20 Best Things to do in Krabi Thailand + Hidden Gems

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Krabi is one of my favorite places in Thailand. Having visited this region several times now, I’ve compiled this list of the 20 best things to do in Krabi.

It features all the top attractions as well as some Krabi hidden gems for those who want to skip the crowds.

From the famous Railay Beach to the lesser-known Klong Root Mirror Lake or Pai Plong Beach, there are so many places to visit in Krabi, Thailand.

So keep reading for a list of the best tings to do in Krabi Thailand and advice on how to get there and the best places to stay.

***This article may contain affiliate links, meaning each time you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you which helps a lot in keeping this website running. Thank you for your support :)

Read more about Krabi:

• Where to stay in Krabi Thailand?
• The perfect Krabi itinerary for 4 days
• Krabi Island hopping guide
• 15 Gorgeous beaches in Krabi that you need to visit
• Guide to the best Krabi day trips and excursions
• Krabi Town travel guide

How to get to Krabi?

Krabi is well connected to other countries by the Krabi International Airport. Direct flights are available from different parts of Thailand including Bangkok and Chiang Mai as well as from Malaysia and Singapore. 

Plane tickets are quite cheap since the route is serviced by low-cost airlines like Air Asia and Vietjet Air. You can book your plane tickets on 12go.asia.

If you’re staying in Ao nang, you can take a shared minivan from Krabi Airport for 150 baht or a private taxi for about 500 baht (read this guide to find out how to get from Krabi Airport to Ao Nang). For those staying in Krabi town, the minivan from the airport should cost about 90 baht.

Where to Stay in Krabi?

Ao Nang

One of the best places to stay in Krabi is Ao Nang since it’s close to the beach and the perfect jumping-off point for those wishing to explore the nearby islands.

There’s a huge range of accommodations in Ao Nang to choose from. Centara Ao Nang Beach is a great choice if you want to be near the beach.

Ao Nang Cliff Resort, on the other hand, is located along Ao Nang Walking Street close to all the restaurants and bars, and boasts an incredible panoramic view from its infinity pool.

If you’re on a budget, you can opt for Wake Up Ao Nang, Seaworld Guesthouse, J Mansion, Buri Tara Resort, or Pop In Hostel.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN AO NANG

Krabi Town

Backpackers will often stay in Krabi Town as there are loads of cheap hotels there. But the main draw is the night market that serves cheap and delicious local food.

Pak Up Hostel, located less than a 5-minute walk from Krabi Night Market, is great for backpackers. A huge plus is that the beds have curtains for privacy and breakfast is provided for free.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a private room, Lada Krabi Express and OYO 1118 are both great choices.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN KRABI TOWN

Related post: 6 Best areas to stay in Krabi

20 Things to do in Krabi + Places to Visit

4 Island Tour

One of the best things to do in Krabi is to go on a 4 Island hopping tour to visit some of the best Krabi islands like Koh Poda, Chicken Island, and Tub Island as well as Phra Nang Beach and Cave.

Koh Poda is my favorite since it’s the most picturesque one with fine white sand and a single limestone cliff standing right across the shore.

Chicken Island is great for snorkeling thanks to the crystal-clear water and abundance of colorful fish. I also recommend checking out the viewpoint on Chicken Island as it takes less than 5 minutes to get to the top.

If the tide is low, you can also walk from Chicken Island to Tub Island as they are connected by a beautiful sandbar.

Note that you have to pay a national park fee of 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children to visit the islands.

Lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and round-trip transfers are usually included in the tour price, so it’s great for those on a budget. You can either join a group tour or hire a private boat to take you to the islands.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A KRABI 4 ISLAND TOUR

Klong Root

Klong Root is a gorgeous mirror lake/river located only about a 15-minute drive from Ao Nang and one of the most unique places to visit in Krabi.

I haven’t heard about this attraction in Krabi until my third visit and I absolutely enjoyed my time there. It’s quite popular among locals, especially during the weekends but not a lot of tourists know about this place.

You can rent kayaks for 300 baht (or 400 baht if you want to have someone paddle for you) and admire the reflection of the limestone rocks and vegetation as you glide peacefully along the river. Toward the end, you’ll reach a small clear-water lagoon where you can swim in.

