Best Sights in Sihanoukville Away From the Tourist Traps
Words by
Dara Sok
If someone asks about the best sights in Sihanoukville beyond the resort strip and the overcrowded beach bars, they are smart enough to see past the construction-chaos reputation. Sihanoukville is not just a late-night party town or a ferry waiting room for going to Koh Rong. Out on its edges, in the surrounding hills, tucked down market lanes, and hidden in old fishing villages there are scenes that can catch your breath. This guide is how I have found the best sights in Sihanoukville over years of back-road rides with my motorbike, talking with old uncles who remember Gulf of Thailand sunsets before the Chinese casinos came.
Here is my own list of what to see Sihanoukville for, with real coordinates you can actually use.
Ream National Park
Outside the city jungle, the real forest edge
Ream National Park is the kind of place that explains why Sihanoukville used to have a different character before all the concrete started rising. Sprawling across forest and mangrove, this is where you see what the region looked like before the boom. I usually take the Prey Nob Road east and loop around the river mouth near the fishing village. Once you get past the entrance gate, you can start seeing the subtler wildlife especially kingfishers, monitor lizards, and, if you go early in November or late February, even hornbills leaving the river area.
The Vibe?
Quiet, humid, and a bit forgotten, like a national park that never got the marketing budget it deserved.
The Bill?
Entry is around $5 USD per person, plus boat rides on the Prek Tuek Sap River are negotiable, usually $15–$20 for a small group.
The Standout?
The mangrove boat ride at dawn, when the water is glass and the birds are loud.
The Catch?
The park office sometimes has no staff on site midweek, so you might end up paying a local fisherman to guide you instead.
Local Tip
Go on a weekday morning before 7:30 a.m. to avoid the few tour vans that come from Sihanoukville town. The light is better and the river is calmer.
Wat Leu Temple (Wat Krom)
One of the top viewpoints Sihanoukville has on a hill
Perched on a hilltop above the city, Wat Leu is the temple that locals actually visit, not just tourists. The white Buddha and the reclining Buddha are the obvious draws, but the real reason I keep going back is the view. From the upper terrace you can see the whole coastline, the port, and on clear days the outline of islands in the distance. It is one of the top viewpoints Sihanoukville offers without needing a boat.
The Vibe?
Calm, spiritual, with a bit of tourist traffic but still a working monastery.
The Bill?
Free entry, but a small donation is expected. Parking is 1,000–2,000 riel for a bike.
The Standout?
The late afternoon light over the Gulf of Thailand from the upper platform.
The Catch?
The stairs are steep and there is almost no shade, so midday is brutal.
Local Tip
Bring a bottle of water and a scarf or long shirt. The monks appreciate modest dress, and you will feel more comfortable in the heat.
Otres Beach
The quieter end of the Sihanoukville coast
Otres Beach is where I go when I want to remember that Sihanoukville used to be a backpacker beach town. The sand is not as white as the postcards, but the mood is more honest. There are fewer high-rises here, more wooden bungalows, and a slower pace. The best stretch is the far end near Otres 2, where the fishing boats come in and the barbecue smoke drifts over the water.
The Vibe?
Laid-back, a bit dusty, with a local fishing village feel mixed with budget travelers.
The Bill?
Beach is free. A simple seafood barbecue plate runs around $3–$5 USD.
The Standout?
Sunset from the sand with a plate of grilled squid and a cold Angkor beer.
The Catch?
The water is not always crystal clear after heavy rain, and some guesthouses play loud music late.
Local Tip
Walk past the last bungalow toward the river mouth at low tide. You will see mudskippers and crabs, and sometimes local kids playing football on the flat sand.
Kbal Chhay Waterfall
A short ride into the hills
Kbal Chhay is the waterfall that locals mention when they talk about what to see Sihanoukville before the casinos. It is not huge, but it is refreshing, especially in the rainy season when the flow is strong. The road in is rough, so I usually take a motorbike and stop at the small stalls near the entrance for coconut water.
The Vibe?
Rustic, green, and a bit slippery after rain.
