Kep used to be a very popular seaside resort town in the 1960s. Nowadays, however, most of the beautiful buildings in Kep are in ruins, and it is now only known for its crab which is reportedly the best in the region.
Things to Do in Kep
Aside from dining in the seafood shacks, one can also indulge in a little sightseeing in Kep—if looking at abandoned ruins can be called that. There is a track near the bus station leading to the ruins of colonial buildings, and seeing those may be a good reminder of what Kep had been before the war laid waste to it.
The Kep Mountain also offers trekking opportunities. A service road going around it is an 8km loop, and from the trail, one can see beautiful views, old pagodas and the occasional wildlife. The climb is not that hard, even for non-climbers. Biking is also an alternative, and one can rent a bike from Kep or Kampot. Use mosquito repellant though, as well as sunscreen.
There is also a small beach in Kep, although the sand is a bit coarse and the water is shallow. Swimming is okay, but the best thing to do here is to have a beachside meal of fresh seafood. There are numerous vendors along the road behind and in front of the beach. During weekends, there are a lot of locals who descend on Kep to enjoy the crabs and other seafood.
Things to Remember When Visiting Kep
While Kep is starting to enjoy a revival of its heyday, it still remains a small, quiet town with nothing much to offer in terms of excitement. There are a few hotels and restaurants, and some do offer very good services. There is Wifi connection too, as there are more and more foreign visitors trooping to Kep to enjoy its relative serenity.
Bring cash if you are planning to stay, as there are no banking services here. The nearest banks are in Kampot, approximately 25 km away.
