🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Prachuap Khiri Khan and Hua Hin sit in the same province but feel like two different places. Hua Hin is at the far north of the province, close to Bangkok at about a 3-hour drive, and it's a seaside town full of cafes, markets and a long beach. The town of Prachuap itself is another hour or so further south, a quieter "three-bay" town with clearer water. In between sits Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. So we've put together a mix of attractions covering beaches, hills, and culture-and-strolling, and you can pick whatever suits your style.
Beaches — sea and sandbars
The beaches around here aren't party beaches like the southern islands. They're long and quiet, better suited to an evening stroll. A highlight a lot of people love is Ao Manao in Prachuap town, where at low tide a sandbar stretches far out into the sea.
Ao Manao
A beach inside the Wing 5 air base area in Prachuap town, with clear water and clean sand. The highlight is at low tide, when a sandbar emerges and runs out into the sea so you can walk out and take photos. There are seafood restaurants along the beach. Since it's on military land, you need to swap your ID for a pass at the checkpoint to get in.
Hua Hin Beach
A long sandy beach in central Hua Hin, walkable from the night market. There are horses to ride along the shore. It's best in the morning or evening when the sun is soft; midday gets very hot.
Ban Krut Beach
A quiet beach in Bang Saphan district at the far south of the province, lined with coconut palms and with an open-air Buddha image on Khao Thong Chai hill. Few crowds, good for anyone wanting to escape the bustle.
Khao Tao Beach
A small fishing village just south of Hua Hin, with the little Sai Noi beach, Suan Son beach, and Wat Khao Tao. A laid-back, local feel where you can watch fishing life go by.
About the tides
If you're heading to Ao Manao to walk the sandbar, check the low-tide schedule first, because the sandbar only appears at low tide. Show up at high tide and you won't see it.
Want more out of Prachuap Khiri Khan? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Hills — caves, viewpoints and climbs
The hills are where this province really shines. Phraya Nakhon Cave in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is the postcard shot a lot of people have seen, where sunlight pours through the cave mouth and lands right on the royal pavilion in the middle of the cave. Khao Takiab and Khao Chong Krachok are viewpoints that aren't hard to climb and give you a wide view of the sea.
Phraya Nakhon Cave
A cave in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. The highlight is the Kuha Karuhas royal pavilion in the middle of the cave; in the late morning, light streams through the cave mouth and falls right onto the pavilion. It's stunning, but to get there you have to climb about 430 meters up the hill, fairly steep, or take a boat from Bang Pu beach to Laem Sala beach and walk in from there.
Khao Takiab
A small hill jutting into the sea south of Hua Hin, with a large Buddha image at the top facing out to sea. It's a short climb up to a view of Hua Hin town and the open sea. There are lots of monkeys, so watch anything in your hands.
Wat Khao Chong Krachok
A hill in the middle of Prachuap town and the symbol of this three-bay town. Climb the 396 steps to pay respects to the Buddha relics at the top and take in a 360-degree view of all three bays: Ao Noi, Ao Prachuap and Ao Manao. Plenty of monkeys here too.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
A national park with limestone mountains, caves, the Sam Roi Yot marshlands, and Khao Daeng canal where you can take a boat through the mangroves. Besides Phraya Nakhon Cave, there's also Kaeo Cave and the Khao Daeng viewpoint to hike up.
Pranburi Forest Park
A roughly 100-year-old mangrove forest in Pranburi, with a wooden boardwalk over a kilometer long winding through the mangroves. Shady and easy to walk, good for kids and older folks, with no climbing.
About the monkeys on the hills
Both Khao Takiab and Khao Chong Krachok have lots of monkeys. Don't carry a bag of food or a sweet drink up with you, because the monkeys will snatch it. Keep a tight grip on your glasses and phone, and don't feed the monkeys, as it only makes them more aggressive.
Culture — old town, markets and photo spots
Hua Hin has the feel of an old seaside resort town dating back to the reigns of Rama VI and VII. Hua Hin Railway Station is the landmark people photograph most. Art markets like Cicada and the Hua Hin floating market are where people stroll in the evening. Further south there's Rajabhakti Park, a wide plaza with statues of past Thai kings.
Hua Hin Railway Station
One of the most beautiful old wooden railway stations in Thailand. The standout feature is the red-and-yellow Royal Waiting Room (the Phra Mongkut Klao pavilion) on the side. Free to photograph, right in the center of town, and walkable to the night market.
Cicada Market
A night art market near Khao Takiab, with crafts, handmade goods, clothing and a food court. Some nights have live music and performances. Open Friday to Sunday only, around 16:00–23:00.
Hua Hin Sam Phan Nam Floating Market
A retro-style floating market with food boats, local snacks and photo corners. You can wander around for half a day. Good for anyone who likes a traditional Thai atmosphere.
Rajabhakti Park
A wide seaside plaza south of Hua Hin with large statues of seven past Thai kings. Free entry, open 08:00–18:00, dress modestly, and there's a shuttle within the grounds.
Hua Hin Hills Vineyard
A large wine-producing vineyard up in the hills, with a cafe, restaurant and wine-tasting tours. The views of the vines and mountains are lovely, perfect for sipping a drink and taking in the scenery in the evening. It's about 40 minutes from Hua Hin town.
- Hua Hin Night Market — a downtown night market with seafood, street food and souvenirs, good for a long eat-as-you-go every night.
- Khao Takiab village — a strip of seafood restaurants along the beach below Khao Takiab, where you can eat seafood with a sea view.
- Old Pranburi Market — old wooden shophouses, coffee shops and local snacks, a good stop on the way south.
How to plan a trip that works
With 2 days, we'd suggest spending the first day on Hua Hin and Sam Roi Yot, then heading down to Prachuap town on the second day, since it's about 90 kilometers from Hua Hin to Prachuap town, an hour and a half by car. Trying to do it as a single day round trip will wear you out.
Plan your whole Prachuap–Hua Hin trip, including where to stay and what to eat
See the Prachuap Khiri Khan guide →