Krabi & Ao Nang, Thailand

1. The beaches

The beaches are a great reason to visit Krabi. The ones on the Railay Beach peninsula are especially worth a visit. It’s like walking through a real life postcard!

2. Khao Ngon Nak Viewpoint

This neat two-hour jungle hike will take you to the top of Ngon Nak Mountain, where you’ll be treated to an exceptional view of the landscape.

3. Emerald & Blue Pool

A natural swimming pool in the middle of nature. Take a refreshing dip in the Emerald Pool. Afterwards, walk a bit further ahead and check out the Blue Pool as well!

4. Tiger Cave Temple

Take a beautiful walk over wooden piers, right in front of a mangrove forest. The water is so clear you can spot fish with the naked eye.

5. Crystal Stream

Take a beautiful walk over wooden piers of the Crystal Stream (Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam), right in front of a mangrove forest. The water is so clear you can spot fish with the naked eye.

6. Rent a long tail boat

Rent a private long tail boat with a driver to go visit the islands. We recommend Poda Island, Koh Tub and Koh Hong.

7. Kayaking in Tha Lane Bay

Go to Tha Lane Bay, a unique mangrove forest full of wildlife, either with a group or by hiring a private tour guide.

8. Krabi Night Market

Every night in Krabi Town, there’s a night market where you can buy Thai food like fresh seafood straight off the barbecue, for next to nothing.

9. Rock climbing at Ton Sai Beach

Ton Sai Beach is one of the most popular rock climbing hotspots in the world. Here, whether they’re beginners or more advanced, rock climbers can devote themselves to their passion for days on end.

10. Sunset Cruise

One of the best ways to explore the beaches and the islands off the coast of Krabi is by taking a Sunset Cruise. The sunset is included for free!

11. Krabi Hot Springs

Feel like a warm bath early in the morning? Then visit the Namtok Ron Hot Springs and enjoy the water’s therapeutic effects.

12. Railay Viewpoint & Lagoon

This adventurous climb over some slippery rocks and tree roots will take you to the Railay Viewpoint. Real daredevils can go even farther, to the secret lagoon.

13. A day at the spa

Is it raining? Why not spend the day at the spa?! Two highly rated (and affordable) spas are the Massage Corner in Ao Nang and Savanna Massage & Spa in Krabi Town.

14. Go island hopping!

Once you’ve checked all of Krabi’s mainland’s highlights off your list, it’s time to explore the islands. First stop: Koh Lanta.

1. Ao Nang Beach

Ao Nang Beach is situated on the boulevard of the beach resort of Ao Nang. This is the best place to hop on a long tail boat and go in search of small island paradises.

2. Railay Beach West

You can take the long tail boat to the Railay peninsula from the mainland. You’ll arrive at Railay Beach West and what a great first impression it will be!

3. Phra Nang Beach

A fantastic beach! Not just because of the powdery sand, but mainly because of the enormous rock formations in and around the beach. Ideal for watching the sun go down.

4. Ton Sai Beach

At Krabi’s undisputed backpackers’ beach, you can stay the night in a basic bungalow, paying next to nothing, within walking distance of the beach. It’s also a hotspot for hippies.

5. Railay Beach East

Railay’s least appealing beach. This pebble beach has been overgrown by a mangrove forest meaning you can’t even take a dip in the sea.

6. Klong Muang Beach

Krabi’s hidden surprise and a great place to stay. The beach lies just outside the most touristic areas, but that doesn’t mean it is any less stunning.

7. Nopparat Thara Beach

This beach follows on from Ao Nang Beach and is divided in two by a river. At low tide, it’s possible to walk to nearby islands you can see on the horizon.

8. Tub Kaek Beach

A hidden beach with a jungle vibe in Krabi’s northwest. The beach is surrounded mainly by luxury resorts.

1. Café 8.98

143/7-8 Muang Ao Nang
An excellent spot for a nice breakfast or lunch. It provides fresh salads, good coffee, great bread and equally great service. It’s located along Ao Nang’s main street.

2. Cuckoo’s Nest Bar and Restaurant

116 Moo.3 Nopparat Tara Beach
A quiet place with a sea view that serves great curries. Many great vegetarian options too.

3. Govinda’s

115 Moo 3 Ao Nang
This is a vegetarian and vegan food Valhalla. It’s run by a spirited woman from Chile who serves small dishes with love. Great place for a takeaway!

4. TJs Sportsbar

328/2 Tambon Ao Nang
A great spot for those who enjoy watching live sports. It serves beer and burgers as well. Cheers!

