> Where to stay in Kampot — riverside bungalows, the colonial old town or near Bokor Mountain — compared by vibe, budget and who each area suits, with practical booking tips.

*Source : https://hotels4travelers.com/blog/where-to-stay-in-kampot/*

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# Where to stay in Kampot, Cambodia: riverside vs town

August 6, 2025 · by Sébastien Joumel

![Where to stay in Kampot, Cambodia: riverside vs town](https://hotels4travelers.com/img/kampot/hero.jpg)

Sleepy, green and laced with crumbling French-colonial charm, Kampot is Cambodia's slow-travel darling. The big decision is whether to sleep on the river among the bungalows and hammocks, or in the walkable old town. Here's how to choose.

Quick picks

-   **Best for chilling:** the riverside — bungalows, sunsets, kayaks.
-   **Best for walkability:** the old town — cafés, bars, night market.
-   **Typical prices:** hostels from ~$8, boutiques ~$40–80.

## Riverside — bungalows & sunsets

Strung along the Praek Tuek Chhu river west of town, the riverside is Kampot’s signature: wooden bungalows over the water, hammocks, kayaks and spectacular sunsets behind Bokor Mountain. It’s the most relaxing base, and where many of the characterful stays sit — places like **Les Manguiers**, **Villa Vedici** and a string of laid-back guesthouses.

The trade-off is you’ll need a short tuk-tuk (or a scooter) into town for dinner and the market.

## The old town — walkable & social

Kampot’s compact colonial centre puts you steps from riverside cafés, craft-beer bars, the night market and tour operators. **Rikitikitavi** is the long-standing boutique favourite here. Choose town if you want to walk everywhere and like a bit of buzz in the evening.

**Tip:** Renting a scooter (a few dollars a day) makes either base effortless — you can stay riverside for the calm and zip into town whenever you like.

## Near Bokor & the pepper farms

A few retreats and farm-stays sit out toward Bokor National Park and the famous Kampot pepper plantations — good for nature and total quiet, but you’ll be reliant on transport.

## Where to stay by budget

-   **Backpacker:** riverside hostels and dorms from ~$8–15.
-   **Mid-range:** boutique guesthouses and bungalows ~$40–80.
-   **Top end:** a handful of boutique riverside retreats above ~$90.

## Kampot FAQ

### Is it better to stay in town or on the river in Kampot?

The river for relaxation and scenery, the old town for walkability and nightlife. With a scooter, riverside gives you the best of both.

### How many days do you need in Kampot?

Two to three nights — enough for the river, a Bokor trip and a pepper-farm visit.

## Compare hotels in Kampot

Browse stays and live prices across Kampot and our other off-the-radar destinations on our [destinations page](https://hotels4travelers.com/destinations/).

[→ Compare hotels across all our destinations](https://hotels4travelers.com/destinations/)

SJ

Written & researched by Sébastien Joumel Entrepreneur and travel enthusiast · founder of Hotels4Travelers

I personally research the destinations we cover — comparing prices, reading reviews and digging into neighbourhoods — to help you travel smarter, off the beaten track.