move a lot faster than the two options listed above, so you can expect to get to Kampot from Phnom Penh in under 3 hours . For a more “private ride”, you can expect to pay a higher price. Taxies can cost around $55 USD and can fluctuate around Cambodia’s Holidays. Remember, the cost is split between four people.

—-> Check times and ticket prices for taxi’s from Phnom Penh to Kampot at BookMeBus.com

Another booking option is to book directly with your accommodation or a tour agency in town. However, prior to doing so, check the prices on BookMeBus and compare that to the price your accommodation or tour agency gives you. It’s common for your accommodation and tour agency to tack on a few extra dollars as a “convenience fee” for themselves.

What To Do in Kampot Cambodia

Kampot is picturesque, and quaint, and has no shortage of beautiful sites for you to see and experience. From a party-filled, wet, and wild day to some serene scenery in a National Park were going to give you the best things to do in Kampot.

1. Spend A Day at Arcadia Backpackers

Arcadia Backpackers is a hostel located in the village of Snam Brampi, 5 miles (8kms) from the city center of Kampot. The hostel is nestled on the banks of a river surrounded by lush jungle. Sounds serene right?

T he Arcadia hostel is a backpacker haven ! Why do you ask ? Because it is a waterpark!! Yes, you read that correctly, a waterpark! If you are not staying at the property, you can visit the waterpark for $7 a day per person. The $7 a day gets you endless rides on the rope swing, the blob, and the massive water slide and diving boards on site. Or, just grab an inner tube and float the day away with new friends.

In addition to providing hours of endless entertainment, there is a bar on site that serves up cold beer and cocktails all day and night. A great way to spend a day. We loved every minute of it.

2. Visit A Kampot Pepper Farm

Believe it or not, but Kampot has the perfect climate for growing pepper. Because of this, Kampot has made a name for itself by growing some of the best pepper to come out of Asia.

La Plantation is an organic and sustainable family project started by a French & Belgium couple, Natalie and Guy, in 2013. The pepper farm grows and harvests pepper by hand all while providing jobs to many people in the rural area. You can get a free tour of the plantation and learn about everything you could ever imagine knowing about pepper. Plus, there is a complimentary tasting afterward.

The ride to the plantation is nothing short of a mini-adventure. Rent a moped from Kampot and head out 20kms (12 miles) east to the village of Bosjheng. Along the way, you’ll ride through rural farming villages on dirt roads that shake your body the entire way. A bumpy ride for sure, but for us, that is part of the story and journey !

You can also book a cooking class at La Plantation as well. Use the farm’s signature pepper as you create mouthwatering local cuisines.

Check out: 8 Amazing Things To Do In Battambang

3. Scooter Through Bokor National Park

Located in the highlands of the Dâmrei Mountains, Bokor National Park is about a 5 mile (8km) ride from Kampot. You’ll need to rent a scooter in town to make the most of the trip. Plan on spending an entire day on this outing.

There is a nominal fee of 2000 riel ($0.50 USD) to enter Bokor National Park While the entrance to Bokor National Park is only 5 miles from Kampot, it’s another 19 miles (32kms) uphill to reach the summit. It’s a beautiful winding ride and along the way, you’ll want to stop and check out a few stops…

• Lok Yeay Mao Monument – A towering meditating Buddha considered to be the protector of travelers, fishermen, and hunters.
• Le Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino – French colonial casino that opened in 1925. A little random and eerie to see something so large appear out of no where.
• Popokvil Waterfall – A several-tier waterfall that literally translates to “swirling clouds” from the mist it lets off. Make sure to visit just after the rainy season or else Popokvil could be more of a trickle versus a waterfall.
• The Old Catholic Church – Built in the 1920s by French colonists, the story goes that the bankrupt patrons of the casino would choose between confession at the church or hurling their bodies off the cliff on the other side. Happy times, right?

4. Chow Down at Kep’s Crab Market

Okay, so technically not in Kampot, but close enough. Located 15 miles (25kms) from Kampot, you’ll find Kep. Kep is known for one thing and one thing only, it’s an amazing crab market !

The Kep Crab Market is located on a parking lot with bamboo stilts holding up the blue tarp and blankets that cover a community of women steaming up and cooking fresh crab. Grab a seat where you can find one, order crab by the kilo, and watch the women jump off the dock, grab on a rope and literally pull fresh crab from the ocean right in front of you.

They will steam the crab to perfection. Oh, and don’t be expecting any “crab crackers.” This is a hands-only type of establishment. We got 2 kilos of fresh crab for under $3 . Now, that is cheap, but good eating!

5. Ride The Crab Shuttle

If you’re looking to explore Kep and don’t want to rent a motorbike or hire a tuk-tuk to get you there, you can book a spot on the Crab Shuttle. The Crab Shuttle is a converted local fishing boat that departs daily at 9AM from Kampot to take riders to Kep. Taking around 2.5 hours (one way), the tickets cost $15 for a round trip fare.

The Crab Shuttle will dock for 4 hours in Kep, allowing you plenty of time to explore Kep before getting back on board. From Kep, you can arrange onward travel to Rabbit Island as well. Just work with the Crab Shuttle and they’ll set it up for you.

Get our Tips For Seeing Angkor Wat’s Sunrise

6. Take a Day Trip To Rabbit Island

After you’ve had your fill of fresh crab in Kep, you can book a boat to take you to Rabbit Island (Kaoh Tonsay). Located just 30 minutes from Kep lays the tranquil and small island of Rabbit Island. Nothing really to do here besides swim in the sea, lay in hammocks, and drink and eat for cheap. Who can say no to $0.75 beers?

7. Hit The Water On A Stand-Up Paddle Board

A fun activity that (full disclosure), we didn’t have time for is to rent a few stand-up paddleboards (SUP) and head out onto the river for a few hours. There are a handful of companies in Kampot that rent paddleboards but SUP Asia seems to be the most reputable.

With tours ranging from a few hours to a half-day, this is a great way to get out into nature and enjoy scenic Kampot by water.

8. Take a Sunset Cruise in Kampot

What better way to end your day than with a sunset cruise in Kampot? Boat companies like Flying Dragon offer sunset cruises to tourists looking to relax and enjoy a beautiful sunset on the river. Also, know that you can head to the riverfront and talk with other sunset cruise companies. Just know that a cruise should cost in the realm of $5 USD when booking and come with some sort of beer and snack.

Places to Eat in Kampot , Cambodia

You’ll find no shortage of restaurants and cafes in Kampot. Below are a few of our favorites!

• Laundry Café : If you’re wanting to get some laundry done and craving a good ol’ fashioned burger , look no further than the Laundry Café. Yes, they will do your laundry and while you wait, you can chow down on a super tasty burger
• Wonderland Ice Cream Shop : In the Cambodia heat, who doesn’t want something sweet to cool down with? From vegan options to every flavor under the sun, you won’t be disappointed with their popsicle and frozen yogurt offerings.
• Khmer Root Café : If you are looking for authentic Khmer food , head to this bamboo hut establishment. Located in the more “rural” side of Kampot, Khmer Root Café serves up dishes like massaman curry and chicken with Kampot pepper seasoning.
• T he Rusty Keyhole : Okay, to be fair, we need to preface that we had been traveling for 6 months at this point and we were missing western food like crazy. Once we found out about The Rusty Keyhole, we ran (not kidding) to check it out for dinner. The Rusty Keyhole sits along the river and serves up massive slabs of ribs and sides of mashed potatoes . It was the perfect comfort food we were looking for from home. Regardless of how long you’ve been traveling, this place is for real good.

If any of our restaurants up top didn’t tickle your fancy, walk along the main street by the river and you’ll find cafes lining the street . From pizza places to local eats and nicer cafes, you’re sure to find something you like.

The Best Time To Go To Kampot

The best time to go to Cambodia, in general, is from October to April . These months are considered Cambodia’s dry season . To avoid the rain and to make travel as easy as possible, do your best to travel to Kampot during the dry months to be able to enjoy this riverside, laid-back town to its full potential.

How Many Days Do You Need In Kampot?

We loved Kampot, so much that we extended our 2-day trip to a 4-day trip. It’s our recommendation that you spend at least 3-4 days in Kampot. With some much to enjoy within the town of Kampot and not to mention all the amazing things that lay outside the town, you’ll have plenty of things to enjoy during your time here.

Where To Stay in Kampot

For The Budget Conscious: If you’re looking for a social hostel that has a pool and bar, then look no further than Mad Monkey . This accommodation has a restaurant on-site and can also book any transportation you need, be it scooters or tuk-tuks to get around town or busses to get out of town.

