20 Best Things to Do in Krabi

Krabi in Thailand is located at the Andaman Sea, about 800 kilometers from Bangkok, and is probably one of the most spectacular holiday destinations in the country. Therefore, the things to do in Krabi are absolutely amazing! This province amazes with imposing limestone cliffs, paradise beaches and a breathtaking island world with 130 islands. Whether on the mainland or on the islands, on a holiday to Krabi you will discover countless fantastic attractions and places to visit. In addition, there are plenty of memorable activities to do. Kayaking, jungle trekking, snorkeling, climbing, bathing with elephants, and exploring the best beaches in the area are just some of the highlights of the Krabi area. But, what are the best things to do in Krabi and top attractions of this wonderful holiday destination of Thailand?

In this travel guide, you will find all the important information about the best things to do in Krabi, the most beautiful islands, as well as the best beaches and awesome insider tips. We also share our experiences, show you amazing pictures and give tips on how to get there, accommodations, best travel time and excursions.

Good to know!

Where to go in Krabi? The best starting points for exploring Krabi’s most beautiful attractions and places are the resorts Klong Muang Beach, Ao Nang Beach, Railay Beach and Krabi Town.

There are such a wide range of amazing accommodation in Krabi. If you are still looking for where to stay in Krabi, you can discover some great bargains here!

For getting to Krabi, there are various options and the transfer can be easily organized. Connections for flight, bus, train, but also combination tickets can be found most conveniently on 12go.Asia.

Krabi is an absolute beach paradise with numerous dream bays in spectacular scenery. Here you will find the best beaches in Krabi summarized at a glance.

 

Best Things to Do in Krabi

As beautiful as the region is, so diverse and unique are the attractions in Krabi. The possibilities of amazing activities are almost uncountable. In this travel guide we have put together a list of the ultimate best attractions and things to do in Krabi.

Railay Peninsula

The Railay Beach is probably one of the most beautiful spots and one of the best places to visit in Krabi. The famous peninsula enchants with spectacular limestone cliffs, turquoise blue sea, wild monkeys and the absolute best dream beaches of Thailand. Top highlights include the uniquely beautiful Railay Beach, Phra Nang Beach and Tonsai Beach. Although Railay is no longer an insider tip anymore, but still, the entire scenery is legendary, and a visit is almost a must-do on every trip to Krabi! On top, Railay is the most spectacular place for an amazing beach holiday in Krabi and a great starting point to explore the offshore island world.

Tip: Perfect for a vacation is the Bhu Nga Thani Resort & Spa. The hotel complex is romantically located, directly on the beach, and the modern pool area is also a dream.

Phra Nang Beach & Princess Cave

Another popular attraction in Krabi is the world-famous Phra Nang Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. It is located on the Railay Peninsula and can only be reached by boat from Krabi mainland. Spectacular rocks in which climbers hang, green jungle in the hinterland, fine soft sand and an almost kitschy turquoise sea make this place unique in Krabi. Not for nothing the Phra Nang Beach in so many Thailand travel magazines. Also on the famous 4-Islands-Tour, to which we will come later, this beach is an absolute highlight. Another extraordinary thing to visit in Krabi is the Phra Nang Cave, also called Princess Cave. This cave is located at the end of the beach and surprises its visitors, as you can see below, not only with stalactites.

Tip: The Rayavadee is a beautiful 5-star luxury hotel with a great pool in a brilliant location right on Phra Nang Beach. The cave restaurant “The Grotto” is also unique!

The Tiger Cave Temple

One of the best things to do in Krabi is a visit to the legendary Tiger Cave Temple. The special thing about this extraordinary temple complex is that you have to manage a steep and very sweaty climb of 1,237 steps. But the effort is worth it! Once at the top of the temple terrace, numerous beautiful Buddha statues and one of the best views of the region around Krabi await you. Climbing the Tiger Cave temple is one of the activities in Krabi that you should not miss! However, the climb to the temple is best done in the early morning or late afternoon, when it is a bit cooler.

