Kratié is a provincial town with the quiet charm of the towns along the river. And what a river! The Mekong, the mythical Mekong. Walking along it, admiring the sunset, taking a boat ride, in contemplation... And then, riding a bike, looking for the freshwater dolphin, going across to be an explorer on the island of Koh Trong. Between action and contemplation, you just have to choose.

Kratié: facing the Mekong, where Irrawaddy dolphins swim

Tonlé Sap is definitely one of the essential places to visit when exploring Cambodia. To really do it properly and get the most out of the experience, you need to meet the people who inhabit this floating world, head out with the fishermen in their dugout canoes, and discover the myriad different species of birds that inhabit the lake environment. And you can do all this safe in the knowledge that your presence here will actually be of benefit to the people of Tonlé Sap.

Tonlé Sap: socially and environmentally responsible tourism

The town of Kep was the settlers' seaside resort during the time of French occupation, and Kampot was a famous coastal town. Today, these two cities keep their authentic charm and recall this period in Cambodia's history.

Kep and Kampot, Cambodia's last colonial towns

Don't just visit the temples of Angkor. It's really worth it to spend several days in Siem Reap, to enjoy its many activities and the beauty of its countrysides. Recommended for athletic people, and also for a family trip to Cambodia! 

Activities often overlooked in Siem Reap

Stung Treng

Banteay Srei

Phnum Kulén

Sen Moronom

Kampot is known for its beautiful colonial architecture and for its pepper. 

Asia

Cambodia

Kampot

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Middle East

Oceania

I immediately liked Kampot: it's a nice quiet city, and lively at the same time. It is very cosmopolitan: many expatriates live in beautiful harmony with the locals. I also found that you eat very well in Kampot, as many restaurants with various flavours blend together.  When it comes to activities, for sports travel enthusiasts, one can really have fun on the river by spending a morning kayaking, and then enjoying the afternoon on a boat admiring the sunset. Several boats await your arrival and depart around 4 p.m. for a trip.  The nearby caves are also worth a family outing.  In my opinion, Kampot is a city that's worth the side trip during a <a href="/cambodia/">trip to Cambodia</a>: a quad ride, a day of climbing or a cooking class to learn how to cook the famous Kampot pepper crab are all unique activities that made my stay in Kampot really enjoyable.

Kampot is known for its beautiful colonial architecture and for its pepper.

I arrived in Kampot late in the day,  after a few hours on a bus from Siem Reap. I had heard about the super guesthouses located outside the city along the river. But alas, they were all full. So I went back to the town centre. Kampot's city centre is nice, having a strange roundabout with a huge durian standing in the centre. There are lots of nice restaurants, including the very chic Rikitikitavi, if you want to drink some good cocktails in the light of the lanterns.  The next day, I took a trip by tuk-tuk to see the famous pepper producers before heading to Kep. I wanted to see Bokor National Park, but several travellers I encountered along the way changed my mind about doing that. Since a luxury hotel was built, the places have lost their charm and character. It's too bad, because the jungle and the little French church <a href="/cambodia/">seemed like a beautiful Cambodian destination!</a>

Like Kep, Kampot is a charming village where time seems to have stood still, and a place where you can enjoy the star of local cultural heritage: the pepper that made the village famous.

Kampot Holidays

Kampot: How to get there?

Kampot: See when to go?

Kampot: For how long?

Kampot: What to see nearby?

Cambodia: our articles for your holidays