Hua Hin Things to Do: 14 Best Places to Visit

Hua Hin is the oldest seaside resort in Thailand and a royal summer residence. The city is especially known for its relaxed atmosphere, its long beach, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. The coastal town is particularly popular with Thais who enjoy spending weekend getaways in Hua Hin. From temples and viewpoints to night markets, there is plenty to discover. That is exactly why it is worth knowing a few good Hua Hin tips before your trip.

Our Best Hua Hin Tips for Attractions

Hua Hin is not overcrowded and really is a lovely destination if you want to get to the sea quickly from Bangkok. In this article, we show you the most beautiful sights and share our Hua Hin tips for your stay. Whether you are only staying for a few days or longer. These are places you should not miss.

Accommodation in Hua Hin – Our Hotel Tip

The Hisea Huahin Hotel is a relatively new 4-star hotel and offers spacious, clean, and bright rooms. Hua Hin Beach is only a one-minute walk away, and the location is excellent in general because the night market is also nearby. The rooms with sea views are naturally the best choice here. The hotel is rounded off by a great infinity pool with a view.

If you would like to discover even more hotels in Hua Hin, then be sure to take a look here.

1. Hua Hin Beach

Hua Hin Beach is around 8 kilometers long and is naturally one of the city’s best-known places. The sand is fine and soft, although the beach, especially in the south at high tide, is sometimes very narrow and in some spots even gets flooded. The northern section, where Hua Hin Soi 61 leads down to the beach, is especially suitable for swimming and relaxing. There are also a few restaurants, cafés, and small shops there where you can get something to drink or quickly buy a few things for the beach.

Unfortunately, many sections of the beach offer hardly any shade, which is why we would not necessarily recommend visiting in the midday heat. In the north, however, you can also rent sun loungers and umbrellas if you want a bit more comfort. Even though the beach is not one of the most beautiful in all of Thailand, it is definitely one of the more pleasant and prettier beaches on the mainland for us.

There are also several well-known resorts located directly on Hua Hin Beach, such as the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa. Every now and then, beach vendors walk by, but overall the atmosphere is often calm. The southern end of the beach at the so-called Monkey Mountain is also very beautiful. Restaurants have been built directly against the rocks there. In addition, this area already belongs to Wat Khao Takiab (see the next point). Here, you can also see the large golden Buddha statue and enjoy a beautiful view of Hua Hin and the beach.

2. Wat Khao Takiab

The actual Wat Khao Takiab is a little farther south, right on top of the hill. You can drive up by scooter or car and use the parking spaces on the temple grounds. But keep a close eye on your belongings and do not leave anything lying around openly. There are many monkeys here that like to get into people’s things.

To get to the top, you still have to climb about 100 steps, but it is worth it. At the top, a beautiful pagoda, countless bells, and a great view of Hua Hin and the temple itself await you. Wat Khao Takiab is open approximately from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM, and admission is free. A small donation is, however, appreciated. It is best to come in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is no longer quite as strong.

Info: On the way to Wat Khao Takiab, you will also pass the fresh Seafood Market if you want to take a look inside. If you are hungry, you can even buy fresh seafood here and have it prepared in the restaurants across the street.

3. Wat Khao Krailart

Wat Khao Krailart is much quieter than the better-known Wat Khao Takiab and overall feels almost a little hidden. That is why we would still describe it as a bit of an insider tip. But that is exactly what makes the temple so interesting. You can park at the foot of the hill, and from there the walk continues up countless steps.

The path to the top is a little more strenuous than at other temples, but it is worth it. Once at the top, you will find Buddha statues, several temple buildings, a chedi, and a wonderful view. The entire temple complex is also beautifully landscaped with plants and flowers. You will often encounter only a few visitors here. The temple is open daily from around 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM, and admission is free.

Tip: Right next door is also the Krailart Mangrove Conservation Project. There, you can walk through the mangrove forest on a wooden boardwalk. It combines perfectly with a visit to the temple.