For The Luxury Inclined: A saltwater pool and views of Bokor Mountain, Hotel Five.S is sure to get you feeling relaxed and ready to take on Kampot.

For Something In Between: Apsara Guest House Kampot City offers cozy, clean rooms and friendly, helpful staff await you.

For more accommodation choices and places to stay in Kampot, you can check the latest prices here .

WANT MORE INFORMATION ON CAMBODIA?!

6 Tips For Seeing Angkor Wat’s Sunrise

Three Week Cambodia Itinerary

The Best Orphanage To Volunteer At In Cambodia

8 Amazing Things To Do In Battambang

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– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stüs)

We're Lauren & Jesse, the creators behind Wandering Stus! We've been traveling for decades, exploring and experiencing the very best this world has to offer. Whether we're roadtripping the U.S. in our camper, hiking through National Parks, or jet-setting to different countries around the globe, we write detailed travel guides to help you plan one amazing (and unforgettable) adventure!

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A Travel Guide to Kampot

This travel guide shares everything you need to know for visiting Kampot, Cambodia. Includes how to get to Kampot, where to stay, when to visit, what to eat and things to do.

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Cambodia, Kampot is a great place to go! Surrounded by mountains and lush countryside, Kampot embraces the slow pace of river life. The town has a rustic charm, with old colonial buildings lining its streets, and jungle resorts lining the river. Water sports and nature are abundant here, making for a relaxing break during your travels in Cambodia.

Disclaimer : This post contains affiliate links, all marked with * Booking through these links generates a small commission for me at no extra cost to you.

Kampot at a glance

The Praek Tuek Chhu River runs through the heart of Kampot, supporting lush jungles and fertile plains. Just outside of town are the world-class pepper plantations that Kampot is renowned for, as well as salt flats and fishing villages.

While Kampot has been a popular destination in Cambodia for many years, it has retained its charm with colonial buildings, rustic riverside bungalows and nature a stones-throw-away.

How long to stay in Kampot

I recommend 2 full days in Kampot; one day for exploring the town and joining watersport activities, and another day for a day trip to the nearby beachside town of Kep, or to Bokor National Park.

Best time of year to visit Kampot

Kampot is hot all year, with dry season from October to May, and monsoon season during the summer months. Dry season is often favoured as it’s more reliable but we visited in monsoon season and only encountered one rainstorm.

Visiting in the monsoon season comes with the occasional rainstorm, but the jungles are vibrant and the river full of life.

Things to do in Kampot

Kampot is nature-oriented with many of the best things to do centring around the river; activities such as SUP, kayaking and playing at the waterparks are favourite ways to spend time in Kampot.

✍ For more on what to see and do in Kampot, check out my Top 10 Things to do in Kampot .

Kayak along the river

One of the best ways to experience river life is to get out in a kayak. Some of the riverside resorts offer free kayaks to guests, or if you’re staying in town you can rent them for $5/hour ( Retro Kampot Guesthouse * is a great location to rent a kayak from).

💰 $5/hour

Day trip to Kep beach & crab market

Taking a day trip to Kep, a nearby beach town, is a great way to cool off from the heat and see more of the countryside. Nearby is the iconic crab market where you can buy crab fresh from the ocean and have it cooked for lunch!

✍️ A Day Trip to Kep from Kampot

Take in the Views from Bokor National Park

Jump on a motorbike and venture into the mountains of Bokor National Park. Winding roads, monkeys and beautiful viewpoints; what more do you need? The national park includes some abandoned buildings, remnants from the French colonial town built in the 1920s.

💰 $0.50 entrance ✍️ Read more about Bokor National Park

Discover the Secret Lake

The Secret Lake is one of the most serene spots in Kampot to unwind, grab some local food and take in the view. Grab a scooter and head through local villages to hang out in the lake-side hammocks of Kampot’s secret lake.

Secret Lake 📍 find the Secret Lake on Google maps here

How to get to Kampot

Kampot is best reached from the capital of Phnom Penh , or from the southern hub of Sihanoukville (where you get boats to the islands). The nearest airport is Sihanoukville, so if coming from further afield, this is where you want to fly into.

The bus is the easiest way to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot.

We booked our buses to Kampot via our hostel in Phnom Penh, which included pick up making it cheaper than had we booked online and made our own way to the bus station. If your accommodation doesn’t provide transport assistance then Baolau* , a search engine that compares all travel options, is a great place to book tickets online.

From Phnom Penh

💰 $9 ⏰ 3-4 hours

From Sihanoukville

If travelling from Sihanoukville, it might be easier to take the train as the route is not currently serviced by the major bus companies due to heavy construction on the route (summer 2022).

To travel this route, you will need to book a private car. We travelled this route to get to Sihanoukville after Kampot and our accommodation was able to organize a private car for us. It cost $45 for the car which we shared with others. Be prepared for a bumpy ride due to the construction!

Kampot is located along the southern Royal Railways line, making the train an option for travelling to Kampot. Post-covid, the trains only operate on weekends so taking the train might not always be possible.

Like with buses, Baolau * is the easiest way to book the train in advance. Prices vary depending on the seating option.

💰 $9 ⏰ 4 hrs

💰 $6 ⏰ 2 hrs

Getting around Kampot

To truly explore Kampot you will need to get some wheels, as most of the things to see are outside of the city.

If you’re staying in the city center then walking or cycling is possible, but if you opt to stay further out of the town then you will need to either rent a motorbike or take tuk-tuks.

You can rent motorbikes for as little as $5 a day in the town, and hail cheap tuk-tuk rides using Pass App (there is no Grab in Kampot).

Where to eat in Kampot

You can find ultra-budget-friendly meals at the night market, or venture to the streets between the Durian roundabout and the river for lots of restaurants and local food. In the evening market stalls pop up for street food in this area.

Cafe Espresso Roastery 📍  A quirky cafe, perfect for a slow brunch and fresh brew Epic Arts Café 📍 A social enterprise cafe funding education programs and providing jobs for locals with disabilities. Lemongrass Bistro   📍 Tasty and cheap Cambodian dishes Monkey Republic 📍 Chilled spot for dinner and a beer in the evening

Where to stay in Kampot

Kampot is one of the cheaper places to find accommodation in Cambodia, with private rooms for as little as $5 a night. However, many of the accommodation options * don’t have air conditioning so it’s something to look out for when booking! Check out these spots for accommodation in Kampot with air conditioning:

➡️ Karma Traders * is a great hostel for backpackers, with a rooftop bar, pool and great social vibe. ➡️ For private rooms, I recommend KampongBay Makeng II Guesthouse *, where we stayed for a couple of nights.

Stay on the Riverside

We spent a blissful night in the riverfront bungalows at Eden Ecovillage *. It’s a little outside of town, but the free kayaks and amazing food make it the perfect place to unwind.

✍️ Checking into Eden Ecovillage in Kampot

The other option we considered for a riverside stay was Retro Kampot Guesthouse *, which was highly recommended to us by other travellers.

Daily budget

Kampot is a very budget-friendly destination, with lots of cheap and free things to do, and cheap accommodation and food options. Here is an estimated budget for planning your trip.

🚗 $9+

The cheapest way to get to Kampot is from Phnom Penh via bus, averaging $9. Book travel transport here * Be prepared to pay more for your onward travel to Sihanoukville if you are heading to the islands after Kampot.

🍜 ~$15

Street food from vendors can be found for $2, and restaurant meals start at $3.50. I would budget around $15 for food per day.

🛏 ~$5+

Hostels, like Karma Traders *, start at $5 a night and private rooms in town for as little as $7.  Find accommodation to fit your budget here *.

📸 ~$20

Most of the things to do in Kampot are free or cheap assuming you can rent a motorbike to explore on your own.

Motorbike rental 💰 $5 a day Bokor National Park 💰 $0.50 Kayak rental 💰 Free or $5 Arcadia waterpark 💰 $5

Meet Frances; Scottish lass turned Vietnam expat, and creator of this space. She can be found sippin’ ice tea’s and writing about her adventures from her sunny base of Saigon, Vietnam’s southern metropolis. All with a healthy side of researching her next road trip. With 5 years of living, travelling and scooting around Asia under her belt – let Frances be your guide to travelling the region.

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12 Best Things to Do in Kampot, Cambodia

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The provincial town of Kampot in southern Cambodia doesn’t look like much at first sight.

It’s small and sleepy, with wide dusty streets and dilapidated buildings.

Yet it’s the place we stayed the longest in Cambodia—a few days turned into a week which turned into 12 days and it was only our expiring visa that forced us to leave this town we’d fallen for.