There are also several “Instagram spots” near the lake where you can take photos or just sit back and enjoy the view.

Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)

Hiking to the Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) is one of the best things to do in Krabi.

The 1,237 steps leading to the top are very steep and uneven in some places but well worth it for the amazing 360-degree view.

Depending on your level of fitness, it should take between 30 minutes to one hour to get to the top. Make sure to watch out for the monkeys as they can sometimes be aggressive.

If you want to visit Tiger Cave Temple, you can either join a guided Krabi jungle tour which also includes visits to the Krabi Hot Springs and Emerald Pool (mentioned below), or hire a private taxi for about 2,000 baht for the whole day.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A KRABI JUNGLE TOUR

Entrance to the temple is free but you can leave a donation. 

Day trip to Emerald Pool and Krabi Hot Springs

Another top thing to do in Krabi, Thailand is to take a day trip to the Emerald Pool and Krabi Hot Springs.

The Emerald Pool is a clear-water lake and can be accessed through either an 800-meter or 1.4-km jungle trail. It’s definitely the perfect place to cool off after hiking to the Tiger Cave Temple. Entrance to the Emerald Pool costs 400 baht for adults and 200 baht for children.

The Krabi Hot Springs on the other hand is a series of cascading streams heated by underground volcanic chambers. The water temperature averages around 35-40 degrees Celsius and is claimed to have therapeutic and soothing properties. Entrance to the hot springs costs 200 baht for adults and 100 baht for children.

Tip: You can visit both attractions as well as the Tiger Cave Temple as part of a guided Krabi Jungle tour or hire a private taxi for the day.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A KRABI JUNGLE TOUR

Guan Yin Bodhisattva Mountain Temple

Guan Yin Bodhisattva Mountain Temple is one of the best hidden gems in Krabi and a great alternative to the Tiger Cave Temple.

Not many tourists know about this temple, making it a great place to go if you want to escape the crowds. Every single time I visited, I saw only about four or five people there.

The view is just as incredible (if not more) as the one at Tiger Cave Temple but you only have to brave 250 steps to get to the top. Plus, I didn’t encounter any cheeky monkeys there!

The temple is located about 3 km from Ao Nang Beach. While you can walk there from Ao Nang, it will take about 45 minutes which isn’t ideal in the heat. Instead, I recommend renting a motorbike or hiring a Grab taxi (about 90 baht).

At the top, you’ll find a gold Buddha statue overlooking rows of limestone cliffs scattered in the distance.

Tip: The middle stairs are quite steep and narrow but the ones on the far left-hand side are less steep.

Hong Island and Hong Lagoon

Located about a 45-minute boat ride from Ao Nang, Hong Island is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Krabi. The island features fine white sand, clear blue water, and tall limestone cliffs jutting out of the ocean.

Some of the best things to do here include swimming and snorkeling. You can also check out the small walking trail that goes around the island or visit the 360 viewpoint which is one of the latest attractions.

Before getting to the main beach on Hong Island, the boat will also make a stop at the Hong Lagoon, an emerald lagoon completely surrounded by huge limestone cliffs.

You can get to Hong Island and Lagoon by taking the public longtail boat for 500 baht per person but this option is more time-consuming as the boat will only depart once there are at least 8 people.

This is why most people choose to visit as part of a group tour by longtail boat or speedboat. The tour is the most cost-effective option as you’ll also visit Pakbia Island and Lading Island.

The tour price also includes round-trip transfers to and from your hotel, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear. Note that most tours don’t include the national park fee which cost 300 baht per person.

If you’re traveling with a group, you can rent a private longtail boat for about 2,500 baht for the day.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A TOUR OF HONG ISLAND

Related post: Guide to visiting Hong Island and Hong Lagoon

Railay Beach

Gigantic limestone cliffs, powdery white sand, turquoise water, and rows of colorful longtail boats are what make the perfect postcard picture of Krabi and you’ll find exactly that at Railay Beach.

Although attached to the mainland, Railay can only be reached by a 10-minute longtail boat ride which costs 100 baht each way, making it a quick and easy day trip from Krabi. You can read my guide on how to get to Railay beach from Ao Nang for more details.

