Hua Hin: a short guide to activities and visits in the surrounding area

Hua Hin is a small seaside town located less than 3 hours from Bangkok, in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Preferred to Pattaya for its quieter side but just as close to Bangkok, it is also a choice stopover for people traveling to the south of Thailand for several days.

This is obviously not the first time I've talked about it on the blog since I've already been there many times (I talk about it for example here, but it's old). Having visited the area so much, I thought I'd update it all and make a summary of everything there is Things to see and do in the surrounding area and in Hua Hin itself.

1- A bit of history – Hua Hin: birth of a seaside resort

The history of Hua Hin is quite recent because it dates back to the appearance of the train line crossing the whole of the south of Thailand to Singapore. This line was completed in 1921, allowing expatriates from cities like Bangkok but also Penang or Singapore to reach this small seaside resort, formerly accessible only by boat because there was no road…

The city developed quite quickly, with the construction of two palaces for the royal family, a beautiful train station and a luxury hotel, the Hua Hin Railway Hotel, which later became the Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin.

2- The main attractions to see in Hua Hin

As such, there isn't a huge amount to see in Hua Hin itself. However, there is still plenty to do if you want to get away from the lazy/beach routine.

Hua Hin Train Station

The most famous attraction in Hua Hin is its old train station. Built during the reign of Rama VI, in a Thai style but reminiscent of Victorian architecture, the station is all wood, in red and yellow tones. Its particularity is to have right next to it a small pavilion, personal waiting room for the royal family.

The hill and Takiap

Then comes the Takiap Hill, located at the very end of the city, to the south, it is known as the hill of monkeys, which wander in numbers and freely around the temple which occupies the place at the base. From the parking lot, you will be greeted by macaques who have made this part of the hill their home. People sometimes come to feed them, failing to observe them galloping on the roofs and all around the hill.

The view of Hua Hin from Takiap Hill.

Another view from Takiap Hill.

It is also in my eyes an excellent viewpoint over the entire city. The hill was located at the end of Hua Hin beach, we have a view that overlooks the entire southern part of the city. I mentioned it just above, but at the top, in addition to the monkeys, it is a temple that you will find there.

It is by going up to see the chedi, after having taken the series of steps, that you will access this beautiful view. Below on the other side, towards the sea, you can see a Chinese sanctuary while at the foot of the hill at the entrance, you will pass by the fishing village of Takiap Thong.

Another viewpoint, also with monkeys, is Khao Hin Lek Fai. This one is closer to the center since it is less than 3 km away (compared to 7 km for Takiap). This small hill adjoins a golf course, itself located just behind the famous Hua Hin train station.

Baan Silapin

The view is therefore more centered on the city. If you pass by this corner, you can also go towards the artists' village (Baan Silapin). Here you will find paintings, sculptures and other works by local artists. There are art galleries, workshops for children and you will also find shops with unique postcards and t-shirts. You can also sit in a small cafe, in a calm and relaxed atmosphere.

“Village” for artists in Hua Hin.

Mrigadayavan Palace

If you are interested in history, besides the train station, you can take a look at the 2 royal palaces in the area. The first one is further north of Hua Hin, towards Cha-Am. The Mrigadayavan Palace (also called Maruekhathaiyawan Palace, you win a point if you remember the name straight away!) which is a palace located on the seaside.

Mrigadayavan Palace. Photo credit Manoonp, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Built in the early 20s by an Italian architect, the palace is made mainly of golden teak wood and follows a similar style to the station, mixing Thai architecture with European influence.

The whole, with its verandas, high ceiling and openings was made to keep the building cool during the hot summer days. Each area and room had its own function, whether for the servants or the members of the royal family themselves.

Today, the royal halls and bedrooms are converted into a museum, decorated with royal artifacts and vintage photographs. Note that photography is not allowed in some of the rooms, and this being a royal palace, make sure to dress politely when you go (no shorts, skirts, tank tops or flip-flops).

