1. Kep Municipality (Krong Kep)
Kep City is a dreamy seaside retreat reborn from its 1960s heyday as Cambodia’s French Riviera. Crumbling modernist villas covered in bougainvillea line the coastal road, while the iconic Crab Market buzzes with fishermen unloading blue swimmer crabs straight onto charcoal grills. Fresh squid, prawns, and fish amok are served on waterfront platforms as waves lap beneath your feet. By day, the shady Kep Beach and nearby Kep National Park trails offer gentle walks with Gulf of Thailand views; by night, fairy-lit restaurants and boutique bungalows create one of Cambodia’s most romantic atmospheres. The giant white crab statue at the roundabout welcomes every visitor to this tiny slice of coastal paradise.
2. Damnak Chang’aeur District
Just inland and along the coast from Kep City, Damnak Chang’aeur is the gateway to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island)—a 20-minute boat ride to rustic paradise. Powdery white sand, turquoise water, and simple wooden bungalows with hammocks make it the ultimate place to unplug. Back on the mainland, pepper plantations dot the foothills (Kep pepper is among the world’s finest), and hidden salt fields shimmer pink at sunset. Quiet roads wind past lotus ponds and tiny fishing villages, perfect for scooter exploration or lazy bicycle rides. This district keeps Kep’s signature laid-back magic while feeling even sleepier and more untouched than the city itself.