Top Things to Do in Krabi Town

Most travellers rush straight to Ao Nang or Railay and never give Krabi Town a second look, and to be completely honest I understand it if you're short on time. However, if you want to experience a more authentic side of Krabi filled with more locals than tourists, cute temples and amazing local food markets then a visit to Krabi Town is absolute worth it.

Krabi Town is way more slow-paced and calm compared to its neighbour Ao Nang. You wont find as many tourists here, or as many tourist shops and restaurants.

For some it might not be worth a stop, but personally I thought it was a cute city to explore on my way around Thailand.

I spent a week here, but you don’t need that much.

If you have a night or two there’s plenty to do here, and if you decide to stay longer you can do all the same day tours from here as you can from Ao Nang. Some are even easier to reach.

If you choose to just base yourself in Ao Nang instead, you can choose to just come here on a day trip and use this guide as a base for what to do in Krabi City.

Want to make the most of your trip?

Browse the highest-rated tours and experiences here.

As always I’ll start with the fun part first, namely the top things to do in Krabi Town. If you also want more practical information like the best places to stay, how to get around and my favourite restaurants, just scroll further down and you’ll find everything you need.

Climb to the Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua)

If you only have time for one thing in Krabi Town I would make it this one.

The tiger cave temple consists of one temple at ground level and one temple 1260 steps higher up.

Many come here just for the first temple, but I highly recommend setting aside time and do the climb as well.

Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua)

I’m not going to lie, it’s a pretty rough climb and me and my friend spent more time climbing to the top than we had anticipated.

The steps itself can be brutal, but we did it in the middle of the day so the heat was intense and we had to take many breaks to cool down along the way.

But we made it after about 1 hour and the view from the top was absolutely worth it!

My biggest tip is to go early or in the afternoon to avoid the heat and you'll probably have an even better time than we did.

Want everything organized in advance?

Then I recommend this full day trip that takes you to the Tiger Caves as well as both the Hot Springs and the Emerald Pool. I personally did this exact tour and loved it

View from Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua)

Explore the Famous Krabi Walking Street Night Market

If there’s one thing you must do in Krabi Town, it’s to spend an evening at the Walking Street Market.

The whole centre transforms into a buzzing event and you'll find Thai BBQ, mango sticky rice, handmade jewellery, local art and mini outdoor concerts.

There are a couple of different markets in Krabi, but this was my favourite.

I wandered here almost every night I stayed here, just people-watching, snacking on something new and checking out cute souvenirs.

Night Markets in Krabi

It’s lively without feeling chaotic, and you get a real sense of how locals live.

If you're in Krabi on a Saturday it’s even bigger and it feels like all the small markets combine and create one huge one, so you can just wander around the city from market to market.

As mentioned above the Walking Street is my favourite, but here are some others that are also worth a look:

Maharaj Market (Morning Market): fresh fruit, Thai snacks, local dishes.
Chao Fah Night Market: riverside night meals and seafood
Maharat Plaza Food Court: great cheap eats

Looking for the perfect place to stay?

Browse the best hotels, guesthouses, and boutique stays in Krabi here.

Night Markets in Krabi

Go Kayaking Where They Filmed Jurassic Park

This might've been my favourite thing to do in Krabi.

It can be done both from Krabi Town and from Ao Nang, but it’s a bit shorter from Krabi town.

You can head there on your own if you have a scooter or join a guided tour that takes you there and shows you around.

Even if you head there on your own I highly recommend getting a guide to go with you on the kayak trip because it was pretty hard to navigate through the mangrove forest and I got stuck a couple of times, so it was so nice to have some help.

They shot parts of the newest Jurassic Park film here so I would assume it gets more popular soon, but for now it was relatively peaceful and I absolutely loved my day here.

Kayaking in Klong Root

Ready to book your trip to Krabi?

Compare the latest flight prices and find the best deals here.

Visit Wat Kaew Korawaram (The White Temple of Krabi)

At the top of a long staircase in the middle of the city, you’ll find a bright white temple that surprisingly few people talk about.

In all my research I never saw it mentioned once and I just stumbled upon it walking around Krabi.

It’s not big, but very charming. The blue interior, golden Buddha, and peaceful courtyard make it a lovely morning stop if you’re just walking around Krabi.

