Hua Hin is a laid-back beach destination located 2.5–3 hours south of Bangkok. It has been a favorite city of Thai royalty since the 1920s. The city offers a wide variety of attractions and activities to suit all preferences, from beautiful beaches and lively nightlife to rich cultural experiences.
In this article, I will cover the 26 best things to do and see in Hua Hin. These include the best beaches, best night markets, shopping malls, temples, viewpoints, and national parks.
Hua Hin has a very long coastline. You can explore many beaches, enjoy swimming, sunbathing, horse riding, kitesurfing, or just chilling. Some popular beaches in and around Hua Hin are Hua Hin Beach, Khao Takiab, Khao Kalok, Khao Tao, and Suan Son Beach.
The city is also a great destination for shopping and enjoying the nightlife. It is home to several big night markets such as Hua Hin Night Market, Tamarind, and Cicada. If you prefer shopping in cool buildings, you can check out Bluport or Market Village Shopping Center.
If you enjoy party and bar hopping, you can visit many bars at the areas such as Soi 94, Soi 80, and Soi Bintabaht. You can try both Thai and international cuisines at many restaurants in Hua Hin.
The areas around Hua Hin are packed with national parks where you can do some hiking, visit caves, waterfalls, and mangrove forests. I recommend checking out Phraya Nakhon Cave and Pa La-U Waterfall, as well as PranBuri and Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Parks.
In addition to natural attractions and nightlife, you can see many interesting temples and cultural attractions. Popular places to visit are Wat Khao Takiap, Wat Tham Khao Tao, and Wat Huay Mongkol. If you love art, have a look at the Hua Hin Artists Village.
If you need to know the detail of the itinerary and How I get around Hua Hin, you can check these articles:
- Where to Stay in Hua Hin
- How to Spend 4-5 Days In Hua Hin Itinerary
- How to get to Hua Hin & Get Around
I explored most things in Hua Hin on a rental scooter and by walking. If you don’t plan to rent a scooter or a car, no worries. As a popular tourist destination, Hua Hin has plenty of transportation options. You can easily use tuk tuk, Grab, or taxi to get around.
Here are the top attractions and activities in Hua Hin:
26 Best Things to Do in Hua Hin
Beaches
With a long coastline, you can easily do beach hopping in Hua Hin. There are Hua Hin Beach and Khao Takiab Beach in the city center. Further south of Hua Hin, you can explore Khao Kalok, Khao Tao, and Suan Son Beach.
#1. Hua Hin Beach
Hua Hin Beach is the long beach in Hua Hin City Center. The beach is lined with big resorts with its restaurants and bars. The beach has fine white sand, and is a great place to swim, horse riding, sunbathing, and enjoy water activities such as skite booking and jet skiing.
I visited Hua Hin in mid December, the beach was very windy and there were strong waves. There are beach vendors and food stalls on the beach, as well as sunbeds and umbrellas for rent.
The road to the public beach, Hua Hin 61 Alley, is lined with tourist amenities such as motorbike rentals, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. You can buy beach accessories such as beach mats, swimwears, hats, or sunglasses.
#2. Khao Takiab Beach
This is a nice beach located just south Hua Hin Beach, around Chopstick Hill. North Khao Takiab Beach is the beach near the Giant Standing Buddha. This beach area has some nice restaurants on the cliffs, offering stunning views of the sea and the city. You can have a romantic dinner at sunset.
From North Khao Takiab Beach, you can walk up the stairs from the Standing Buddha to reach the top of Wat Khao Takiap. If you don’t like walking you can drive all the way up to this temple. The temple has lots of monkeys and offers stunning views of Khao Takiab coastline.
South Khao Takiab Beach can be found at the south of Chopstick Hill. It is located within a short scooter/ Grab ride from the north beach. If you walk along South Khao Takiab Beach for 10-15 minutes toward the south, you will reach Suan Son Pradipat Beach.
#3. Khao Kalok Beach
This is a beautiful beach located 30 km south of Hua Hin City Center. I visited this beach by scooter and combined it with a trip to Phra Nakhon Cave. This is a long quiet beach, an ideal place to chill, and do kitesurfing. The owner of my hotel recommended the beach to me and it is popular with locals.
