Hua Hin
The charming Thai seaside town
The main attractions in Hua Hin are the long stretches of beautiful beaches, the small town center, and the harbor area. The lively night markets, and Khao Thakiab (also called Monkey Mountain) are also popular attractions. The greater Hua Hin area offers plenty of things to see and discover, including national parks, temples, excellent golf courses, and water parks.
I have been living in Hua Hin for more than 4 years and it has been an amazing experience. The town has everything you need within reach and you can easily get from one place to another without much hassle – making it a perfect tourist destination for an easy and calm vacation.
Hua Hin is one of the most charming tourist spots in Thailand, offering a cozy and calm environment with everything within reach. The town boasts long stretches of sandy beaches, beautiful temples, excellent shopping, and high-quality restaurants.
Unlike other popular tourist destinations like Phuket or Koh Samui, Hua Hin has not been entirely consumed by tourism. With a population of around 80,000, most of whom are locals, the town retains its authentic local vibe, making it a great place to experience the local culture.
Locals playing at Hua Hin beach around sunset
Hua Hin Train Station at sunset
Hua Hin is known for being a more serene city compared to places like Pattaya, Phuket, and Bangkok, as it was the summer residence of the former Thailand King Bhumibol (Rama IX). This means that it’s a popular destination among the local Thai people, especially those from Bangkok, who can reach the town in just over two hours.
While Hua Hin may not have many big attractions or the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, it has a cozy and calm atmosphere that people really enjoy. Whether you have 2-3 days or weeks to spend in Hua Hin, there’s something for everyone. You can enjoy a full itinerary of activities or just relax and soak in the laid-back atmosphere.
I highly recommend visiting this charming town.
Hua Hin - What to do
1. Hua Hin City center
The main attractions in the Hua Hin city center include the Night Market, the city beach, the restaurants in the harbor area, the Morning Market, and Soi Binsa Bath, which is known as the “party street”.
Exploring these attractions should not take more than a few hours since the city center is easily walkable. The streets are stretched out in an east-west and north-south direction, covering only a four-block area, making it straightforward to navigate and overview.
Fish restaurants in Hua Hin harbour
The city beach in front of Hotel Hilton
Hua Hin Night Market
There is a noticeable contrast between the atmosphere of Hua Hin during the day and at night. In the morning, the local market is bustling with people buying food, while it’s quieter during the day as locals go to work and tourists head to the beautiful city beach.
When night falls, the city center transforms, particularly around the Night Market area, where you’ll find numerous stalls and shops along with some great restaurants.
For a drink later on, many people go to Soi Binsabath, Soi 80, or Soi 94 where both Thais and tourists come together to enjoy the lively atmosphere. The place is more relaxed and sober than other larger tourist towns in Thailand.
Hua Hin city center
What to see, and how to get there - including a map of all the attractions
2. Hua Hin greater area
There are plenty of attractions in and around the Hua Hin area and you can easily spend a week or two exploring and enjoying great experiences every day.
The main attractions in the Hua Hin area are Monkey Mountain, the serene Phraya Nakhon cave, vibrant Night Markets, the Huay Mongkol temple, premium golf courses, the magical view at Khao Daeng, waterparks, national parks – and much more.
Wat Huay Mongkol Temple outside Hua HIn
Khao Daeng Viewpoint outside Hua Hin
Phraya Nakhon Cave outside Hua Hin
What I usually do is mix up my days by visiting some of the attractions and exploring, followed by a day or two of relaxation at the swimming pool or one of the beautiful beaches.
You have the option of renting a car with a driver or driving by yourself. Many people are scared to drive in Thailand, but the traffic is not as daring and crazy as it is in Bangkok, and it will give you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
If you choose to go with a local driver, you can opt for a car, a van, or a Songthaew (which is a pick-up truck where you sit in the back). It’s not that expensive, and many times the driver will also be very informative about the attractions he will take you to.
In any case, go ahead and get some unforgettable experiences and witness how beautiful and exciting the Hua Hin area really is. You’ll be surprised by how much there is to see.
Hua Hin greater area
What to see around Hua Hin, and how to get there - including a map of all the attractions
3. Hua Hin beaches
Hua Hin is blessed with numerous of endless, long, and beautiful beaches. You can find both bustling and touristy areas like The City Beach, and secluded areas outside the city with miles of stunning beaches and almost no tourists.