The boat will drop you off at Railay West where you can relax in the shade or swim and snorkel. You can also explore the walking street to do some shopping or check out the restaurants and bars.

The most popular activity on Railay is rock climbing but you can also hike to the viewpoint and princess lagoon or visit the Diamond Cave.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A ROCK CLIMBING COURSE ON RAILAY

Related post: Guide to getting from Ao Nang to Railay

Kayaking at Ao Thalane

Another must-do activity in Krabi is kayaking at Ao Thalane. You can opt to kayak in the morning, afternoon, or during sunset.

I chose the morning and it was very peaceful and quiet with very few people. I found the morning session to be ideal as it wasn’t too hot.

We spent about 2.5 hours kayaking through limestone cliffs and mangroves and also spotted some monkeys.

While you can take a taxi to Ao Thalane and rent a kayak from there, it will be more expensive, plus you won’t have a guide to show you the way which is why it’s best to book a guided tour.

This highly-rated Ao Thalane kayaking tour includes round-trip transfers to and from your hotel in Ao Nang or Krabi Town, an English-speaking guide, life jackets, water, fruits, and lunch (add-on).

They also provide dry bags, so no need to worry about getting your belongings wet if you don’t have your own.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A KAYAKING TOUR AT AO THALANE

Pai Plong Beach

Pai Plong Beach is one of my favorite beaches in Ao Nang. It can be accessed from Ao Nang beach by walking along the Monkey Trail (which as the name suggests is full of monkeys but luckily they only hang out near the entrance).

Alternatively, you can charter a longtail boat from Ao Nang for about 100 baht.

It reminds me a lot of Railay Beach with its huge karst cliffs so if you’re looking for a less-crowded alternative to Railay, I highly recommend visiting Pai Plong beach instead.

While the water is clear, I didn’t find a lot of fish but it’s still a nice place to swim and relax far away from the crowds.

While the beach belongs to Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villa, you can enter for free after signing in with the security guard.

Related post: How to get from Ao Nang to Pai Plong Beach

Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill (Dragon Crest Mountain)

Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill, also known as Dragon Crest Mountain or Khao Ngon Nak viewpoint is one of the best adventurous things to do in Krabi.

After a challenging 2-hour hike, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the limestone cliffs dotting the land and sea.

The trail is easy to follow as there are signs along the way but due to the steep incline, it does require a moderate level of fitness.

If you want to do this hike, make sure to read my detailed guide to hiking Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill.

The trailhead is located about a 30-minute drive from Ao Nang. To get there, you can rent a motorbike, hire a private taxi for about 1,000 baht, or join this tour which includes a morning hike at Dragon Crest followed by an ATV ride and a kayaking trip.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A KRABI ADVENTURE TOUR

Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill is open daily from 8 a.m to 4 p.m and the entrance fee is 200 baht.

Related post: Hiking the Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill

Ao Nang Walking Street

Whether you’re on the hunt for souvenirs or want to buy new clothes, make sure to check out Ao Nang Walking Street.

If you head north from Ao Nang beach, you’ll find a huge selection of clothing stores, souvenir shops, restaurants, and bars lining down the street.

This is also where I recommend staying if you want to be within walking distance of Ao Nang beach. There are lots of budget places to stay like Seaworld Guesthouse, J Mansion, and Pop In Hostel, all of which I stayed at and recommend for budget travelers.

If you’re looking for more high-end hotels, Ao Nang Cliff Resort and Centara Ao Nang Beach are both great options.

Phra Nang Beach and Cave

With a gorgeous white-sand beach surrounded by tall karst cliffs, crystal-clear water, scenic viewpoints, and two interesting-looking caves full of wooden phallic shrines, Phra Nang beach is one of the most beautiful attractions in Krabi, if not the whole of Thailand.

You can have a massage right on the beach, rent kayaks for about 100 baht per hour to explore the nearby cave formations or take a rock climbing course.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A ROCK CLIMBING COURSE

The beach used to be lined with longtail boats selling Thai food but I didn’t see any during my recent visit, so if you need to buy food, head to Railay Walking Street where most of the restaurants and bars are found.

