Where to stay in Krabi?

Receiving tens of thousands of visitors, Krabi Province along southern Thailand’s Andaman shores is not as famous as Phuket but ıt is as beautiful as Phuket. Krabi features idyllic palm-fringed beaches, sparkling waters dotted with exotic islands, elephant trekking, rock climbing, fantastic dive sites, many water sports activities, a wide range of hotels and resorts and Thai and western dining. In terms of a travel destination in Thailand Krabi is fairly new, and this is one of its main advantage. It is less developed and spoilt compared to Phuket.

Not many people know that the iconic Phi Phi Islands are within Krabi Province’s jurisdiction. Phi Phi offers not only breathtaking beauty, but hedonistic nightlife, and great scuba diving and snorkeling as well. But Phi Phi just one of many great holiday destinations in Krabi. The 160 km coastline is a veritable treasure trove of natural delights, and even Krabi Town itself has a quirky attraction to it. You can find a colorful night life in Ao Nang and Koh Phi while Railay Beach is a must-visit experience.

Here we will look at some places you can stay in Krabi. Instead of going to individual Krabi hotel recommendation, we will look at some major towns, beaches and islands you can stay in Krabi.

Krabi Town

Krabi, a modest-sized town of about 20,000 inhabitants, is one of the oldest settlements in Thailand, with roots going back thousands of years to when it was a ‘kraal’ containing mainly elephants. Of course the only reminders of this rich history are natural sites such as Tiger Cave, but the town itself retains an undeniable, almost timeless rural charm. The Krabi River, running through the town, also adds to the allure with a riverside market, guesthouses, restaurants and atmospheric cafés. For shopping, Krabi Town does not particularly shine, but it does have interesting textile shops, fresh markets and several large stores on its outskirts. An early evening relaxing stroll through its streets will reveal its laid-back and unassuming personality.

For hotels with their prices, customer reviews and available discounted room rates, you can visit Krabi hotels page.

Krabi Map

Ao Nang

Beachside, bustling and directly aimed at the tourist market, Ao Nang is changing monthly. By road, Ao Nang is 20 minutes from Krabi Town and Klong Muang Beach, and a minute or two from Noppharat Thara Beach. Via the sea, Railay’s beaches (including Ton Sai) and a grab bag of small intimate islands are mere minutes away. Ao Nang has a decent nightlife and quite a few reputable restaurants, and it’s possible to walk from one end of town to the other. Several clusters of bars provide different ambience, with the newly renovated Center Point on Beach Road at the town’s nightlife nexus. Shopping is a relaxed affair here, with good boutiques lining the road out to Noppharat Thara Beach.

For hotels with their prices, customer reviews and available discounted room rates, you can visit Krabi Ao Nang hotels page.

Railay Beach

One of the most famous beaches in Thailand, Railay’s distinct craggy and striking appearance is etched on many a visitors’ memory. The distinctive limestone cliffs that form the boundaries of the beach are excellent for rock climbing and the area plays host to many climbing schools. In just one small peninsula, you’ll find gorgeous white-sand beaches, soaring limestone cliffs, viewpoints, caves and a lagoon hidden inside the cliffs, shaped and fed by the changing tides. And all within walking distance. Because it is only accessible from the sea, the area has a mysterious allure that is only heightened come sunset. Railay is not a shopping destination and the only vehicles you’ll encounter there are bicycles and hotel golf buggies.

For hotels with their prices, customer reviews and available discounted room rates, you can visit Krabi Railay Beach hotels page.

Railay Beach Krabi Thailand

Koh Phi Phi

Iconic, unique and an idyllic party hub, Koh Phi Phi is a love-it-or-hate-it sort of place. Its undeniable beauty belies the fact that the place turns into party central at night, with groups of inebriated (and usually young) visitors on noisy pub crawls. By day, however, its beaches are iconic, with nodding palms providing shade, by turquoise waters and talcum-white sand. The island’s many day visitors tend to lend the illusion that the place is busier than it really is and at night, away from the nightlife areas, Phi Phi is a place where you could be tempted to spend the rest of your days. A major scuba diving departure point, and featuring good restaurants and colourful shopping, Phi Phi is certainly an unforgettable holiday experience.

For hotels with their prices, customer reviews and available discounted room rates, you can visit Koh Phi Phi hotels page.

Nopparat Thara Beach

Nopparat Thara Beach is located 18km west of Krabi Town and is adjacent to Ao Nang. This quiet beach lies within the Hat Noppharat Thara-Koh Phi Phi National Park and features a three-kilometre long sandy stretch lined by casuarina trees. Like most of Krabi’s beaches, you won’t find miles of deckchairs and beach umbrellas, so buy a beach mat and find the perfect spot. It’s also possible at low tide to walk from the beach across to Koh Kao Pak Klong Island in the bay. It’s popular with local Thai picnickers and those who like to swim eat and laze in the sun. The northern end has good seafood restaurants, while the southern extreme, bordering Ao Nang, has some nightlife.

For hotels with their prices, customer reviews and available discounted room rates, you can visit Krabi Nopparat Thara Beach hotels page.

Klong Muang and Tubkaak Beaches

Klong Muang Beach is situated 12km north of Ao Nang and is, to say the least, a tranquil hideaway. Its natural rustic beauty marries well with the tranquility of the area, and for a slice of ‘real’ Thailand it is hard to beat. Shopping, dining and nightlife here are all decidedly modest but that’s the very charm of the place. Tubkaak Beach, a 20-minute drive from Ao Nang and 30km from Krabi Town, is even more remote and enjoys soft white sand and a sense of peacefulness that is hard to imagine without actually experiencing it. The islands that make up the fantastic Koh Hong archipelago can be seen from the beach. You can get a
closer look on a daytrip around the islands. There is no nightlife or shopping at Tubkaak Beach.