Kep, Cambodia Travel Guide

Discover Kep, Cambodia's tranquil coastal gem, known for its lush landscapes, delectable seafood, and historical charm. Perfect for a relaxing getaway.

Nestled along Cambodia's southern coastline, Kep is a serene seaside retreat known for its lush landscapes and tranquil beaches. Once a French colonial resort town, it offers a blend of historical charm and natural beauty. Visitors can stroll along the Kep National Park trails, where they'll be treated to stunning views of the coastline and the surrounding hills. Kep is famous for its fresh seafood, particularly the delectable blue crabs, which you can savor at the local crab market. The town's laid-back atmosphere makes it a perfect destination for those looking to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of busier tourist spots. The nearby Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) is just a short boat ride away, offering pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters ideal for snorkeling and swimming. The town also boasts a number of quaint guesthouses and boutique hotels, providing comfortable accommodations amidst beautiful settings. Whether you're exploring the local markets, enjoying the coastal views, or simply relaxing by the sea, Kep promises a memorable and refreshing experience.

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Kep.

Visit the crab market early in the morning to see the freshest catches and enjoy the best selection of seafood.
Rent a motorbike to explore Kep National Park and its scenic trails at your own pace.
Take a day trip to Rabbit Island for a peaceful beach experience away from the crowds.
Bring cash, as many local businesses do not accept credit cards.
Try the local Kampot pepper, a regional specialty that pairs perfectly with Kep's seafood.

Explore Kep: Things to Do, Places to Eat, Hotels & More

Handpicked recommendations for top attractions, local dining, accommodations, and more

Best attractions in Kep

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Phú Quốc

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4.4

Kep Crab Market

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4.1

Starfish Beach

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Popokvil Waterfall

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Best landmarks in Kep

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Bokor Catholic Church

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4.3

Bokor Hill Station

Explore Bokor Hill Station: a historic French retreat with stunning views, abandoned colonial buildings, and natural beauty in Cambodia's Bokor National Park.

4.3

Chhak Kep Bay

Discover the serene beauty of Chhak Kep Bay, Cambodia: a tranquil escape with clear waters, lush landscapes, and authentic Khmer flavors, perfect for relaxation and exploration.

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Holy Crab

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Best restaurants in Kep

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Kimly Seafood Restaurant

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The Sailing Club Restaurant in Kep

Experience exquisite dining at The Sailing Club Restaurant in Kep - where fresh seafood meets stunning ocean views.

4.5

Holy Crab

Experience the exquisite flavors of fresh crab at Holy Crab in Krong Kaeb – a seafood lover's paradise awaits!

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Saravoan Kep Hotel . Restaurant . Bar . Coffee

Experience unparalleled comfort and exquisite dining at Saravoan Kep Hotel - your gateway to coastal Cambodia.

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Best bars in Kep

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The Sailing Club Restaurant in Kep

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Saravoan Kep Hotel . Restaurant . Bar . Coffee

Discover Saravoan Kep, where the beauty of the coast meets exceptional dining and hospitality in Krong Kaeb.

4.3

Kep Sur Mer Restaurant

Discover the flavors of Cambodia at Kep Sur Mer Restaurant, where fresh seafood meets breathtaking coastal views in a delightful dining experience.

4.7

The Wave - Kep West Restaurant in Kep

Experience the culinary delights of The Wave - Kep West Restaurant, where fresh seafood meets breathtaking views in the heart of Kep.

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Best nightclubs in Kep

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The Sailing Club Restaurant in Kep

Experience exceptional coastal dining at The Sailing Club Restaurant in Kep, where fresh seafood meets breathtaking sea views.

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Saravoan Kep Hotel . Restaurant . Bar . Coffee

Discover the serene charm of Saravoan Kep, a delightful hotel, restaurant, bar, and coffee shop nestled in the tranquil beauty of Krong Kaeb.

4.3

Kep Lodge

Discover tranquility and culinary delights at Kep Lodge, a serene escape in Cambodia’s stunning coastal paradise.

4.3

Le bouchon de Kep

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Best shops in Kep

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Kep Crab Market

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Veranda Natural Resort

Experience unparalleled luxury and serene landscapes at Veranda Natural Resort in Kep, Cambodia, your perfect retreat for relaxation and adventure.

