Explore Hua Hin

Walk in the footsteps of former Thai royals

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    THG Recommended Attractions in Hua Hin

    Additional things to do in Hua Hin

    The Venezia

    Hua Hin attractions are varied with something to please everyone. Like other places in Thailand, there is a growing trend of creating quirky “little pieces of Europe” for visitors to discover. Hua Hin is no exception with The Venezia, an open-air shopping complex that has done its best to harness the charm of Venice, Italy. Then there’s the Grecian-themed Santorini Amusement Park, Swiss Sheep Farm complete with sheep and quirky memorabilia such as red English telephone booth, Dutch windmill, and German Volkswagen caravan, and the Arabian-themed Camel Republic featuring a mini-zoo with giraffes and camels and an amusement park. There are also themed cafes and restaurants scattered about the town, such as French-style tea houses and a British vintage pony-themed cafe. With these attractions and more, tourists will never run out of places to see and things to do in Hua Hin.

    Hua Hin Railway Station

    Other top things to see in and around Hua Hin include the Hua Hin Railway Station that showcases Victorian-era architecture and features the Royal Waiting Room that was previously used to welcome the king and his court upon their visits to Hua Hin. Constructed in 1910, the station is still operational.

    Maruekhathaiyawan Palace

    You can visit the vintage Thai-Victorian designed Maruekhathaiyawan Palace, which was constructed in the early 1920s during the reign of King Rama VI as a royal seaside getaway. Situated on Cha-am beach. The converted museum gives you insights into the splendour of times past. You can reach Cha-am on a 15 min bus ride or 25 min train journey from Hua Hin town centre.

    Kaeng Krachan National Park

    Kaeng Krachan National Park is Thailand’s largest national park and is about 1.5 hours’ drive from Hua Hin. With nearly 3000 square kilometres of natural terrain, you will find caves, waterfalls, rivers and an impressive suspension rope bridge that takes you to the Panoenthung viewpoint. From here you get panoramic views of the mountain ranges and fluffy cloud-like fog that blankets the park. Also in the park is the stunning Pala-U Waterfall, which has 16 cascades making it the highest in Thailand. The park is enormous and full of rich tropical rainforests, freshwater deep pools to take a dip in, native wildlife, flora and thousands of colourful butterflies.

    Tham Khao Luang Cave

    About one hour drive from Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most remarkable cave shrines- the Tham Khao Luang Cave. The inside boasts dangling stalactites and a spectacular shimmering skylight that illuminates more than 180 golden Buddha statues. The cave is about 2 km walking distance from the main road. But there are options to take a tuk-tuk, rickshaw or motorbike to the cave.

    Pranburi Forest Park

    Among Hua Hin’s various attractions of parks, the Pranburi Forest Park features Thailand’s largest mangrove forest. A wooden walkway has been constructed spanning one kilometre of the forest which can also be seen by a boat slowly navigating the mangroves.

    Khao Takiab

    There are lots of things to do in Hua Hin Thailand and its surroundings. It’s worth taking a trip to Khao Takiab or “Chopstick Mountain,” home to a hilltop Buddhist temple that offers a fantastic viewpoint of Hua Hin. You will find troops of cheeky monkeys who inhabit the temple and have some fun photo opportunities cavorting with them. Beyond Khao Takiab Temple is Takiab Bay which is a lovely swimming beach with clear water. Here you can take day trips by boat to nearby islands such as Koh Singto.

    Hua Hin Hills Vineyard

    Hua Hin Hills is tucked away in a remote part of Hua Hin, about 36 km from the town centre where you will find the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard that produces the prized Monsoon Valley wine label. You can tour the vineyard by elephant or bicycle and there is a wine bar, bistro, retail shop and wine cellar on site.

    Black Mountain Water Park

    About 10 km north of Hua Hin city is the fun-filled Black Mountain Water Park adjacent to the Black Mountain Golf course. Equipped with a wave pool, several water slides and lots of other water activities, it is the perfect play space for a family with children.

    Huay Mongkol Temple

    The Wat Huay Mongkol temple complex is located 15 kilometres from Hua Hin and is best known for its huge statue of one of Thailand’s most revered monks- Luang Phor Thuad. This statue stands at 12 m high and 10 m wide. The whole complex is set in a park with a lake, waterfalls, streams, bridges, a number of pavilions to eat and lots of shady places.

    Hua Hin Night Market

    The Hua Hin night market on Petchkasem Road is a great place to hang out, shop, eat and enjoy the slower pace of this beachside town. Open from 6:30 pm onwards, there is a wide selection of cheap food and many of the restaurants double as bars where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail while people-watching. The quality of seafood on offer is very good with excellent prices to match.

    Cicada Market

    Cicada open-air market is a fun shopping experience for all things handicrafts. Open from 4 pm until 11 pm on weekends, along Phetkasem Road halfway to Khao Takiab, the market showcases the local talents of artisans with the aim of putting Hua Hin on the map as an art destination. Its amphitheatre is a platform for local artists to express their talents from dance groups to pantomime acts. To refuel, visitors can get lost for choice in the open-air food court serving both Thai and Western dishes, and a bar and beer garden serving alcohol.

