Things To Do In Krabi
Krabi is one of our must-see regions in Thailand. We mainly spent time in the well-known towns of Ao Nang and Krabi Town, though Ao Nang is the most popular.
1. Wat Kaew Korawaram
One of the biggest temples in Krabi, Wat Kaew Korawaram, sits within the center of Krabi Town and is a must-see attraction. The white temple features a beautiful staircase that leads in with ornate carvings and gold dragons. Because of the decoration, during the sunset hours, the temple turns golden, making it look even better.
Tip: After we visited the temple, we headed for the nearby located Krabi Night Market. The perfect combination!
These are the Must-Do’s in Bangkok
2. Tour: Hong islands
There are numerous daily island tours, and one of the best things to do in Krabi is the Hong Islands Tour. Take a traditional long-tail boat to this beautiful group of islands and visit its stunning lagoons, limestone cliffs, and glorious beaches.
Although we chose a day tour, we heard great things about the sunset boat tours. At this time, you’ll enjoy dinner on the beach and experience some bioluminescent plankton while night snorkeling.
A bonus is that the Hong Islands are far lesser known than Koh Phi Phi. As a result, there are far fewer people, which we loved!
A great way to visit outside the peak hours is by arranging a private tour. See the tour details here.
3. Tiger Cave temple (Wat Tham Sua)
Challenge yourself to climb the 1237 steps that take you up the limestone rock, where you can visit the imposing golden Buddha that sits at the peak. The challenging climb of the Tiger Cave Temple will be rewarded with an incredible 360-degree view over the valley of Krabi.
Also read: Best things to do in Phuket
Legend has it that within the limestone caves that are located at the bottom of the rock formation lived a tiger, which gave the temple its name. Now, there are no tigers, but there are plenty of cheeky monkeys, so make sure to keep your belongings close to you at all times.
Our favorite time to visit is at sunrise or sunset to experience the magic colors of the sky set against the gold of the Buddha.
Tip: Make sure that if you’re visiting at sunset, you bring a light with you so that you can make your way down safely as it gets dark.
4. Railay Beach – The Best Beach in Krabi
Railay is a secluded peninsula that has some of the most stunning strips of coastline in Thailand. It’s our favorite beach in the area!
It is famed for its incredible limestone karsts that rise out of the emerald-green water. As a result, it is one of the most popular areas to visit and can only be visited by boat, giving it an exclusive feel.
As Railay is so small, crossing by foot from one side to the other just takes 10 minutes. The best parts are Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach.
5. Krabi Night Market
The night market in Krabi Town is one of the best in the country! Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 5 PM, the market opens its doors, featuring stalls selling traditional Thai street foods and goods. Get a delicious dinner at one or multiple stalls and enjoy it in the center court with live music.
Note: We’re pescatarian, and because Krabi is on the coast, we found plenty of great vegetarian and seafood options at the market.
The local Songthaew buses drive between Krabi and Ao Nang the entire day. A one-way ticket costs 50 Bath and takes about 40 minutes.
Don’t miss: the best market in Bangkok, Thailand
6. Koh Lanta
Of all the Thai Islands, Koh Lanta is less visited, and so is generally far more peaceful. Its main draw is its animal-loving nature, with stunning snorkeling spots and the well-known animal welfare center.
The center is open from 9 AM-5 PM every day and is home to many stray cats and dogs, who are now being looked after by volunteers. We can’t think of anything better than a day spent with these beautiful furry friends!
By visiting and donating, you are helping to support the rehoming and care of these beautiful animals. Koh Lanta is just a 2-hour ferry ride from Krabi. Book your tour of Lanta Animal Welfare here.
7. Rock climbing
Rock climbing is a popular thing to do in Krabi, due to the endless supply of cliff faces and caves. A great place to start is at Railay Bay, as the natural rock formations and caves make it a perfect playground for both novice and experienced climbers. Spend your morning climbing and cool off in the ocean waters.
8. Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe might be Thailand’s best-kept secret. The small but perfectly formed, white-sand beached island is a 7-hour journey from Krabi, so it is recommended to visit for a few days.