4. Hua Hin Night Market

Hua Hin Night Market is one of our Hua Hin tips for the evening and is located very centrally in the city on Hua Hin Soi 72. More precisely, the market begins at the main road and stretches from there to the railway tracks. If you would like to do something in the evening, you should definitely stop by here.

At the market, you will mainly find many food stalls, seafood, small souvenir shops, clothing, and typical gifts. In the northern section, there are also several restaurants and bars where you can sit down and watch the colorful hustle and bustle. Hua Hin Night Market takes place daily from 5.00 PM. We always enjoy coming here, even though the market is naturally a bit touristy.

5. Hua Hin Railway Station

Hua Hin Railway Station is one of the city’s best-known landmarks, even though no trains stop here anymore. Since December 2023, there has been a new elevated station where trains now operate. Even so, the old station has been preserved as a sight to see.

The royal pavilion on the grounds of the old station is especially worth seeing. It was built as early as 1920 in the Thai architectural style and remains one of the best-known photo motifs on site to this day, which is why it is one of the Hua Hin tips. Together with the old red-and-white station buildings, the place still radiates a great deal of Hua Hin’s historic charm.

By the way, from the station in Hua Hin you can also travel directly south to Surat Thani or north to Bangkok. This is a beautiful alternative if you want to see more of Thailand and the scenery during your trip.

6. Cicada Night Market

Cicada Night Market is another one of our Hua Hin tips for the evening and is located in the south of the city. Compared with the classic Hua Hin Night Market, things are a little calmer and more creative here. Instead of focusing only on food and souvenirs, you will also find handmade products, small art stalls, and often live music or shows, because there are two stages on site.

The market feels a little more modern and is really beautifully set up. It can also be combined well with a visit to the Tamarind Market (see the next point), which is almost right next door. Cicada Market usually takes place from Friday to Sunday from around 4.00 PM.

7. Tamarind Market

For us, Tamarind Market is the most beautiful night market in Hua Hin. The grounds are not quite as huge and have a really great atmosphere. There are only a few shops here selling souvenirs or similar items. But there are all the more dining options at the food stalls. From Thai food to steak, pizza, burgers, and Indian food all the way to fusion food, the selection is really large. That is why we are sure that almost everyone will find something suitable here.

In the entrance area, there are also plenty of seats, a small stage, and often live music. That way, you can stay seated after your meal, wind down the evening in a relaxed way, and simply enjoy the atmosphere. Especially in the high season, it can be quite busy here, but it is still much more relaxed than, for example, at Hua Hin Night Market. Tamarind Market is usually open from Thursday to Sunday from around 5.00 PM, and you definitely should not miss it.

8. Khao Hin Lek Fai – Hua Hin Viewpoint

Khao Hin Lek Fai, also known as Hua Hin Viewpoint, is one of our Hua Hin tips if you would like to see the city from above. A little west of the city center, you will find Khao Hin Lek Fai hill. There are also several parking spaces for cars and scooters on site, by the way. Once you arrive, you will usually be greeted by a few monkeys wandering around here.

There is a large park on the hill with walkways leading you to various viewpoints. In total, there are 6 viewpoints. Viewpoints 4 and 5 are especially popular. From many of them, you get a beautiful view over Hua Hin, the beach, and the coast. A visit is especially worthwhile early in the morning or later in the afternoon, when the light is nicer and it is not quite as hot. It is open daily from 6.00 AM to 8.00 PM, and everything is free of charge.

9. Market Village

Market Village in Hua Hin may not be a classic sightseeing spot, but for us it still counts among the practical Hua Hin tips. The shopping mall is located quite centrally on the main road and is a good place to go if you want to grab something to eat, shop, or simply escape the heat for a while. The food court in the basement is really excellent and has a great selection if you want to eat well and inexpensively.

At Market Village, you will find many shops, restaurants, cafés, a supermarket, and even a movie theater. In the evening, there is even a small market directly in front of it. It is also a good option for rainy days when you want to escape the weather and do something different. It is open daily from 10.30 AM to 9.00 PM. On weekends, it stays open an hour longer.

