Possibly one of Thailands most famous landscapes are the iconic limestone cliffs in Krabi. If you are after a one week stunning Krabi adventure then look no further. You will find something suitable for all ages in this lovely province of Thailand. What isn’t to love? Beautiful beaches, quirky temples, adventurous activities, tasty food, aquamarine sea…I could go on! And I will! Here are the best places to visit during your stay in stunning Krabi.
What Is There To See In Krabi?
The Gateway to Krabi
These iconic towering cliffs either side of the river in Krabi town are said to be the gateway to Krabi. You can view these from the promenade walkway which runs along the river or catch a boat ride to get a closer look.
The Tiger Cave Temple
Possibly the second most visited place in Krabi (after Railay beach) is the Tiger Cave Temple complex. You can read more about this ‘must see’ temple in my post about the Tiger Cave Temple. The views from the top are stunning, don’t miss out on this trip.
The Krabi Mud Crab
On the same strip of promenade where you can view the gateway mountains you will find a ginormous mud crab with its slightly smaller crab friends. Many of Thailands towns have large statues, such as Koh Lanta and its huge Lobster by the pier. These mud crabs are on the outskirts of Krabi Old Town you will also find a selections of cafes and restaurants to grab a drink or bite to eat in the heat.
Cavemen Traffic Lights
Yes you read this correctly, the centre of Krabi Old Town has a large junction with pillars for traffic lights. And on top of these pillars are huge cavemen! Apparently they pay homage to the region’s prehistoric, 30,000-year-old Neanderthal heritage found in local limestone caves. You can locate them at Thanon Maharat (Maharaj) and Thanon Sukhon in Krabi Town.
The Old Town is a lovely place to wander around and do some shopping as well as having this very unusual decorations. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from too.
The Penis Cave/ Princess Cave
Located to the eastern end of Phra Nag Beach (to the east of Railay) is an open cave where there are hundreds of phallic objects. There are penises of all shapes, sizes and colours. This cave has been associated with fertility and phallic emblems have been left here for years. According to local folklore, if someone carves a wooden penis and releases it at high tide along the Krabi coast, it will eventually end up in Princess cave. This shrine is still used to make offerings in today, therefore if you are visiting please be respectful.
Walk the Monkey Trail
Make a short but fun journey to a private beach via the monkey trail. A series of wooden walkways, steps and dirt path skirting the cliff from Ao Nang beach take you to a ‘private’ but public beach in front of the Centara Grand Hotel. To get access to Pai Plong beach you will need to sign in with the hotel security and then you are free to roam. Find the staircase entrance to the south east of Ao Nang beach, beware of the monkeys!
Railay Beach
I can’t not mention the most famous place in Krabi, Railay beach. If you have never been to Thailand before (and even if you have) then this place has all of the ‘must-have’ Thai Beach elements. It has the white sand, blue sea, longtail boats and surrounding it all, the iconic limestone cliffs. If you are not staying within walking distance (most of the hotels are in Ao Nang) then just grab a longtail boat from your beach to here, it will only be a short journey. Railay beach is simply stunning.
Take A Longtail Boat Ride
Regardless of whether you actually need a boat ride to another place you need to experience being in a longtail boat, they are great fun. The traditional wooden rowing boats now come complete with a large outboard motor at the rear can be found dotted along Thailands coastline. The simple water taxis transport tourists from beach to beach and are adorned with colourful scarves or flower garlands at the bow. They are cheap to use and provide great views of the area from a different perspective.
Temples & More
Thailand is a multi-faith country, therefore you won’t just find Hindu temples in Krabi. There are also Mosques and churches. Take some time to admire the buildings and multiple cultures as well as the natural beauty of Krabi.
Shaved Ice Cream
Ooooo, one of my favourite things to eat anywhere in Thailand is the shaved icream. Poured on to a freezing plate and frozen in front of your eyes you can be temped my multiple flavours and toppings. A show and a treat all in one.
Eat At A Night Market
With plenty to choose from, make sure you try out a lot of street food at one of the amazing food markets in Krabi (this one in the area of Ao Nang). Delicious, freshly cooked delights will await you. How do you know you won’t enjoy that unusual looking morsel of food if you don’t try it. Frog is actually very delicious!
Phra Nang Beach
Said by some to be ‘The Most Beautiful Beach In The World’, Phra Nang beach has lovely white sand, blue sea and cliff views to die for. However, I think there are much nicer beaches to be found in less touristy areas. This beach is really quite busy which to me makes it less desirable, I prefer a quieter spot. However it was lovely to visit and have a paddle so if you aren’t nearby then get a longtail boat here to tick it off of your list.
Enjoy A Live Music Venue
Nightlife in Krabi (especially Ao Nang) is great and there is something for everyone. After you have had your fill of food from the night market, find yourself a great bar with a good vibe and some fab tunes. We hung out at Mr Long Bar one evening for some people watching in a chilled out setting.
Eat At The Hilltop in Krabi
For a great meal in a stylish setting with fantastic views, book yourself a table at The Hilltop. The great service begins before you have even arrived as they offer to come and collect you from your hotel! This was fantastic for us as we were staying on the opposite side of Ao Nang…and the The Hilltop is where it suggests…on top of a hill. We watched the sun set and had a wonderful meal here before being dropped back in to town (we could have gone back to the hotel but it was still early).
Wander Along Walking Street
The road leading from Railay beach to Phra Nang Beach is lined with shops, restaurants and bars and is definitely worth a visit. In fact if you are not getting a longtail from Railay to Phra Nang then this is the route you have to take.
Stay In An Amazing Hotel
I loved staying at Ban Sinai Hotel, it definitely had the wow factor for me. We had a ‘pond lodge’ although I would have described it more as a lake. Our balcony had a lovely hammock, we had a king sized bed and a jacuzzi hot tub! The main pool though was just stunning. The infinity pool with the limestone rock backdrop and jungle was what did it for me. Away from the hustle and bustle but still convenient for town, if you are looking for a slightly different setting (no beach) then I would throughly recommend this hotel for your One Week Stunning Krabi Adventure.
Beware of the ‘locals’
These cheeky macaques may look all cute and innocent, however they will steal anything from you given half the chance. You do not want to be bitten by them either as you will definitely need a trip to a health centre for a jab! Try not to have food on you if you roam near them.
