Hua Hin is the oldest seaside resort of Thailand and a royal summer resort. The city of Hua Hin offers plenty things to do and sights to see like temples, markets, a clean beach and lots of opportunities for excursions.
It’s really popular with the high society of Thailand, but also with many Thais from Bangkok who want to go on a holiday or weekend getaway. That’s because the distance to Bangkok is only 200 kilometers.
Things to do and sights in Hua Hin
Hua Hin is not too crowded and the atmosphere near the beach is really relaxed and calm. If you want to avoid the mass tourism spots, then you should give Hua Hin a chance and visit the city. In this article we compiled a list of things to do and sights to see in Hua Hin.
How to get to Hua Hin
The airport of Hua Hin is unfortunately only partially suitable for arrival since there are currently only flights from Kuala Lumpur. Inside Thailand it is currently used for private aircrafts only. The best way to get to Hua Hin is via the airports in Bangkok. For times, prices etc. we can recommend Skyscanner.
Other options for getting to Hua Hin include buses, minivans and the train that stops in Hua Hin on the southern route from Bangkok. Also the taxi would be an option, as the distance is just about 200 kilometers. With several people, the price for a shared taxi would be totally fine.
Accommodation in Hua Hin
The Hisea Huahin Hotel is a relatively new 4-star hotel offering spacious, clean and bright rooms. The beach of Hua Hin is only a minute’s walk away and otherwise the location is great, because the night market is also nearby. The rooms with sea view are obviously the best choice!
1. Hua Hin Beach
Hua Hin Beach, the city beach of Hua Hin
The almost 8 kilometers long beach of Hua Hin is one of the most beautiful beaches of the Thai mainland. Fine white and soft sand. Sometimes there are sunbeds offered for visitors, especially at the northern end, but it’s never too crowded at the beach.
A few resorts are located directly at the beach. There are only a couple of beach vendors and occasionally somebody passes you with a horse and offers you a ride. Most of the time you won’t be disturbed and can easily find a secluded and calm spot right at the beach.
The water is also clean and suitable for swimming. However, in the off-season there could be some jellyfish at the beach which makes the swimming not really enjoyable.
The southernmost end of the Hua Hin Beach, Thailand
2. Wat Khao Takiab
At the southern end of the Hua Hin Beach in the town of Khao Takiab you can find the popular Chopstick Hill, also known as Monkey Mountain. On top you will find the Wat Khao Takiab. But to get there you will have to climb about 100 steps and pass lots of curious monkeys.
They populate the mountain and the temple. You can buy some bananas for 50 Baht to feed them. Just take care of your valuables because the monkeys like to grab loose stuff.
The entrance to the way to the Wat Khao Takiab in Hua Hin
Monkeys on the Chopstick Hill, Wat Khao Takiab, Hua Hin
On the way up you can make a stop midway to enjoy the amazing view over Hua Hin, the skyline of the town and the beach. Definitely worth a photo stop!
View from the Chopstick Hill at Hua Hin, Wat Khao Takiab
The Wat Khao Takiab is said to hold a teeth of Buddha, but the temple was unfortunately closed during my visit. Actually it didn’t seem quite spectacular. If you follow the way further you can also visit another temple.
This temple is called Wat Khao Lad, which is populated by monkeys, too. If you are interested in temples, you should visit the Wat Khao Lad. Nice place and obviously worth a visit since you are already on top of the mountain.
The Wat Khao Lad, Hua Hin, Thailand
3. Hua Hin Night Market
A highlight for many visitors is the night market of Hua Hin. Every evening in the center of Hua Hin along the Soi 72 there are countless stalls with souvenirs and food. The night market starts at 5.00 P.M. and lasts until midnight.
The night market of Hua Hin, Thailand
There are plenty things you can buy at the night market – from clothes, flip flops, watches, DVDs to souvenirs. After strolling around the market you can have a nice dinner in one of the many seafood restaurants or enjoy a drink in the surrounding bars.