The southern end of Khao Kalok Beach is next to Skull mountain and very tall cliffs. You can walk along the beach to the viewpoint, then follow the trail to head to another secluded beach called Khung Sai Beach. You will reach the beach within 15 minutes walking in the jungle.
Khung Sai is a peaceful place to watch the sunset. It has fine sand and big red rocks on the shores. You can have the whole beach by yourself. Be sure to get back to Khao Kalok Beach before it gets dark.
#4. Khao Tao Beach
Khao Tao Beach is a combination of two beaches located north and south of Wat Tham Khao Tao. These beaches are located 15 km south of Hua Hin City Center. You can combine a visit to Khao Tao Beach with Wat Tham Khao Tao into one trip.
The North Khao Tao Beach is just south of Suan Son and Khao Takiab. It is a long tranquil beach with beautiful views of Wat Tham Khao Tao. You can easily reach this beach by scooter and car.
You can reach the smaller beach, Hat Sai Noi, south of Wat Tham Khao Tao, by hiking to the top of the Big Buddha, then walk down to another direction to get to Hat Sai Noi. You can also reach this beach by car by following Google Maps directions.
#5. Suan Son Beach
Suan Son Beach is a quiet beach located 10 km south of Hua Hin City Center. It is within walking distance from Suan Son Pradipat Beach. If you don’t drive, you can easily take a train from Hua Hin Train Station to get to this beach.
It is a long coast line, around 7 km long. If you walk along the shore toward the north you’ll reach Khao Takiab beach. If you walk toward the south, you’ll reach Khao Tao Beach.
Suan Son Beach is lined with pine trees. It is in the army area and is open to the public for free. During low tide, the water pulls back a long way. There are beach chairs, and food stalls on the beach. There were just a few people on the beach when I visited in the late afternoon.
Night markets
Hua Hin is home to awesome night markets, which is a great place to spend an evening for food and shopping. Some of the most populars night markets in Hua Hin are the daily Hua Hin Night Market, and the weekend night markets Cicada and Tamarind.
#6. Hua Hin Night Market
This is a big daily night market located in the city center close to Hua Hin Train Station. The market is held at Hua Hin 72 and Dechanuchit Alley, between the main road and the rail track. You can find many street food stalls and souvenirs stalls on the street as well as the nearby Chatsila Night Market.
There are also many seafood restaurants along the way, where you can choose fresh fish and lobster and they will cook it out in the front. It is a good place to walk around, eat some street food, and soak in the atmosphere.
#7. Cicada Night Market
Cicada is the weekend night market located 5 km south of the city center. You can easily reach the market by tuk tuk and Grab. The market is only open evening from Friday to Sunday. It is a trendy market that sells street foods, fashion clothes, and souvenirs. It has live music onsite.
#8. Tamarind Night Market
Tamarind Market is a night market located right next to Cicada Market. It is open from late afternoon to midnight from Thursday to Sunday. This market is more food-focused than Cicada.
You can try tons of Thai and fusion dishes and live acoustic music. It is 10 minutes tuk tuk or Grab Ride from downtown Hua Hin.
Shopping Malls
In addition to the open-air markets, Hua Hin is home to two big shopping malls, which include Bluport and Market Village. If you want to take a break from the heat, these are places to go.
#9. Bluport Shopping Center
Bluport is a big shopping center located just a few minutes Grab ride from the city center of Hua Hin. It is home to a food court, a supermarket, and a wide range of shops. This market is less crowded than the Market Village, offering a more relaxing shopping experience.
The Immigration Office is also located in this shopping center, which is convenient for those who want to extend their visa.
#10. Market Village Shopping Center
Market Village is a popular shopping mall located close to Soi 94, which is the expat area of Hua Hin. The market has a foot court as well as many shops selling fashion clothes, cosmetics, and electronic goods. The night market in front of the mall also has good options of street food and live music.
Temples
Like many other cities in Thailand, Hua Hin is home to some beautiful temples. Some of the top temples in and around Hua Hin are Wat Khao Takiap, Wat Tham Khao Tao, and Wat Huay Mongkol.
#11. Wat Khao Takiap
This temple is located on Chopstick Hill, 7 km south of Hua Hin City Center. The temple has panoramic views of the ocean. From the parking area, you can walk up a short staircase to reach the top and its chedi.
