Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s top destinations for both locals and visitors.

The idyllic seaside town offers a relaxed atmosphere with lots of things to do, including temples to visit, night markets to eat through, up-market shopping malls, beach sports, spas, and water parks to enjoy.

 

Hua Hin is a small beachside city in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, just a mere 2.5 – 3 hour drive south of Bangkok. Expect sweeping beaches, seaside culture, markets selling fresh seafood, beautiful spa and wellness offerings and plenty of things to do to keep entertained.

Read on to find suggestions for things to do in Hua Hin, including temples, markets, forests, caves, beaches, and other popular Hua Hin attractions.

Hua Hin Beach

A popular beach, being so close to Bangkok, with four kilometers of white sand right in the middle of Hua Hin city centre and overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Hua Hin means “stone head” and refers to the large rock formations visible from the beach. There are plenty of restaurants nearby and places renting water sports equipment, perfect to just while away an entire day!

Khao Hin Lek Fai

Get a feel for Hua Hin by driving up to the popular Khao Hin Lek Fai viewpoint. There are six different viewpoints on the plateau, with views as far as Koh Singtoo, a tiny offshore island. If you are up early enough, this is a great place to watch the sun rise up over the ocean.

Wat Hua Hin

Also known as Wat Amparam, is right next to the beach in the center of Hua Hin town and is the most significant temple while also being a cultural focal point for the city. You can wander the large and attractive courtyard and check out the mural walls inside the temple.

Hua Hin Night Market

The main night market in Hua Hin starts at Petchkasem Road and runs up the railway line. Opening at 5 pm every night, brightly lit market stalls sell freshly made street food and a wide range of local souvenirs. This night market is the perfect spot for people-watching.

 Cicada Market

If you want to discover the local art scene, there is no better place than Cicada Market, which feels a little chic. There are stalls selling food, souvenirs, clothes, and accessories, and you can watch live performances too. Many artists work and sell at Cicada Market, and you can watch them paint or request a sketch.

Barai Spa

Thailand is well known for its pampering massages and relaxing spa treatments, and the Barai is one of the very best spa options in Hua Hin. Set in the Hyatt Regency and spread over 4.5 acres of serene beach, there are 18 treatment rooms. The programs aim to take guests into an unfamiliar environment and create inner balance by using the elements to connect with the five senses.

Rajabhakti Park

An historically themed park created to honor the Thai kings from the historic Sukhothai period to the current Chakri royal family. The grounds are lush and there are seven fine bronze statues on display. The large plaza is used for parades and ceremonies.

Hutsadin Elephant Foundation

One of the most exciting things for many visitors to Thailand is to get up close and personal with its native elephants. However, finding ethically run parks that treat their elephants well is more challenging. Fortunately, the Hutsadin Elephant Foundation is an ethical foundation that cares for elephants rescued from exploitation. Wander the park and watch the elephants feed, bathe, and play.

Tamarind Market

Yet another of Hua Hin’s excellent night markets. It is smaller than a lot of the others but has a delightful local vibe. There is usually live music playing, and while the market is mostly food stalls, there are also a few souvenir treasures.

Phraya Nakhon Cave

Phraya Nakhon Cave is about an hour from Hua Hin in the heart of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. From the entrance of the park, you can reach the cave by trail or boat. In the giant cave of dramatic stalagmites and stalactites is a small temple that glows in natural sunlight.

Tham Khao Luang Cave Shrine

The entire province is famous for its atmospheric caves, but Tham Khao Luang Cave Shrine stands out with its natural sunlight and dozens of statues of Buddha in quiet meditation. There are several smaller caves hiding more statues, and it is a challenge to find them all.

Wat Huay Mongkol Temple

This Temple attracts visitors from throughout Thailand. It is dedicated to the important supernatural figure of Luang Phor Thuad, who was known for his miracles. People pray here for good luck, favors, health, fortune, and happiness. It features a gigantic statue of the monk on a large pedestal. There are several other statues, including a three-headed elephant thought to be Thai angels in the shape of Garuda.

Vana Nava Water Jungle

One of Thailand’s oldest water parks, it has more than 20 attractions including rides, slides, a wave pool, and the famous Lazy River raft. This is a great place for a family day out that both children and adults will enjoy.

Standing Buddha Statue at Wat Khao Takiab

Wat Khao Takiab sits at the top of a mountain, also known as Monkey Mountain, and is one of the most famous temples in the region. It is visible from the beach below, but it is worth hiking up the hill and then the 80 steps to the shrine. The temple itself is stunning, and there are fantastic views of the beach below.

Mrigadayavan Palace

This stunning summer palace was built in 1923-24 as a holiday home for King Rama VI so that he could live by the airy seaside for his rheumatoid arthritis. Sadly, he visited the palace only twice before his passing, and it took another 30 years before it was opened to the public. It is a mix of Italian and Thai architecture with large airy rooms and long verandas, and its own private beach.

Market Village

Hua Hin’s largest shopping complex and is more of an entertainment center with 100 specialty shops. It’s a must-visit for a well-rounded shopping and leisure experience in Hua Hin.

Venezia Hua Hin

The Venezia Hua Hin feels a little Las Vegas, mixing shopping and theme park activities. The complex is constructed to look like Venice in Italy, even with a grand canal that can be traversed via gondolas.

Plearn Wan Shopping Village

This shopping center is one of the best places to learn about local culture in Hua Hin. It feels like it has a bit of everything, but that everything is unique, and there are few chain stores. There are many restaurants and cafes ideal for people-watching.

Khao Takiab Beach

If you are looking for a less crowded beach, head out of Hua Hin for Khao Takiab Beach, about seven kilometers away. A large Buddha stands on the rocks looking out over the beach and there are several nice restaurants and resorts in the area. The water is calm and shallow, which makes it a great spot for kids.

Trek Pran Buri Forest Park

This is a large mangrove conservation area where you can walk the mangroves via a one-kilometer teakwood walkway with signposts describing the native flora and fauna. You can also book a boat to explore more broadly.

Kaeng Krachan National Park

A day trip to Kaeng Krachan National Park, including a trip to Pala U Waterfall is recommended. The waterfall is on the south side of the park and has sixteen big, rocky steps. While the lowest three steps are fairly accessible, the high steps should only be tackled by experienced climbers.

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

There is so much to see at this marine park that also contains the mountain with “300 peaks”. It is a wildly diverse environment with caves, peaks, beaches, and freshwater marshes. It’s best to be explored as a day trip from Hua Hin.

Hua Hin Floating Market

Thailand’s floating markets are among its most famous features, frequented by both locals and visitors. There are 200 shops on the boardwalk and 40 floating boats. Hire a pedal boat to reach the floating stalls.

Hua Hin Railway Station

Located a short drive from Khao Hin Lek Fai lookout, Hua Hin train station is a vintage red-colored relic. It has majestic royal waiting rooms with distinctive Thai design and concept. It’s a beautiful building to look at, and since this is a working station, you can get the train from Hua Hin Railway Station to Bangkok.

From December 2023, a new elevated railway station will open, and then the line will be upgraded so that trains from Bangkok will only take 3 hours instead of 4. Also, check out the Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, which is the original Railway Hotel 100 years ago. It’s right on the beach and only a ten-minute walk from the station.