Kampot Province
Things to Do in Kampot
About Kampot
Kampot has long been a small river town built on trade and local produce. Today, it maintains that rural importance.
The town’s old French colonial homes line the streets, but tourists today come to see the countryside: mountains, rivers, waterfalls, farms, caves, and more. In the early 2000s, as Cambodia stabilized after its civil war, tourism came back to Kampot. At the time, the abandoned ruins on Bokor were its only real tourist attraction.
There’s more to see than just Old Kampot town. This selection of half- or full-day trips will get you out into the best that Kampot has to offer: its countryside.
But Kampot is more than this list of destinations. For bookable tours, cooking classes, and other experiences, check out our full directory of Kampot experiences.
Countryside & farms
Salt and pepper have become tourist favorites in Kampot. Kampot’s world-famous pepper has won awards around the world, and visiting one of the farms has become a must-do activity here. While Kampot salt doesn’t have the same distinction, the photogenic scenes of farmers raking salt into piles on the mirror-like salt pans have made it a popular stop on the countryside loop.
Caves, temples & mountains
Long before the Khmer Empire began, the Kampot region was home to the Funan and Chenla empires. The mountains, limestone hills, and caves have long held spiritual importance for the Khmer. The ancient Hindu shrines, stunning landscapes, and modern Buddhist and animistic spaces are a wonderful way to see both the natural and spiritual sides of Kampot.
Bokor Mountain
A high 1,000-metre plateau of mist, historic French ruins, royal retreats, and panoramic views above the Gulf of Thailand.
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Cave Temples
Pre-Angkorian cave temples and cave trips just beyond Kampot.
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Kampong Trach
Limestone hills, cave temples, and rural roads make this one of the strongest day trips from Kampot.
ExploreRiver & water
Cambodia has always had a deep relationship with water. From its mythological beginnings to the hydraulic city of Angkor Wat, every aspect of Khmer life has been built on, around, and depends upon its water. Kampot is no exception. With its rivers, canals, and waterfalls, exploring Kampot by water, especially in the heat of the high season, is a favorite for locals and tourists alike.
River Cruises
Sunset and eco-tours on the Kampot River, from classic firefly cruises to mangrove and community boat trips.
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Green Cathedral
A shaded canal loop of dense canopy, best explored by kayak from Kampot.
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Kampot Waterfalls
Seasonal waterfall trips near Kampot, from forest walks and quiet pools to Bokor's plateau waterfall.
ExploreCoast & islands
Before the 1960s, Kampot and Kep were the only easily accessible coastlines in Cambodia. It was the French who turned the area into a playground for the colonial elite and, after independence, King Sihanouk continued to promote and develop it as a tropical seaside paradise. This glamorous era would not survive the Khmer Rouge period. Since then, Cambodia has been working to rebuild the area as a seaside destination for both local and foreign tourists.
Local experiences, tours, and classes
For bookable local experiences, use the local partners directory. It includes walking tours, countryside tours, cooking classes, boat trips, homestays, and other offerings that work well with the places on this page.