In our Kampot travel guide we include top tips on the what to do in Kampot, where to stay and the best places to eat.

At the end there is a map with everything mentioned.

The Best Things to Do in Kampot, Cambodia

Where to stay in kampot, where to eat in kampot, how to get to kampot, travel insurance , kampot cambodia map, is kampot worth visiting, more cambodia posts, 1) enjoy the slow life.

What is it that we loved about this small town that most visitors bypass in favour of the Angkor temples at Siem Reap or the beaches in Sihanoukville?

Kampot’s sleepiness is part of its charm. Traffic is minimal and it’s easy to get around the wide streets on foot, bicycle or motorbike.

Life feels slow here, unrushed, with hot afternoons meant for lazing in hammocks or swimming in the river.

2) Explore the Charming Architecture

The crumbling architecture isn’t beautiful, but it is charming—a mix of French colonial and Chinese-style buildings with fading blue and green wooden shutters and peeling yellow paint.

Kampot isn’t pristine but on certain streets where pink bougainvillaea blossoms on trees, it feels lovely.

3) Watch the Sunset

The riverside location at the foot of the Elephant Mountains is a huge part of Kampot’s attraction.

The river promenade attracts tourists and locals at sunset for strolls and happy hour cocktails.

Basking in the glow of the sunset, by the water, with a drink in hand is a must-do on any Kampot trip!

4) Explore Kampot’s River

Exploring and having fun in Kampot’s river is definitely one of the best Kampot activities.

You can choose your own adventure, whether it’s spending lazy afternoons in a peaceful riverside location or kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and swimming.

Champa Lodge rents out kayaks and paddleboards starting from $3 an hour.

If you feel like taking things easier, many guesthouses can arrange guided trips on wooden longtail boats down the river.

From town, you can also take a sunset and firefly river cruise ($5) on larger boats.

Why not try this private Kampot Kayaking Tour through the jungle, which includes accommodation pickup.

5) Stay a While Longer

Kampot is an easy, liveable town that’s great for digital nomads.

It feels like a real Cambodian city that doesn’t exist for tourism, but there are a number of expats—many working for the NGOs that are so common in Cambodia—so you can find good restaurants, cool cafes, and some comforts of home.

We’d love to return and rent a house for a month or two. 

6) Eat Some Delicious Food

You can find everything from delicious pizza, veggie burgers and apple pie to street stands selling baguettes, freshly squeezed sugarcane juice, sweet potato cakes, and steamed corn on the cob.

We loved the excellent veggie burger and coffee from Cafe Espresso . See below for a list of our favourite places to eat.

Also, why not take a private cooking class for a chance for a chef-guided market tour and to learn more about Khmer cuisine.

7) Venture Into the Surrounding Countryside

There is also plenty to do in Kampot’s surrounding countryside.

To explore, you can take a guided tour like this Backroads of Kampot By Scooter tour , or hire a tuk-tuk, but we preferred to travel independently by motorbike (you could also rent a bicycle).

The countryside starts just minutes outside town. Potholed tarmac turns to orange dirt and concrete houses become bamboo shacks or stilted wooden huts.

It’s a land of rice paddies and palm trees, water buffalo and humped white cows, waving children and salt field workers.

8) Visit the Salt Fields

Kampot is the land of salt and pepper. The salt fields are just outside of town and one of the most interesting places to visit in Kampot.

Saltwater is brought from the sea 5km away into prepared clay fields and left to evaporate until salt crystals form.

On my morning run , I watched the workers raking the salt and carrying it off in heavy baskets.

At sunrise, it was a stunning place.

9) Visit a Kampot Pepper Farm

Further afield towards the beach town Kep are pepper plantations that produce some of the best pepper in the world.

The green berries are sun-dried to make black pepper, while the riper red peppercorns are boiled to remove the skin leaving the white pepper seed inside.

We spent the day at the Vine Retreat , a hotel and restaurant on a pepper plantation, a wonderful place to visit in Kampot.

Although the free pepper tour was brief, it was a beautiful place to have a delicious organic lunch with produce from their farm and relax by the pool.

There are other plantations in the area that run more detailed tours, but we couldn’t tear ourselves away from the pool to find out.

The free tours at La Plantation get good reviews (every day from 9am to 6pm), complete with the world’s first pepper mill museum!

This Kampot Pepper Plantation, Salt Field, Cave, Secret Lake Tour would make an amazing day trip.

10) Take a Yoga Class

A highlight of my stay in Kampot was cycling down the river to yoga classes at the women’s only spa Banteay Srey , a refuge and training centre for young women from difficult backgrounds to help them improve their lives.

It’s the perfect location for yoga—an open-sided upper level of a wooden house with views of the garden and river.

At $5 per class, it’s great value taking place at 9 am every day.

The spa feels like an oasis and is a lovely place to get a massage or treatment, have lunch in the vegetarian cafe, and relax on their comfortable riverside deck.

Next time I’m also tempted to try the yoga class at the vegetarian restaurant  Simple Things . Some classes are free, and others start from as little as $4.

11) Take a Day Trip to Kep and Rabbit Island

Kep is a small coastal town 30 minutes from Kampot. It’s another sleepy town but lacks a town centre, so I think Kampot makes the better base for this area.

It’s known for its crab market and butterfly-filled Kep National Park. 

From Kep, you can take a 30-minute boat ride (around $25 for the whole boat) to Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay), a tranquil place to spend the day, which we did with our friends Jenny and Tom.

We swam in the warm clear green sea, lazed on the free sunbeds and hammocks, and drank $0.75 beers and fresh coconuts.

12) Hire a Bike

Hiring your own transport is a great way to explore the surrounding countryside.

You can rent a bicycle for $2 a day or a motorbike for $5 or $6 a day. 

Many guesthouses can arrange this for you, or there are numerous businesses in Kampot to hire from.

Just make sure your travel insurance covers renting motorbikes, as accidents do happen.

We recommend SafetyWing , which is available worldwide (see below).

More Things to Do in Kampot

More things to add to our Kampot itinerary next time include: 

• Rock climbing and caving with Climbodia . 
• Visit Secret Lake (Brateak Krola Lake) – This could be combined with La Plantation pepper farm. 

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Kampot accommodation is excellent value compared to other places in Cambodia.

You have the choice of staying in a guesthouse or hotel in town or a few kilometres away in a beautiful location along the river.

In town, we stayed in the guesthouse Mea Culpa which, unfortunately, is closed now.

Riverside accommodation is mostly simple bungalows without air conditioning or hot water.

I recommend hiring a bicycle or motorbike if you stay out of town, as it will work out cheaper than getting tuk-tuks. 

If you want something more comfortable than a bamboo bungalow Champa Lodge has lovely double rooms. They also rent kayaks and paddleboards. 

Search for more hotels in Kampot here . 

All of these Kampot restaurants are vegetarian-friendly. 

• Cafe Espresso —A small, funky coffee shop that not only does great coffee (Simon liked the AeroPress) but excellent food. There’s a big breakfast menu and a few vegetarian lunch options, including the best veggie burger we’ve had in Asia—a delicious spicy mix of lentils, beans and vegetables. Don’t miss the homemade pasta if they have it on special—the pumpkin and blue cheese tortellini were amazing.
• Epic Arts Cafe —Run by a community arts organisation to provide employment opportunities for deaf and disabled people. The western menu includes cakes, breakfasts, sandwiches, and some interesting options like eggplant rolls with couscous salad and feta and spinach tart with mango chutney.
• Ecran Noodle Shop —A simple place that makes hand-pulled noodles in front of you. They offer vegetarian options and we had delicious fried noodles with vegetables and vegetarian dumplings.
• Rikitikitavi —A good place for 2-for-1 sunset cocktails (4-6 pm) overlooking the river. The food is a bit pricier than elsewhere but quite good, with a few vegetarian options, including vegetable red curry, vegetarian burritos, and a vegetable crepe with pepper sauce.
• Simple Things – Vegetarian cafe with healthy food, smoothies and coffee. Vegan options are marked on the menu. 
• Kampot Night Market – The best option for cheap eats in Kampot. It’s by the durian roundabout.

Phnom Penh to Kampot

You can take the bus from Phnom Penh to Kampot in 3-5 hours. Try to avoid taking a bus that goes via Kep as this makes the journey much longer. 

Giant Ibis is the quickest way to get to Kampot on their buses, which have free wifi and power points onboard. The trip costs $12 and takes 4 hours and they have a good safety record.

You can book with any guesthouse or travel agent or online yourself for an extra $1 (and choose your own seat). They depart from Phnom Penh at 8am and 2.45pm and from Kampot at 8.30am, 2.45pm and 7pm.