    Vana Nava Water Jungle

    Another Hua Hin water park is the thrilling Vana Nava Water Jungle. Set within 3.2 hectares of tropical jungle, the park features 19 waterslides and Thailand’s tallest and only thrilling vertical looping slide called the Aqualoop, and the heart-pounding Freefall.

    HuaHin Samphannam Floating Market

    SamPanNam Floating Market is a vast market styled towards the King Rama VI period of architecture. The market’s grounds are landscaped and offer a large lake, islands, mini train track, and over 200 shops and 40 boat vendors offering all kinds of food and snacks. It is geared towards tourists rather than being an authentic local floating market.

    KHAO SAM ROI YOT NATIONAL PARK

    The Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park on the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan province in the south of Hua Hin is the first-ever marine national park of Thailand. Its name means “The mountain with three hundred peaks” in reference to limestone hills along the Gulf of Thailand towering at the highest, 605 metres.
    Its main attractions are the Phraya Nakhon Cave and its immense chamber and awe-inspiring royal pavilion, the Kaeo Cave and the Thung Sam Roi Yot Freshwater Marsh. This park is an enjoyable destination for children and adults with its rich wildlife in the freshwater marsh and mangnrove forests, beautiful beaches and limestone islands, trails and viewpoints. It is easy to get to from Hua Hin and just 3 hours from Bangkok.

    Hua Hin district is a former fishing village that has become a popular weekend spot for Bangkok-based Thai locals to get away to for its relaxed seaside atmosphere on the Gulf of Thailand. It was the former holiday getaway for the royal family in the 1920s and setting for the summer palace in picturesque Cha-Am, Thailand. Hua Hin has a quaint coastal village feel and many attractions to suit adults and children alike. Hua Hin beach is a long strip of sand lined with luxury resorts and spas. After dark, you can walk around the Hua Hin night market, enjoy delicious local delicacies, entertainment and shopping.

    Hua Hin, from Royal Summer Getaway Seaside Town to International Jazz Festival Venue

    Hua Hin town, the administrative-political centre of Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, gained popularity first as the seaside resort go-to summer getaway of the Royal Family around a hundred years ago. To that end, the amazingly beautiful Maruekhathaiyawan Palace was constructed, of native Thai woods, in Victorian-era theme designed by an Italian architect, in Cha Am. Accordingly, the Hua Hin Railway Station, with its Royal Waiting Room adjacent to it, was constructed. Train travel was a convenient and interesting way to travel then. As would be expected many of Thailand’s old elite followed the footsteps of the Royal Family and built their own summer palaces and mansions in Hua Hin. Many of those structures are still standing and ready to take in admiration of guests and travellers.

    In this new millennium, Hua Hin gained another feather to its cap of fame – it is the location of the biggest free jazz festival in the whole country. The Hua Hin International Jazz Festival is held yearly in June, on Hua Hin Beach and presents the best jazz and blues bands and musicians to crowds of thousands from all over Southeast Asia. Performing bands and musicians come from beyond the region to other parts of the world.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    What to do in Hua Hin?

    There are lots of things to do in Hua Hin. Hua Hin attracts many locals for a seaside holiday and many international tourists looking for a relaxing beach vacation with resorts and wellness spas, night markets, historical sights in Cha-Am and many natural wonders that make excellent day trips.
    The Cicada Market, the Santorini Park, Phraya Nakhon Cave, are just a few among the many Hua Hin attractions for guests to enjoy.

    Is Hua Hin good for families?

    Hua Hin Thailand is a great destination for families wanting a mix of fun and relaxation activities. This charming seaside town is mellow and a good option for chilling out in one of the many beach resorts or private villas and wandering the Cicada night market in the evenings for some souvenir shopping. There are plenty of Hua Hin restaurants serving all types of cuisine. As a seaside resort seafood restaurants are a certainty. There are some great day trip options and the two water parks in the region are world-class for hours of entertainment.
    Hua Hin’s popularity continues to the present, because of the various parks and themed malls, a ferris wheel and an infitity pool, banana boat rides and other water sports activities that would enthrall kids and adults alike.

    How do you get from Bangkok to Hua Hin?

    From Bangkok, the cheapest and easiest way to get to Hua Hin is by a minivan. Travel time is approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic. Minivans can accommodate up to 12 people, have air conditioning and cost around the equivalent of AUD 12-15. There’s also buses from Sai Tai Mai terminal in Bangkok that depart every 20 mins and take longer than a minivan with the journey being more than 5 hours due to traffic and stops. Another alternative is to go to Hua Hin via train. From Bangkok, the train departs from Hua Lamphong railway station on a regular basis. You can take in the sights and won’t have to contend with any traffic for the 4-hour trip. But the quickest but pricey option is travelling 3 hours by private taxi which will cost around 2-3,000 Baht (AUD 135).

