Kep★★
Kep — Crabs, Ruins, and Sea View
Kep (formerly "Kep-sur-Mer") was once the Saint-Tropez of Southeast Asia: In the 1960s, Cambodia's elite and French colonial officials built luxurious villas with sea views here. Then the Khmer Rouge came and destroyed almost everything. Today, the villa ruins, overgrown by jungle, are one of Cambodia's most fascinating sights.
Highlights
- Crab Market: THE reason for a visit to Kep. Right by the water, fishermen sell freshly caught crabs, prepared before your eyes with Kampot pepper. A portion of Pepper Crab: 4–6 USD. With rice and a cold beer. Seafood heaven.
- Kep Beach: A small, crescent-shaped sandy beach, newly replenished and clean. Not spectacular, but pleasant for swimming. Free sun loungers.
- Kep National Park: 50 km² of rainforest right behind the town. Hiking trails (Led Zep Trail: 8 km, 3h), viewpoints overlooking the Gulf of Thailand and the Vietnamese island Phu Quoc. Entrance: 1 USD.
- Day Trip: Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay): 25 min. by boat (7 USD return). Tiny island with a few bamboo bungalows (5–8 USD/night), hammocks, and a beautiful beach. Perfect for a lazy day. Bring cash — there is no ATM.
💡 Tipp
Kep and Kampot are only 25 km apart (Tuk-Tuk 7–8 USD, moped 30 min.) and can be perfectly combined. Stay in Kampot (better selection, more atmosphere) and make a day trip to Kep for the crab market and the national park.
