Kampot Guide 2025 brings you into one of the most laid-back and peculiar corners of Cambodia. Colonial ruins line the streets, the river drifts slow like the town itself, and pepper is taken more seriously than most religions.

Whether you came here chasing visa runs, river sunsets, or the promise of mushroom shakes, one thing is certain, you will likely stay longer than you meant to.

This Kampot Guide is not about luxury or cliché itineraries. It is about what makes Kampot tick. A crumbling, pepper-flavoured, river-washed town that lures in digital nomads, expats, and off-grid travellers with equal ease.

What the Kampot

Located in southern Cambodia, Kampot sits on the Praek Tuek Chhu river around three hours from Phnom Penh and close to the Vietnamese border. It is a place of contradictions. Ancient temples meet colonial villas. Expats open pizza joints next to fish sauce factories. There are tuk tuk tours and banana pancakes but also backstreets where nothing has changed in decades.

Once a key port under French rule, Kampot’s pepper became world famous before war and time pushed it into obscurity. These days, the town is in resurgence. New bars, boutique hotels, and pepper plantations coexist with crumbling buildings and empty streets. This is not a beach town and it is not a city. It is Kampot.

What to Do in Kampot

Kampot punches above its weight in things to do. You can relax by the river or jump on a scooter and explore mountains, salt fields, or Kampot pepper plantations.

Bokor Mountain

The road to Bokor is pure scenic gold. Up top, you will find a ruined French church, an abandoned casino turned modern hotel, and plenty of mist. It is a strange mix of nostalgia and neglect. The views over Kampot and the Gulf of Thailand are incredible on a clear day.

Kampot Pepper Plantations

This is what put Kampot on the map. You can visit working farms like La Plantation or Bo Tree and get deep into the process of growing, drying, and tasting Kampot pepper. Black, red, and white peppercorns grown here are protected by geographical indication and exported around the world.

Salt Fields

During the dry season, the salt fields just outside town shine like broken glass. Workers rake salt by hand into perfect white pyramids. Visit early or late to avoid the heat and capture the best light.

Kayaking and River Cruises

Whether you rent a kayak or jump on a booze cruise, the river is central to Kampot life. Glide past mangroves, dive off boats, or sip beers as fireflies flicker above the water at sunset.

Old Market and French Quarter

The old market is gritty and chaotic. Fresh fish, knock-off clothes, and the smell of durian hang thick in the air. The nearby streets are lined with colonial architecture, faded signage, and the odd cafe or gallery tucked behind ancient wooden shutters.

Where to Eat in Kampot

Kampot has one of the best small-town food scenes in Cambodia. The town offers a mix of local Khmer dishes, French influence, and international backpacker fare. Kampot pepper and seafood dominate local cuisine, and almost every decent place will have a pepper crab or squid dish worth trying.

Here is a solid shortlist of places to eat:

• Rikitikitavi: Riverside dining with local specialties and cold beers. Try their Kampot pepper chicken or crab curry.
• Twenty Three Bistro: One of the most consistently rated restaurants in town. Offers refined Western cuisine with seasonal twists. Great for date nights or just treating yourself.
• Khmer Root Cafe: Out past the pepper fields, this bamboo-and-thatch eatery is the real deal. Authentic Khmer dishes cooked over fire. Go for the fish amok or grilled squid with fresh green pepper.
• The Magic Sponge: Kampot institution serving Western comfort food. Bonus points for comedy nights and billiards.
• Happy Pizza: Not actually a place that serves “happy pizza” in the weird sense. Actually a great value and normal menu.
• Auberge du Soleil: High-end French fare in an atmospheric setting. Great steaks, solid wine list, and that post-colonial charm.
• Kampot Seafood And Pepper: This place is truly fine dining, but without the heavy hit to your wallet. Seafood as you would expect is your best bet here.

Kampot Guide to Nightlife

Kampot is not a party town in the traditional sense, but it knows how to get strange after dark. Riverside bars are usually the first stop. As the night drifts on, things move towards the jungle or deeper into the old town.

Live music, open mic nights, and secret cocktail dens are all part of the mix. Naga House is known for its riverside parties and reggae nights. Karma Traders often hosts rooftop DJs. Monkey Republic draws the backpacker crowd with cheap drinks and regular events.

And they even have a beer festival here!

Where to Stay in Kampot

Whether you want river views or party vibes, Kampot delivers. Most options are affordable and many come with personality.

Onederz Kampot

This place is frankly an institution! Great pool, with super friendly staff and punters.

Villa Vedici

Riverside resort with swimming pools, family bungalows, and kayaks.

Mad Monkey Hostel

Reliable chain with rooftop bar, social atmosphere, and regular events.

Pippali Boutique Hotel

Quiet and upmarket with stylish rooms near the riverside.

The Old Cinema

A restored colonial cinema turned guesthouse. Chic and quiet.

Getting In and Out of Kampot

Kampot is easily reached from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Kep. Minivans are the most common method, taking around three hours from Phnom Penh. Giant Ibis and Champa Mekong are popular companies.

There is also a train service to Phnom Penh. Slow but scenic, with retro charm and cheap tickets. If you are heading to Vietnam, the Ha Tien border crossing is about an hour away and offers an easy route to Phu Quoc Island or onward to Ho Chi Minh City.

Motorbike rental is widely available if you are doing your own overland trip. Just be prepared for the odd pothole and the usual Cambodian traffic surprises.

Kampot in Summar

Kampot is not a place to rush. This is where plans fall apart in the best way. A slow town where riverside beers turn into pepper crab dinners and late-night pool games. You can come here for a weekend but do not be surprised if you stay for a season.

Kampot Guide 2025 barely scratches the surface, but it should be enough to get you started. Whether you are here for the Kampot pepper, the seafood, the weird parties, or just to get off-grid for a while, you are in for something unique.

You can check out Kampot and beyond on one of our Cambodia Tours.

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