Krabi province is Thailand from the postcards. You’ll visit islands with mesmerizing lagoons, trek through the dense jungle, kayak in crystal-clear waters surrounded by mangrove forests, and taste mouthwatering Thai food at night markets.
Still retaining its soul, Krabi is more family-friendly than Phuket, offering spectacular nature and a wide range of activities. A week is ideal for seeing all the region’s sights without rushing. This way, you’ll have enough time to relax on the gorgeous beaches and get active in the jungle. The town of Ao Nang is the best place to base yourself for Krabi exploration, with major land and sea connections. Here’s a 7-day itinerary for your next adventure to one of Thailand’s most magical regions.
Day 1 – Ao Nang, Monkey Trail and Pai Plong
Ao Nang is Krabi’s tourist center. Naturally, most travelers end up here. You will find hundreds of accommodation options ranging from modest roadside hostels to ultra-luxurious jungle resorts. Its main beach is a long strip of white sand flanked by the lively coastal road. Krabi’s most charming (and more tranquil) section is alongside the tall limestone mountain in the eastern part. That’s where you find the big resort hotels with the balcony views of the Andaman Sea and the jungle. The town is also famous for its Landmark Night Market, one of Thailand’s most impressive collections of street food vendors. Ao Nang Beach sunsets overlooking the rocky islands are to die for.
If you pictured your Thai vacation filled with monkey encounters, you weren’t wrong. In Ao Nang, you won’t have to go far to meet the primates—they hang out in the easternmost section of the beach called the Monkey Trail. Just don’t feed them and try to keep your distance (the macaques don’t miss a chance to get nasty with tourists). Follow the scenic wooden trail to find Pai Plong, a gorgeous sandy bay surrounded by the gargantuan rock formations. From there, you can kayak to Tonsai Beach, another divine stretch. Both Pai Plong and Tonsai have beach bars where you can sit and enjoy the panorama with a coconut in hand.
Day 2 – Railay Beach and Phra Nang
Some of the world’s most impressive beaches are in Krabi. Railay is an epic stretch near Ao Nang, where high mountains pierce into the blue Andaman waters. Encircled by the jungle and the rocks, it’s only accessible by boat. The most popular way is taking a longboat from Ao Nang port. But be aware that boarding is right from the water, so you will have to walk the sea for a while to reach the vessel. Travel to Ao Nam Mao to get on a longboat from the pier. Both the journey and the beach itself are breathtaking. A decade ago, Railey was pure wilderness. Now, it’s a small tourist settlement with a walking street, restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
A jungle trail under the giant rock connects Railey Beach East with Phra Nang. Naming this stretch one of the planet’s most beautiful wouldn’t be an understatement. Emerald and turquoise intertwine in the turquoise water. A limestone outcrop towers over the pristine white sand. Several tall stacks are rising from the sea. It’s absolutely gorgeous, a visual spectacle. Even though Phra Nang is a popular tourist attraction, its sands don’t get overcrowded, and there’s space for everyone. The rocks around the beaches are great for climbing. Kayaking around the sea stacks is another scenic activity. Jungle trails from the beach lead you to the hidden lagoon and a cave with bats. To make it even more magical, you can observe plankton bioluminescence at Phra Nang in the evening.
Day 3 – Phi Phi Islands
The landscapes you find on the Phi Phi Islands are paradisiac. It’s an irresistible scenery of rocky cliffs, lush jungle, sapphire waters in hidden bays, and sugary sand stretches. Deciding whether it’s a paradise lost is another question. While the Phi Phi Islands still look postcard-perfect, they are also a poster child for overtourism. Ko Phi Don, the largest and most developed of the islands, even has McDonald’s, steps away from once untouched jungle trails and coves. My advice would be to keep your expectations in check before traveling to Phi Phi. It’s still a fantastic destination, but with caveats. While the main beaches, Loh Dalum and Ton Sai, are beautiful but crowded with boats, the pre-development Phi Phi magic lives in stretches like Loh Moo Dee, Loh Ba Kao, Nui, and Wang Long Bay.
Every Phi Phi tour includes the iconic Maya Bay, the sublime beach from the 2000 Leo DiCaprio movie “The Beach.” You can’t swim there due to ecosystem protection measures, but seeing it is a must. For outstanding snorkeling, visit Pi Leh Bay, set among the dramatic mountainous panorama. There are several great reef diving spots around the Phi Phi Islands. You can book the experience from one of the operators in the main town.