It is now possible to take the train from Phnom Penh to Kampot . The journey takes 4 hrs 40 minutes and costs about $7. It’s best to book tickets direct at the station. 

A private taxi from Phnom Penh to Kampot costs $35-50. 

Sihanoukville to Kampot

Fortunately, there are now several bus services from Sihanoukville to Kampot, or you can travel by taxi or train. 

We took a crowded minivan from Otres Beach in Sihanoukville to Kampot, which took 2.5 hours and cost $7.

A private taxi would cost about $45 and is a better option if you have lots of luggage. 

The train takes around 2.5 hours and costs $7.

Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS) is the nearest airport to Kampot. It has direct flights from Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh (Cambodia Angkor Air), and Kuala Lumpur (Air Asia). You’ll have more choice of flights to Phnom Penh. 

Kep to Kampot

Kep is only a 30-minute drive from Kampot. When we visited on a day trip, we hired a motorbike from our guesthouse for $5 a day. 

You can also hire a tuk-tuk ($10-15) depending on your negotiating skills) or a taxi ($20) or take a minibus (45 minutes, $4). 

Don’t forget travel insurance for your trip in case anything goes wrong. 

We recommend SafetyWing , which is available worldwide and is very affordable. It’s designed by nomads for nomads and is ideal for those on longer trips. It covers riding motorbikes. 

We love its flexibility—you can purchase it abroad when travelling on a one-way ticket, pay monthly, cancel anytime, and you don’t need to choose your destinations (just decide whether to include the US or not).

It’s also great for travelling families as up to two kids under 10 are covered for free. Our SafetyWing review has more details.

Get a quote for SafetyWing nomad insurance here .

Where is Kampot?

Kampot is located in southern Cambodia, a few hours from the beach resort Sihanoukville.

Kampot was our favourite town in Cambodia. It’s a charming, laid-back place that’s perfect if you want a relaxing, affordable break from travelling around Southeast Asia with good food and interesting countryside to explore.

We much preferred it to touristy Sihanoukville, where we struggled to find comfortable, affordable accommodation. We will certainly return to Kampot for a longer stay. 

• Planning a Trip to Cambodia
• A Lightweight’s Guide to the Temples of Angkor
• Beyond Angkor Wat: Alternative Things to Do in Siem Reap
• Vegetarian Survival Guide to Cambodia
• 31 Random Observations About Cambodia

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68 Comments

Do they do fishing charters

Reply ↓

That’s great compilation! Dont forget to stay at Pippali Hotel in Kampot for your short escape!

Thanks for sharing your experience in Kampot ! we are going there in a few days and would definitely use your advice Is it better to pay in USD or local currency ? Thanks !

It’s been a while since our visit but we paid for most things in USD unless it cost less than $1.

That relates to a pre-covid visit. Nice presentation but few recommended places are not there anymore like… while very nice new ones popped up too 👌 As resident, despite I don’t approve every developments, Kampot keeps a Great Athmosphere and worth to experience taking your time at the slow pace of the River 🕊

What a great review of Kampot that we were only using as a one night stay. We very quickly extended that to 3 nights before flying home to Australia (would have been longer if time allowed). Cambodian people are incredibly friendly, although those in Kampot are next level. What a beautiful and unexpected way to complete our 3 week Cambodia experience. We look forward to returning, but more importantly, sharing this wonderful country with our friends.

I’m really glad you enjoyed it!

hopeing to get to kampot 2022 march stay till then mick

We are contemplating a move to Kampot and your comments helped me immensely. Thank you for being so thorough and helpful!

Excellent review and site. Thankyou.

I live in Kampot, and my wife and I own a pepper farm nearby to La Plantation that sadly you didn’t discover in 2014. We also have The Kampot Pepper Shop in town that was opened after your visit too.

Your blog is glowing about our wonderful Kampot and I would like to ask your permission to repost it on our own blog (www.botree.asia/blog). It would just be an intro with a link to your page. If you are happy with that, would there be any objection to me using one of your pics as the headline pic for the post? BTW my farm is Bo Tree Farm, which I hope you will visit the next time in Kampot or Kep. We were not yet open to visitors when you came here! We started our modest little visitor centre just 2 years ago, although the farm is actually a year older than La Plantation (and a lot smaller!).

We’ll keep you in mind for next time! And yes, you are welcome to republish an extract of this post and a photo with a link back. Thanks!

Hi Erin, I am going to Cambodia next year and have a few spare days that I would like to spend in southern Cambodia before heading up north. I think that going to Kampot and exploring the neighbouring places seems like an excellent idea. Greg

Kampot would be perfect – enjoy!

Thanks for the exhaustive list of things to eat and do in Kampot, detailing the beauty of this town. While researching, I came across a blog that I felt was very similar to the content you have for this article. I am pretty sure this is plagiarism and would like to alert you to it. The site paraphrased your work but the order of activities and recommendations of food places were a quick giveaway: livingnomads.com/2017/08/top-things-to-do-in-kampot/

Thanks for letting me know David. I’m afraid plagiarism like this is all too common.

The most inspiring article about Kampot! Because of you guys I stayed there!!! Stayed in Kampot last year and can definitely confirm the opinion on Mea Culpa. Very nice hotel, good food and cheap scooter rental. If you have some energy to discover the surroundings, I’d recommend Kep (if you want to go quite far) and its islands. A bit closer is Bokor Hill, really lovely scooter daytrip, but don’t forget warm clothes ;-) You could also go to SUP Asia, they provide SUP and kayaking. I went for a tour on my own through the jungle, was quite an experience!

Yay! Glad you enjoyed it Paul. Kep is lovely – we had such a relaxing day on Rabbit Island. We’ll have to go to Bokor Hill next time!

I stayed in Kampot for a few days in 2015. Sadly I was sick so I had no energy to visit the surroundings…was kinda stuck in my hostel, and that one was a little outside of the town. I went into town once and it was quite sleepy and not very touristy..which I liked. x

Thanks so much to all who’ve contributed their experiences while in Kampot, it is really quite informative and a lot of fun to read your individual experiences and see the place through your eyes! I have been researching different cities in Cambodia and after much ‘search and research’ online I am planning my trip now for 1st week of April — I’m excited! I just want to take my time, and if Kampot strikes my fancy I may just stay around awhile, it sounds very laid back but with enough to do and see and experience to keep one occupied for more than a month-of-Sundays, so I plan to see. I’ve an idea to maybe find a job teaching my native English while there so I’m hoping it all goes well, hoping to meet some of you fine fellow travelers someday and thanks again for your perspective and insight.

I totally agree. Kampot is the best place in Cambodia. And it is just few hours away from other tourist destinations like Kep and Sihanoukville. People are honest and friendly. Great city indeed. We had amazing experience doing the sunset river cruise for only 5 dollars each.

In 2015 I was in Kampot. It is a very nice place. I have made a trip with a boat the sunset Trip. With Mr. Lee I was for one day in school. My friend lives in Kampot. Best wishes from Germany.

Kampot is my second home. I spend 7 weeks living in the town each year supporting Chumkriel Language School. I love the location and especially the people. Your article encapsulated the ambience perfectly. When I want to escape the hustle and bustle of languid Kampot I go to Kep on the Crab Shuttle to totally relax.

Thank you for sharing Information !! I will visit this place next year, depends on Visa-Regulation for how long I can stay… after 2 years living and working in Krabi / Thailand, I need a place where I just can stay without any People trying to kill me – think I found it !!! LOVE and PEACE, markus

Kampot the little nice River Town is changing it’s ambience dramatically ! Far to many barangs flocked into this place within the last years. Far too many wasted Australians, drinkers, bald Tattooguys and other decandent Misfits who just wanna survive on a cheap! Because at home they are just creeps. I don’t really see the benefit for this town. Leave these people alone they don’t need you!

Great post Erin. We are here at the moment. We love this awesome town. It is very peaceful and everyone is so friendly. We love chatting with the locals and trying to practicing our Khmer (which is not the best but we try). There are great organisation here too helping out the community in so many different ways. We have been hanging out at Epic Arts Cafe learning Khmer Sign Language and loving their delicious food. There are a lot of expats here which is great to meet more new people and find out very useful information. Espresso Cafe roast their coffee beans right there on the premises. If you are a coffee lover, they make a great latte. Thanks for sharing guy. Will have to check out that place on the river for a paddle board and a swim. :)

I’m so glad you are enjoying Kampot – we miss that place!