    What are the most popular things to do in Hua Hin with children?

    One of the top things to have in your itinerary with kids is to visit the famed water parks in the area. Located just 5 minutes from Hua Hin city centre is Vana Nava Water Jungle, the largest water park in Thailand. Another popular option is Black Mountain Water Park which can be found only 10 km north of Hua Hin city adjacent to the Black Mountain Golf course. Only 5 km from Hua Hin city centre, Baan Sillapin artist village is an excellent choice for families with many arts and craft activities available. There are different in-house Thai artists on site including painters, sculptors, and moulders whom you can interact with and take classes. Kids can learn about wildlife within their natural habitat at Kui Buri National Park. The park houses different species of animals such as Malayan tapir, Indian bison, deer and Thailand’s largest herd of wild elephants, for sure a fantasy of any child. You can tour the park safari-style in an open truck.

    What is there to do in Hua Hin at night?

    Hua Hin nightlife? Try hanging out at the Hua Hin night market or the Cicada open-air market. Both offer great food, shopping and local entertainment.

    What is Hua Hin known for?

    Hua Hin is popularly known as the first beach resort town and popularized since the 1920s by the Royal Family, and logically other Thai elite families, as their yearly summer getaway place. It is quite near Bangkok so a plane ride is not needed to get there and experience the seaside. It is also known for its stunning sunrises and its long strip of white sand by the Gulf of Thailand.
    Hua Hin Beach is also the location of the annual Hua Hin International Jazz Festival which brings in jazz bands and blues bands from all over and beyond Asia, as well as jazz aficionados to bask and revel in their favourite jazz music, every June.

    Is Hua Hin better than Pattaya?

    The choice is determined by your personality which defines your goals and lifestyle.
    Hua Hin can give you the opportunity to savour a calm and serene hideaway, drink in some grand royal history, flex your body for golf or swimming and water sports. Hua Hin has a quaint old-world ambience (because of the traditional and century-old royal patronage and residence) and a laid-back lifestyle, despite increasing establishments and new attractions for tourists.
    Pattaya, on the other hand, makes you feel like being where the action is, with numerous things to do, more developed as far as western-style accommodations like sea-view villas and many high-rise buildings.

    What is there to do at Hua Hin beach?

    Its long strip of soft white sands makes a stroll or jog popular activities on the beaches. Hua Hin’s beaches cater, for the most part, to rest and relaxation and water activities like parasailing, windsurfing, water-skiing and jetskiing, disturb the serenity of the beach strollers/joggers or loungers.

    Can you swim at Hua Hin beach?

    Hua Hin has a long sandy strip on its coast by the Gulf of Thailand. The warm water and the soft sand make it ideal for swimming.

    Is Hua Hin a good holiday destination?

    Hua Hin is definitely a good holiday destination. It is ideal for a holiday of rest and relaxation. It has amazing beaches and the town’s 100-year history of royal patronage and residence is the main reason for a lot of its period architecture combined with Thai culture and constructed with indigenous materials. There are markets and restaurants along the streets and you will be filled with music and assorted food aromas as you go around.
    Accommodations of all types are available, catering to travellers of any category, from families to couples to backpackers.

    Where can I stay in Hua Hin?

    Hua Hin has a wide array of accommodation types to choose from, at locations of the guests’ preferences. From 4 and 5-star hotels near the town centre, close to other establishments like restaurants, cafes and bars for nightlife, or quaint villas and bungalows by the beachfront, or budget hostels and dormitory-style accommodations. These accommodations cater to all travellers – couples, families with young children, professional singles, backpackers. Basic and luxurious amenities (free parking, Wi-Fi, swimming pools, business centres) and services (flexible or free cancellation policies, babysitting) can be expected and enjoyed.

    What is the Hua Hin International Jazz Festival?

    The Hua Hin International Jazz Festival is a free jazz festival yearly for more than a decade now, presenting the best jazz and blues bands in Asia that is held on the popular Hua Hin Beach each June. The stage is set up in front of the Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin.
    Renowned to be the most developed jazz festival in the whole Thailand, The Hua Hin Jazz Festival attracts tens of thousands of music lovers and other spectators from all over the Southeast Asia region. In all the years, representative bands came from even beyond Southeast Asia, like the UK, Japan, Brazil and Denmark. The festival is sponsored and supported by the Tourism Ministry, the local government and the big hoteliers in the region.
    The town of Hua Hin has been linked to Thailand’s jazz enthusiasts since the 1950s and the jazz festival was inspired by and organized to be an annual honour of the late King Bhumibol’s gift of music. The late monarch had created several jazz compositions and plays a mean saxophone himself.
    As a seaside town with a royal history and now dotted with various accommodations of different categories, Hua Hin serves as an appropriate venue for this international festival, which has since become one of Hua Hin’s top attractions

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