Klai Kangwon Palace

Another palace, more centrally located in the city, is Klai Kangwon. As an aside, the name of the palace means "far from worries", a Hakuna Matata-style phrase summarizing the feeling of serenity offered by the garden and the seaside. It is a residence that King Rama IX, who died in 2016, was particularly fond of. He had visited there shortly before his death.

The palace, which looks more like a large villa, was initiated by King Rama VII in 1926, when the small station had just connected access to Hua Hin by train. Like most buildings of the time, and especially those belonging to the royal family, European architecture is clearly felt. Here it is a rather Spanish style that stands out.

Klai Kangwon Palace. Photo credit: fb: Royal Archives of OHM, wikipedia

If I mention it in this article, it is not an easy palace to visit, because it was the king's favorite second home and the family went there regularly, it is impossible in this case to go there (a bunch of flags with the emblem of the royal family will fly if members of the royal family are present).

If access is possible, you still need to obtain permission from the Royal Household Office and pay an entrance fee (20 baht per adult, 10 baht for children).

3- Hua Hin markets

Like everywhere in Thailand, Hua Hin has its share of markets, whether during the day or at night. If we have to summarize, here is the list of markets that can be found in Hua Hin and surroundings:

• • • Cicada market (night market and weekends only)
    • Hua Hin Night Market
    • Plearnwan (day market)
    • Chatchai Market (day market)
    • Sam Phan Nam Floating Market (artificial)

The most popular being the Cicada Night Market (pronounced Citchada actually), located at the southern end of town. Open only on weekends, it is an art-centric market, showcasing local crafts in an open and relaxed atmosphere.

It's a bit like the Rot Fai Market in Bangkok, with a bohemian, handmade feel, an ideal atmosphere for spending time with friends or family.

Another market, which is active from 18:30 p.m. to 23 p.m., is open all week, the Hua Hin Night Market. Located not far from the station, along Soi 72, it is a more "classic" market, with its aisles of street restaurants, souvenirs (t-shirts, crafts) but with its unique atmosphere, specific to Hua Hin.

The latter is in any case clearly more popular than the other night market in Hua Hin, The Grand Night Market, adjacent to San Paulo Hospital (next to Soi 86).

During the day you can go to the Chatchai Fresh Food Market, running along Sa Song Street and adjoining the same Soi 72 of the night market.

More than a market, you can't miss the facade of the Plearnwan, a place halfway between a market and a museum. Plearwan is intended to be an open-air shopping area, but the decor and its style are intended to be like a journey through time to a Hua Hin (or Thailand in general) of the 50s.

The structure consists of two floors made entirely of wood, highlighting vintage, with period-style shops, from toys to a beauty salon, a photo studio, an outdoor cinema and even a 20-room guest house.

There is obviously a lot of food there, including some specialties that are not easy to find elsewhere, always in this retro atmosphere. This one has undergone a facelift since my last visit, abandoning the rustic look of the wooden boards decorating the imposing entrance for a mix of white and white giving a "marine" look to the whole thing quite contrasting...

If you are a fan of markets or just want to find out if you hear about it, note that there is a "floating" market in Hua Hin (there was even another one that has since closed). Obviously do not expect an authentic market on the edge of a canal since this one is artificial. It is therefore more of a group of shops surrounded by water via a central basin.

Its special feature, however, is that it has a real little train that goes around the market, which could delight children 😉

Sam Phan Nam floating market.

4- The beaches of Hua Hin

I obviously can't talk about Hua Hin, a seaside resort, without talking about its beaches, which are essentially long strips stretching for miles for the most part. This means that there is little variation in styles and that Hua Hin, due to its location north of the gulf, is not known for its turquoise waters. The main beaches around Hua Hin are:

• • • Cha-Am beach
    • Hua Hin beach
    • Khao Tao Bay Beach
    • Sai Noi beach

Paradoxically the best known, or at least the most popular in the area, is not in Hua Hin itself but rather the Cha-Am beach, located about twenty kilometers north of the city.

If you are driving to Hua Hin from Bangkok, you will know that you are passing the area corresponding to Cha-Am because you will suddenly see buildings appearing sporadically like warts on the seaside…

Beach towards Cha Am.

