Top Things To Do in Kampot, Cambodia

Kampot has a way of slowing people down. You’ll hear the same story over and over: “I was only going to stay two nights, but…” Suddenly it’s a week later and you’re still sitting by the river. The mix of lazy days, random adventures, and cheap eats makes it one of the best stops in Cambodia.

Here’s a no-nonsense guide to the top things to do in Kampot, written the way backpackers actually talk about it.

Contents

1. Cruise the Kampot River

Start with the river—it’s the center of everything. Jump on a sunset cruise with a cold beer in hand and watch the sky turn orange behind the mountains. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch fireflies sparkling in the trees after dark.

Cruise the Kampot river at sunset, photo courtesy of Aritra Roy

2. Kayak the Green Cathedral

Just upriver from town, the “Green Cathedral” is a loop of water surrounded by overhanging trees. Rent a kayak, paddle slowly, and let the jungle close in around you. It’s quiet, shady, and one of the most peaceful spots near Kampot.

3. Head Up Bokor Mountain

If you’ve got a scooter, ride up Bokor. The road winds past waterfalls, jungle, and abandoned French buildings. At the top there’s a huge Buddha looking out over the coast. It’s spooky, beautiful, and a solid break from the heat down in town.

Explore the old church on Bokor Mountain, photo courtesy of Aritra Roy

4. Visit a Pepper Farm

Kampot pepper is world-famous. Go see why. Farms like La Plantation will walk you through how it’s grown and let you taste the different types. It’s not just “black and white pepper”—there’s red, green, and they all taste different. Plus, the views on the ride out are worth the trip alone.

5. Check Out the Salt Fields

Just outside town you’ll see wide, flat fields where locals harvest salt by hand. It’s simple work but fascinating to watch. Go at sunrise or sunset if you want the best photos.

See locals harvest salt by hand, photo courtesy of Canva

6. Drift Around Kampot Town

The town itself is tiny, but that’s the charm. Old colonial buildings, riverside cafés, and enough coffee shops to keep you buzzing. Spend a morning wandering, grab a cheap lunch, and end up at the river for sundown.

7. Cycle to Secret Lake

Rent a bike or scooter and ride out to Secret Lake (Brateak Krola Lake). It’s a wide, quiet lake surrounded by rice fields and mountains, perfect for a break from town. The ride there takes you along back roads through villages, where you’ll get smiles and waves from locals.

8. Take a Day Trip to Kep

Kep is only half an hour away. People go there for crab, usually cooked with—you guessed it—Kampot pepper. After you eat, wander the little beach or take a boat to Rabbit Island for a rustic day out.

Feast on pepper crab in Kep, photo courtesy of Tobias Tullius

9. Explore Some Caves

Hop on a scooter and head out to Phnom Chhnork or Phnom Sorsia. One has a brick temple hidden inside, the other has shrines and monkeys. Both are easy to reach on two wheels, and locals often act as guides for a small tip.

10. Slow Down

Honestly? One of the best things to do in Kampot is nothing at all. Hang in a hammock, read by the river, or spend the whole afternoon playing cards at your hostel. It’s that kind of place.

Why Everyone Stays Longer

Kampot isn’t about checking off a list. It’s about the vibe. You’ll have days where you climb mountains or explore caves, and others where you barely leave your hostel. Both feel perfect here.

That’s why backpackers keep saying: “I was only going to stay two nights…”