9 Best Places to Visit in Krabi (+Map)

Situated in the glistening waters of the Andaman Sea, right down in the south of Thailand, the pretty province of Krabi boasts beautiful beaches, traditional culture, and plentiful island paradises to explore. With its jutting karst landscape, verdant mangroves and traditional local communities; lush and laid-back Krabi has become a popular holiday spot for travelers.

Not just for adventurous backpackers, tourism in Krabi has grown and flourished, with many mid-range and luxury hotels and resorts opening up to accommodate the growing number of visitors flocking here for a slice of tropical Thailand.

Krabi’s once sleepy towns have become vibrant and busy with restaurants and late night bars, but there still remains a selection of sleepy, secluded spots where life is more about watching sunsets than partying. Affordable accommodation is plentiful here, with beach bungalows boasting brilliant views, some even with the luxury of a swimming pool. Travelling to various destinations in Krabi by local boats is normal; once there, hiring a scooter is often the cheapest and easiest way to get around.

With so much to see and do in Krabi, you will never be stuck for a new adventure. All you need to do now is decide where to go in Krabi. But be careful, once you’re here you might not be able to tear yourself away from your spot in paradise.

Table of Contents

Ao Nang

Ao Nang is the most popular place to stay in Krabi. Travelers come for the laid-back beach life, comfortable accommodation and easy access to explore the numerous beaches along the coast. Over the years, Ao Nang has developed into a destination not just for backpackers, but also for tourists who want some time-out on a Thai beach.

The influx of visitors to Ao Nang has brought opportunities for locals to run boat trips and open restaurants, which means there is now a huge selection of food and entertainment venues to choose from.

Ao Nang beach is a popping place where people sip beer in the sunshine to the backdrop of its blue shoreline and reggae music. During peak season, bungalow and hotel accommodation gets more expensive, but budget-friendly stays can still be found in the form of friendly guest houses.

Where to Stay in Ao Nang

Centara Grand Beach Resort – This luxurious resort offers a wide range of deluxe rooms and villas. Some have gorgeous balconies that overlook the treetops, others come complete with Jacuzzis and sea views.
Krabi Resort – You can spend your days here lounging around the large pool, eating delicious food in the restaurant, and looking out over the turquoise sea.
Anyavee Ao Nang Bay Resort – Boasting a large swimming pool complete with loungers to soak up that sun, there’s also a restaurant that serves up delicious Thai food.

Phi Phi Don

The idyllic island of Phi Phi Don is located just off the coast of Krabi; set in turquoise waters with long, golden beaches. A popular spot for travelers looking to kick back in paradise, Phi Phi Don is known for its fun vibes and stunning natural landscape. Jutting karsts and typically Thai beaches have made this island an icon of island holidays, and the once under-the-radar backpacking spot has become a mainstream holiday destination.

Phi Phi is now awash with a selection of affordable guesthouses and luxury hotels, plus an abundance of stylish restaurants and shops. Make the most of staying on a tropical island by trying out scuba diving, or have an adventure and hike the walking trails to discover more about the real Phi Phi Don.

To the south is the smaller island of Phi-Phi Leh, made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio movie ‘The Beach’. Though undeveloped and hotel-free you can expect plenty of tourists during daylight hours, especially in beautiful Maya Bay.

Where to Stay in Phi Phi Don

Zeavola Resort – If you wanted a truly luxurious beach getaway, you need look no further than this 5-star resort.
Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort – There’s a lot of fun things going on here. Some rooms come with their own private pools, there’s an infinity pool overlooking the beach, four restaurants, tennis courts, and a dive center.
Phi Phi Cliff Beach Resort – As the name might have given away, this beautiful hotel is set right on the cliffs overlooking Ton Sai Bay. Of course, this means a stunning, luxurious pool to help soak up the equally stunning views.

Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta is a big, beautiful island with many options for visitors who want to spend time kicking back on its numerous beaches. The old fishing village turned tourist town of Baan Saladan is where boats ferry travelers to neighboring islands. There’s a big choice of restaurants, shops and budget accommodation in the town, as well as easy access to transportation to other parts of the island.

Further around on the peninsula, luxury resorts with Instagram-ready poolside aesthetics serve guests everything they could need on their island retreat. Head to Haad Khlong Dao if you are looking for a sizeable beach and family-friendly mid-range hotels, as well as a little more comfort and convenience.

Where to Stay in Ko Lanta

Pimalai Resort & Spa – This is a huge, impressive resort, an elegant place to stay where you’ll quite literally want for nothing. The beach is also right in front of the resort.
SriLanta Resort – Spend your time here lapping up the heavenly views whilst you tuck into tasty dishes at one of SriLanta’s three restaurants.

Railay

Located on a peninsula, Railay has four picturesque beaches and a thriving activity scene. The area is famous for rock climbing; in fact, it’s said to be one of the top places in the world to try this precarious sport, with the rough mountainous landscape serving as an ideal climb, and the pay-off of panoramic views over turquoise waters and nearby islands.