Like most posts I see on the web, you list all the ‘Western’ places to eat and hangout, excepting Ecran. How shallow and disappointing for supposed seasoned travellers. When Kampot is completely overrun with foreign themed restaurants like the horrible riverfront in PP it won’t be so attractive. It’s already gone a long way down that path. Neo-colonialism runs strong in Cambodia, shame really. And the poor locals are just the hired help. Go eat at a Khmer owned business and stay in a Khmer owned hotel, not a foreign owned one, and send your Reil in the right direction for a change !

I agree that there is an issue in Cambodia of too many Western run places, although many of them are providing training for locals and support good causes, and I hope that means the next generation of Cambodians will be better trained to run their own businesses.

The reason we mostly ate at Western places is because we’re vegetarian and it can be hard to get meat and fish free options in local places.

Thanks so much for this great post – we arrived in Kampot today without a clue as to what to do (last-minute change of plan landed us here) and this is really helpful!

I hope you have a fantastic time!

Hello this is Angus from Espresso- we are back in Australia having our first child but don’t fret. this is just a sojourn and we will be back in june. Nidhi- sorry you missed us. Erin- thanks for the write up glad to hear you enjoyed the cafe.

That’s great to know, thank you!

That’s great to know too!!! My mouth is watering at the prospect!! Hope to see you later!

We enjoyed sleepy Kampot too! Thanks for your suggestions. We definitely took advantage of them!

We were really excited to try Cafe Espresso and headed there one day, but we couldn’t find it. We thought maybe it was just closed for the day, so we went back the next day, but still couldn’t find it. A few days later, on the bus to Phnom Penh, we were chatting with a man who is the owner of Ellie’s (another cafe that looked good, but that we didn’t try) and he told us that the Cafe Espresso had closed for good. The owner is moving back to Australia as his girlfriend is pregnant. We were sad to have missed it! But we went to Epic Arts Cafe a few times and liked it. It’s for a great cause as well.

Oh no! That is such sad news, it was such a great place.

We just left Kampot last week! We stayed at greenhouse and it was so amazing that we tried to figure out a way to extend our stay for a week. Unfortunately timing didn’t work out, but I know we will be back. Kampot was absolutely our favorite place in the country.

Two other eateries to check out there: Rusty Keyhole for the most amazing, fall-off-the-bone ribs (call ahead to reserve your half rack), and Captain Chim’s for the ambiance and very tasty food and inexpensive coffee and beer.

It has that effect on people doesn’t it? Glad to hear Greenhouse is as good to stay at as it looks.

We heard about Rusty Keyhole but as vegetarians gave it a miss :) Captain Chim’s is super cheap and we found the food OK, but I wasn’t that impressed my noodle soup was made with instant noodles (what is it with that in Cambodia?!).

We had breakfast at Captain Chim’s — maybe that’s a better bet! I particularly liked the price for my yogourt muesli/fruit combo which was huge, and i managed to top it off with pancakes, which were also very well done :) (i am a total convert to the lime / sugar combo). PS: we also found Cambodia to be surprisingly on the expensive side, as compared to even Thailand or Vietnam.

That sounds delicious!

Oh god Erin yes why oh why the instant noodle – I don’t quite get it’s popularity in restaurants either – when there could be a delicious fresh rice noodle instead!! Swings and roundabouts – Cambodia is a fantastic country :) agree with you if Thai food is outstanding then Khemer can be good at most – but there’s normally some other good choices of non traditional food – apparently there is a great tapas bar in Kampot now excited to find that later – if there s any room left after trying that great veggie burger – still the yoga will work it off!!

Or maybe not as the next post suggests!! Damn!! Thanks for the update Nidhi.

I’ve lived in Thailand for 12 years and been to Cambodia many times. Never heard of Kampot, though, but it looks lovely. Awesome hotel room as well and what an amazing deal for Cambodia (which I’ve always found to be more expensive than Thailand when it comes to decent quality rooms).

Gorgeous photos, btw!

It’s often those smaller less touristy towns that are the best! I’m definitely going to check out Kampot the next time I’m in Cambodia! Great pictures, cheers for the new destination idea :)

Kampot clearly left a good impression on you. We passed it over and went to Kep instead, which we absolutely loved, but maybe we should have stopped in Kampot! You make it sound really peaceful.

We do recommend it. We didn’t spend much time in Kep as it seemed a bit more expensive and spread out but we did love Rabbit Island and the pepper plantations.

Wow! You make Kampot sound so peaceful and relaxing, and the best of all for me is the salt and pepper. Now, I must go!

Sounds lovely! What kind of Wi-fi speeds were available at Mea Culpa?

I don’t know exactly but it was the best we had in Cambodia. We could stream Netflix.

We live in a town with buildings which seem a bit like these – it’s Mysore in India. Laidback and just what we needed after London. Been here 16 months now!

All the best for your next adventure!

We loved our time in Kampot too and also enjoyed our stay at Mea Cupla!

Wow – it looks completely idyllic ! The architecture is absolutely beautiful !! I cannot wait for my gap year – I’ll definitely try and fit Kampot into my itinerary.

Love all these reasons. I never made it to this sleepy town when I went to Cambodia. Another reason to return!

Heading to Cambodia on April 9th. Thank you for this detailed information. I will definitely be making a stop in Kampot now!

Amazing pictures there. I can find a striking resemblance between the architecture of Kampot and that of India. I’m yet to be in Cambodia but have been to India twice. Your post made me feel like I’ve strong connect with Kampot, without even visiting it- reason enough for me to head for this town soon !

ITs perfect guide to Combodia. Awesome rivers and life

We didn’t make it to Kampot on our last trip there but after reading this, it is definitely on the list for next time!

Great post and photo’s Erin! It looks very sleepy indeed and the perfect place to just take things slow and relax a bit. Will be keeping it in mind for when I return to Cambodia one day.

Those sound like fine reasons to be in love with Kampot! We didn’t make it there, but I would likely live for that beautiful yoga spa and those burgers if we went!

I miss yoga there, and the burgers…

Something about that place grabbed me too. Very relaxing with really friendly people and even the expats seemed a bit different than other places. Like David above I spent a bunch of time in Kep as well. That crab is unbelievable!

Glad you enjoyed it too Malcolm! As vegetarians we didn’t get to sample the crab.

I love those sleepy coastal towns in Cambodia too. Although, I pretty much love everywhere in Cambodia apart from Sihanoukville. I think I preferred Kep, but that may be because of the place where I was staying. My memories are primarily of eating huge amounts of crab with Kampot pepper. Yummmms!

We only passed through Kep but it seemed quite spread out compared to Kampot. It does look like there are some amazing places to stay there though. Glad you enjoyed it!

Ahh David I understand re Sihanoukville it’s a bit like Blackpool but the market is fantastic and close by sleepy Otres is an amazing place the sea air is clean and the vibe is chillaxed – hope you enjoy your future adventures and thank you Erin and hubby for an amazing guide ….I am off to Kampot today can’t wait to try out some of your suggestions :)

This looks like my kind of town. Im sad I didn’t get there when I was in Cambodia. Maybe next time….

Great photos!

Good reason to go back!

Yes . You should come again .

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Kampot & Kep (Cambodia): The Best Places & Top Things to Do

Kampot and Kep, two sleepy towns on the coast of Cambodia , impressed us right from the start. Because Kampot and Kep are only a good 20 kilometres away from each other, they are ideal to combine with one another.

In Kampot you can look forward to French colonial architecture , and the pleasantly understated Kep is the perfect place for anyone looking to enjoy a relaxing few days . If you are looking for party and action, you’re in completely the wrong place. However, if you want to immerse yourself a little into the local life, you will love Kampot and Kep.  

We warmly recommend including a stop off in Kampot and Kep on a trip through Cambodia . In this travel guide, we show you the best things to do and reveal our personal tips for Kampot and Kep.

1. Travel Guide: Overview of Useful Info about Kampot & Kep

2. kampot: the best places, things to do & travel tips, 3. kep: highlights & travel tips, 4. day trip to koh tonsay (rabbit island), 5. our hotel tip for kampot.

What to expect in Kampot & Kep

Had enough of the chaos and hecticness of the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh ? Then off to the coast with you! All is still very calm and tranquil in the two neighbouring provinces of Kampot and Kep.

The town Kampot is clearly the more beloved of the two. It is located on the Teuk Chhou River and is known for its remnants of French colonial architecture . You’ll quickly come to notice that there is little money for repairs: The plaster is crumbling on every corner and relatively few buildings are renovated. Nevertheless (or perhaps because of this) we really enjoyed the unique flair in Kampot.