Need mobile data when you land?

I always set up an eSIM before flying so I'm connected the moment I arrive. Compare the best plans from Airalo here.

The White Temple of Krabi

Wander the Krabi Riverside Promenade

The riverside promenade is full of life in the evening and you’ll see locals relaxing here with their families, having picnics or just playing.

Parts of the promenade is also lit up really nice around the holidays, so it’s a cute area to explore if you’re visiting around Christmas.

Other than the quirky sculpture of two crabs, there isn't really anything special to see along the promenade, but it's worth just wandering around in the evening without a plan.

It's also perfect if you want to get a run in at some point during your trip.

Take a Longtail Boat Along the Krabi River & Mangroves

If you walk along the river promenade you'll find locals relaxing in their long tail boats. If you want to, you can go on a tour with them into the surrounding mangrove forest.

You’ll get to see the area from a different viewpoint, gliding past various villages, beautiful mangrove forest and rock formations.

It’s very peaceful and a thing I don’t think a lot of tourists actually do. So if you want something a bit different this is a nice thing to try if you have some extra time.

If you decide to do it, I recommend going right before sunset to get the best views.

Travel with peace of mind and get travel insurance before your trip.

I personally use SafetyWing and highly recommend it for every kind of trip. Check their prices & plans here.

Every now and again I'll send you my latest travel updates and guides.

The Best Day Trips from Krabi Town

Even though it’s more popular to base yourself in Ao Nang and do day trips from there, you can easily do all of them from Krabi Town as well.

Some tours are even easier and have a shorter drive from Krabi Town, and most tours will pick up people from both locations anyway.

Here are the best day trips from Krabi Town that are well worth adding to your itinerary.

Emerald Pool & Hot Springs

If you know you're also headed towards Ao Nang many of these day trips will be better done from there, but this one is a much shorter drive from Krabi town and I think it’s one of the best ones because its quite different from the beach spots and trips you can do many other places.

You can choose to explore both these spots on your own with scooter, but I did this guided tour that took me to both spots in one day and it was so much fun.

Day trip to the Emerald pool & Hot Springs

It also included a stop at the Tiger Caves but the weather wasn't the best when we got there so I skipped that and came back later instead.

When you come to the hot springs you’ll find a range of different springs with different temperatures you can explore.

Some were pleasent and some were really hot, but still so nice. It was really good to just relax and soak in the hot water for some time.

The Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) is an another stunning natural swimming pool absolutely worth visiting.

When I got there it was pretty packed because it was a national holiday. I honestly don’t think it’s as packed usually.

There is one pool you can swim in and one you just admire after doing a short hike in the jungle.

Want everything organized in advance?

Then I recommend this full day trip that takes you to the Tiger Caves as well as both the Hot Springs and the Emerald Pool. I personally did this exact tour and loved it

Day trip to the Emerald pool & Hot Springs

Hong Islands

Out of all the island I visited around Krabi this was by far the most beautiful in my opinion.

So if you choose to just visit one this is the one I would pick.

When you reach the island you can explore some walking trails around the island, head to the top for some amazing views or just relax on the beach.

During high season it can get quite crowded, but to be honest you're not going to be able to avoid that in this area of Thailand during high season anyways, so just be prepared and enjoy.

If you want to avoid the crowds my best advice is to head to the lesser known island Koh Yao Yai for a couple of days.

If you want to visit Hong Island, most tours take you to a couple of snorkelling spots and other islands on the way.

My personal experience is that none of the other island and snorkeling spots here are as good as Hong Island, and it's better to have more time on the one island.

So instead of booking the same tour as everyone else, I recommend this tour that only takes you to Hong Island.

Phi Phi Islands

This one is personally a bit debatable, but I’m adding it here so you can make up your own mind.

It’s one of the most popular day trips from Krabi and Phuket and I absolutely understand why.

I’ve been there once, and the island is absolutely stunning.

Maya bay, famous from the movie “The Beach” is gorgeous, but have also had to close for periods due to too much tourism.

I didn’t go there on my most recent trip to Thailand because so many people said it was too packed and hectic to go for a day trip.

That’s why I personally decided to come back and stay a coupe of nights one my next visit instead.

