Whether you’re looking to move to Phnom Penh or weekend on Koh Rong, we have everything you need to know about Cambodia expats’ favorite cities and islands.
Expat City and Island Guides
Phnom Penh is a bustling capital city, filled with restaurants serving cuisines from around the world, a plethora of shopping opportunities, and lots to see and do. Both expats and tourists will delight in Phnom Penh’s charms, not least of which is a vibrant nightlife scene that will keep you partying until the wee hours.
Lazy river town Kampot feels a world away from Phnom Penh, but therein lies its charm. The riverside is perfect for evening strolls, and the picturesque town center is peppered with quaint French colonial buildings and crumbling shophouses as well as a surprising array of excellent restaurants and bars.
Sihanoukville is the gateway to the islands, and also boasts several popular beaches of its own as well as a free-wheeling beach town vibe. It’s true the town has struggled with an increasingly dismal reputation as of late, but if you’re looking for cheap beer and a laid-back scene, Sihanoukville can’t be beat.
Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city, but retains a quiet, small-town feel. In addition to its abundance of French colonial buildings and traditional shophouses, Battambang is known for being the arts capital of Cambodia. The city may not be as busy as Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, but therein lies its charm.
Koh Rong has long been a favorite getaway for expats, who call it a true island paradise. With its white sand beaches and calm turquoise waters, and its refreshing absence of roads and fast-food joints, Koh Rong has—no surprise—recent
Koh Rong Sanloem is a beautiful island off the coast of Cambodia with white sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and jewel-like turquoise waters. To say Koh Rong Sanloem is more laid back than Koh Rong is an understatement to be sure, and each part of the island has its own unique vibe.
Reminiscent of Thai islands of decades gone by, the idyllic shores of Koh Ta Kiev are only home to a handful of rustic-looking eco-resorts, but Koh Ta Kiev’s quiet shores offer a unique tropical island experience at an affordable price.