Wat Khao Takiap is home to many monkeys, so be sure to take care of your belongings as they can be quite curious. The temple is easily accessible by scooter, and admission is free.
On the same hill, you can check out the huge standing Buddha statue. It is a lovely spot to enjoy food and drink and the beautiful views of the ocean at sunset.
#12. Wat Tham Khao Tao & Big Buddha
Wat Tham Khao Tao is a beautiful Buddhist temple complex that has stunning views of the sea. It is located 15 km south of Hua Hin City Center and easily accessible by a short Grab ride.
The temple is free to visit, you can walk around to see different Buddha Statues and enjoy the sea views. Don’t forget to climb the stairs to check the Big Buddha Statue at the summit. It has swapping views of the coastline.
When visiting Wat Tham Khao Tao and Big Buddha, you can check out the Khao Tao Beach and Khao Tao Reservoir nearby. They are all within a short ride from the temple.
#13. Wat Huay Mongkol
Wat Huay Mongkol is a popular temple located 20 km west of Hua Hin City Center. It is a great stop if you combine the visit with the visit to Pala-U Waterfall.
The temple is free to visit. There is a big seated Buddha Statue as well as numerous statues and halls on the temple’s ground. You can wander around and take photos. Lots of locals come to the temple to make merit and pray for good luck.
#14. Jao Mae Tub Tim Shrine
This is a small Chinese Temple located in the city center of Hua Hin, along the city main beach. It is easily accessible by scooter and is a great place to look around and enjoy the ocean views.
Nightlife Areas
Hua Hin has a laid back nightlife scene with bars and restaurants scattered around the city. There are some areas that have high concentrations of bars and clubs. They are Soi 94, Soi 80, and Soi Bintabaht. These are all located in central areas of Hua Hin.
#15. Soi 94
This area is located just within a few minutes drive from the south of Hua Hin Train Station. It is popular with foreign tourists and expats. It has a cluster of bars, restaurants, and massage shops that open till midnight.
Lots of restaurants serve all kinds of international dishes in this area including Vietnamese, Mexican, and Mediterranean food.
#16. Soi 80
Soi 80 is a great nightlife spot located just opposite Hua Hin Train Station. It is a strip of bars and clubs. This area has a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the busier Soi Bintabaht and Soi 94.
#17. Soi Bintabaht
Soi Bintabaht is a popular nightlife area located in the city center of Hua Hin. It is a vibrant alley lined with bars, clubs, and entertainment venues. This alley has a central location, close to the main beach, the night market, and is surrounded with many restaurants, and bars.
Restaurants
Hua Hin has a diverse culinary scene, including both cheap street food restaurants and fine dining establishments. I recommend Ga Hanoi Restaurant and Jek Piek Seafood Restaurant.
#18. Ga Hanoi Restaurant
This is a popular restaurant on Soi 94. They have spacious grounds and a nice outdoor setting. They also serve delicious Vietnamese food. I came here a couple of nights ago, and the food was great every time. I tried fried rice, vegetarian pho, and beef salad.
#19. Jek Piek Seafood Restaurant
The owner of my hotel recommended this restaurant to me. It is located in the heart of Hua Hin city center. I had noodle soup for breakfast. It was cheap and tasty. Lots of locals eat at Jek Piek. They have an English menu, so it was easy to order.
It is a good place to try authentic local food. The restaurant is only open for breakfast and dinner. Be sure to check the time before you go.
National Parks, Waterfalls, Hiking
The areas around Hua Hin offer a variety of natural attractions, including national parks, waterfalls, and hiking trails, which are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
To the south of Hua Hin, you can visit Phraya Nakhon Cave and PranBuri Forest Park. To the north of Hua Hin, you can hike at Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park. To the west of Hua Hin, you can explore Pa La-U Waterfall.
#20. Phraya Nakhon Cave
This cave is a popular tourist attraction located 50 km south of Hua Hin City Center. This limestone cave is part of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, and is famous for its stunning natural light and historical significance.
I visited this place on a scooter, and you can also hire a private driver or take a guided tour. If you drive, I recommend reroute from the highway to the beach road, passing Sam Roi Yot Beach, Khao Kalok, and Pranburi Beach. You can even combine it with a visit to PranBuri Forest Park in one day.
