Tourist Attractions & Things to Do

Hua Hin and the surrounding area boasts numerous attractions, activities and beauty spots to keep the active holiday maker occupied.

There are also several first class events that take place in town on a regular basis.

Local Beaches

Hua Hin beach is one of the best beaches in Thailand and stretches seven kilometres from the town center, south to Khao Takiab.  The beach is wide and covered in golden sand, and the water is shallow, very clean and excellent for swimming.

It remains little developed compared to other Thai resorts and there are many quiet spots, especially towards the Takiab end of the beach. The town’s name (Hua Hin = Head Stone) is derived from the rock formations that can be seen on the beach in front of the Sofitel hotel.

Sunbeds and umbrellas, along with food and cold drinks, are readily available towards the town centre stretch of the beach, and adjacent to the beach front hotels further south.

The beach can be very busy on weekends and local holidays when the town is packed out with holidaying Thai people.

Takiab beach is approximately seven kilometres south from the centre of town but can be easily accessed via the numerous taxis and tuk tuk’s available downtown.

This beach is approximately eight kilometers long and stretches south to Khao Tao. It is less popular than Hua Hin beach and is mostly frequented by Thai people.

There are a few sunbeds, umbrellas and small Thai restaurants at the Takiab end of the beach and south at the Khao Tao end, but little or nothing in between. This is a nice place to enjoy the clean, shallow water and get away from it all.

Khao Tao beach is at the other end of the bay from Takiab and is very quiet with little in the way of development. There are a couple of Thai beachside restaurants but little else.

The Khao Tao headland does however offer a very nice temple topped with a beautiful golden Buddha.  Nice photo opportunities and great views from the top.

Around the headland there is a smaller and much more picturesque beach called Had Sia Noi.  This beautiful little cove is more popular than the main stretch of beach around the headland and there are a few sunbeds and umbrellas in front of three or four small Thai restaurants.

The water is less shallow here but this secluded little beach is great for a day out and just taking things easy.

Khao Tao and Sia Noi beaches can be easily reached by car or taxi from Hua Hin in approximately 15 minutes.

Cha-Am beach is around 25 kilometres north of town and is a quiet alternative to Hua Hin if you want to get away from it all and relax in a peaceful setting.

The beach road is lined on one side with small guesthouses, restaurants, shops and local vendors selling everything from seashells to grilled squid. The excellent sandy beach is lined with pine trees. There are no buildings or developments on the beach side of the road.

The beach is very quiet and relaxing during the week but gets busy at weekends with locals from the city soaking up the sun and enjoying the water. Jet skis are available, take a ride on the banana boat or simply relax in the shade of a tree by the ocean.

Cha-Am itself has retained its traditional Thai ambience and although very popular with locals only a few tourists and the occasional backpacker pass through town.

Excellent seafood is available at the small restaurants near the harbour, at the north end of the beach.

Cha-Am is easily reached by car or taxi in approximately twenty five minutes.

In and Around Hua Hin

Hua Hin and the surrounding area have many interesting tourist attractions and sights of great natural beauty. Many small temples dot the countryside and you will find Buddhist shrines all over the town.

Elephant Village

Situated just outside of town, the Elephant Village allows visitors the opportunity to see elephants in a working environment and is fun for all the family. Elephant rides are available.

Wat Khao Takiab

This beautiful Chinese style temple is located on Khao Takiab, the mountain at the south end of Hua Hin beach. The mountain can easily be reached in a matter of minutes by car or taxi.

In addition to the temple and the marvelous views of Hua Hin, the mountain has a large monkey population and is sometimes jokingly referred to by locals as ‘Monkey Mountain’.

Pala U Waterfall

The beautiful Pala U waterfall is situated in the mountains to the west of Hua Hin and is approximately a 45 minutes drive from town.

The waterfall has 16 levels and several pools which are safe for swimming. If you’re feeling energetic you can climb to the top of the falls and take in the mountain scenery on the way.  Many local families like to picnic here at weekends.

Sam Roy Yot National Park

Situated on the coast south of Hua Hin, this beautiful national park can be reached by car or taxi in approximately 30 minutes.

The name of the park literally means ‘Three hundred Peaks’ and stunning limestone mountains surround the marshes and prawn farms next to the rocky coastline.

The park has several caves and in one of the larger ones, named Tham Phraya Nakhon, a beautiful royal pavilion was constructed in the late 1800’s. Light enters the cave from a large crack in the roof and presents fantastic photo opportunities.

Kaeng Krachan National Park

This large jungle park is situated in the mountains to the west of Hua Hin, along the border with Burma (Myanmar). The park can be reached in approximately 45 minutes by car or taxi.

Part of the park is made up of a large dam and reservoir. When the jungle valleys were flooded to create the reservoir, beautiful islands were formed – the views from the small waterside restaurants can be quite spectacular.

The park allows visitors to experience an unspoilt jungle environment and enjoy the streams, waterfalls and natural beauty.

Kings Teakwood Palace

Situated just north of the town, visitors are able to experience the calm and tranquility of the Kings Teakwood Palace.

This beautiful structure was built in the 1920’s and is open on a daily basis.

Sofitel

The Sofitel is located in the centre of town and was the first hotel to be built in Hua Hin.

Originally known as the Railway Hotel, it is constructed in a colonial style and was opened when the first railway tracks were laid in the 1920’s.

The hotel has since found fame after being used for several scenes during the making of the film The Killing Fields.

Diving

If you are a keen diving enthusiast we can help arrange a visit to Koh Tao. This small island in the Gulf of Thailand offers spectacular diving opportunities and can be accessed via the town of Chumpon, approximately 300 kilometres south of Hua Hin.

Travel time is approximately three hours to Chumpon and a further two hours by boat to the island.