Hua Hin

Beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand

Hua Hin is a popular beach destination at about three hours drive from Bangkok. It has a beautiful long sandy beach and is very suited as a holiday destination for families with children. Nearby Hua Hin are a number of quiet, long sandy beaches.

Although Hua Hin has some of the finest golf courses in Thailand, modern shopping centers, plenty of water activities and nightlife, it is still a charming place with a relaxed atmosphere.

Royal beach resort

The coastal resort of Hua Hin is the oldest beach resort of Thailand. During the 1920’s King Rama VII had a summer palace built here, the Klai Kangwon Palace, which is still used today by members of the Royal family.

When the railway line was constructed connecting Hua Hin to Bangkok, the resort become popular with the Thai public. Hua Hin’s train station is one of the oldest in the country, its most attractive feature being the Royal Waiting Room build in traditional Thai architectural style.

Family destination with long sandy beaches

Today, Hua Hin is a developed beach destination some 200 kilometers south west of Bangkok, well suited for families with children, and much quieter and more relaxed than Pattaya. It is best known for its long sandy beach ending in a small fishing port. A short distance away is a more secluded beach Hat Khao Tao, featuring a large Buddha image facing the sea.

Hua Hin is particularly suited for kite boarding thanks to its shallow warm water, steady winds and kite boarding schools. Other things to do on the beach include jet ski, banana boat and for the children pony-riding.

Activities away from the beach

With seven high quality courses close by Hua Hin is one of the best places in Thailand to play golf. The Black Mountain course was voted one of the best six courses in the Asia Pacific region within one year after its opening in 2007. In 2009 and 2010 the Black Mountain golf course hosted an Asian Tour event.

Water Parks

There are several water parks in Hua Hin including Vana Nava Water Jungle and Santorini Water Park.

Night market

The night market in the center of town is a nice place to stroll around and an excellent place to try some delicious freshly cooked Thai food or a snack like a “roti”, a pancake offered in many variations, like with banana, chocolate or mango.

Excellent seafood can be had in the restaurants build on stilts into the sea, that also provide great evening scenery and atmosphere.

Jazz Festival, night life, Thai massage

The Hua Hin Jazz Festival takes place every year in June and attracts world class jazz musicians. In the center of towns there are beer bars, discothèques, karaoke bars and cabaret shows.
A relaxing massage can be had in many shops all over town.

Temple of the legendary monk

For those who are interested in local culture and history, a short drive away from town is the Wat Huay Mongkol, the house of the largest Luang Phor Thuad statue in Thailand. Luang Phor Thuad was a legendary Thai monk, famous for his miracles.

Other activities in Hua Hin

There are many more things to do in Hua Hin, you can take cooking classes, martial arts and Muay Thai boxing classes, kayaking and canoeing, surfing, go-karting opposite Hua Hin airport, or taste wine at Hua Hin Hills Vineyard to name just a few.

Children and adults alike will enjoy fun photo taking at For Art’s Sake or the Trick Art Museum.

Also worth a visit are Santorini Park, Camel Republic, Swiss Sheep Farm and 1000 Sook Food & Farm, all located in the same area between Hua Hin and Cha-Am.

Views from Monkey Mountain

Some of the best views of Hua Hin and the beaches can be had from the Monkey Mountain, just South of Hua Hin in the village of Khao Takiab. As the names suggests, a large number of monkeys live here, that you can get very close to and feed. A fun experience, especially for kids.

Attractions near Hua Hin

South of Hua Hin is Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, a nature preserve with beautiful sandy beaches, towering limestone cliffs, caves and fresh water marshes. One of its attractions is the Phraya Nakhon cave, a large natural cave with stalagmites and stalactites. The cave also contains the Kuha Karuhas pavilion, built late 19^th century for the visit of King Chulalongkorn.

Teak wood beach front Palace

On the beach between Hua Hin and Cha-Am is Maruekhathaiyawan Palace, also known as “The Palace of Love and Hope”. King Rama VI used the teak wooden palace as a summer residence for the Royal Family during the 1920’s.

Hotels & Resorts in Hua Hin

Hua Hin offers a wide range of accommodation options, from cheap hostels to luxurious resorts and high-end seaside villas.

Cape Nidhra Hotel
A five-star luxury hotel, Cape Nidhra is an all-suite resort on Hua Hin’s long sandy beach. It features a pool, children’s pool, full-service spa, gym, sauna and steam room. Enjoy international cuisine at the poolview restaurant or have a drink at the rooftop bar. Cape Nidha is located in a quiet location near the center of town.

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas
Standing out from other resorts in Hua Hin, the Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas is a beautiful colonial style 1920’s resort in the center of town. The five-star beachfront resort offers spacious rooms, suites and villas in large, well kept gardens. Among the facilities are two tennis courts, three pools, full-service spa, gym, poolside bar and a steamroom. For children there are a children’s pool, a playground and a kids club. Its four restaurants serve international and Thai cuisine.

Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort
Situated on Hua Hin’s long sandy beach, the Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco is a four-star resort offering spacious, upscale suites with a rooftop terrace. It has a large pool, spa, gym, sauna and a steam room. There is a beach bar and a pool bar. Its restaurant serves both Thai and international food. The beachfront resort is in walking distance from Cicada market and Tamarind market.

InterContinental Resort
The InterContinental is a five-star beachfront resort across the street from Blúport shopping mall. Among the resort facilities are two pools with pool cabanas, sauna, full-service spa, fitness centre and three restaurants. There is a kids pool, kids club, games room and a playground for children. Hotel guests have free access to nearby Vana Nava water park.

Marriott Resort & Spa
The five-star Marriott Resort & Spa is one of the latest additions to the Hua Hin luxury hotel scene. The beachfront resort offers comfortable rooms and suites. There are five pools, a full-service spa, gym, hot tub and sauna. Children have a playground, kids pool, kids club and a games room. The resort’s poolview restaurant serves international cuisine, the beachfront restaurant serves seafood.

Getting to Hua Hin from Bangkok

You can get to Hua Hin from Bangkok by car, train or bus.
From Pattaya, take the ferry.

Buy tickets online
Tickets for flights, bus, train or taxi from Bangkok or another city can be bought online at the 12Go website.

Car
A comfortable way to get to Hua Hin from Bangkok is by air conditioned taxi. Stop one on the road or ask the hotel to get you one. Make sure the driver uses the meter or agree on the price before leaving. From downtown Bangkok the trip will take around three hours.

Train
The State Railway of Thailand offers multiple train services daily to Hua Hin. Slower than by car, the ride takes over four hours. Trains depart from Bangkok Hua Lamphong station. More information on the State Railway of Thailand website.

Check details and how to get tickets at Travel Thailand by train.

Bus
A very affordable alternative is an air conditioned bus. The ride takes four hours. Buses depart from Viphavadee Rangsit 13 in Chatuchak district. Tickets can be booked online.

Getting to Hua Hin from Pattaya

You can get to Hua Hin by ferry from Pattaya.

Ferry
A comfortable, quick and enjoyable way to get to Hua Hin from Pattaya is by ferry. The trip takes about two hours, compared to about five hours by car. Tickets can be booked online.

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Attractions in Hua Hin

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