Entrance to the cave is 200 baht for foreigners. You can choose to take a boat ride + hike or hike all the caves. You need to hike up and down through two hills to reach the cave. If you take the boat ride, you can skip hiking on the first hill. The boat is not working on a windy day and big waves.
The first hill takes around 20 minutes, then you reach a sandy beach where you can rest and swim. The second hill is more steep and difficult. It took me 30 minutes to hike up from the bottom of the 2nd hill to the cave.
You can spend around 1 hour at the cave climbing around, and admire its stunning natural formations. There is a shrine in the cave. The best time to visit is around midday (11am to 1pm), when the sun aligns perfectly with the cave’s skylight.
#21. PranBuri Forest Park
This peaceful forest park is located 20 km south of Hua Hin City Center. It is known for its mangrove walkway and a secluded beach. The mangrove walkway is a lovely place to take a walk in the middle of mangrove forest. It is free to enter.
You can observe Fiddler Crabs, climb to the observation deck to have stunning views of the forest, or take a boat ride at the end of the walkway. It is around 600 baht for a boat ride along the canal.
#22. Pa La-U Waterfall
This is a beautiful waterfall located close to the border with Myanmar. It is 70 km west of Hua Hin City Center. It is best to visit it with a guided tour or hire a private driver. I reached the waterfall on the scooter. It takes a lot of time to drive on the highway.
If you are lucky, you can spot wild elephants crossing the road in the area near Kaeng Krachan National Park. There is a high chance to see them in the afternoon. I went to a waterfall in the morning, and only saw elephant’s poops on the side of the road.
The entrance to the waterfall is 300 baht for foreigners. It is around 2 km drive from the ticket counter to the parking area and hiking trail to the waterfall.
You can hike for 40-60 minutes to reach the last waterfall and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. There are lots of butterflies and big fish at the falls. I visited in the dry season, mid December, there was still lots of water at the pool.
#23. Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park
This is a popular hiking destination located 40 km north of Hua Hin City Center. The park is famous for its dramatic limestone hills and cliffs, and it reminds me of Ninh Binh of Vietnam.
I reached this place on my rental scooter. You can hire a private driver or join a guided tour if you don’t drive but still want to go hiking.
I visited Khao Nang Phanthurat around 3pm and there was no entrance fee. I took a long hike on the circular route. The hike is through the jungle with lots of birds and wild monkeys on the trees. There is lots of rock hiking involved, so I recommend wearing closed-toe shoes.
You will see various viewpoints along the way, and the trail is very well-marked. I visited late afternoon, there was only me and another person on the long trail. I recommend avoiding the dark.
When you go back to the camping area near the cafe you can climb up for 5- 10 minutes to check out a small shrine and the Phanturat Mirror. It is a natural limestone formation with a mirror-like gap, and from there you have stunning views of the surroundings.
Other attractions and activities
#24. Khao Hin Lek Fai
This viewpoint is located just west of Hua Hin city center and the train station. It is within a short Grab ride. If you rent a scooter, I still recommend taking Grab to the viewpoint to avoid naughty monkeys scratching the scooter.
The viewpoint has stunning views of Hua Hin City and is best to visit at sunrise and sunset. Be cautious with the monkeys, don’t bring food with you and don’t feed them.
#25. Thai massages
As a popular tourist destination in Thailand, Hua Hin has plenty of massage shops. You can find them at all places in the city. The price is quite good compared to some other cities in Thailand.
The one hour oil massage is only 300 baht. Having a nice body or foot massage after days of sightseeing, shopping, and party if a must while in Hua Hin.
#26. Hua Hin Artists Village (Baan Sillapin)
Hua Hin Artists Village is located only 6 km west of Hua Hin City Center. If you love art, you must check out this place. My hotel’s owner recommended this place to me, but it was closed on Monday when I wanted to visit it.
The village has many studios and galleries showcasing a diverse array of artworks. There are also on-site cafés and souvenir shops offering unique handcrafted items.
These are the 26 best things to do and see in Hua Hin, Thailand. The city has it all, ideal for weekend break from Bangkok. Lots of visitors ended up staying here for a long time. There are beaches, nightlife, shopping malls, cultural attractions, and lots of outdoor activities in its region.