Related post: Guide to visiting Phra Nang Cave Beach

Krabi Town

Krabi Town became famous thanks to the Krabi Night Market that takes place every weekend.

Although it’s a town, it has more of a local village vibe. You can find a great selection of budget hotels and hostels here, so if you’re on a budget and don’t mind staying slightly away from the beach, Krabi Town would be a great choice.

Some of the best things in Krabi Town include Pak Nam River waterfront, Wat Kaeo Korawaram (a Buddhist temple sitting on top of a hill), Krabi Urban Forest Mangrove Walk, and Khao Khanap Nam Cave where the skeleton of a giant was supposedly discovered.

Related post: 8 Must-do in Krabi Town

Krabi Night Market

One of the best things to do in Krabi for foodies is to visit the Krabi Night Market in Krabi Town.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening from 6 to 10 p.m, the market will be packed with vendors selling clothes, souvenirs, artworks, plants, and so much delicious food from satays to grilled fish, pad thai, sushi, and more.

You can also watch live music performances and fire shows at the night market.

Those staying in Krabi Town can easily walk to the night market as most hotels are located nearby.

If you’re staying in Ao Nang, you can book a shared minivan for about 150 baht per person. Pretty much every tour operator along Ao Nang main street will be selling tickets for the minivan.

Alternatively, you can go on a guided food tour if you want to learn more about the local cuisine.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A KRABI NIGHT MARKET TOUR

Tip: I also recommend checking out the Black Crab Night Market located along the waterfront. It’s smaller than the Krabi Night Market but is less crowded and has more food variety.

Lesser-known beaches near Ao Nang

There are quite a few beaches in Ao Nang that feel less touristy compared to the main beach. Some of them include Nopharat Thara Beach, Klong Muang Beach, and Tubkaek Beach.

Nopparat Thara is closest to Ao Nang and although it might not be the best swimming beach, it’s definitely a great spot to watch the sunset. When the tide is low, you can easily walk to the neighboring Koh Liao and Koh Khao Sam Nuai Islands.

If you’re looking for a place to eat near Nopparat Thara Beach, make sure to check out the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market which opens every evening from 4 p.m to 10 p.m.

Klong Muang beach, on the other hand, is located about 12 km away. The beach is lined with only a couple of hotels and restaurants, so it’s super quiet. The water is calm, crystal-clear, and not too deep, making it ideal for kids.

I recommend eating at Ruean Siam @Sea Restaurant, a small restaurant overlooking the beach, or at the local food stalls found next to the beach entrance.

Finally, Tubkaek Beach is the perfect place to take a refreshing swim after hiking the Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill since it’s located less than 1 km from the trail entrance.

Related post: 8 top beaches near Ao Nang

Tonsai Beach

If you’re looking for a cheaper and less crowded alternative to Railay, I recommend Tonsai, a beautiful white-sand beach bordered by swaying palm trees and jagged cliffs which are the perfect rock climbing playground.

There have been quite a few developments on Tonsai recently with the opening of new high-end resorts but you can still find some budget accommodations like Chill Out Bungalows and Dream Valley Resort as well as some cheap local restaurants.

The best and cheapest way to get to Tonsai Beach is to walk from Railay West. It should take about 10-15 minutes but this is only possible during low tide. Alternatively, you can hire a longtail boat or hike the jungle trail that connects Tonsai to Railay East. 

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is very popular among backpackers and party-goers but if you venture past the main touristy areas, you’ll find a couple of chilled and quiet spots that are also worth checking out.

One of the best things I did during my trip was hiking to Koh Phi Phi viewpoint but I didn’t stop there.

I hiked all the way to the more secluded beaches like Loh Ba Kao Bay and Loh Lana Bay and passed through a bridge overlooking a clear-water mangrove swamp.

Ton Sai and Loh Dalum are two of the most popular beaches on Koh Phi Phi, but if you follow the small coastal trail path beside Phi Phi Bayview Resort, you’ll reach the more secluded Viking beach and Long beach.

Snorkeling tours in Koh Phi Phi are also great as well as a visit to the famous Maya Bay. Note that there’s a national park fee of 400 baht to enter the beach.

