Explore Songkhla
A two-sea province with a colorful old town, Samila Beach and its mermaid, the Nang Ngam street quarter, and the border trade city of Hat Yai
February–August, when the skies are clear for swimmi
2–4 days
฿800–4,500+
Songkhla — all in one place
Songkhla is a big southern province on the Gulf of Thailand made up of two very different cities. Old-town Songkhla sits between a lake and the gulf, with Samila Beach and its golden mermaid statue being the image most people picture first. The old quarter along Nakhon Nok, Nakho
Start with stays →Signature food
Fresh seafood and lakeside fish — With both the gulf and the lake at hand, there
Must-see highlight
Samila Beach and the Mermaid — Songkhla's signature beach, marked by the gold
Nature & views
Samila Beach — The city's signature beach with the mermai
Easy, all-in-one
Stays, sights, food and itineraries — all on one page
Standout things to do
The best of Songkhla — don't miss these on a first trip
Read what interests you
Pick a tab for stays, sights, food, itineraries and prep
Top 10 Songkhla Hotels
A ranked roundup plus per-hotel reviews, with prices compared across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
Where to stay in Songkhla?
Compare the top neighborhoods and pick by your travel style before you book
Rankings by style & location
Beyond the Top 10 — rankings by budget, location and stay style in Songkhla
Songkhla stays picked from real reviews — honest about the good and the bad, with price ranges and booking links
9.3
9.2
9.1
8.7
8.6
8.4
8.0
7.7Things to do in Songkhla
Highlights and sights around Songkhla — nature, city and culture
Samila Beach and the Mermaid
Songkhla's signature beach, marked by the golden mermaid statue and the cat-and-mouse sculptures. People sit in the breeze under the pines, take photos with the mermaid, and look out at Cat and Mouse islands offshore.
Nang Ngam old-town quarter
A district of brightly painted Sino-Portuguese shophouses along Nakhon Nok, Nakhon Nai, and Nang Ngam streets, with old coffee shops, long-running eateries, and street art to photograph throughout the area.
Hat Yai
A trade and food city that buzzes day and night, with Kim Yong Market, night markets, big malls, and late-night restaurants. It's a regular stop for Malaysian and Singaporean visitors who come to sightsee and shop.
Songkhla Lake
Thailand's largest brackish-water lake, with Koh Yo in the middle known for its seafood and local woven cloth. Eat lakeside while watching the Tinsulanonda Bridge stretch across the water.
Khao Tang Kuan and the lighthouse
A low hill in the old town that you climb for 360-degree views of Songkhla, the lake, and the gulf. There's an old chedi at the top and a naga staircase to walk up, making it a popular sunset spot.
Khlong Hae floating market and southern food
A canalside floating market near Hat Yai open Friday to Sunday evenings, with southern dishes, local sweets, and boats selling food along the water. It's where Hat Yai locals come to graze in the evening.
Hat Yai Shopping Guide Kimyong Market, Malls & Imported Goods
Read article →Hat Yai Municipal Park Cable Car, Shrines & City Views
Read article →Khao Tang Kuan Songkhla Naga Staircase, Old Chedi & Three-Way Views
Read article →Khlong Hae Floating Market Hat Yai's Waterside Southern Food Scene
Read article →Koh Yor Songkhla Bridge, Barramundi & Weaving
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Samila Beach Golden Mermaid, Koh Nu Koh Maew & Sea Breeze Casuarinas
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Songkhla Aquarium Walk the ocean tunnel with the kids
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Songkhla Attractions 14 Places Worth Your Time
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Songkhla Lake Thailand's Largest Brackish Lagoon
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Songkhla National Museum A 148-Year Chinese Mansion in the Old Town
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Songkhla Old Town Walk Nang Ngam, Nakhon Nok & Nakhon Nai
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Ton Nga Chang Waterfall 7 Cool Tiers Near Hat Yai
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Wat Khao Rup Chang Bodh Gaya Pagoda, Views & Worship
Read article →Where to eat in Songkhla
Songkhla's signature food — real local spots, rounded up and ranked
Fresh seafood and lakeside fish
With both the gulf and the lake at hand, there's shrimp, shellfish, crab, and fresh fish. Spots along Samila Beach and on Koh Yo boil, stir-fry, deep-fry, and steam it southern-bold, served with a sea view.