Hua Hin's main beach is not its main asset... After all, let's be honest. While the beach may have beautiful sand, most of the year, the wind and currents make the sea rather brown and choppy, nothing to do with the beautiful islands of the South or even the East coast.

It's still nice to walk along it and at least you'll never really be bothered by the crowds. It's also possible, especially for children, to go for rides on small horses (they're not ponies, I think, but a breed of small horses).

South of the city you will find the Khao Tao big beach (not to be confused with the island of Ko Tao) which stretches over more than 6km, with at its end a small hill a bit like Takiap, also with a viewpoint and its temple at the top.

Overall the setting is wilder, less urban (except on the southern part) and therefore more peaceful. Just behind the hill at the temple, you will find the small Sai Noi “hidden” beach (look for the Sanae Beach Club hotel). It has its charm since it is surrounded by rocks on both sides. When I was there, it was a relaxed atmosphere and I didn't expect to find that, knowing that I was basically looking for toilets...

Sai Noi Beach, well we can't say that the photo taken with my phone is very appealing...

5- What to do around Hua Hin

If the city already offers plenty to do and you will surely spend time lazing around, you will see that there is also something to do in the surrounding area if you do not want to stay inactive all the time. If we take into account a time of less than 1 hour to get there from the center of Hua Hin. For example, you will be surprised to know that there are... vineyards!

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard

If you go to the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, you can enjoy an atypical landscape given the proximity to the coast, because you will be surrounded by mountains and vineyards. The main building, in addition to offering a pleasant setting, serves as a restaurant (open from 11:00 to 17:30) and wine tasting (between 10:18 and XNUMX:XNUMX).

This one is quite popular and it can be better to book on weekends if you want to hope to get a table. You will have the opportunity to explore part of the vineyards (which total an area of ​​more than 226 hectares!) by bike on a 3 km path. The vineyards are located 36 km west of Hua Hin.

Mountain scenery towards the vineyards of Hua Hin.

Wat Huay Mongkol

The vineyards are a visit that can easily be combined with the artists' house mentioned above, but also with the other local attraction, the temple Wat Huay Mongkol. You can't miss the imposing statue of the monk Luang Phor Thuad, an important figure of Buddhism in the Siamese peninsula between the 16th and 17th centuries.

Born in the province that is familiar to me, Nakhon Si Thammarat, he is credited with many miracles, including amulets in his image today that are a guarantee of stability to avoid hard knocks. This large statue is surrounded by 2 sacred elephants with 3 heads, symbolizing Erawan, the mount of the Hindu divinity, Indra, the king of the gods, here surmounted by the monk. It is said that it brings good luck to go around the top 3 times. Behind you can relax on the edge of the small lake, where sunflowers grow in January.

Pa La-U Waterfall

Here again, and to finish what could fill a good day of visits, the temple can be combined with a visit to the most famous waterfall in the area, Pa La-U Waterfall. This is to date the main attraction that I have not yet seen myself in the region, due to lack of time. This is also because it is not particularly impressive while the entrance is paid (300 baht per adult, 200 for children) because it is part of the Kaeng Krachan National Park, which is interesting and well worth devoting a day to.

Kaeng Krachan, just like the Khai Yai National Park, home to wild elephants and unspoiled nature (note that it closes in August, September and October, at the height of the rainy season).

At the Pa La-U waterfall. Photo credit Uwe Schwarzbach (Flickr)

Sam Roy Yot

Finally, I couldn't not mention the Sam Roi Yot National Park, located a little out of the way 50km south of the city. To this day, it remains one of my favorite national parks, of which I have already made a summary on what not to miss in Sam Roi Yot National Park.

Sam Roi Yot National Park: What to see and do

6- Hua Hin with family

I had to write this paragraph because in general it is a destination considered suitable for family outings. Whether it is water parks, unusual shopping places, family outings are numerous in Hua Hin.