The Bill?
Entry is around $1–$2 USD, plus a tip if a local helps you find the best swimming spot.
The Standout?
The pool at the base of the falls in the late afternoon when the sun hits the mist.
The Catch?
In dry season the flow can be weak, and the rocks are slippery.
Local Tip
Go after a few days of rain in September or October. The water is stronger and the forest smells sharper.
Independence Beach
One of the Sihanoukville highlights for sunset
Independence Beach is not as famous as Ochheuteal, but it is one of the Sihanoukville highlights for people who like a longer, quieter stretch of sand. The old Independence Hotel ruins above the hill give it a strange mix of history and new development. I usually park near the small food stalls at the south end and walk along the waterline.
The Vibe?
Open, breezy, with a mix of local families and a few backpackers.
The Bill?
Beach is free. A coconut is around $1–$2 USD.
The Standout?
The long walk along the shore with almost no buildings blocking the view.
The Catch?
There is not much shade, and the sand can get very hot by midday.
Local Tip
Bring a hat and some water. The walk from the road down to the beach is steeper than it looks.
The Old Market (Psar Leu)
Where Sihanoukville still feels like a real town
The Old Market, Psar Leu, is where I go when I want to remember that Sihanoukville is not just hotels and construction. It is loud, crowded, and a bit chaotic, but it is real. The upper floor has dried fish, salted crabs, and spices that smell like the old port city. Downstairs you can find cheap fruit, rice dishes, and sometimes a grandmother selling homemade desserts.
The Vibe?
Busy, pungent, and very local.
The Bill?
Entry is free. A full meal can be as low as $1.50–$3 USD.
The Standout?
The dried seafood section and the view of the port from the upper level.
The Catch?
It can be overwhelming if you are not used to strong smells and tight aisles.
Local Tip
Go early in the morning when the fish is freshest and the heat is not as intense.
The Russian Monument area near Victory Beach
A forgotten corner of Sihanoukville history
Near Victory Beach there is a small monument and a quiet stretch of road that most tourists never see. This area used to be a more international beach spot, and the Russian monument is a leftover from an older era of Sihanoukville. I like to stop here on the way to the port, just to see how the city layers its history.
The Vibe?
Quiet, a bit forgotten, with a mix of old concrete and new paint.
The Bill?
Free to visit.
The Standout?
The contrast between the old monument and the new development around it.
The Catch?
There is not much to do here except look around and take a few photos.
Local Tip
Combine this stop with a walk along the nearby pier to see the fishing boats up close.
The Road to Preah Sihanouk Hill (Bokor access)
A scenic ride with top viewpoints Sihanoukville can offer
The road up toward Bokor National Park is one of the best sights in Sihanoukville if you like views and curves. Even if you do not go all the way to Bokor, the lower hills give you a perspective on the city and the coast that you cannot get from the beach. I usually stop at one of the small coffee stalls along the way, order a strong iced coffee, and just look out over the Gulf.
The Vibe?
Cooler air, winding road, and a sense of height.
The Bill?
Coffee is around $1–$2 USD. No entry fee for the lower viewpoints.
The Standout?
The first major viewpoint where you can see the whole Sihanoukville coastline.
The Catch?
The road can be dangerous in the rain, and some sections are not well maintained.
Local Tip
Go in the dry season and start early. The clouds roll in by afternoon and block the view.
When to Go / What to Know
- The best time for the top viewpoints Sihanoukville has to offer is early morning or late afternoon. Midday heat and haze can flatten the views.
- For what to see Sihanoukville beyond the beach, plan at least two or three days. One day for Ream and the river, one for the hills and temples, and one for the markets and quieter beaches.
- The Sihanoukville highlights are not always the most polished places. Bring water, sunscreen, and a bit of patience.
- If you want the best sights in Sihanoukville without the crowds, avoid weekends and public holidays when local families also head to the beaches and temples.
This is how I see Sihanoukville when I step off the main roads and into the side streets, the forest edges, and the old corners. It is not perfect, but it is real, and that is what makes it worth exploring.
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