10. Khao Tao Beach

A little south of Hua Hin lies Khao Tao Beach. It is much quieter than Hua Hin Beach, and it is usually not very busy here. So it is a nice little excursion tip among the Hua Hin tips. There are also some larger hotel complexes near the beach, such as the Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel, but there are also many smaller and more relaxed accommodations.

The beach itself is lovely for walking and unwinding. The sand is fine and soft, so Khao Tao Beach is also good for swimming, although the water is usually quite shallow. At the southern end, there are some fishing boats as well as the impressive Wat Tham Khao Tao. You should also visit it during a trip here.

11. Wat Tham Khao Tao

As already mentioned, Wat Tham Khao Tao is located directly at the southern end of the beach and is truly an impressive place. Khao Tao roughly translates to Turtle Hill, and fittingly you will also find several turtle statues at the temple. The complex is beautifully built into the cliffs of the hill, and that is exactly what makes it so special.

On site, you will find many different statues, small shrines, stairs, and paths. They lead you farther and farther through the temple complex, past all kinds of different figures. Because of the Buddhist, Hindu, and Chinese influences, there is a lot to discover here. In addition to the impressive statues, Wat Tham Khao Tao also offers a great view of the coast and the town itself. We really liked this combination of temple, viewpoint, and location by the sea. It is open daily free of charge from 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM.

12. Rajabhakti Park

Rajabhakti Park is also located a little outside Hua Hin’s city center and, to be honest, is more of a short stop for us. The huge park was created in honor of 7 important kings of Thailand, and on site you can admire their statues. More precisely, the statues are those of King Ramkhamhaeng, King Naresuan, King Narai, King Taksin, King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, King Mongkut, and King Chulalongkorn. These kings range from the Sukhothai period to the Rattanakosin period. Each statue is almost 14 meters high.

When visiting, you can leave your car or scooter in the parking lot of the visitor center and then take the free shuttle to the royal statues. It runs every few minutes. Otherwise, in the blazing sun and with almost no shade, it can get quite hot here. Rajabhakti Park is open daily from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM. Admission is free.

13. Wat Huay Mongkol

Wat Huay Mongkol is located a little outside Hua Hin inland. It is especially well known for its huge statue of the monk Luang Phor Thuad and considered one of the largest statues of this revered monk in Thailand. The temple is hard to miss even from afar. It is a slightly different Hua Hin tip that you can easily visit on a day trip.

Directly beneath the statue stand two large wooden elephants. Many visitors walk through them or circle around them because it is said to bring good luck. In addition, some people throw a little money into the mouth for extra luck. Beyond that, there are a few more areas and statues to see, but they are not quite as impressive as the large statue. The temple is generally open approximately from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM, and the visit is free.

14. Sam Phan Nam Floating Market

Sam Phan Nam Floating Market is a floating market and reopened in 2024 after a longer break. The grounds are quite large and were designed in the style of a traditional floating market. There are a few small attractions such as boat rides and various areas with clothing, souvenirs, and, of course, food.

These small attractions include a mini train for 20 baht, a boat ride for 40 baht, or swan boats for 100 baht. Sam Phan Nam Floating Market is open daily from 8.00 AM to 8.00 PM, and admission has been free since the reopening. If you visit, you should not expect an absolute highlight. Still, it is a nice floating market and that is why it is included in our Hua Hin tips.

Hua Hin: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way, you can get to know Hua Hin in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours Hua Hin.

How to Get to Hua Hin

Unfortunately, Hua Hin Airport is only of limited use for getting there because the current scheduled flight options are very limited. So the best way to get there is via the airports in Bangkok. For times, prices, and more, we can recommend Skyscanner.

Other ways to get to Hua Hin are buses, minivans, and the train, which also stops in Hua Hin on the southern route from Bangkok. A taxi would also be an option since the distance is only just under 200 kilometers. So if you are traveling with several people, the price for a taxi would also be reasonable. You can find more about buses and trains on 12go.asia.

Have you ever been to Hua Hin? How did you like it there? Do you have any other Hua Hin tips worth seeing? We look forward to your feedback in the comments.