Are you in need of some fresh air? Has the hustle and bustle of Bangkok sucked the life (and clean oxygen) out of you? Maybe it is time to head to one of Thailand’s most famous of beach destinations for a weekend getaway: Hua Hin. Here, a guide on how to spend a few days in this beachside city!
What to do in Hua Hin: Day 1
Morning: Make your way to Hua Hin via minibus
Hua Hin is about a three-hour drive from Bangkok. You can take a bus or minibus from the Northern Bus Terminal, located off the BTS Skytrain station Mochit. You can also get a bus or minibus from the Southern Bus Termina, found right off the BTS Skytrain station Ekkamai. Trains also run from the Hua Lamphong station to Hua Hin.
Afternoon: Sunbathe at the beach
One thing that makes Bangkok such a desirable destination is the many noteworthy cities found just outside its smoggy centre. For example, venture a few hours from the capital and find yourself at a beautiful national park or beach.
Hua Hin is one of these incredible, nearby cities.
Hua Hin is about 200 kilometres from Bangkok. It sits on the Gulf of Thailand. The popular tourist destination is in the province Prachuap Khiri Khan. It used to be a quaint fishing village. Then, the royal family dubbed the city as their vacation destination after visiting in the 1920s. Since then, locals and tourists alike have flocked to the area to see what all the hype is about.
Hua Hin is sprinkled with many stunning beaches. White sand beaches line the turquoise water and make for perfect spots to watch the sunrise or get your tan on. The tops ones include Hua Hin Beach, Cha Am Beach, and Pranburi Beach.
Transportation to these beaches and around Hua Hin is affordable, as well. There are songthaews (“two benches”) that will take you around for a low set price. You can also rent a motorbike if you are comfortable driving one. It is about ฿250 (approximately $8) to rent one for a day.
Evening: Visit the Hua Hin Night Market
After an afternoon of sunbathing, it is time to head to the night market. One of the best things to do when visiting any city in Thailand is checking out the local night bazaar. Scouring the best-looking vendors for food, souvenirs, and more remains at the top of itineraries of almost all tourists. The Hua Hin Night Market does not miss the mark!
One narrow street lined with tasty Thai treats makes up the entirety of the market. Because it is a beachside city, marine products are in abundance and are worth a try for seafood-lovers. You can also find the usual Thai souvenirs, with a few unique finds sprinkled in. Vendors on both sides of the street feature an overwhelming number of interesting finds. The market is, therefore, the perfect place to pick up a few gifts to take back home with you.
What to do in Hua Hin – Day 2
Morning: Grab breakfast at Gallery Drip Cafe
You will need to get an early start the next day to head to Hua Hin’s most memorable attraction: the Phraya Nakhon Cave. But first, let’s eat!
A stop at Gallery Drip Cafe is undoubtedly worth including on your short itinerary in Hua Hin. What the menu lacks in items it makes up for in quality. It is also essential to get a bit of caffeine in you before going to the next item on our itinerary.
One of the most memorable items on the menu is their renowned toast. Grilled bread is slathered with many delicious toppings including Nutella and peanut butter. It is then topped with some fruity favourites, including apples, kiwis, and bananas. A piece of this mouthwatering toast will only set you back ฿60 (approximately $1.90).
Afternoon: Head to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Claiming the title of being Thailand’s first national park, Khao Sam Roi Yot remains a popular natural wonder. It came to be one in 1966. It is about 38 square miles in size. Though the national park is filled with incredible sights, the royal pavilion will likely be your favourite. This pavilion was built inside of the Tham Phraya Nakhon Cave to honour King Chulalongkorn.
He came to visit in 1890. King Rama V’s signature can be found on the northern end of the cave, as well. The pavilion was built by hand in Bangkok before being moved to Hua Hin and assembled later.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park Pavilion
There are two ways that you can get to the pavilion. The first is to take a longtail boat from the main entrance of the national park. It is then a 30-minute trek to the pavilion. You can also opt to take the longer route and hike to the beginning of the second trek. The journey isn’t too straining. The views from the trail are certainly worth the additional effort!
If you take the boat, it is only 430 meters to the cave. There are some sections of the hike, however, that are quite steep. The climb is consistently at a gradual incline. Be sure to wear durable shoes!
Along the way, be on the lookout for the Dusty Langur. Though they are an endangered species, we saw about five of them along the path on the way up. The tree-dwellers thrive amongst the green canopy. While they do not get near visitors, they are close enough to both see and photograph. I’m terrified of monkeys, which is why this picture is from a safe distance!
After hiking up and down the park and seeing the pavilion, be sure to relax beachside before heading back to the city. Laem Sala Beach in the national park is one of the most secluded stretches of sand near Hua Hin. In addition to sunbathing, you can also rent bungalows or tents if you wish to extend your stay here.
Afternoon continued: Where to eat in Hua Hin
Before making the hour drive back to the city centre, stop for a quick bite along the Gulf. Small, local restaurants here are serving up plates of Thailand’s most renowned dishes. A whole plate of food will only set you back a few dollars. You are welcome to order and enjoy your meal along the ocean.
Evening: Grab some souvenirs at the Cicada Market
The Cicada Market is like no other night bazaar in the country. It puts markets like Chatuchak Weekend Market to shame and oozes more character than it does tacky Thai souvenirs. That’s why it’s one of our favourite night bazaars in all of Thailand. If you want a few Chang tank tops or two, this market has those, as well.
What sets this market apart, however, are the loads of local artists that congregate to showcase their unique goods. From glass ornaments made with a flamethrower to hand-printed passport cases, this is the perfect spot to blow some baht.
Some visitors complain about its affordability (or lack thereof). The prices are a bit higher than what you may be used to at other markets but certainly, match the quality of the goods. In addition to unique finds, you will discover a number of entertaining events happening. Maybe you will get to see a Thai play performed with fog effects and all. Maybe you will see a street dance performer busting some moves in the open courtyard. There’s a surprise every night at the Cicada Market.
The market is open from Friday to Sunday from 4-11 p.m.
Evening continued: Where to eat in Hua Hin
End the weekend by treating yourself to an amazing vegan dinner. Hua Hin Vegan Cafe & Wine is one of the best meat-free venues in town. This 100 percent vegan restaurant serves dishes from around the world. There are a few Thai favourites thrown on the menu, as well. If you aren’t hungry, instead try one of their coffees or treat yourself to a glass of wine after a long weekend.
Location: Hua Hin Shopping Mall, 100 Soi Hua Hin 74/2, Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 81 174 4647 | Facebook
Hours: Daily from 9:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.
More information about Hua Hin
Do you want to more know about this incredible city? Then check out the following links! We only recommend articles and blogs that we read ourselves, as well.
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Top 10 Things To See And Do In Hua Hin, Thailand by Billy Poon for Culture Trip
- 25 out-of-the-ordinary things to do in Hua Hin and Petchaburi region by Samantha Vanderaa for Trip Canvas
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Top 10 Things to See and Do in Hua Hin, Thailand for MyTravelMonkey
- Top 10 Things To Do In Hua Hin by Peter Mattsson for Thailand-Guide
- A Long Weekend in Hua Hin: What to Do & Where to Stay for The Thailand Life
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