Hat Yai dim sum
A favorite Hat Yai breakfast. Dim sum shops open early with shumai, har gow, steamed buns, and Chinese tea, and they fill up before the sun is even up.
Bold southern dishes
Gaeng tai pla, khua kling, gaeng lueang, and southern khao yam are everywhere in town, hot and salty-spicy, eaten with steamed rice and fresh raw vegetables on the side.
Tao kuan and Songkhla sweets
Tao kuan is a local specialty of rice crackers, fried tofu, blanched vegetables, and boiled egg drizzled with palm-sugar sauce that's sweet with a salty edge. It's an evening snack that's hard to find outside Songkhla.
Hat Yai fried chicken
Hat Yai-style fried chicken, marinated and fried crisp, topped with fried shallots and eaten with sticky rice and dipping sauce. It's a local star that people buy to take home as a gift.
Stewed beef and old-school coffee
Old shops in the old town make clear-broth stewed beef eaten with bread or rice, paired with strong traditional coffee. It's a classic Songkhla-style breakfast.
Koh Yo seafood and chili dip
Koh Yo, in the middle of the lake, is known for sea bass raised in floating pens. Lakeside spots make steamed fish, fried fish, and local chili dips, eaten with a view of the Tinsulanonda Bridge.
Hat Yai street food and night markets
The Hat Yai night market and Kim Yong Market are full of snacks, sweets, fruit, and fried bites. You can graze your way through from evening into the night.
Hat Yai Dim Sum 10 Morning Spots Locals Queue For
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Hat Yai Fried Chicken 10 Best Shops to Try
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Hat Yai Night Markets + Kim Yong Street Food, Snacks & Souvenirs
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Desserts & Cafes Songkhla–Hat Yai
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Songkhla Khao Stew Clear Braised Pork, Old-School Breakfast
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Songkhla Local Breakfast Dim Sum, Rice Stew & Old-School Coffee
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Old Town Cafes & Heritage Coffee in Songkhla
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Songkhla Seafood Samila, Koh Yor & the Waterfront
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Bold Southern Thai Food in Songkhla Gaeng Tai Pla, Kua Kling, Gaeng Lueang
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Edible Souvenirs from Songkhla & Hat Yai Fried Chicken, Cashews & Local Sweets
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Songkhla Tao Kua The Local Dish with Toddy Palm Sugar Dressing
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10 Top Attractions in Songkhla
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10 Popular Restaurants in Songkhla
Read article →Songkhla itineraries
Ready-made plans — from a day trip to 2–3 days, plus routes to neighbouring provinces
Hat Yai Food & Shopping Itinerary Dim Sum · Kim Yong · Night Markets
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Songkhla 1-Day Itinerary Old Town · Samila · Khao Tang Kuan
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Songkhla 2D1N Itinerary Old Town, Samila Beach & Khao Tang Kuan
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Songkhla 3 Days 2 Nights Old Town, Koh Yo, Hat Yai
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Songkhla Culture Trail Khao Tang Kuan · National Museum · Wat Khao Rup Chang
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Songkhla & Hat Yai with Kids Beach, Cable Car, Koh Yor & Waterfall
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First Time in Songkhla & Hat Yai What to Know + a Plan
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Songkhla Old Town 1-Day Itinerary Heritage, Cafes & Street Art
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Songkhla–Phatthalung 3 Days Circling the Lagoon Between Two Provinces
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Songkhla for Photo Lovers Mermaid · Street Art · Khao Tang Kuan · Cable Car
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Hat Yai–Satun–Koh Lipe The Southern Andaman Gateway
