Best things to do in Krabi

The Krabi province in Thailand is known as one of the best beach getaways in the country, if not the entirety of Southeast Asia. However, it has plenty more to offer in terms of sightseeing and cultural experiences. Follow along as we take a closer look at some of the best things to do in Krabi.

Best beaches in Krabi

Dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal clear Andaman sea waters, and golden sand beaches are synonymous with Krabi. So even if they’re far from the only thing to see here, not going to the beach in Krabi would be a sin. While any beach in the region has plenty to offer, here are some of the best ones:

Ao Nang Beach

Ao Nang Beach is one of the region’s most popular destinations, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and activities. The beach itself is a stunning stretch of golden sand with views of towering limestone cliffs and turquoise waters.

Outside of sunbathing and drinking in the views, the beach offers activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing. You’ll also want to take an island-hopping tour here, with many tourist draws being easily accessible from Ao Nang. These include the famous Phi Phi Islands and Railay Beach, which are easily reached by long-tail boats.

The beach is located on the edge of Ao Nang town, which is dotted with a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. The accommodation here is also fairly affordable, making it a great place to stay if you simply want to lay back, enjoy the beach, and maybe take a couple of organized tours.

Pai Plong Beach

Pai Plong Beach, located not far from Ao Nang Beach, is another local highlight. It’s a touch more secluded, making it a better option if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet. You can get there by walking the Monkey Trail, which offers some stunning cliffside views of the ocean. If you don’t feel like walking, you can take a boat from Ao Nang for a small fee.

The views are quite similar to those on nearby beaches, featuring Krabi’s well-renowned limestone cliffs and turquoise water. However, since it’s less popular with tourists, the beach gets very little boat traffic and is generally less crowded, making it perfect for a relaxing day by the water.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach is a tourist favorite, which means you can expect a pristine beach with stunning views, but also a lot of other people enjoying it. Taking a quick boat ride from Krabi Town or Ao Nang is the most common way to access the Railay Peninsula.

On top of all the beach-related activities available here, the beach is well known for having an abundance of monkeys. Some beachgoers enjoy the company, while others are thrown off. No matter which category you belong to, make sure to keep an eye on your beach snacks, as the monkeys are famous for stealing them.

The activities here include a hike to a nearby viewpoint, boat tours to surrounding islands and caves, as well as the usual beach activities such as surfing or diving. It’s also arguably the most picturesque beach in all of Thailand, with massive limestone rocks sticking out of the water in front of you.

Tonsai Beach

Tonsai Beach is located on an isolated island to the West of mainland Krabi and is only accessible by boats, which run from bigger towns in Krabi several times a day. Since it’s a bit of a detour, you might want to spend at least a couple of days on the island to really experience everything it has to offer.

On top of the usual suspects such as stunning limestone cliff formations, white sands, and crystal clear waters, Tonsai Beach and its surrounding areas are great for rock climbing, cave exploring, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Temples to visit in Krabi

While it’s easy to get carried away by the beauty of Krabi’s beaches, the region’s rich culture shouldn’t be ignored. Religion is very important to Thai people, and you can see it in the number of stunning temples and monuments spread out throughout the country.

Tiger Cave Temple

The Tiger Cave Temple, or Wat Them Suea, is arguably the most impressive temple in Krabi, thanks to its location and the towering golden Buddha statue marking the temple. Located just North of Krabi town, the temple is built on a mountain summit, providing 360-degree views of the area for miles.

You’ll need to climb over 1200 steps to get to the temple, resulting in a 276-meter (905-foot) elevation gain. It’s a bit of a workout, but well worth the effort. The surrounding caves and mountains have both religious and architectural significance, with many ancient Thanu artifacts being found here.

Monks still live in the maze of natural caves in the jungle valley below, while the temple and statues at the top serve as a place of worship. Make sure to visit both the caves and the summit to get a full Tiger Cave Temple experience.

Wat Kaew Korawaram

Wat Kaew Korawaram, or simply Wat Kaew, is the largest temple in Krabi, located right in the heart of Krabi Town. That said it’s not the size but rather the architecture and vivid colors that make the temple stand out. The bright white color isn’t really typical for Thailand, only commonly seen in Chiang Mai.

A grand naga staircase leads up to the temple. Once you climb it, you’ll see the 2500 square meter temple complex in all its glory. The main building dates way back to 1887 and has been an active place of worship ever since.

As you’d expect from a Buddhist temple, you’ll find a golden statue of Buddha inside, accompanied by other Buddhist relics. The complex is also home to Krabi’s Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as souvenir and street food stalls.

Wat Sai Thai

If you’re spending your time in Ao Nang, make sure to put the Wat Sai Thai on your itinerary. Best known for its 15-meter tall reclining Buddha statue, also sometimes referred to as the sleeping Buddha. While often considered to be more of a shrine than a temple, it’s no less important to culture and religion in Krabi.

It’s surrounded by lush gardens and towering cliffs, which give the whole area a sense of peace and serenity. The shrine is also home to several Buddhist festivals in the area.

