Hua Hin Travel Guide: Royal Resort Town on the Gulf

A guide to Hua Hin — beaches, night markets, golf courses, and day trips to Khao Sam Roi Yot and Sam Roi Yot National Park.

Hua Hin at a glance

Hua Hin is a beach town 200km south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand coast. It’s one of Thailand’s oldest resort destinations — the royal family established a summer palace here in the 1920s and the railway connection to Bangkok made it popular with Bangkok’s upper class. Today it’s a polished, established town with a 8km beach, reliable seafood restaurants, a well-functioning golf scene, and a calmer atmosphere than either Pattaya (to the north) or the southern islands.

The town is compact — most things are within walking distance or a short songthaew ride of the beach. It’s one of the few Thai beach destinations where you don’t need a scooter to get around.

Beach and town

Hua Hin Beach — The main beach runs 8km north to south. The central section (opposite the town) is the most accessible. The northern section (near the Hilton and Intercontinental) is slightly cleaner. Deckchairs, umbrellas, and seafood restaurants are available the length of the beach.

Hua Hin Night Market — Two main night markets: the Chatchai Night Market (covered, year-round, mostly locals) and the weekend Cicada Market (more curated, arts and crafts, live music, better food stalls). The Cicada market is held Friday–Sunday and is the better option if dates align.

Hua Hin Railway Station — The most photographed building in town. A Victorian-style royal waiting room, painted pale yellow and blue. Worth a brief stop.

Klai Kangwon Palace — The royal summer palace on the north end of town. Occasionally open to the public (check before visiting — it closes when the royal family is in residence). The grounds and architecture are the attraction.

Day trips

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park — 60km south. A coastal wetland and limestone hill park where the standout attraction is Phraya Nakhon Cave — a collapsed cavern with a royal pavilion lit by a shaft of natural light through the ceiling. The hike to the cave takes about 30 minutes each way. The park also has flamingos and wetland bird species in the marshy areas.

Pala-U Waterfall — 60km northwest near the Myanmar border. A multi-tiered waterfall in a rainforest setting, least visited of the accessible day trips from Hua Hin but genuinely quiet and pretty.

Golf

Hua Hin has more golf courses per square kilometre than almost anywhere in Thailand. Black Mountain, Banyan, and Majestic Creek are the best regarded. Green fees from ฿1,500–3,500 including caddie. Courses are open year-round.

Practical information

Getting there — Train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong: 3.5–4 hours, ฿65–470 depending on class. Minivan or bus from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit): 3–3.5 hours, ฿200–250. Self-drive from Bangkok via Highway 35: approximately 2.5 hours.

Getting around — Songthaews and tuk-tuks cover the central area. The beach is walkable from the town centre. Hire a driver or join a tour for Khao Sam Roi Yot. For the national park and other day trips, browse Hua Hin tours and activities — some include transport and a guide to Phraya Nakhon Cave, which saves the hassle of arranging transport independently.

Best time — Hua Hin is on the Gulf’s western side and benefits from a different weather pattern than the eastern Gulf. Most rain falls February–April, with October and November also wet. The driest period is May–January, which is relatively opposite to Koh Samui.

Where to stay in Hua Hin

Hua Hin has a well-established accommodation market across every price point, concentrated along the beach road and in the streets immediately behind it.

For budget travellers, Centric Place Hotel in the central town area offers clean, air-conditioned rooms at approximately ฿600–1,200 per night. The location is within walking distance of the night markets and the main beach access points — functional and well-positioned without unnecessary frills.

At the mid-range level, Amari Hua Hin occupies a beachfront position on the northern section of the beach. The hotel has a large pool, multiple restaurants, and direct beach access, with rooms running approximately ฿2,500–4,500 per night. The northern beach location means slightly cleaner sand and calmer surroundings than the busier central section.

The Anantara Hua Hin Resort is set back from the beach by about 500 metres in a garden compound, with traditional Thai-style pavilions, an excellent pool complex, and a spa. Rates run approximately ฿4,000–8,000 per night. The resort’s size and landscaping make it feel considerably more private than the beachfront tower hotels, and the short walk to the beach is a reasonable trade for the atmosphere.

For the most established luxury address in the city, Dusit Thani Hua Hin sits directly on the beach and has been operating for over 25 years — long enough to have defined what the Hua Hin resort experience looks like. Rates run approximately ฿4,500–9,000 per night. The beachfront pool area and multiple dining outlets make it well-suited to those who want to spend most of a trip within the property.

Prices listed are approximate as of 2026 and vary with season and lead time.

Where to eat in Hua Hin

Hua Hin has one of the strongest seafood restaurant scenes on the Gulf coast, supported by a well-functioning night market circuit and several Thai restaurants that operate at a level above tourist-facing fare.

Baan Itsara on Phetkasem Road south of the town centre serves Thai seafood in an open-air riverside garden setting. The kitchen does well with crab, squid, and whole grilled fish, and the garden setting is considerably more pleasant on warm evenings than enclosed restaurants. Budget approximately ฿400–800 per person; the restaurant is popular on weekends and reservations are advisable.

Monsoon Restaurant and Bar on Naretdamri Road covers both Thai and international cooking with a cocktail list that makes it a natural evening choice. The setting is comfortable and the kitchen handles both green curry and wood-fired preparations competently. Budget approximately ฿350–700 per person. A reliable option when the group wants somewhere that works for everyone.

Chao Lay is a local seafood institution on the seafront that has been operating long enough to have a consistent local following. The specialities are crab, whole grilled fish, and large prawn preparations — order a selection rather than single dishes. Budget approximately ฿300–600 per person.

For the most accessible street food experience, the Night Bazaar on Dechanuchit Road runs every evening with grilled satay, pad see ew, fresh seafood, and Thai desserts at ฿60–130 per dish. The market is well-established and easy to navigate, making it the default option for a quick evening meal without the need to book ahead.