Kep on the other hand was once one of Cambodia ’s main bathing spots. The beach is however not such a highlight – we definitely wouldn’t recommend Kep for a classic beach holiday. The main attraction in Kep is the crab market : Here they have a huge selection of seafood on offer.

One more thing makes the region special: One of the best varieties of pepper in the world, Kampot pepper , is produced here. You can visit some of the pepper plantations and gain an insight into the production of this expensive pepper. However, the best part of all is definitely the fresh pepper, which is often served in the restaurants in the region. Once you have tried proper fresh pepper, you won’t want to go without it again – simply delicious!

Another side tip : Reports of stray, barking dogs in the Kampot and Kep provinces are increasing. It is best to avoid night time strolls away from the town centre. We personally haven’t had any negative experiences, but we still wanted to add in a little warning.

How many days should I plan to stay in Kampot & Kep?

We ourselves decided to take a stop off in both locations : We spent three nights in Kampot, two in Kep – so five nights altogether. That way we could really take it easy and also had enough time for a day trip to the offshore island of Koh Tonsay (more about this soon). 

However, because Kampot and Kep are, as stated earlier, so close together (a 30-minute drive away from each other), you can also easily visit the other town on a day trip. In this case, we recommend staying in Kampot . Firstly because Kampot is, in our opinion, the more attractive destination and also because the selection of hotels is simply better there.

We ourselves stayed in the highly recommendable hotel, The Columns , in Kampot. We will let you know more details about it near the end of this travel guide.

Cambodia travel guide: Our tip

We almost exclusively use the Lonly Planet travel guides in Southeast Asia. They are very well-researched and have brilliant tips – which also goes for the Lonly Planet Cambodia Travel Guide . We really like the layout and structure of the Lonly Planet travel guides. They are primarily aimed towards individual travellers – so perfect if you are want to make your own way around Cambodia.

You can purchase the travel guide here: Lonly Planet Cambodia Travel Guide

It is very quiet and calm in the 50,000 inhabitant town of Kampot. Kampot is the capital of the province of the same name and is well known for its more or less well-preserved buildings from the French colonial era.

First of all: You shouldn’t expect to find classic tourist attractions in Kampot. Rather, it is the relaxing flair that makes this town a worthwhile stop.

Kampot’s colonial centre

We begin in the heart of Kampot’s old town, the French quarter close to the riverbank. Cambodia was under French colonial rule for almost one hundred years. The architectural remnants from the colonial era still remain – although the plaster is crumbling on many corners.

It is best to take a bit of time to explore the side alleys – where you can discover some exciting photo motifs . You should not expect a well-kept city in Kampot, but the centre definitely has a lot of flair, that much is certain.

Teuk Chhou: Sunset at the riverbank

The Teuk Chhou river snakes its way through Kampot. You can experience a wonderful sunset from the east riverbank (right next to the French Quarter). The atmosphere is very calm and relaxing.

There are a few cafés and bars – many also advertise “happy hour” at sunset. One of these places is Rikitikitavi. They have great food there and you can enjoy a nice view of the river from some spots.

Kampot pepper: Visit a pepper plantation

The provinces Kampot and Kep and famous worldwide as pepper growing regions. Kampot pepper is considered one of the best and most expensive in the world . You can visit some of the pepper plantations. If you are already in the region, then we would recommend taking a visit to a plantation to get a bit of an insight into the production of pepper. The following two companies are especially well-known:

La Plantation: A large organic plantation run by a French-Belgian couple. La Plantation is located a good half an hour east of Kampot. They offer regular free tours during opening times.

Farm Link: Farm Link is a comfortable 15-minute walk from the centre of Kampot. The focus is not on pepper cultivation here, rather Farm Link work together with the local pepper farmers. You can observe how the pepper corns are sorted. If you want to visit the plantations, you’re better to visit La Plantation.

Discovering the region & the salt fields by bike

What did we love most in Kampot? It definitely wasn’t a classic attraction, but immersion into the local life . It is best to rent a bike (it doesn’t need to be a scooter) and discover the surrounding area in a relaxing style.

For example, we ourselves rode our bikes to Farm Link (kampot pepper) and to the salt fields . On the way there we took a spontaneous stop off and had a water fight with the kids in the photo. (It rained a bit, so there was plenty of water.)

If you just go a few kilometres outside of the centre of Kampot, you notice how rural life is here. Many people live in unbelievably poor conditions – sad to see and yet we were also amazed by the hospitality we were greeted with here.

Eating & Drinking in Kampot: Our restaurant tips

Good news: There are many nice cafés and restaurants in Kampot where you can enjoy a great meal. Some of these are surprisingly stylish and there are even plenty options for vegans. We can especially recommend the following restaurants:

Sabay Beach Restaurant and Cocktail Bar: This little gem is located on the riverbank, however unfortunately about a 25-minute drive away from the centre of Kampot. Here you enjoy your meal with a view of the water. Highly recommendable – especially at sunset!

Rikitikitavi: Very famous restaurant, located on the riverbank. Perfect for a sundowner or an evening meal – the food is great here.

Atelier Kampot: A wonderful, surprisingly stylish, French-inspired restaurant located on the Kampot waterfront. The prices are rather high.

Deva Cafe: If you are searching for a vegan restaurant, then you should definitely pay a visit to Deva Cafe. This relaxing restaurant is a little outside of the centre (you can reach it in around 5 minutes by moped). You can get delicious food here for not so much cost.

Did you think Kampot didn’t have many attractions? Then you haven’t been to Kep yet. The fact that the local crab market is the touristic highlight says it all, doesn’t it?

Up until the Cambodian civil war, Kep was one of the country’s main seaside resorts. Unfortunately, there is not much of this remaining today. Kep does have a beach, but to be honest: We definitely wouldn’t recommend Kep for a classic beach holiday. Kep is however a great town to can gain an authentic insight into the Cambodian lifestyle. Because, as we mentioned, Kep is only 30 minutes away from Kampot, you can easily visit on a day trip.

Crab Market

The crab market runs daily from around 9am until the evening. Seafood fans will love it here: mussels, shrimps, crabs etc. – here they have it all. You can select food for yourself and then have it prepared right there on the spot – street food just as you imagined it.

The crab market also includes a number of classic restaurants . Here you can eat a little more comfortably with a view of the water. It is particularly enjoyable and recommendable at sunset.

Eating & Drinking in Kep

Kep Coffee: Nice little café where you can enjoy a great breakfast or lunch. The coffee is also said to be very good here.

Kep Sur Mer Restaurant: In case you would like to eat at one of the restaurants at the crab market, then we can recommend this one for you. It is especially nice to sit at the tables at the front with a view of the sea.

Would you like a few relaxing hours at the beach ? The most beautiful beach in the region is not located on the mainland but on an offshore island – Koh Tonsay, also known as Rabbit Island. Koh Tonsay is located about a half-hour boat ride away from Kep.

On Koh Tonsay you are literally forced to do nothing : Apart from a few bars and simple bungalows, there is no infrastructure on Koh Tonsay. So, if you are looking to enjoy a relaxing beach day, then you are in the right place. Some travellers spend a few days on Koh Tonsay, but that would be too monotonous and isolated for us personally.

That’s why many people prefer to go on a day trip . The boats depart from Kep at 9am and at 1pm. A ticket costs 8 dollars per person. It is best to check these times again when you are there.

You can walk around Koh Tonsay : The hike takes around three house and is said to be very worthwhile. We fear that you will unfortunately have to see washed up rubbish on the loop track. However, the main beach was fairly clean when we visited.

We spent our time in Kampot at the beautiful hotel, The Columns , which we highly recommend. The hotel is housed in several colonial houses , which are very beautiful and have been renovated with a lot of love and great attention to detail.

You stay right in the centre of Kampot (in a very peaceful alleyway), and it is perfect for exploring the town on foot from the hotel. Due to the architecture of the houses, some rooms are a little dim, but are very comfortably furnished. In any case, the value for money is excellent.

We really enjoyed the breakfast . Served in a beautiful lobby, it is the perfect way to start the day. Our conclusion: If you want to stay in the centre of Kampot (which we would recommend), then this hotel is a fantastic choice.

You can book the hotel here: The Columns

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Have you already been to Kampot or Kep? How did you like it? Are there any other highlights and things to do that shouldn’t be missed? We look forward to your additional tips!