Nature gems to discover

If endless beaches aren’t enough, this province in Southern Thailand has plenty of other natural gems to offer. Most unoccupied inland areas are covered by dense tropical jungles, with waterfalls and natural hot springs hidden under the vegetation.

Emerald pool

Emerald Pool is probably the best-known natural wonder in Krabi. A short footpath through the jungle will lead you to the pool, where you’ll quickly realize where it gets its name. The water here has an emerald hue, which it gets from the nutrient-rich streams that feed the pool.

Entry costs 400 Baht (~$12 USD), but it’ll become worth it as soon as your eyes meet the water. The pool offers a great opportunity to refresh yourself, as the water remains pleasantly cool even in the Thai heat. That said, you should wear bathing shoes, as the limestone rocks at the bottom of the pool are very slippery.

Krabi Hot Springs

Krabi has a number of natural hot springs, and a visit to any of them is worth your time. That said, Krabi Hot Springs are probably the most popular, both thanks to a convenient location and pools that can be enjoyed by anyone without risk, as the pools are only one meter (three feet) deep on average.

The springs aren’t exactly scolding hot, typically around 40-43 °C (104-109°F), which is about the temperature of an average jacuzzi. There are a number of small pools up the waterfall with crystal clear water, which is where most people like to get their pictures. There’s also a bigger pool at the bottom of the falls with a rope swing if you want to have some fun.

Ton Chong Fah Waterfall

With the region having no shortage of tall cliffs and rain during the wet season, it’s no surprise that you’ll be able to find plenty of waterfalls in Krabi’s dense jungle. Ton Chong Fah just so happens to be one of the most beautiful.

The waterfall is part of the Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, so you might just want to dedicate the whole day to exploring the park. The best time to visit this 5-tier cascading waterfall is right after the rainy season, ideally in November. The weather is just about perfect, and there’s plenty of water in the streams for you to see the falls in all their glory.

This is a general rule for visiting any waterfall in Thailand. Visitors often expect cascading falls and lush surroundings at all times, but it’s more of a seasonal attraction. Water levels are low towards the end of the dry season, and most waterfalls barely have any runoff. 

Cultural experiences in Krabi

Seeing the beauty of Krabi is only one part of the whole experience. There are a number of other things to do in Thailand to get a full taste of what the country has to offer. 

Taste the local food

Thai cuisine is famous for its rich tastes, combining sour, sweet, and spicy all in one. Make sure to sample local favorites such as pad Thai, mango sticky rice, som tum, and many more. Street food stalls serve delicious skewers, grilled fish, and fried rice that make for fantastic meals on the go.

If you’re willing to take it a step further, take a Thai cooking class. Not only will you learn how to make delicious Thai food yourself, but most classes also include a visit to the local market, where you will learn about local ingredients and how to select them.

Visit the Krabi Night Market

Night markets are a big draw in all of Thailand, with Krabi Town and Ao Nang having their own night markets. While the markets are open throughout the day, that’s not when they’re at their liveliest.

Walking Night Street Markets start at 5 PM every Friday and Saturday and last until midnight. They typically reach their peaks around 7 PM. That’s when both locals and tourists get together for shopping, meals, and spending time outside the home. You’ll find plenty of street food, artisan souvenirs, local crafts, and fresh foods. 

Relax with a Thai massage

Are you sore from hiking in the jungle or simply want to start your visit to Krabi by relaxing? A Thai massage is a great way to do so. It’s also often referred to as a Thai yoga massage since it incorporates many stretches and yoga poses. 

While it may not target sore muscles as much as Western massages, a Thai massage is perfect for improving blood circulation, flexibility, and reenergizing yourself for whatever lies ahead. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but those who enjoy it end up going to Thai massages for a lifetime. 

Tips for visiting Krabi

You’re probably going to love your time in Krabi, no matter what. However, knowing more about the culture, people, and traditions can enhance your experience even further. Here are some things to keep in mind before your visit:

• Haggling etiquette: Haggling is common in Thailand, but it should always be done with respect. Stay friendly and polite whenever haggling for anything, but don’t be aggressive with it. 
• Things to pack: Don’t forget comfortable shoes when packing your bags for Thailand, as you’ll have to do a bit of walking to explore the country. Also, make sure to pack clothes that cover your knees and shoulders, as you can’t enter temples without them.
• Respect the Buddha: Buddha statues and any religious relics are to be admired but not touched. On top of that, exporting Buddha statues, even small touristy ones, is illegal without proper certification.
• Have cash on hand: Many small businesses, street food vendors, and taxi drivers don’t accept cards. Make sure to exchange some Thai Baht, ideally before your trip, to avoid getting poor exchange rates in touristy areas.
• Mobile internet: Having access to mobile internet makes life in Thailand much easier. You can use map apps, translator apps, and connect with friends and family back home at any time. While data roaming is expensive and physical SIM cards are inconvenient, using an eSIM provides an affordable, convenient way to stay connected.

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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