Tip: There are also guided tours to the Tiger Cave Temple, where you can then also visit other interesting attractions such as the Emerald Pool!

Emerald Pool & Blue Pool

Another really cool highlight and an exceptional nature attraction of Krabi is the incredibly Emerald Pool. This emerald-colored lake is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the region around Krabi, and a visit is truly recommended. During an entertaining jungle tour through the rainforest, you will also explore an intact ecosystem and marvel at the impressive ambience of the forest. The highlight is a refreshing swim in the fascinating Emerald Pool and last but not least, a visit to the stunning Blue Pool.

Tip: You can combine an excursion to the Emerald Pool with a side trip to the Hot Springs, another interesting attraction in the region of Krabi!

Meeting Krabis Elephants

An unforgettable experience is a visit to an Elephant Sanctuary in Krabi. Fortunately, as in Chiang Mai, some of these elephant sanctuaries have also settled here in Krabi province. Here, thanks to donations and entrance fees, the former working elephants are offered protection and a new, safe home. Visitors have the opportunity to get to know the beautiful, gentle pachyderms, to observe them, to feed them and sometimes even to bathe with the elephants. An unforgettable activity in Krabi, which you will certainly not forget so quickly.

Tip: Check out the Ao Nang Elephant Sanctuary for interactions with the rescued elephants and learn about their individual stories!

4 Islands Tour

One of the ultimate best things to do in Krabi is the popular 4 Islands Tour. It is one of the best excursions in Krabi and on a tour with the typical longtail boat you explore the incredibly beautiful island world of the Krabi region. As perhaps the name already reveals, 4 absolute dream islands are explored during this excursion. Mostly the visit of Tup Island, Koh Poda, Phra Nang Beach and Chicken Island, whose chicken head like rock has almost become a landmark of Krabi, is on the program. If you want to experience some of the most stunning islands in Krabi, the 4 Islands Tour should be high on your travel list!

Tip: You can also conveniently book the Krabi 4 Islands Tour online. Recommended boat trips with reviews of the providers can be found on GetyourGuide.

Explore Krabi Town

Krabi Town is the provincial capital of Krabi and offers its visitors plenty of lovely places to visit. In addition to interesting attractions, temples, mangrove forests and caves, this town also has an authentic market life. Since Krabi Town is not directly on the sea, but on the Krabi River, it is not a typical holiday destination. It’s the place for the backpacker scene, dropouts and long-term travelers. No wonder, the accommodations are cheap and due to its central location, the town is ideal for excursions and cool activities in Krabi.

Tip: Fantastic is the Family Tree Hotel, a super chic boutique hotel in the middle of the old town. A budget alternative for backpackers is the Sleep Well Hostel in the city.

Khao Khanap Nam Cave

The Khao Khanap Nam Cave is one of the absolute insider tips for Krabi. This beautiful attraction is located in the striking rocks on the Krabi River, which you can see from the pier. With a visit, one discovers with a little luck also a few monkeys directly at the entrance of this natural Jewel. In the cave, you will admire great stalactite formations and some huge skeletons, which are part of an art exhibition.

Krabis Night Markets

The night markets of Krabi Town are one of the main attractions of the province and a visit is one of the best things to do in Krabi. Here you can taste the Thai cuisine, experience the local market life, shop souvenirs and local handicrafts. Every weekend, from Friday to Sunday, Krabi Town Walking Street takes place in the evening. This market is popular for both tourists and locals. Otherwise, a visit to the Chao Fah Night Market, a small night market, takes place every day from 18:00 to 24:00 on the waterfront in Krabi.

Ao Nang Beach

Ao Nang Beach is the tourist center of Krabi. In this resort you will find a huge number of great accommodations, a vibrant nightlife, restaurants and cafés, massage parlors, fish spas and excursion agencies. If you like it lively, you are in good hands in Ao Nang. In addition, this place is an excellent starting point for great excursions in the surrounding area. For example, the famous Railay Beach can be reached quickly by longtail boat, and Krabi Town with its markets can also be easily visited by bus. For all those who prefer it quiet, we can recommend Klong Muang Beach as a vacation destination in Krabi.