It’s much easier to enjoy the beauty before or after the day-trippers have left. However, if you're short one time and really want to see it I understand completely. It is really stunning!

Four Islands Tour

The Four Islands Tour is one of Krabi's classic island-hopping excursions and a great option if you're visiting for the first time.

Most tours take your to:

Chicken Island
Tup Island
Poda Island
Phra Nang Cave Beach

If you want a slow and relaxing day this isn't the tour for you.

Even though I loved all the stops, I do wish I had more time on each spot to just enjoy.

For now, there isn't a tour that takes you just one of these islands. For that you would have to rent a private long tail boat and decide on the various stops together.

James Bond Island & Phang Nga Bay

If you're willing to spend a little longer on the water, a day trip to Phang Nga Bay could be well worth it.

I personally never made this tour, but I’ve heard so many say it was really fun, so I guess I'll do it for my next visit.

The bay itself is famous for its stunning scenery, as well as the James Bond Island, which appeared in the movie “The Man with the Golden Gun”.

Many tours also include sea kayaking through caves and mangrove forests, so you'll get the chance to explore parts of the bay that larger boats can't reach.

Want to Visit James Bond Island?

This is the tour I would book.

No matter which one you choose, taking at least one day trip is an absolute must. Krabi Town is a fantastic base, but it's the surrounding islands, beaches, and natural landscapes that make this part of Thailand so unforgettable.

Where to Stay in Krabi Town

Brown Hotel Krabi

This is one of the most stylish budget hotels in Krabi Town. It's located in the heart of Krabi Town, so you're within easy walking distance of all the sights. It's an excellent choice for anyone looking for affordable accommodation without compromising on style or location.

Check prices and availability

Blu Monkey Hub and Hotel Krabi Town

This is a stylish and modern hotel that's perfect for travellers looking for comfort, convenience, and a central location. It's located within walking distance of Krabi Town's cafés, restaurants, riverside promenade, and night markets, and is an excellent base for exploring the local area.

Check prices and availability

Krabi SeaBass Hotel

This is one of the best budget-friendly options in Krabi Town, offering modern rooms, a welcoming atmosphere, and excellent value for money. It also features a lovely outdoor swimming pool and an excellent location in the middle of town.

Check prices and availability

Best Places To Eat in Krabi Town

If you only have one night here I would recommend spending it at the night market.

There are also a couple of other spots, with more international food, and some great breakfast spots I liked in Krabi Town as well. You'll find them below:

Much & Mellow cafe Krabi Town
Tan Cafe x Just Fine
Marni Krabi Town
May & Mark restaurant
Pakarang Vintage cafe Krabi

Best places to eat in Krabi Town

How to Get Around Krabi Town

The best way to get around Krabi city is to simply walk. The city is very compact and super walkable, so you don't need any transport unless you’re doing any of the activities that are just outside the city.

If you want to head to the area around and don't want to do a guided tour, you can easily book a Grab, Songthaew (local shared truck taxis) or find a mortorbike rental in the city. Whichever you're most comfortable with.

Is Krabi Town Worth Visiting?

Absolutely.

Even though you'll absolutely find your fair share of tourism here as well, I still think it feels more authentic than Ao Nang, if that's something you're looking for.

It's filled with markets full of life, temples without crowds, local cafés, river sunsets, and plenty of cool day trips to do in the area.

It’s safe, affordable, social, cultural, and makes the perfect base before or after exploring the islands.

Plan Your Trip to Krabi

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip to Krabi Town. To make planning even easier, I've included all the resources I personally use when I travel.

Find the best hotels and compare prices on Booking.com

Find the best hotels and compare prices on Hotels.com

Compare flight prices on Skyscanner.com

Book buses, trains and ferries with 12Go

Brows the best tours on Viator here

Compare eSIM plans with Airalo here

Get travel insurance from SafetyWing here

Every recommendation is based on tools and services I genuinely use and would recommend to friends and family.

By using these links you help me continue to create free travel guides like this one.

Thank you for supporting Travels with Ingrid!

If you have any questions about travel in Thailand, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media.

I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

Top Things To Do in Krabi Town - Stunning Temples & Authentic Night Markets