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Phnom Penh Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do and See

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It's not hard to see why travelers become entranced with Kampot (កំពត). This riverside town, with streets rimmed by dilapidated shophouse architecture, has a dreamy quality; as if someone pressed the snooze button a few years back and the entire town forgot to wake up. The Kompong Bay River – more accurately an estuary – rises and falls with the moons, serving as both attractive backdrop and water-sports playground for those staying in the boutique resorts and backpacker retreats that line its banks upstream from the town proper.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Phnom Chhnork

Phnom Chhnork is a short walk through a quilt of rice paddies from Wat Ang Sdok, where a monk collects the entry fee and a gaggle of friendly local kids…

La Plantation

This sprawling organic pepper farm offers free guided walks in French, English and Khmer, explaining how several varieties of pepper are grown, harvested…

Kampot Provincial Museum

This tiny museum, inside the finely preserved French colonial-era Old Governor's Mansion, traces the history of Kampot and the outlying area. The…

Kampot Traditional Music School

During set hours, visitors are welcome to observe traditional music and dance training sessions and/or performances at this school that teaches children…

Phnom Sorsia

Phnom Sorsia is home to several natural caves. From the parking area, a stairway leads up the hillside to a gaudy modern temple. From there, steps lead…

Tek Chhouu Rapids

Popular with locals, these modest rapids at the end of Tek Chhouu Rd northwest of Kampot are surrounded by food stalls and picnicking platforms. A tuk tuk…

Old French Bridge

Destroyed during the Khmer Rouge period, Kampot's old French bridge was later repaired in a mishmash of styles. It is now open to motorbikes and…

Kampot's Old Market building, with its art-deco-style concrete facade, was constructed during the 1930s. Various shops, travel agencies and cafes rim both…

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Kampot Tours and Travel

Explore the Kampot and Kep countryside with me!

Welcome to Kampot

Kampot is a southern Cambodian city that’s full of beauty, history, and adventure.

My name is Eang. I am a local guide and tuk-tuk driver, and I am here to show you the best of Kampot.

Here are the tours I offer:

Kampot Pepper Farms

See where famous Kampot pepper grows. Learn about its history and taste different varieties. Learn more about my Kampot pepper farm tour here .

Phnom Chhngouk Cave Temples

Explore the ancient temples inside natural caves and enjoy the surrounding countryside. Find out more about the Phnom Chhngouk temple cave tour here .

Salt Fields

Witness the fascinating process of salt production in the vast salt fields just outside Kampot city.

Bokor Mountain

Take in the views and explore the historical colonian ruins on Bokor Mountain. It’s a major site of natural and historical significance.

Kep City and Rabbit Island

Visit the quaint seaside city and the serene Rabbit Island. Both have beautiful beaches.

Full Day Countryside Tours

Customize a day tour to include any of the above destinations.

Tuk-tuk Taxi Service

Convenient and friendly transport around Kampot and to all the attractions listed.

Call me on WhatsApp below (green button) or at +855-96-490-4117 to book your tour!

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8 Wonderful things to do in Kampot, Cambodia's laidback riverside town

Kampot, an atmospheric city in South East Cambodia. For people that admire slow travel, this is one of the best places to visit in Cambodia.

Kampot city is easy to explore on foot and the surrounding attractions can be reached by motorbike or tuk-tuk. The laidback vibe in Kampot is one of the things that make you stay a little longer than planned. Combine this charming city with a day trip to Bokor National Park or a local pepper plantation and you are certain of a great time.

Continue reading to find out and explore all the tourist attractions Kampot has to offer.

If you choose to use any of the links on this page, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these links, you’ll have a direct impact on WTSW and support my ability to continue to create free insightful travel content for you. If you find any of my tips useful, you can support me by buying me a virtual coffee  here .

Where to stay in Kampot

Rikitikitavi

Hotel Old Cinema

Montagne Residence

Kampot RiverInn Boutique Hotel

If you want to stay near the city centre, Guest House Blue Buddha Hotel is a great pick. If you want to experience life a little bit slow down, Eden Eco Village is perfect for relaxing and is located on the riverside.

The price you pay to spend a night in Kampot is really low, it varies from $6 to $25 for one night and the options are endless.

Have a look at booking.com to see the current rates for hotels in Kampot .

8 Wonderful things to do in Kampot, Cambodia

#1 roam around kampot city.

Kampot is a small but charming city where you will find a lot of French colonial buildings being converted into guesthouses, bars or restaurants. Walking along the Kampot River and exploring the city centre gives you a good impression of authentic Cambodia. Another good option to explore Kampot is by bike. Because of the short distances, it is easy and fun to ride around town with a bike.

One thing we also noticed is the number of statues in the city and in particular the durian statue that has its own roundabout. Durian fruit is really popular in Kampot, so they honoured it with a statue.

#2 Explore the Bokor National Park

Bokor National Park is a famous park in Cambodia. The main attraction in Bokor National Park is the old French hill station at 1,080m above sea level. A visit to the park can be done easily as a day trip. You can book a day trip at one of the tourist offices or explore the 140.000 hectares by motorbike. With the roads being in good condition it makes it easy to drive by yourself. The entrance fee for the Bokor National Park is $0,50 and can be paid at the bottom of the hill.

Some of the highlights of the park in random order: The Ruins of The Black Palace, The Old Catholic church, Le Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino, Wat Sampov Pram, The Lok Yeay Mao Monument and the chance to spot wild tigers and elephants.

#3 Join a Kampot River cruise

A city divided by a river always charms us. In that case, a river cruise couldn’t miss. When you do the Bokor Hill trip, a sunset river cruise + drink is included. But it is also possible to only do a river cruise if you inform the tourist offices.

Some offices call it the Firefly cruise, but do you want our honest opinion? It’s a joke, there were literally no flies at all. Nevertheless, the cruise was quite relaxed and amusing.

#4 Go on a day trip to Kep

Nearby Kampot you will find a lazy coastal city named Kep. The city is famous for its seafood and in particular for its crab. Besides the beach, this city has no big attractions. Kep can be a great day trip but also if you want to relax for a few days while enjoying the Cambodian food. For us, it is slow travel at its finest!

#5 Take a stroll around the Kampot Markets

Similar to Battambang, there is a Night Market in Kampot. The market has been renovated and is open for business. With a lot of stalls that sell everything, it is nice wandering around. Find a souvenir, buy some clothes or enjoy the local food and drinks.

Besides the Kampot Night Market, you have the old market. It’s a traditional market that primarily provides the locals with the usual products. Have a look and wander around to see some local procedures but watch your head the ceilings are low.

#6 Visit La Plantation | Taste Kampot Pepper

When in Kampot, Cambodia you have to visit a pepper plantation. Located in between amazing hills close to the sea is the perfect environment to grow these peppers. The Kampot region is famous for its “Kampot pepper”. The pepper is the finest in the world and has been awarded the Protected Geographical Indication status. Compare this with the fact that a wine can only be named champagne if it’s from Champagne (France).

Kampot pepper stands out with its unique flavour, high quality and strong taste. Walking through the vines and learning about the peppers is fun and you will also get to taste all the different types. After a visit, your love for this spice will grow. More information can be found at the La Plantation website or book your night here at this beautiful place.

#7 Sample traditional Cambodian food

When in Kampot, you can’t go around the smell of Kampot’s famous pepper. In every restaurant, you can eat this pepper, but we highly recommend Rikitikitavi for its traditional Khmer food. The restaurant is located on the riverside and also offers rooms .

Another Guesthouse and restaurant we really enjoyed is Pepe & the Viking . It is basically on the same street and is a place where you will feel very welcome.

We also recommend the hostel and restaurant GreenHouse; it is located across the river and on the right side of the main part of town.

#8 Visit the salt fields

Another fascinating thing to visit in Kampot are the salt fields. On your way to Kep, you will find a number of rice paddies that are currently being used as salt fields. The salt production is mostly done by hand and is from around the   beginning of December to April. This is when it doesn’t rain too much.

Things to do in Kampot | The essentials

How to get to kampot.

Sihanoukville to Kampot | Transportation in Cambodia is done best by bus. But if you travel from Sihanoukville to Kampot you will find out there is no bus line between those two cities. This means you have to travel by minivan or a private taxi. A minivan will cost you $6 and a private taxi will be between $30 and $35. The ride will take around 2,5 and 3 hours depending on how good the roads are and the amount of traffic.

Phnom Penh to Kampot | Going from Phnom Penh to Kampot offers more options. You can travel by bus, taxi and even by train. The bus will cost you anywhere around $10 and takes around 4 to 5 hours. A taxi from Phnom Penh to Kampot is one of the fastest ways to travel. It cost you between $30 and $50 and takes approximately 3,5 hours.

A nice alternative is to travel by train, the journey takes almost 5 hours but costs you only $6. The fun part about travelling by train is that you get to see a lot of the beautiful countryside Cambodia has to offer. If you pick this option, book your tickets direct at the train station.

