Sihanoukville: Cambodia's changing beach town

Cambodia's main beach city, Sihanoukville faces the Gulf of Thailand with white sand beaches and islands reachable by boat within a short distance of the coast.

A car or tuk-tuk remains the most common way to get around.

The beach of Otres, quieter and less developed than downtown, offers white sand and restaurants in hut-style directly on the water.

Offshore, a brief boat ride brings you to the island of Koh Rong, with nearly deserted beaches and transparent waters ideal for snorkeling.

Continuing inland, the Wat Leu, a Buddhist temple on a hill above the city, offers views of the gulf and surrounding islands, especially at sunset.

Toward evening, the downtown night market sells grilled seafood and Cambodian street food just steps from the seafront, amid scents of spices and grilled fish.

Sihanoukville has undergone rapid urban transformation in recent years, with foreign investments drastically changing the city's skyline compared to less than a decade ago.

The islands offshore from Sihanoukville, such as Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, remain quieter and less developed than the city itself, maintaining an unspoiled beach atmosphere.