Read article →Continue to nearby provinces
Planning your Songkhla trip
Best time to go, getting around, and what to know before visiting Songkhla
Best time
February–August, when the skies are clear for swimming and walking the old town; November–December brings heavy rain and strong winds
Getting around
How to reach Songkhla and get around
Prep
What to pack for Songkhla
Best time to go
Clearest seas, calm water, reliable sun
Short showers, seas still good, fewer visitors
The wettest months on this coast — some boat services cancelled
Daily budget
* Rough estimate per person/day — stay, food and activities
Where is Songkhla
Get your bearings before planning routes
Food 22Places 8
30 places we reviewed
Things to do in Songkhla
Best things to do in Songkhla
Ranked, compared and reviewed activities & tours from real reviews — pros, cons and where to book
Day tours, cooking classes, attraction tickets and outdoor activities — book ahead for better prices
Don't-miss spots in Songkhla
Samila Beach and the Mermaid
Songkhla's signature beach, marked by the golden mermaid statue
Nang Ngam old-town quarter
A district of brightly painted Sino-Portuguese shophouses along
Hat Yai
A trade and food city that buzzes day and night, with Kim Yong M
Songkhla Lake
Thailand's largest brackish-water lake, with Koh Yo in the middl
Khao Tang Kuan and the lighthouse
A low hill in the old town that you climb for 360-degree views o
Khlong Hae floating market and southern food
A canalside floating market near Hat Yai open Friday to Sunday e
Nothing quite right? Search all 3 sites
Compare Songkhla stays yourself across Agoda · Booking · Trip.com
If you like Songkhla, try a nearby province
🌾Phatthalung
A lakeside town on Songkhla Lake — Khao Ok Thalu mountain, red lotus blooms at Thale Noi, rice fields with water buffalo, and the home of shadow puppetry and Manora dance
Explore Phatthalung →
🏝️Satun
A southern border town on the Andaman, a UNESCO Global Geopark, the Tarutao–Koh Lipe islands, and a quiet Muslim way of life
Explore Satun →
🛕Nakhon Si Thammarat
A thousand-year-old stupa, Ai Khai of Wat Chedi, shadow-puppet cafes, and waterfalls plus the Gulf coast
Explore Nakhon Si Thammarat →
🌫️Yala
Thailand's southernmost province — a town laid out in perfect circles, plus Betong with the Aiyoeweng sea of fog, an old tunnel, and Hokkien Chinese food
Explore Yala →Frequently asked — Songkhla
How many days do you need in Songkhla?
Usually 2–4 days covers the main highlights; with more time, continue to nearby provinces.
When is the best time to visit Songkhla?
February–August, when the skies are clear for swimming and walking the old town; November–December brings heavy rain and strong winds
How much does a day in Songkhla cost?
Roughly per person/day — budget ฿800–1,500 · mid ฿1,800–3,500 · comfort ฿4,500+ (stay, food and activities).
Where should I stay in Songkhla?
We have a dedicated neighborhood guide — pick the area that fits your style, then see real stays there.
How do I get to Songkhla?
By intercity bus/van from Bangkok or private car — see the Prep tab.
About — Songkhla
Songkhla is a big southern province on the Gulf of Thailand made up of two very different cities. Old-town Songkhla sits between a lake and the gulf, with Samila Beach and its golden mermaid statue being the image most people picture first. The old quarter along Nakhon Nok, Nakhon Nai, and Nang Ngam streets is packed with brightly painted Sino-Portuguese shophouses, old-school coffee shops, and street art that keeps people wandering and snapping photos all day.
The other side is Hat Yai, a trade and food hub that buzzes day and night, with night markets, malls, and a steady stream of visitors from Malaysia and Singapore. Songkhla eats well across the board: fresh seafood, bold southern dishes, Hat Yai-style dim sum for breakfast, and local sweets like tao kuan. People come to Songkhla to stroll the old town, eat seafood, and hit Hat Yai all in one trip.
Best time: February–August, when the skies are clear for swimming and walking the old town; November–December brings heavy rain and strong winds