Tip: From the Scene Cliff View Villas you can enjoy a wonderful view of the limestone cliffs of Ao Nang. There is also a beautiful pool and a free shuttle to the beach.

Koh Hong & Hong Lagoon

A boat trip to Koh Hong, one of the ultimate dream islands in Thailand, is for many one of the absolute best things to do in Krabi. Here you can swim on a white powdered sugar beach like from a travel magazine, admire a colorful underwater world while snorkeling and also explore the wonderful Hong Lagoon. Really impressive are also the insanely beautiful limestone rocks, which characterize the picturesque landscape of Koh Hong, and makes the island one of the most beautiful places in the Krabi region. Moreover, the Koh Hong bathing bay is probably one of the best beaches in Krabi and should not be missed.

Tip: This impressive natural wonder you visit best very early in the morning, then you have this island mostly all to yourself!

Tonsai Beach

The Tonsai Beach is most likely one of the coolest and most alternative spots in Krabi. This is where the climbing and backpacker scene meets to escape the hustle and bustle of the neighboring beaches and relax together. This place has always been popular for independent travelers who like it to be quiet and tranquil. The nightlife is her descent, you spend the evening together in one of the many cozy hippie bars and relax. High palm trees, gigantic rock formations, a unique flair and an incredibly beautiful sandy beach make the Tonsai in Krabi one of the top highlights of the region.

Tip: A real insider tip on Tonsai Beach is the stunning hotel Tinidee Hideaway in a paradisiacal location with a magnificent view of the sea.

Koh Phi Phi (The Famous Island)

Who does not know the famous Koh Phi Phi Islands. Ever since Leonardo di Caprio discovered “The Beach”, this group of islands is one of the most famous islands of Krabi. Here you can swim on the most beautiful beaches and admire huge limestone cliffs, which are absolutely characteristic for this region. If you like, you can party on Koh Phi Phi until the morning, or if you prefer it quiet, however, you can still find quite relaxed and cozy spots on this island. Koh Phi Phi is a popular destination for a vacation, but even just a day trip from Krabi mainland is worth it!

Tip: If you like to spend a few days on Koh Phi Phi, we recommend the Phi Phi The Beach Resort on the rather quiet and beautiful Longbeach.

Koh Lanta (Dream Island & Hippie Flair)

The beautiful island Koh Lanta is located in Krabi province, is part of Mu Ko Lanta National Park and inspires a lot of nature, miles of stunning sandy beaches, hidden bays, deep jungle, caves and even waterfalls. Also, the incredibly beautiful sunsets on the island are legendary in Thailand. In addition, the island of Koh Lanta enchants with an insanely relaxed hippie flair, countless cozy beach bars, a worth seeing old town and many unforgettable attractions. On top of that, the beaches on Koh Lanta are really romantic and therefore a nice place to spend your vacation in the Krabi region!

Island Hopping from Krabi to Koh Lipe

Krabi is probably the best starting point for island hopping in Thailand. There is hardly any other region where you can find such a variety of stunning islands, beaches and bays nearby. So it’s no surprise that boat tours and excursions to the island world are among the most popular activities in Krabi! In addition, from the Krabi mainland you have the opportunity to travel to the absolute dream islands of the Andaman Sea such as Koh Jum, Koh Lanta, Koh Kradan, Koh Mook, Koh Bulon, Koh Lipe and several more. A wonderful experience that should not be missed on any vacation.

Koh Jum (Enjoy authentic island idyll)

The relaxed island Koh Jum is one of the Krabi insider tips and guarantees a particularly peaceful and relaxing holiday. On this island pearl, it is still very contemplative, perhaps, as one imagines a Thailand 30 years ago. The beaches are also stunning and absolutely idyllic. Especially individual travelers and backpackers who are looking for an exceptional Thailand experience will find their personal paradise on this island pearl. If you would like to spend a few days far away from the world, then we can only recommend Koh Jum as a tip for an unforgettable Krabi vacation.