4.5

Sothy's Pepper Farm

Sothy's Pepper Farm: Explore Kampot's organic farming, savor authentic Cambodian cuisine, and immerse yourself in the local culture.

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BoTree Farm

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Explore Kep on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Kep, mapped for you.

Kep Essentials

Kep is located on the southern coast of Cambodia, about 160 kilometers from the capital city, Phnom Penh. The most common way to reach Kep is by road. You can take a bus, minivan, or taxi from Phnom Penh, with the journey typically taking around 3 to 4 hours. There are also direct buses from other cities such as Sihanoukville and Kampot. If you prefer a more scenic route, renting a car or motorbike can offer additional flexibility.
Kep is a small town, and many attractions are within walking distance. For longer trips, you can hire tuk-tuks or motorbike taxis, which are readily available and relatively inexpensive. Renting a bicycle or motorbike is also a popular option for exploring Kep and the surrounding areas at your own pace. Public buses are not common within Kep, so private transport options are generally more reliable.
The official currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel (KHR), but the US Dollar (USD) is widely accepted. Credit cards are accepted in some hotels, restaurants, and shops, but it is advisable to carry cash, especially in smaller establishments. ATMs are available in Kep, but it is a good idea to withdraw enough cash before arriving to ensure you have sufficient funds for your stay.
Kep is generally a safe destination for tourists, but it is always advisable to take standard precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places. While Kep has a low crime rate, it is best to stay vigilant. Be cautious of beach areas at night and avoid leaving valuables unattended.
In case of emergency, dial 117 for police assistance and 119 for medical emergencies. Kep has a local police station and a small clinic for basic medical needs. For more serious medical issues, you may need to travel to Phnom Penh or Kampot. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies in Kep can provide over-the-counter medications for minor health issues.
Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always remove your shoes and cover your shoulders when entering temples. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers if using shared transport. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a slight bow or a traditional Cambodian greeting (Sampeah) with palms together. Eating & Drinking: Do try local seafood delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don’t refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.
To experience Kep like a local, visit the crab market where you can buy fresh seafood and have it cooked on the spot. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about Kep’s history and culture. Don’t miss a visit to Kep National Park for hiking and stunning views of the coastline. For a unique experience, take a boat trip to Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) for a day of relaxation and snorkeling.

When is the best time to visit Kep?

With Eve

Useful Local Phrases for Kep

You don't need to speak the language perfectly. Even learning a few simple words can make conversations warmer—and locals usually appreciate the effort.

— Eve

6 phrase groups English + pronunciation

Here are the phrases I use most often in Kep. Try a few—you'll be surprised how far they go! 😊
❤️

