Best Things to Do in One Day in Kampot

🌞 Morning: Riverside Charm & Local Flavors
Start your day with breakfast by the river—try Café Espresso or another cozy riverside café. Don’t miss the chance to taste Kampot pepper–infused dishes to kick things off with a local twist.
After breakfast, take a walking tour of Kampot’s colonial architecture, admiring pastel French-style shophouses and soaking in the laid-back riverside vibe.

đź§€ Mid-Morning: Market & Plantation Discovery
Head to Kampot Central Market, a lively hub full of fresh produce, spices, textiles, and local snacks. Interact with friendly vendors and experience the town’s daily rhythm.
Next, visit a Kampot pepper farm, such as La Plantation, for a guided tour and tasting session of black, white, and red pepper. It’s a signature experience that connects you to the region’s agricultural heritage.

🍽 Lunch: Heartfelt Dining at Epic Arts Café
Enjoy a meaningful lunch at Epic Arts Café, a social enterprise that supports people with disabilities through creative arts and employment.
Their menu includes a mix of Western and Khmer dishes—favorites like the Epic Club Sandwich, banana flower salad, and refreshing smoothies. It’s a great place to relax, recharge, and support a good cause in the heart of Kampot.

🏞 Afternoon: Nature & Exploration
In the afternoon, choose one of these nature-based adventures depending on your interest:

Bokor National Park
Take a scenic drive or tuk-tuk up Bokor Mountain to explore mysterious French colonial ruins, cool forests, waterfalls, and panoramic views over the coast.

Phnom Chhnork Cave Temple
Step into history at a 7th-century cave temple hidden in limestone hills, featuring ancient brick carvings nestled inside a natural cave.

Kayak the “Green Cathedral”
Paddle through serene, tree-lined waterways just outside town. This quiet escape offers a peaceful connection with Kampot’s natural beauty.

🌅 Evening: Scenic Sunset & Culinary Delights
Around 5:00 PM, board a sunset river cruise along the Praek Tuek Chhu River. Watch the skies turn golden, enjoy the breeze, and look out for fireflies as evening sets in.
After the cruise, head to Fishmarket Restaurant or another riverside eatery for fresh seafood and a relaxing dinner ambiance.
End your day with a drink at a riverside bar like The Greenhouse or Nibi Spa, where you can sip a cocktail or enjoy a spa treatment with stunning views of the river.

Related Blog

The Sea Festival 2024, marking its 11th edition, will take place in Kampot province from December 13 to 15. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Heritage and Coastal Sustainability,” reflects the festival’s focus on honoring the region’s rich maritime traditions while highlighting the importance of preserving coastal environments. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant array of activities that celebrate both cultural heritage and sustainable practices.

Organized by a coalition including the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and the Provincial Administration of Kampot, the festival is supported by various institutions and private sector partners. This collaboration underscores a unified commitment to showcasing Cambodia’s maritime heritage and promoting coastal sustainability.

A significant highlight of the event will be the official Opening Ceremony on December 14, presided over by Prime Minister Hun Manet and First Lady Pich Chanmony. Their participation emphasizes the festival’s role in fostering national pride and cultural heritage while reinforcing the commitment to environmental stewardship.

The festival promises an exciting lineup of activities, including live concerts featuring local and international artists, vibrant performances, and spectacular fireworks displays. Visitors can also participate in sports competitions, explore exhibitions showcasing tourism and local products, and indulge in a variety of food and beverage offerings. These events aim to provide a comprehensive experience of Cambodia’s coastal culture and attractions.

Since its inception in 2011, the Sea Festival has been held in rotation across Cambodia’s four coastal provinces: Preah Sihanouk, Kep, Koh Kong, and Kampot. The festival aims to highlight the tourism potential of these regions while fostering collaboration among the private sector, public entities, and various stakeholders, ultimately encouraging efforts to protect and preserve marine resources and beach environments.

With a coastline spanning approximately 450 kilometers across these provinces, Cambodia boasts stunning natural beauty and diverse marine ecosystems. The country’s dedication to its coastal areas was further recognized when it joined the Most Beautiful Bays in the World (World-Bays Club) in mid-2011.

The Sea Festival 2024 aims to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Cambodia’s coastal regions while promoting sustainable tourism practices. By blending cultural festivities with environmental awareness, the festival seeks to enhance public understanding and involvement in preserving these vital natural resources.

This year’s event in Kampot promises to be a memorable celebration, combining entertainment, culture, and sustainability to highlight the beauty and significance of Cambodia’s coastal regions

We are incredibly honored to receive the Travelers Review Award 2025 from Booking.com! This recognition is a true testament to the dedication of our team at Sokchea Kampot Hotel and, most importantly, to the trust and support of our wonderful guests. We sincerely thank each and every guest who took the time to share their experiences and reviews on Booking.com. Your kind words and valuable feedback inspire us to continuously improve and provide the best hospitality possible.

At Sokchea Kampot Hotel, we are committed to offering warm and welcoming stays, ensuring every guest enjoys a peaceful retreat by the beautiful riverside of Kampot. Whether you visit for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or simply a relaxing escape, we take great pride in delivering exceptional service and unforgettable moments.

This award motivates us to strive for even greater excellence in the years to come. Thank you again to Booking.com for this prestigious recognition and to all our guests for making this achievement possible. We look forward to welcoming you again soon and creating more memorable experiences together!