The daily Hua Hin night market
Nearby there is also the Chatsila Market which looks a bit more upscale and was especially designed for tourists. Besides more opportunities to eat or shop, there is always some live music in the evening, which you can enjoy free of charge.
4. Hua Hin Railway Station
The train station of Hua Hin is considered as one of the most beautiful ones in Thailand. Its special feature is the royal pavilion, also referred to as the royal waiting room. It was built in Thai style in 1920 and is part of the southern line of the Thai Railway. From Hua Hin you can either travel north to Bangkok or south to Surat Thani.
The famous railway station of Hua Hin with the royal pavilion
5. Wat Huay Mongkol
The Wat Huay Mongkol is a popular tourist attraction among the Thais. The temple is located about 15 kilometers outside of Hua Hin but easy to reach by car or motorbike. For 40 Baht you can also go there with a white shared taxi (Songthaew) which you can find about 200 meters left of the train station.
The Wat Huay Mongkol near Hua Hin, Thailand
The highlight of the temple is the almost 12 meters high statue of Luang Phor Thuad, who was a famous monk in Thailand. Most of the locals are coming to pray for happiness, health and wealth. At the foot of the statue you can find two statues of elephants. The Thais often pass under these, which is an ancient practice for good luck. Maybe you should try that, too. 😉
6. Sam Phan Nam Floating Market
The Sam Phan Nam Floating Market of Hua Hin
The Sam Phan Nam Floating Market is one of two floating markets in Hua Hin. But you are wrong if you expect to go through the market with a boat and buy goods from other boats. There is an artificial lake in the middle and lots of stalls built on stilts around it.
Stalls at the Sam Phan Nam Floating Market in Hua Hin, Thailand
Nevertheless, you can go for a short boat ride around the lake for 40 Baht or take a walk along the stalls at the lake and buy a souvenir, some food or watch one of the shows. If you have never been to a market like this, then it’s definitely a unique experience which you should not miss.
A view at the Sam Phan Nam Floating Market, Hua Hin
The Sam Phan Nam Floating Market is located in the Soi 112, about 6 kilometers south of the city center of Hua Hin. It is open daily from 10.00 A.M. to 10.00 P.M. and the admission is 100 Baht per person.
7. Wat Tham Khao Tao
Another place of interest is the Wat Tham Khao Tao in the village of Khao Tao directly at the coast, a few kilometers south of Hua Hin. When you visit this temple, you will be most likely the only non-Asian visitor. That’s why the people are still pleased to see some foreign visitors.
The Wat Tham Khao Tao, Hua Hin, Thailand
Khao Tao means something like turtle hill and of course you will find a few turtle statues in the temple complex. It is beautifully built on the cliffs of a mountain and offers, besides impressive Buddhist statues, a great view at the coast of the town. You can find a lot of different statues here because the temple has some Buddhist, Hindu and Chinese influences.
Ganesha and Brahma statues in the Wat Tham Khao Tao, Hua Hin
Tobi and the view from the Wat Tham Khao Tao, Hua Hin
8. Rajabhakti Park
The Rajabhakti Park is located on the way between Hua Hin and Khao Tao and was built to honor the 7 great kings of Siam.
The 7 pictured kings are the following: King Ramkhamhaeng, King Naresuan, King Narai, King Taksin, King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn. These were the kings from the Sukhothai period to the Rattanakosin period.
Apart from the huge bronze statues, there isn’t much to see for visitors at the moment. However, the large area in front of the statues will be used for big events in the future.
The Rajabhakti Park near Hua Hin, Thailand
9. Cha Am
Cha Am is a very popular beach resort for Thais and especially crowded at weekends. Unfortunately, with all those visitors the beach is cluttered with sun beds and umbrellas. Anyway, during the week Cha Am is a calm beach town and worth a visit.
Since Cha Am is only 25 kilometers north of Hua Hin, you can explore the beach resort with a day trip, if you don’t plan on staying there anyway.