- Helloសួស្តី
  [suo-sdai]
- Goodbyeលាស់អរិយា
  [leah-ak-ie]
- Yesបាទ/យល់
  [baat/yal]
- Noទេ
  [te]
- Please/You're welcomeសូម
  [soum]
- Thank youអរិយយ៉ាង
  [ak-ie-aang]
- Excuse me/Sorryសូមអត់
  [soum-at]
- How are you?អ្នកបានប៉ុន្មាន?
  [nak-ban-bon-man?]
- Fine. And you?ល្អរួមៗ អ្នកប៉ុន្មាន?
  [la-oum-oum nak-bon-man?]
- Do you speak English?អ្នកនៅមានភាសាអង់គ្លេសទេ?
  [nak-naw-man-pha-sa-ang-kei-te?]
- I don't understandខ្ញុំមិនយល់
  [knhom-min-yal]
- I'd like to see the menu, pleaseខ្ញុំចង់មើលម៉ៅសម្រាប់អត់
  [knhom-chong-meu-meu-sam-rop-at]
- I don't eat meatខ្ញុំមិននៅបាញ
  [knhom-min-naw-ban]
- Cheers!ជរើស!
  [chou-ey]
- I would like to pay, pleaseខ្ញុំចង់បង់ប្រាក់មួយសម្រាប់អត់
  [knhom-chong-bon-bra-kay-mouy-sam-rop-at]
- Help!ជួយ!
  [chouy]
- Go away!ចាប់បាត់!
  [chap-bat]
- Call the Police!ហាត់សមាគម!
  [hat-somakom]
- Call a doctor!ហាត់វេជ្ជបណ្ឌ!
  [hat-vechak-pandok]
- I'm lostខ្ញុំខិតថាម
  [knhom-kte-ma]
- I'm illខ្ញុំជាក់សំណើស
  [knhom-chak-som-nom]
- I'd like to buy...ខ្ញុំចង់ទិញ...
  [knhom-chong-tin]
- I'm just lookingខ្ញុំតែមើលប៉ុន្មាន
  [knhom-te-meul-bon-man]
- How much is it?តើឱ្យតើចំនួនប៉ុន្មាន?
  [tei-yey-ta-mun-bon-man?]
- That's too expensiveនេះគ្មានតិច
  [neh-kme-n-teuk]
- Can you lower the price?ឈារបង់តិចខ្ញុំបានទេ?
  [cha-bon-teuk-knhom-ban-te?]
- What time is it?ម៉ោងខ្វះ?
  [meoung-kveah]
- It's one o'clockវ៉ារបុញ្ញរមួយ
  [voa-bon-nor-mouy]
- Half past (10)មួយទិត្តន្ទទីបួន
  [mouy-teat-nort-teuk-bun]
- Morningព្រឹក
  [preuk]
- Afternoonល្ងាច
  [lngeach]
- Eveningយប់រឹត
  [yab-reut]
- Yesterdayម្សិលសិប
  [msul-sop]
- Todayថ្ងៃនេះ
  [tngay-neh]
- Tomorrowថ្ងៃស្អែ
  [tngay-sae]
- 1មួយ
  [mouy]
- 2ពីរ
  [pii]
- 3បី
  [bei]
- 4បួន
  [bun]
- 5ប្រាំ
  [braam]
- 6ប្រាំង
  [braam-prong]
- 7បាញ
  [banh]
- 8បីបួន
  [bei-bun]
- 9កៅ
  [kaw]
- 10ដប់
  [dop]
- Where's a/the...?ទទួលយ៉ាង...
  [toul-yang]
- What's the address?អាសយដ្ឋានអត់?
  [as-yat-tean-at]
- Can you show me (on the map)?តើអ្នកអាចបង់បង់ខ្ញុំបានទេ?
  [tei-nak-ach-bon-bon-knhom-ban-te?]
- When's the next (bus)?នៅនឹងរយរយថ្ងៃទៅ?
  [naw-nung-ro-rey-tngay-tei]
- A ticket (to ....)សំបករ...
  [sombak-ah]

History of Kep

Kep's history dates back to the early 1900s during the French colonial period. Originally known as Kep-sur-Mer, it was established as a seaside resort town for the French elite. The influence of French architecture is still evident in some of the decaying villas scattered throughout the town. This era marked the beginning of Kep's development as a notable destination for leisure and relaxation.
The 1960s were considered the golden age for Kep. Under the rule of King Norodom Sihanouk, the town flourished as a premiere holiday destination for the Cambodian elite. Luxury villas and modernist architecture were constructed, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the coastline. Kep's reputation as a glamorous getaway reached its peak during this period.
Kep's fortunes changed dramatically with the rise of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. The town suffered greatly during this period, as many of its inhabitants were forced to flee, and its infrastructure was left to decay. The once-thriving resort town became a ghost town, with many of its buildings falling into ruin. This dark chapter in Kep's history is still visible today in the remnants of abandoned structures.
Following the end of the Khmer Rouge regime, Kep began to slowly rebuild. Efforts to restore the town's former glory have been ongoing since the 1990s. The Cambodian government and private investors have focused on developing tourism infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants, and other amenities, to attract both domestic and international visitors. Today, Kep is known for its serene beaches, fresh seafood, and tranquil atmosphere.
Kep is a melting pot of various cultural influences, including Khmer, French, and Vietnamese. The town is renowned for its seafood, particularly the famous Kep crab, often prepared with locally grown Kampot pepper. Traditional Khmer festivals and rituals are also an integral part of life in Kep, providing visitors with a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of the region. The local markets and temples offer an authentic experience of Cambodian culture and heritage.
Kep is not only known for its historical and cultural significance but also for its natural beauty. The Kep National Park, with its lush forests and diverse wildlife, is a popular destination for hiking and nature walks. Conservation efforts have been implemented to protect the park's ecosystem and promote sustainable tourism. Additionally, the nearby Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) offers pristine beaches and a glimpse into traditional island life, making it a favorite spot for day trips.