Spend your days walking along the beaches that stretch over the length of the island and enjoying island vibes. Join a snorkel tour to explore the vibrant color reefs and tropical fish around the island.
Koh Lipe is well worth the trip (we felt as if we’d been marooned on a desert island — in a good way!).
Discover all the best things to do on the paradise island of Koh Lipe, Thailand.
9. Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
If you’re up for a bit of an adventure, Samet Nangshe viewpoint is the perfect place to go! We visited while we were staying in Phuket, but it is possible from Krabi as well.
From Krabi, it will take about 2.5 hours by car or motorbike to get to this stunning spot, but the journey alone is worth the trip. We loved driving through lush greenery and small local villages while enjoying the scenic views of the coastline.
Entrance fee: 50 TBH (around $1.50 USD)
This viewpoint is gorgeous anytime, but sunrise is when the magic truly happens! Hike up the steep(!) hill and get ready to see the panoramic view over Phang Nha Bay. Seeing the turquoise waters, limestone islands, and mangrove forests from above was one of the most beautiful views we’ve seen in Thailand.
Another easy way to visit Samet Nangshe Viewpoint is on an organized tour. See tickets and availability here.
Where to Stay Near Samet Nangshe
Spend the night nearby to catch the sunrise and do some epic stargazing. We enjoyed staying at Baan Kamana, which is located 30 minutes from the viewpoint (book your room here). However, there are plenty of accommodation options nearby to choose from.
How to get to Krabi, Thailand
Krabi is very well connected by bus, boat, or airplane to the major spots in Thailand. However, it is recommended to book tickets for your travels a bit in advance due to Krabi’s popularity.
Bangkok to Krabi
Get a direct 1.5-hour flight from Bangkok to Krabi. Alternatively, you can take the train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, followed by a 2-hour van ride.
Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive through Thailand.
We recommend to rent a car in Thailand through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Koh Lanta to Krabi
Either hop on a 2-hour ferry from Koh Lanta to Krabi Town or a 2-hour van ride.
Koh Lipe to Krabi
From Krabi, take a minivan (5 hours) to Pak Bara Pier and a ferry (2 hours) to Koh Lipe. Alternatively, you can take a direct ferry (7 hours) from Krabi Town.
Krabi Hotels
Krabi has three main areas to stay in: Ao Nang, Krabi Town, and Railay.
Ao Nang
Ao Nang is a developed town heavily focused on tourism, with the best beaches. As such, it is where most good restaurants and hotels are situated.
This is the area we always choose to stay when we visit Krabi, and it’s handily connected to Railay Beach by boat. Our favorite place to stay is the Phu Pi Maan Resort (there’s also a spa!). See all hotels in Ao Nang
Krabi Town
Krabi Town has more of a backpacker feel to it, with cheaper accommodation and a lot of great street food on the weekend. (See all hotels here)
Railay
The last one is Railay, where there are no roads and pavements and stunning beaches but where the prices are highest. (See all hotel options in Railay)
Best Restaurants in Krabi
Krabi has some amazing regional dishes you must try. Moreover, its location on the coast means you’ll get great seafood (our fave!). Discover our top restaurants in the area:
- Jungle Kitchen (Thai)
- TAN Cafe (International)
- KoDam Kitchen (Thai)
- Ton Ma Yom (Thai)
- Crazy Gringo’s (Mexican)
- Krabi Town Night Market (Thai)
- La Viniera (Italian)
Best Time to Visit Krabi
The best time to visit Krabi, weather-wise, is between November and March. Expect an average temperature of 28 degrees, no rain, and a comfortable climate.
However, if you don’t mind encountering one or two short showers, April to June is perfect for avoiding the tourism peak.
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Hey! We were thinking of visiting thailand June end/July beginning, is it a good time? We don’t mind little rain.
Hi Andrea, it’s is one of the worst times to visit ‘weather-wise’ but if you don’t mind some rain moments each day, definitely go for it as it will be less crowded!