Things to Do in Hua Hin: Beach, Markets, and Day Trips

Hua Hin Beach

The 8km beach runs from the main pier south to the promontory at Khao Takiab. The central section (opposite the town) is the busiest, with deckchair operators, watersport hire, and seafood restaurants along the promenade. The northern section (toward Phuket Hin Resort area) is cleaner and quieter. The southern end near Khao Takiab has a large Buddha image carved into the cliff face and a group of resident macaques.

Swimming is good year-round. The beach has a gentle slope and calm surf — suitable for children and non-swimmers.

Cicada Market

The best market in Hua Hin. A curated open-air market held Friday–Sunday evenings at the Mrigadayavan Palace grounds (on the beachfront, north of town). Vendors sell handmade crafts, art, clothing, and accessories alongside excellent food stalls. Live music on multiple stages. A 20-minute tuk-tuk or Grab from the town centre.

This is a more interesting version of the typical Thai walking street — worth timing your visit around.

Chatchai Market

The everyday covered market in the town centre. Best for fresh produce, household goods, and cheap local food. The fresh market runs mornings; the surrounding streets have food stalls all day. Less tourist-oriented than the Cicada Market — the better option if you want to buy actual produce or eat with locals.

Hua Hin Railway Station

The Royal Waiting Room at the station is a restored Victorian-era structure — pale yellow with blue trim, built for the royal family’s rail arrivals from Bangkok. Free to photograph from the platform. The building is in active use.

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

60km south of Hua Hin. “Three Hundred Mountain Peaks” — a coastal limestone massif containing caves, wetlands, and walking trails. The centrepiece is Phraya Nakhon Cave, reached by a 30–40 minute hike from a small beach that’s only accessible by longtail boat.

The cave itself has a collapsed ceiling that creates a cathedral-like opening above the floor. A royal sala (pavilion) was built inside the cave for King Rama V’s visit in 1890 and has been used by subsequent kings. When the sun enters the opening at the right time of day (late morning), the pavilion is lit dramatically from above.

Getting there: Drive south from Hua Hin to Bang Pu pier (50km). Take the longtail to the beach (฿400–500 per boat). Then hike 30–40 minutes to the cave. The complete trip takes most of a day. Tours from Hua Hin: ฿800–1,500 including transport.

The park also has wetlands with migratory birds (peak: November–March), fishing villages, and a few hiking trails with views over the coast.

Pala-U Waterfall

60km northwest of Hua Hin, near the Myanmar border. A nine-tiered waterfall in forested hills with butterfly populations and birdlife. The access road passes through Kaeng Krachan National Park (Thailand’s largest national park). Hire a driver or join a tour — the distance and road make self-driving with a scooter impractical.

Golf

Hua Hin has seven or more golf courses within 30 minutes, making it Thailand’s most concentrated golf destination. Black Mountain Golf Club and Banyan Golf Club are consistently rated among Thailand’s best. Green fees: ฿1,500–3,500 including caddie. No reservations needed on weekdays; book ahead for weekends.

Klai Kangwon Palace

The summer palace of the Thai royal family, on the north end of the beachfront road. Built in 1926, it’s an oceanfront villa in a hybrid European-Thai style. Occasionally open to the public when the royal family is not in residence — check locally before visiting, as closures are not always publicised in advance. The grounds and architecture are the attraction.