The city beach is more than 3 miles (5 kilometers) long and offers peaceful passages with barely any tourists, and other spots where you can rent sunbeds, and sun umbrellas, and indulge in various water activities such as jet-skiing, kitesurfing, and horse riding. Also, you can try out some local delicacies at nearby restaurants.
While there are some beaches to the north of Hua Hin, most of the beaches are located to the south, along the coastline. These beaches are often visited by locals or foreigners living in Hua Hin who are familiar with these hidden treasures.
The southern part of Hua Hin Beach
Khao Thakiab Beach south of Hua Hin
Pranburi Beach south of Hua Hin
I want to be honest with you and manage your expectations. While Hua Hin certainly has lovely beaches, they are not as stunning as the postcard-perfect pictures you may have seen from Thailand. Those pictures are usually from islands in the Andaman Sea, such as Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lipe, Phi Phi Islands – or Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in The Bay of Thailand.
If you’re looking for opportunities to go snorkeling or diving, the experience in Hua Hin will be different than the southern parts of Thailand. The southern areas offer colorful corals and fish, whereas there are very few good snorkeling spots in the Hua Hin area. So, if snorkeling is your primary motive to visit, Hua Hin may not be the best choice for you.
Beaches in the Hua Hin area
Which beach to choose, and how to get there - including a map of all the attractions
4. Hua Hin markets and shopping
Hua Hin is a great destination for shopping and there are various options available throughout the city. The city has two big shopping centers – Market Village and Blue Port, and two night markets – Cicada Market and Hua Hin Night Market, which are worth visiting.
Both the shopping centers are located on the main road of Hua Hin, Phetchkasem Road, and can be easily accessed. They have long opening hours and are perfect for visiting on hot days when you can enjoy shopping in air-conditioned comfort. You can also find plenty of good restaurants in both the shopping centers. I would particularly recommend the food court at the basement level of Market Village, which offers a wide range of local Thai cuisine at affordable prices.
Market Village is the oldest shopping center and is popular with locals as it offers a good mix of both local and brand shops. Blue Port is relatively newer and has fewer visitors, as most of the shops here are brand names and therefore are more expensive.
Hua Hin Night Market
Cicada Night Market in Hua Hin
Market Village Shopping Center in Hua Hin
The night markets are really nice to stroll through and here you can test your bargaining skills and do some great shopping. With the lights, sounds, and smells there is always a great atmosphere. There are several Night Markets in the Hua Hin area that are worth visiting and it’s something people really enjoy going to.
Hua Hin markets and shopping
List , and how to get there - including a map of all the attractions
Hua Hin - Where to stay
Location is one of the key factors for me when selecting a hotel.
Choosing the right hotel with the right location can make all the difference in terms of overall experience. It can save a lot of transportation time and make visiting the main attractions easier.
You can find a list of recommended hotels and areas here, which will help you save time during your holiday.
Hua Hin - When to go
The best time to visit Hua Hin would be during the high season – which is from the end of November to the end of Marts. The temperatures are around 26-30 °C (80-86 °F) and there isn’t much rain during this period.
You could actually go to Hua Hin all year long since average temperatures are between 26-35 °C (80-95 °F), but during the summer months, from May to September, there is quite a lot of rain – and it can get really hot.
I have lived in Hua Hin for more than 4 years and there isn’t a period during the year that I would say you shouldn’t go at all. It’s always warm, it’s more of a question about how warm.
Usually, I always tell my friends when they ask me when to come “That either it’s hot – or it’s really hot”. So they shouldn’t worry about the temperatures, and even in the months when it’s raining it’s not pouring down all day – so you can still come during this time, but you might have to seek cover sometimes during the day.
You will find kilometers of beaches in Hua Hin, which means you can really enjoy swimming in the ocean – and the ocean temperatures are perfect all year long. In the winter months, it’s “only” 26 °C (80 °F), and in May it warms up to almost 31 °C (87 °F). That’s my kind of temperature – it has to be hot tub temperatures before I will go into the ocean.
Be aware though, that if you go in the high season, there are loads of tourists, hotels aren’t that easy to book and the prices are way higher. There are a lot of Thais that also go visit Hua Hin during this period, especially in the last two weeks of December. So book a hotel in good time, so you will get a good price and located centrally.
Hua Hin - Weather chart
Hua Hin - Itineraries
Hua Hin is …
I highly recommend visiting this charming town.
Hua Hin - Transportation
Transportation
Shopping
Under the skin