While the Koh Phi Phi day tours from Krabi are very popular for those short on time, it’s best to stay at least 2 days to fully explore the island. You can easily get from Krabi to Koh Phi Phi by a 45-minute speedboat or 2.5-hour ferry ride.

Where to stay on Koh Phi Phi: Phi Phi Sand Sea View Resort, Phi Phi Harbour View Hotel, Blue View House

Related post: The best Krabi day trips

Koh Yao Noi

Koh Yao Noi actually forms part of the Phang Nga Province but since it’s very close to Krabi, I’ve decided to include it on this list of the best things to do in Krabi.

This underrated island can be reached by a 1-hour speedboat ride from Ao Nang or by longtail boat from Ao Thalane pier.

There are also boat tours from Krabi that will take you to Koh Yao Noi but I actually recommend spending at least 2 or 3 days there.

One of the best things to do in Koh Yao Noi is to explore the many deserted beaches like Tha Khao beach, Klong Jark beach, and Pasai beach. In all honesty, they aren’t that great for swimming as the water is quite shallow but they are still beautiful and quiet.

You can also rent a kayak or hire a boat to take you to the beaches along the north coast and the smaller islands of Ko Roi and Koh Kudu, both of which feature incredible views with jagged limestone rocks.

You can also take a day trip from Koh Yao Noi to Hong Island or James Bond Island since they aren’t that far away.

I also recommend taking a longtail boat to Koh Yao Yai (100 baht each way for a 10-minute ride) to visit the beautiful sandbar on Laem Had beach.

The cheapest way to get around is to rent a motorbike (200 baht) or bicycle (150 baht). Otherwise, you can hire a tuk tuk for about 100 baht per trip.

Where to stay on Koh Yao Noi: Cape Kudu, Sabai Corner, Cha Bungalow

Related post: What to do in Koh Yao Noi?

Koh Lanta

Looking for an authentic Thai island that’s not overrun by tourists yet? Koh Lanta is no doubt the best place to visit in Krabi. Plus, accommodations are very cheap, so you can’t go wrong.

You can easily get to Koh Lanta from Krabi Airport or from Ao Nang by taking a shared minivan which should take about 4 hours. If you’re coming from other islands like Phuket or Koh Phi Phi, you can get there by speedboat.

The most popular thing to do in Koh Lanta is to rent a motorbike and explore all the secluded beaches. Some of my favorite Koh Lanta beaches are Bamboo Bay, Kantiang Beach, and Nui Bay.

Make sure to linger long enough for those epic sunsets that Koh Lanta is famous for.

You can also go on a kayaking and rock climbing tour on Koh Phee (Ghost Island) and Koh Talabeng, visit Koh Lanta Old Town, go on a snorkeling tour around Koh Rok Island, or take a 4 island and Emerald Cave tour.

I also recommend checking out the lighthouse at the national park for a beautiful panoramic view.

Where to stay in Koh Lanta: Avani Plus, Lanta Baan Nok Resort, CAT Bungalow

Fire Show on Ao Nang Beach

Although not the most beautiful, Ao Nang beach is the perfect spot for chilling and watching the sunset.

Every night at around 6 p.m locals perform some of the best fire shows I’ve seen for 30 minutes straight. The fire show is completely free but you’re welcome to give a tip.

I hope you found this guide to the best things to do in Krabi and places to visit helpful. If you have any questions, let me know in the comment sections below.

Read more about Thailand:

• Complete guide to the best things to do in Ao Nang
• Guide to visiting Bangkok in 4 days
• How to plan an Ayutthaya day trip?
• Khao Sok floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake: Ultimate guide
• Thailand Island hopping itinerary for 10 days
• Hong Island and Lagoon travel guide
• Phra Nang Cave Beach travel guide
• How to get to Pai Plong Beach?
• Tab Kak Hang Nak Hill: Ultimate hiking guide
• Ao Nang to Railay Beach day trip 
• The best things to do on Koh Lipe
• Top attractions in Koh Lanta, Thailand’s underrated island 
• The best beaches to visit in Koh Lanta