Kampot: a riverside town on Cambodia's south coast

Kampot is a small provincial town in southern Cambodia, built along a river and lined with French-era shophouses. It moves slowly, and that is most of the appeal.

Places to see Bokor Mountain

Sunset over the Praek Tuek Chhu river in Kampot — Photo: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Around the river town

Landmarks you will pass within a few minutes of the old bridge.

The Durian Roundabout in Kampot

Entanou Bridge

Kampot Market Guide

Kampot Salt Fields

Kampot Pepper

Firefly Cruise on the Kampot River

The Seahorse Sculpture on Kampot's Riverfront

Pagodas and Temples in Kampot

Kampot Provincial Museum

River Beach

The town in brief

Kampot is the capital of Kampot Province, on Cambodia's southern coast. It is small enough to cover on foot or by bicycle, and the days here tend to follow the river: fishing boats moored along the water, a boardwalk for evening walks, and cafés and guesthouses facing the bank.

The streets of the centre are narrow and winding, with colourful markets, small artisan shops and plenty of places to eat. Nothing here demands a tight schedule. Most visitors stay longer than they planned.

Getting your bearings: river and centre

The river is the best reference point. The town sits on its banks, and two bridges cross it: the Old Bridge and the newer Kampong Bay Bridge. Walking the riverside takes you past the new seahorse sculpture, a recent addition that has become one of the town's photo spots.

In the centre, the Durian Roundabout is the landmark that tourists and locals alike use to say where they are meeting. Other roundabouts, statues and monuments are scattered around town, so it is easy to navigate by them once you have seen a few.

Walk the riverside boardwalk in the late afternoon, when it is cooler.
Cross the Old Bridge for a look back at the waterfront.
Use the Durian Roundabout as your meeting point.

Entanou Bridge, the old bridge of Kampot in Cambodia — Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day trips from Kampot

Mountain air, crab shacks and islands, all within reach of a morning departure.

Bokor Mountain and National Park

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Popokvil Waterfall on Bokor Mountain

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Kep Crab Market

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A short history

The area has a long past. Archaeological evidence traced to the Funan and Chenla periods dates settlement here as far back as the 1st century AD. Its position on the coast made it a trading hub for successive empires.

In the late 19th century Kampot became part of French Indochina. The colonial legacy is still visible in the old town, where French-era buildings stand beside Khmer architecture. The mix is much of what gives the centre its look.

What to see and do

Much of the pleasure is in simply wandering. You will pass fishing boats on the river, locals shopping at traditional markets where you can try local food, and colonial facades with a century or more of wear on them.

Beyond the walking, the surrounding area has several things worth a half day each:

The salt fields outside town
The Kamchay dam
A firefly cruise on the river after dark
The provincial museum and the town's pagoda
Beach areas, including the river beach

Where to sleep and eat

Accommodation covers most budgets: luxury resorts, boutique hotels and simple homestays. Staying near the river keeps you close to the walking route and the evening food options.

For eating, the town has a lively local food scene, from market stalls to dedicated food streets. Browse the dining options once you know which part of town you will be based in.

Bokor and Kep

Two outings come up in almost every Kampot itinerary. Bokor is a mountain plateau west of town, popular for its views over the coast. Kep, a short trip along the coast, is known as a seaside destination and makes an easy day out from Kampot.

Both are straightforward to reach from town, and many guesthouses can help arrange transport.