Essential tours of Cambodia

Stay safe in cambodia | travel insurance.

Though Cambodia is perfectly safe for travellers, I always strive to sort out my travel insurance before arriving in a foreign country, and I highly advise anyone else to do the same.

Where we prefer that everything goes smoothly during our travels, something unfortunate can happen at any moment, whether it’s an injury or an accident on the road. When that happens, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full COVID-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here .

World Nomads | If you’re an adventure seeker, backpacker, or planning your once-in-a-lifetime world trip, make sure you check out World Nomads, they designed the perfect travel insurance to help you travel safer and smarter. Do note that they’re not covering COVID-19-related claims.

Plan your Cambodia itinerary with these essential guides

A complete guide to bokor national park, cambodia’s astonishing mountain paradise.

A travellers guide to Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s majestic ancient kingdom

My 3-week Cambodia itinerary | Uncover the absolute best of Cambodia

6 Awesome things to do on Koh Rong, Cambodia’s island paradise

6 Things to do in Battambang, Cambodia’s underrated gem

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How the GRU spy agency targets the west, from cyberspace to Salisbury

Accusations mount against the Russian army’s main intelligence directorate

In Russia’s shadow war with the west, one intelligence agency keeps making headlines.

The GRU, or main intelligence directorate, of the Russian army, has been accused of spearheading several of Russia’s most notorious operations in recent years. They include the 2014 seizure of Crimea using undercover soldiers called “little green men”, the hacking theft of emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton, and even the planning of a failed coup in Montenegro .

A British security source told the Guardian on Monday that the nerve agent attack on the former double agent Sergei Skripal was also ordered by the intelligence agency. The British government is poised to submit an extradition request to Moscow for two Russians suspected of carrying out the Salisbury attack that left one person dead and three injured, including Skripal and his daughter.

One of the three main Russian intelligence agencies, less has been written about the GRU (now officially called the GU, or Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces) than its sister agencies, particularly the Soviet-era KGB or its modern successor the FSB, the spy agency once headed by Vladimir Putin .

Known for operating under a wartime mentality and a willingness to take risks, experts say the culture of the GRU has been influenced by its inclusion of Spetsnaz special forces and experience in war zones, including Syria and Ukraine .

Open source researchers have claimed that a GRU officer supervised the transport of anti-aircraft weapons to eastern Ukraine when the Malaysian jetliner flight MH17 was shot down there, killing 298 people.

“The GRU regards itself as a war-fighting instrument. Yes, it gathers conventional intelligence … but its culture is much more military,” said Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian security issues and the country’s intelligence agencies . “Although only a minority of GRU officers are Spetsnaz, it has an impact when part of your service are commandos.”

Besides special forces, the spy agency manages more traditional intelligence-gathering operations around the world, as well as signals intelligence.

Vladimir Rezun, a GRU officer who defected to the UK in the 1970s, wrote in his history of the agency (written under the pen name Viktor Suvorov) that it was largely tasked with preventing the collapse of the Soviet Union from without, as opposed to the KGB, which had a prominent role in thwarting internal threats.

While the KGB became notorious, the GRU largely operated in obscurity. “In the people’s consciousness, everything that is dark, underground and secret is connected with the KGB but not at all with the GRU,” he wrote.

Traditionally, Galeotti noted, the GRU answered for “uncontrolled spaces”. While in the past that has meant areas like civil wars, it may also apply to zones like cyberspace now.

Several Russian intelligence agencies were involved in hacking operations before the 2016 US presidential elections, but only the GRU was identified in an 11-count indictment released last month by the United States special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. The hack was perpetrated by staff employees of several Moscow-based units traditionally tied to signal intelligence.

The interests of Russia’s intelligence agencies regularly overlap, as have their methods. As Christopher Andrew wrote in The Mitrokhin Archive: The KGB in Europe and the West, his study of notes on KGB files smuggled out of Russia, the agency “offered its allies lethal nerve toxins and poisons which were fatal on contact with the skin for use during ‘special actions’”.

While the GRU has largely been shrouded in secrecy, there have been occasional contacts with the west.

Peter Zwack, a retired US army brigadier general, wrote about a series of meetings before the Sochi Olympics with the head of the GRU, Igor Sergun, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack in January 2016. “I found him soft-spoken, unassuming, complex, erudite and nuanced,” he said of their meetings, which largely focused on counter-terrorism efforts.

“I learned that even as Sergun relentlessly directed global intelligence operations against our interests, he — paradoxically — also viewed constant confrontation with the US and west as not in Russia’s best long-term interest,” Zwack wrote.

Those meetings ended after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

• Trump-Russia investigation
• Sergei Skripal
• Robert Mueller

More on this story

Baltic states no longer a bridge between east and west, says Latvia

Russian at Oslo IT conference held on suspicion of spying

Russia to hold biggest war games since 1981

Russia could cut off internet to Nato countries, British military chief warns

Vladimir Putin watches display of Russian firepower near EU border

Nato accuses Russia of blocking observation of massive war game

Dispute along cold war lines led to collapse of UN cyberwarfare talks

West failing to tackle Russian hacking and fake news, says Latvia

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Travel with Kevin and Ruth

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Tuesday, May 10, 2016

22 comments:

Now that's an adventure! Say 'Hey' to Dracula from us. Enjoy the rain.

Yes, it should be a great adventure. :-) Not sure that we will make it very far into Romania on this particular trip. We unfortunately won't have enough time because of the Schengen Visa rules and knowing that we will be spending 2 to 2 1/2 months in Spain and France in January and February. We will make a separate visit to Romania some other time where we can really explore it properly.

We loved Romania!!! Especially Transylvania. It's a beautiful place with lovely people. We have translated some of our blogposts from Eastern Europe into English. You can find them on www.twodanesontour.com if you scroll down a little bit. (They are marked with (English) so you don't have to go trough all the Danish blogposts as well). If you have any questions you are more than welcome to find us on Facebook: Two Danes On Tour Happy travels Anne Marie and Rasmus Two Danes On Tour

Thank you very much for directing us to your blog and the posts on Romania. Looks like you had a wonderful time. Unfortunately on this particular trip we will be spending very little time in Romania itself as it follows the Schengen Visa rules and we know that we will be spending at least two months in Spain and France in January and February and we are only allowed three months out of six months in any of the European countries that follow this rule. We definitely will spend a few days in Bucharest though. Romania is definitely on our list of countries to visit proper but it will just have to wait for another time.

Do you suppose that moose was displaced by the wildfires?

No, we don't think it was displaced by the wildfires because we think it may have been here since last fall. We did see one wander though the campground one evening last September. It isn't unknown to see moose in the area according to the locals who have seen moose in this part of Saskatchewan before. I am sure she will quickly hightail it into the hills once the campground starts to fill up.

Sounds like the perfect beginning to an entire adventure filled winter.

Yes, we think it will be! We are definitely looking forward to it especially because we know how much we enjoyed our time in the Czech Republic and Slovakia back in 2012 and think this will be similar.

Wow! A great destination. This will make for very interesting reading.

We think so too! Not many people explore this part of the world so we are looking forward to showing people what life is like there.

If you make it to Transylvania, be sure to visit Dracula's Castle (there really is one).

Unfortunately on this trip I don't think we will be making it outside of Bucharest for the reasons stated in the replies to the comments above. As much as we would love to go and visit it (yes, we knew that there was a real Dracula's castle which is Bran Castle) but will just have to wait until we make a return visit to Romania when we will have time to explore it properly.

On to the next adventure. Sounds like a great one coming up in the Fall. I love the photo of the Great horned owl.

Yes, the planning has started. Planning is almost as fun as the journey itself. ;-) Thank you Paul and Marsh, we love our great horned owls. We enjoy looking at them each day, just watching them grow and boy they sure grow fast!

Wow, that sounds great! Nice to have some plans firmed up, now you can spend your free time researching (I know you do it like I do it) the trip.

Kevin wastes no time finding somewhere to travel it seems! ;-) Yes, the planning begins and that is a lot of fun too. We never have things too organized but we do like to have an idea of what places to look for in the way of accommodations and also where some good hiking is and of course what interesting places there are there in the way of sightseeing and then sort of plan around that.

We have two good friends we worked with at Bryce who are from Muldova. Perhaps we can get some tips!

Cool! If you get some good tips then by all means pass them along. :-)

The largest wine cellar puts it on our list of places to visit:)

I think that's what sold us on visiting Moldova on this trip! ;-)

We have friends who grew up in Eyebrow. Are you familiar with that little town?

Nope hadn't hear of it before! I actually had to look it up, so now I know where it is. :-)

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