Travelers Review Award

Kampot Pepper is a highly regarded pepper variety grown in the Kampot Province of Cambodia. The region’s unique climate, soil, and traditional cultivation methods contribute to the exceptional quality of Kampot Pepper. Kampot Pepper farms can be found throughout the province, particularly in the foothills of the nearby Elephant Mountains.

The pepper plants thrive in Kampot’s tropical climate, characterized by a distinct rainy season and dry season. The soil in this region is rich in minerals and well-drained, providing optimal conditions for pepper cultivation.

Kampot Pepper farms typically cultivate the pepper vines using traditional methods, with careful attention paid to every stage of the growing process. Farmers often train the pepper vines to climb up wooden poles or trellises, allowing for proper air circulation and sunlight exposure.

Harvesting usually takes place during the dry season when the pepper berries are fully ripe. Workers handpick the ripe pepper berries, which are then sorted and processed. The berries are typically sun-dried to preserve their flavor and aroma before being packed for sale.

Visitors to Kampot Province can explore Kampot Pepper farms to learn about the cultivation techniques and the unique characteristics of this renowned pepper variety. Many farms offer guided tours where visitors can see the pepper vines, learn about the harvesting process, and even participate in pepper-picking activities. These tours often include tasting sessions where visitors can sample different varieties of Kampot Pepper and purchase freshly harvested pepper products to take home.

Kampot, known for its lush landscapes and agricultural richness, is indeed home to several durian farms. Durian, famously dubbed the “king of fruits,” thrives in the region’s tropical climate, making Kampot an ideal location for cultivating this unique and pungent fruit.

Visiting a durian farm in Kampot offers travelers the opportunity to experience firsthand the cultivation and harvesting process of this iconic fruit. Depending on the farm, visitors may be able to participate in guided tours where they can learn about durian cultivation techniques, explore the orchards, and even taste freshly harvested durians.

In addition to durians, many farms in Kampot also cultivate other fruits such as mangoes, rambutans, and pomelos, providing a diverse agricultural experience for visitors.

Kampot Durian, renowned for its unique flavor and aroma, typically ripens and becomes available for harvest during the durian season, which generally spans from May to September. However, the exact timing can vary depending on weather conditions and the specific variety of durian being cultivated.

During the durian season, you’ll find an abundance of this prized fruit at local markets, roadside stalls, and durian farms throughout Kampot and the surrounding regions. Many farmers also offer durian tasting experiences, allowing visitors to sample different varieties and learn more about this beloved fruit.

Looking for the accommodation in kampot, look no further than Sokchea Kampot Hotel.

 

Khmer New Year, or Choul Chnam Thmey, is one of the most significant and joyous celebrations in Cambodia, marking the transition to the new year according to the traditional Buddhist calendar. In 2025, the festival will take place from April 14 to 16, bringing families, communities, and visitors together for three days of vibrant festivities, cultural traditions, and religious ceremonies. The celebrations begin with Maha Sangkran, the first day when people clean their homes, wear traditional Khmer clothing, and visit pagodas to offer prayers and seek blessings for the new year. The second day, Veareak Vanabat, is dedicated to acts of charity, as families donate food and essential items to monks, the elderly, and those in need, reflecting the spirit of kindness and generosity that defines the holiday. The final day, Veareak Leung Sakk, is marked by Buddha bathing ceremonies, symbolizing purification and renewal, and is a time for families to gather, share meals, and engage in traditional games and celebrations. Across Cambodia, cities, towns, and villages come alive with joyful activities, including cultural performances, music, and traditional games such as Chol Chhoung and Bos Angkunh, which bring communities together in playful competition. The highlight of Khmer New Year in 2025 will be the Angkor Sankranta Festival in Siem Reap, a large-scale cultural event hosted at Angkor Wat and other key locations, where visitors can experience traditional dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, and culinary showcases that celebrate Cambodia’s rich heritage. As one of the most anticipated festivals of the year, Khmer New Year is a time of reflection, gratitude, and renewal, where people honor their ancestors, strengthen family bonds, and welcome the future with optimism and joy. Whether in the bustling streets of Phnom Penh, the historic temples of Siem Reap, or the tranquil countryside, the spirit of the festival unites Cambodians in a shared expression of culture, happiness, and national pride.

 

The installation of the new seahorse statue in Kampot province is indeed a wonderful addition to the beauty and charm of Kampot City. Not only does it enhance the aesthetic appeal of the area, but it also serves as a symbol of the region’s rich marine biodiversity and cultural heritage.

For tourists, the seahorse statue offers a unique photo opportunity and a memorable landmark to visit during their exploration of Kampot. Its presence highlights the importance of marine conservation and serves as a reminder of the need to protect and preserve the natural environment, including the fascinating sea creatures that inhabit it.

Moreover, the seahorse statue can play a role in raising awareness about the conservation of seahorses and other marine species among locals and visitors alike. By drawing attention to these captivating animals, it encourages people to learn more about them and to contribute to efforts aimed at their protection.

Overall, the new seahorse statue adds to the allure of Kampot City while promoting environmental stewardship and appreciation for the wonders of marine life. It serves as a beacon of conservation and a testament to the beauty and importance of our oceans and seas.