5. Sunset Bar

Klong Muang Beach
Awesome place on the beach to spend a late afternoon, where you can enjoy the sunset while having a drink. Afterwards, you can order some food as well!

6. Krabi Town Nightmarket

In the direction of Krabi Town Pier
Various stands where you can order street food and fresh seafood. Very cheap, very fresh and lots of fun.

7. Sandwich me

186 Moo 2 Khlong Muang Plaza
People queue for a table in this small-scale restaurant. What’s so special about it? Thai Food!

8. Umberto

Klong Haeng road 125 Ao Nang
Umberto is a high-end restaurant that serves fresh pizza and pasta. It has a comprehensive wine menu, the tiramisu is homemade and it’s usually packed.

9. Massaman Restaurant

249/2 4203, Ao Nang
Three guesses as to what you should order. Right, the Massaman Chicken. Success guaranteed.

10. Ton Ma Yom Thai Food Restaurant

Soi 11 Ao Nang
Would you like some truly excellent Thai food? You can in Ao Nang. Have your fill at Ton Ma Restaurant. It’s also very cheap!

11. Lion & Shark

459/2 4203 Tambon Ao Nang
Hip breakfast spot with a view of Ao Nang center. Smoothie bowls, omelets, croissants and fruit shakes.

Domestic flight

• Travel time: 1 hour
• Cost: ฿ 750-2,000 pp

From Bangkok (Don Muang Airport or Suvarnabhumi Airport) you can fly to Krabi in under an hour. The airport is only fifteen minutes away from Krabi Town and about half an hour from Ao Nang.

Bus

• Travel time: 12 hours
• Cost: ฿ 700 pp

Although we wouldn’t recommend it (flying is fast and cheap), it is possible to travel from Bangkok to Krabi by bus. At the southern bus stations, you can take one morning bus and multiple night buses that will take at least 12 hours to get to Krabi.

Chiang Mai

• Travel time: 2 hours
• Cost: ฿ 1600 pp

The distance between Chiang Mai and Krabi is huge, making a domestic flight south the only realistic recommendation. The flight will take about two hours and prices are around 1,600 Thai Baht per person.

Surat Thani

• Travel time: 3-4 hours
• Cost: ฿ 250 pp

Surat Thani is the main transport hub in southern Thailand. Buses leave from Surat Thani to Krabi bus station every hour, from the bus and train station or the airport. The trip takes 3 or 4 hours.

Koh Samui

• Travel time: 5-6 hours
• Cost: ฿ 500-900 pp

From Koh Samui, it’s possible to buy combined tickets. First, you’ll travel by ferry to the mainland, after which you’ll be taken to Krabi by minivan. It’s best to take this trip in the morning. You’ll be traveling for 5 or 6 hours.

Phuket

• Travel time: 4 hours
• Cost: ฿ 1,000-1,500 pp

There’s a bus that leaves from Phuket’s bus station to Krabi Town every hour. At 11:00 AM you can take the boat from Rassada Pier to Krabi Pier. In both cases, you’ll be traveling 4 hours.

Songthaew

The songthaew (shared) taxi has a fixed route between Krabi Town and Ao Nang. You will be getting around among the locals and can hop on and off anywhere you like. The ride from Krabi Town to Ao Nang costs 100-200 Thai Baht.

Tuk tuk

The tuk tuk is the ideal mode of transport for short distances within the city (from your hotel to the beach, for instance). Count on 50-150 Thai Baht per ride, but always negotiate the price.

Taxi

Take a taxi if you want to go from Krabi’s airport to Krabi Town or Ao Nang, which will set you back about 400 Thai Baht. You can also rent a taxi, with a driver, for the entire day for about 2,500 Thai Baht.

Motorbike

Rent a motorbike if you would like to explore Krabi’s surrounding area on your own. Be careful, however, as people tend to drive quite fast on the main roads. Rent is 200-300 Thai Baht for 24 hrs.

Long tail boat

You can rent a long tail boat to take you to a tropical paradise on both sides of Ao Nang Beach. Prices start from 100 Thai Baht for a ride, up to 3,000 Thai Baht for an entire day.

November – February

Regarding the weather, the cool season is the best time to visit Krabi. Sunny days, agreeable temperatures (not too hot) and relatively little rainfall. This is Krabi’s high season, so it will be busy.

March – May

The hot season in Krabi means bright sunshine. Make sure you apply sunscreen before you go outside. However, the end of this period will also bring with it the first really heavy showers. Less and less tourists will arrive.

June – October

In Krabi, during the rainy season, it really rains… a lot. The months of August, September, and October especially are soaking wet. Still, there will always be a few nice sunny days in between.