Tip: The Koh Jum Beach Villas are the perfect choice for a very special vacation. They score with chic design in the best location on the long dream beach of the island.

Kayaking

Exploring the coast of Krabi by kayak, discovering the most beautiful beaches and mangrove forests, is probably one of the best things to do in Krabi. You can rent kayaks in almost every resort for the day or by the hour. For visiting the very special spots, however, you should join a guided tour. On these tours, you can explore more of the region’s attractions and get to beautiful places that are hard to reach by kayak on your own.

Tip: Tours by kayak are also offered online on GetYourGuide. Often in combination with quad tours, island hopping or other action-packed experiences!

Climbing in Krabi

One of the most popular sports in Krabi is definitely climbing. And not without reason! The mighty limestone walls of the Krabi region are one of the best spots for climbing in Thailand. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, with a wide variety of climbing routes, everyone is sure to get their money’s worth. Really spectacular are the steep rock faces on the Railay Peninsula. Phra Nang Beach is particularly popular, but a really cool climbing scene has also settled at the chilly Tonsai Beach. If you would like to learn the basics of climbing on the limestone cliffs of the Krabi region, you can also find courses with expert guides on GetYourGuide!

How to get to Krabi

Krabi is located about 800 kilometers south of Bangkok. The easiest way for getting from Bangkok to Krabi is by plane. Cheap domestic flights and more transfer options can be found online here.

Another way to get to Krabi is by night bus from Bangkok or by train to Surat Thani and then by bus.

The various transfer options including departure times can be easily found online at 12go.asia.

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Best travel time

The best time for visiting Krabi is in the months of December, January, February, March and April. During this time, you can look forward to mostly blue skies and lots of sunshine. The transitional period are the months of May and November. At this time of the year, the weather in Krabi is still a bit unstable, and it can rain from time to time. The rainy season in Krabi officially lasts from June to October. During this time is the low season, you have to reckon with regular rain, but often only with a short shower.

 

Booking Excursions and Tours

As you can see, there is a lot to do in Krabi. Some activities you can easily do on your own, for other excursions in Krabi it is recommended to book a guided tour. If you want to be on the safe side when booking your favorite tour, we recommend the excursion portal GetyourGuide.

Here you will find guided temple tours, exciting quad tours, kayak excursions and, of course, beautiful boat trips in Krabi’s gorgeous island world.

The reviews, which you can compare before booking, are also really great.

 

Best Places to Explore Krabi

On a vacation in Krabi, a great range of accommodations awaits you. Whether you are a backpacker or a luxury vacationer, everyone will find a suitable hotel, resort or hostel here. So if you are still looking for where to stay in Krabi, we have summarized our best hotel recommendations and the most beautiful resorts in Krabi…It’s worth a look!

  • Ao Nang Beach: A popular vacation spot and a good starting point for exploring the Krabi area. Here, the choice of accommodation is overwhelming. Especially nice with a good price is the Holiday Inn Resort Krabi. This chic hotel is located directly on the white sandy beach. For backpackers, the TAN Hostel x Cafe convinces with relaxed atmosphere, comfortable beds and delicious breakfast.
  • Klong Muang Beach: A really cozy holiday destination in Krabi. Perfect if you are looking for recreation. In addition, Klong Muang is a great base for exploring the Krabi area. Great is the family-run Krabilife Resort. Backpackers love the Reset Hostel with its very clean rooms, nice location and the unbelievably good value for money.
  • Krabi Town: Very authentic town on the Krabi River. Here you will find mangrove forests, night markets and temples. As Krabi Town is a good base for things to do in Krabi province, it’s the perfect place for individual travelers. Recommended is the Sleep Well Hostel, one of the best backpacker hostels in Krabi Town. As a hotel, we recommend the Family Tree Hotel, a super chic boutique hotel in the middle of Krabi Town.

Find the best accommodation in Krabi:

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