Hotels are more luxurious on this peninsula, offering exclusivity and comfort to many international guests. There’s a selection of budget accommodation available, but mainly inland, though this means a choice of local eateries and top sights are within easy walking distance. There’s a wide choice of mid-range accommodation, which comes in the form of villas with spas and pools.

Where to Stay in Railay

Rayavadee – With its utterly peaceful surroundings and simply breathtaking scenery of limestone mountains and jungles, Rayavadee boasts extremely chic 2-story lodges set between palm trees.
Railay Princess Resort & Spa – Five minutes away from Pranang Cave Beach, this resort boasts two outdoor swimming pools in manicured gardens for plenty of space to relax in.
Avatar Railay – A boutique style offering with a swimming pool right outside the balconies of the rooms.

Ko Jum

Robert Brands / Flickr

If you are looking for a friendly Thai island with relaxing sunsets and tranquil beaches, then the under-the-radar island of Ko Jum could be the spot for you. This island is home to quiet beaches, a few smatterings of tourists, and the sort of welcoming, chilled atmosphere that you’d expect from a tropical getaway. Traditional life still continues here on Ko Jum. Away from the tourist scene at Ko Lanta and Phi Phi, colorful houses scatter the coast and the luminous green of nature covers the interior, where communities live with chickens and children running freely.

Much of the accommodation on Ko Jum is basic and budget-friendly; there’s a growing selection of more mid-range style hotels featuring gardens and pools which are still relatively affordable. Take the chance to explore other islands in the Anaman by catching a ride on one of the longtail boats to nearby spots.

Where to Stay in Ko Jum

Kohjum Freedom Resort – Rustic style comfortable beach houses with sea views and big balconies is the order of the day at Kohjum Freedom Resort. If that doesn’t sound like you, why not have a little bit more of an adventure and stay at one of the cool treehouses on offer at this 3-star resort?

Krabi Town

Many travelers pass through Krabi Town on their way to explore the surrounding islands, and this constant stream of visitors makes for a fun-filled atmosphere. Interesting bars and restaurants have opened up inside classic shophouses to the backdrop of karst mountains and mangroves.

Krabi is a surprising wealthy town considering its size: it’s got a modern marina, along with cultural walks and public art that connects to the town’s history. Accommodation in Krabi Town is often excellent value for money – backpacker guesthouses and more mid-range hotels compete for customers, making for a healthy selection of choices.

Where to Stay in Krabi Town

The Sasi House – It’s a simple offering, but great for people who like to be near lively nightlife and on a budget.

Had Yao

Secluded Had Yao is a pretty, undeveloped beach just around the coast from Ko Lanta. The area around the beach still remains traditional; many local Muslim families are farmers and live their lives away from the tourist crowds of neighboring towns. Accommodation along the beach is basic and spacious, with views out across the long stretch of shoreline and out to sea.

There is a selection of seafood restaurants that serve fresh food to visitors, or if you want something a little more familiar, the beach bungalow resorts usually have their own restaurant attached.

There isn’t much in the way of entertainment in this area, but the carefree beach, great swimming conditions and relaxing atmosphere make for an easygoing beach break. Transport is easy to come by; hotel owners and locals will offer pick-up and taxi services, or you can catch the songthaew (local bus) to the pier to jump aboard a ferry.

Where to Stay in Had Yao

Purin Resort – Some villas here come with their own pools, which is great for couples or those who feel like a little more privacy. There’s also a large pool on the beach itself.

Tonsai

Secluded Tonsai is a slice of beach heaven. Only accessible by boat from Ao Nang and Railay, Tonsai is part of the mainland but remains a hidden gem in the Krabi tourist scene. Think huge cliffs, beautiful beaches and lush jungles; Tonsai is a peaceful Thai Eden. Don’t expect to get phone reception, let alone internet connection, and there isn’t much to do here other than to kick back and slip effortlessly into beach life.

Rock climbing is a big draw to this area, as the beach is surrounded by huge cliffs. Or you could arrange for a boat to take you to other islands. Tonsai’s tight-knit local community is small and welcoming, and accommodation is clean and budget-friendly; a handful of resorts have opened here in recent years, which offer more mid-range amenities.

Where to Stay in Tonsai

Tonsai Bay Resort – Boasting a restaurant right on the beach, this place feels secluded and private with its bungalows dotted around a jungle setting.

Ao Nam Mao

The magnificent Ao Nam Mao beach is popular with day-trippers arriving by boat from nearby resorts to spend the day on the beach and see the fossils that the beach is famous for. The area hasn’t seen as much development as other resorts in Krabi, and once the day visitors disperse, returns to its blissful atmosphere.

There are a few residential houses and local shops that dot the main road, and a bus connection that runs to Ao Nang, but other than that Ao Nam Mao is the place to stay if you want to just chill out and do nothing. Accommodation in Ao Nam is a step above backpacker beach huts and leans more towards affordable mid-range beach resorts with swimming pools and on-site restaurants, which are often family-friendly.