Day 4 – Krabi Town and Wat Tham Suea
Limestone mogotes (or rocky hills) surround Krabi Town, the vibrant capital of this tropical province. While it doesn’t have turquoise beaches, the town is a nice introduction to authentic Thai life. All the streets lead to the Pak Nam River promenade, which overlooks a vast mangrove forest. You can either walk among mangroves at the Krabi Urban Forest, or hop on one of the boat tours taking you to the heart of the watergrown trees. The best time to explore Krabi is at sunset, when the surrounding hills glisten in an orange hue, and the city center comes alive with night markets. The town is also an important transit point for going to Phi Phi Islands and Phuket.
A visit to Krabi is usually combined with the climb to Tiger Cave Temple. A 1260-step staircase leads to the top of the mountain, where a gold Buddha statue observes the breathtaking jungle landscapes. The journey to the top is quite enduring, so evaluate your powers before going up. At the foot of the hill is the newer temple. You will also find numerous cave sanctuaries and several picturesque jungle treks. Another day trip from Krabi Town is a boat ride to Khao Khanab Nam. Starting from the Mud Crabs sculpture at the town’s promenade, the longboat takes you to a complex of caves with an archeological exhibition inside and bats.
Day 5 – Din Daeng Doi viewpoint and mangrove kayaking
Even if you’re not a sunrise person, wake up early for Din Daeng Doi. Grab (an Asian app comparable to Uber) will take you there from Ao Nang or Krabi Town. After a short hike through the forest, you’ll reach the viewpoint. Once you’re on top, it’s nothing short of spellbinding: the mist covers meadows between the tall mogotes, and the sun rays paint the scenery in an ethereal apricot color. It’s a 360-degree viewing platform, and you can observe the mountains, the jungle, and the Andaman Sea in the distance. Grab a smoothie or a coffee from the cafe on the spot and enjoy the stunning vista.
After the sunrise spotting, embark on a kayaking adventure. Gliding through the Klong Root, or the Clear Water Canal, is among the most popular activities in Krabi. You will enter the heart of the mangroves. The tour includes a stop at a natural pool, where you swim in transparent waters next to the mangrove roots. It’s also great for easy snorkeling. The most beautiful section of the experience is Mirror Lake, where the limestone hills reflect in the water. The Elephant Sanctuary and a pineapple farm are close by, so visit if you have more time.
Day 6 – Hong Islands Archipelago and Tubkaek Beach
The Hong Islands are, in a way, what Phi Phi Islands were before mass tourism. Still pristine and undeveloped, this archipelago is a paradise of hidden lagoons, idyllic white-sand beaches, beautiful jungle trails, and spectacular rocky hills. They are easily reached by longtail boat from Ao Nang. You can also opt for a day tour or hire a speedboat. Koh Hong is the largest island, where you find the emerald lagoon in the middle and a soft sand beach. Climb the 400 steps to reach the stunning Hong View Point with a panorama of the island. Smaller islands, Lading and Ko Ka Mit, offer more emerald beauty.
On your way back, make a stop at Tubkaek Beach, a mile-long stretch of fine sand overlooking the archipelago. It has a surprising Hollywood connection—the wedding scenes from “Hangover 2” were filmed in the local Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and the Hong Islands’ views were prominently featured in the movie. The beach is home to several five-star, retreat-style resorts. The Arudina, a beachside restaurant at The Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort, offers a stunning vista of the islands from the charming koi pond terrace.
Day 7 – Khlong Thom Hot Springs and Natural Pools
Once you’ve explored the beaches, the islands and the hills, it’s time to discover another fascinating side of Krabi Province. It’s one of Thailand’s hot spring leisure centers. The district of Khlong Thom, southeast of Krabi Town, is where you find the biggest concentration of natural pools and thermal resorts. The most impressive of them all is the Emerald Pool. The subterranean hot springs keep this swimming hole perpetually warm. There are Blue and Crystal pools nearby.
Another hot attraction is the Khong Thom Nuea, where you can take a dip in the warm waterfall. For something more organized, head to Saline Hot Spring Khlong Thom, a resort complex featuring a series of naturally heated saline pools. On your way back, visit the Wat Khlong Thom Museum, which displays archeological findings and ancient artifacts from Krabi Province.