The first 2 are sets of stores each taking up a different theme. Venice and Italy for example for Venezia and Santorini and Greece for the second. A sort of "Disneyland" style village, it's the kind of place that could please the little ones, or how to travel while already traveling.

Given the heat in Thailand, it is quite obvious to find water parks there. And Hua Hin is home to at least two of them, the Black Mountain Water Park and the Vana Nava. Both parks are not particularly big but allow you to cool off while enjoying the slides and other facilities for a little more fun than a day spent grilling on a beach.

Finally, even if it is more aimed at Thais, who are selfie fans and the type to take pictures of themselves everywhere all the time, you can exercise your creative imagination as a family at For Art's Sake, which uses 3D paintings and plays with perspectives for original photos.

7- Where to stay in Hua Hin

Jetty Huahin Hostel

I have tried several types of accommodation and in different places in the city to date. What we can learn from it is that there is no shortage of offers. The most recent accommodation was the Jetty Hostel, located close to the lively docks, streets lined with massage parlors and close to the night market. A charming room and above all a view that is not disgusting.

Budget: from 930 Baht (€24 in a single room, €10 in a dormitory)

Learn more and book Jetty Huahin Hostel

Nicha Suite Hua Hin Hotel

Surprisingly, the first hotel tested when arriving in this city in 2009 still exists and it has a rating that remains rather correct knowing normally that hotels often age badly in Thailand. It was the Nicha Suite and despite being on the roadside, it is not particularly noisy. I had been impressed (at the time) by the "class" aspect and the comfort for a rate that was rather low (with experience, I would be less "impressed" today).

Budget: from 630 Baht (17€)

Learn more and book Nicha Suite Hua Hin Hotel

Ibis Hua Hin Hotel

For a slightly higher budget and to benefit from a swimming pool, you can turn to a safe bet like the Ibis Hua Hin, tested during a stay with my parents. Located in the south of the city, close to the Cicada weekend market, it is clean, modern and on the beach.

Budget: from 1080 Baht (29€)

Learn more and book the Ibis Hua Hin Hotel

I will mention two more quickly, firstly, the Tid Tarad Hostel Hua Hin, not very expensive but not really worth it. It was not easy to sleep well with its cardboard walls and its lack of charm despite a good welcome and a location close to the day and night markets.

The other disappointment in my tests being the Narawan Hotel, used as part of a purely holiday outing with Jitima. So we wanted a swimming pool without targeting a high price level. It was not bad in itself but the location close to the railway line and its management of electronic doors (which worked on batteries yes yes ...) did not particularly make me want to come back.

8- How to get to Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a bit off the main highway heading south into Thailand, but it's fairly easy to get to given its importance in the region. You'll have the choice of taking the train, which leaves Hua Lamphong at 13pm or 14:45pm and usually arrives at 17:15pm and 18:45pm respectively, so allow a good 4 hours for the journey for around 400 Baht.

The other public transport option is by bus, accessible from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok, there are also departures from the Mo Chit terminal in the north of Bangkok (but it is a bit more expensive, around 220 Baht).

To get there, either by direct taxi, or you can combine the BTS by stopping at Bang Wa (52 Baht from Phaya Thai) and then finish the journey by taxi (normally it costs 80 Baht).

The journey itself for the 200km to Hua Hin should cost you 180 Baht for a duration of 2h30 (yes, faster than the train and cheaper…) Note that there are no more minivans leaving from Victory Monument since they were removed last year to relieve traffic there (which, in my experience, worked rather well).

If you are not comfortable with public transport, or simply if you are many, as a family, it can be a good option, the private transfer, possible directly from your hotel or even from Bangkok airports (Don Muang or Suvarnabhumi), you can find advantageous rates from 1900 Baht (See for example here).

You can book in advance using the form below (by doing so you also give me a little boost because I get a commission if you confirm your tickets 😉 )

Without being an absolutely fantastic or unmissable destination, Hua Hin is nonetheless an interesting destination offering a possible getaway for a weekend or a few days and in any case a possible stopover if you are going to the south of Thailand for several days.

If you know, do you have any other suggestions for things to see? Want to go there?

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