Where to stay in Kampot, Cambodia: riverside vs town
August 6, 2025 · by Sébastien Joumel
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.
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.