🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
This plan assumes you start where most people do — landing at Hat Yai Airport and taking a car or minivan into Songkhla town. Day 1 covers the old town on foot: lunch on Nang Ngam Road, an afternoon of street art in the Nakhon Nok–Nakhon Nai lanes, a cafe stop in a heritage shophouse, and a relaxed evening at Samila Beach. Day 2 starts early on Khao Tang Kuan before the heat kicks in, swings by the national museum, then finishes with a final lap of the old town for lunch and souvenirs. No rushing required.
Getting from Hat Yai to Songkhla town
Most people fly into Hat Yai Airport and continue to Songkhla town (about 30–40 min). Shared minivans on the Hat Yai–Songkhla route cost a few tens of baht; a taxi or rideshare runs around 300–400 THB. Once you're in the old town, Nang Ngam, Nakhon Nok, and Nakhon Nai roads are all walkable from each other. For Samila Beach and Khao Tang Kuan, renting a motorbike (around 250–300 THB/day) or using a rideshare app makes things much easier.
Day 1
Old Town, Nang Ngam Road, Street Art & Samila Beach at Sunset
10:30
Arrive in Songkhla, drop bags at your old-town accommodationAccommodation in the old town ranges from hostels inside heritage buildings (around 500–800 THB) to boutique hotels renovated from Sino-Portuguese shophouses (1,200–2,000 THB/night). Staying here means you can walk everywhere and skip the car for most of Day 1.
11:30
Walk Nang Ngam Road, lunch at a generations-old shopNang Ngam Road is the heart of the old town. Two spots worth trying: Kiad Fang (Koh Yao) for old-style Songkhla stewed pork rice, and a thick pork-bone noodle shop nearby. Most of these places open early and run out before noon — arrive before 12:00 to be safe.
13:00
Try Tao Khua — Songkhla's signature dishTao Khua is the dish locals are proudest of: fried tofu, thin rice noodles, blanched vegetables, bean sprouts, battered and fried shrimp, soft-boiled egg, and a sweet-sour dipping sauce. It's sold at shops throughout the old town for around 50–70 THB a plate. Nothing quite like it anywhere else in Thailand.
14:00
Follow the street art trail through Nakhon Nok and Nakhon Nai roadsThe Tourism Authority of Thailand has mapped a walking art route with around 15 murals painted on old shophouse walls across Nakhon Nok and Nakhon Nai roads. It's a great afternoon wander — the buildings on both sides of the street provide some shade from the afternoon sun. Bring water.
15:30
Coffee break at a heritage cafe — Lyn's The Shanghai Cafe or EP's CaféLyn's The Shanghai Cafe occupies a nearly 200-year-old Hokkien townhouse; open roughly 09:30–21:00, closed Tuesdays. EP's Café is open daily 09:00–19:00. Either works well as a mid-afternoon stop before heading to the beach.
17:00
Head to Samila Beach, photograph the Mermaid, catch the sea breezeSamila Beach is only a few kilometres from the old town. The bronze Mermaid statue is Songkhla's most recognisable symbol; there are also cat and mouse sculptures along the beach. Late afternoon brings a cool sea breeze and plenty of locals out for a walk. Grab skewers from a beachside vendor and take your time.
18:30
Seafood dinner by the sea, then rest upAround Samila Beach and the Chalatat road strip there are several seafood and southern Thai restaurants. Fried sea bass, steamed blue crab, or a seaweed salad all pair well with the view. Prices are by weight — budget accordingly. Save some energy for the early start tomorrow.
Day 2
Khao Tang Kuan, National Museum, Final Lunch & Souvenirs
08:30
Climb Khao Tang Kuan before the heat buildsKhao Tang Kuan sits right in the middle of town. You can walk up the staircase or take the funicular tram installed by the Songkhla City Municipality (around 30–50 THB). At the top there's a chedi and a viewpoint looking out over Songkhla town, the Gulf of Thailand, and Songkhla Lake on both sides. Morning light is clearest and the air is noticeably cooler.
10:00
Come back down and visit the Songkhla National MuseumThe museum is housed in a beautiful Sino-European mansion that was once the residence of the city governor. It displays antiques and local history. Admission for Thai nationals is in the tens of baht range; closed Mondays and Tuesdays — check hours before you go.
11:30
Final stroll through the old town, lunch at somewhere you missed on Day 1Loop back through the old town and fill the gaps from yesterday — Koh Thai porridge, an old-style Chinese steamed bun shop, or duck noodles. Most spots in this neighbourhood are family recipes handed down over multiple generations.
13:00
Sweet finale — Ong ice cream on Nang Ngam RoadOng (clay-pot) ice cream is a Nang Ngam Road classic: coconut milk ice cream kept cold in a clay jar, served with lotus seeds, sticky rice, beans, and toppings. A few dozen baht per serving. If you do one dessert in Songkhla, make it this.
14:00
Pick up souvenirs before heading backSongkhla souvenirs worth grabbing include Pa Mol's charcoal-baked egg cakes, Nang Ngam roti, and dried seafood like salted fish, dried shrimp, and krop eggs. All available in the old town and the main market. Buy close to departure for the freshest stock.
15:30
Head back to Hat Yai for your flight or onward connectionAllow about 40 min for the drive back to Hat Yai. If your flight is in the evening you'll have time to swing by the Hat Yai cable car at the municipal park — 100 THB for adults, open 09:00–20:00.
Rough budget per person
- Accommodation (1 night) — Hostel in a heritage building from around 500–800 THB; boutique hotel 1,200–2,000 THB
- Khao Tang Kuan funicular — around 30–50 THB; walking up the stairs is free
- Songkhla National Museum — a few tens of THB for Thai nationals
- Getting around town — motorbike rental around 250–300 THB/day, or rideshare per trip
- Food over 2 days — local dishes and seafood roughly 500–800 THB; budget extra for souvenirs
Best time to visit Songkhla
Songkhla is fine to visit most of the year. The clearest weather is December–March — blue skies and a pleasant sea breeze. The heaviest rain falls in November, when the northeast monsoon hits; carry an umbrella. For the old town, mornings or late afternoon are most comfortable — avoid midday heat. Samila Beach is at its best in the hour before sunset.
🎟️Book the activities in your Songkhla trip ahead
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.
🎟️ See all Songkhla tours & activities (Klook) Can you combine Songkhla and Hat Yai in one trip?
Easily — they're only about 30 km apart. A common pattern is to base yourself in Hat Yai for the dim sum breakfasts and Kim Yong market shopping, then make a day trip into Songkhla for the old town and the coast. If you're on this 2D1N plan and want to add Hat Yai, just shift your base to Hat Yai for one night and spend a full day in Songkhla — the old town, Samila Beach, and Khao Tang Kuan are all doable in one day if you start by mid-morning.
HighlightSongkhla Old Town
Sino-Portuguese shophouses on Nang Ngam, Nakhon Nok, and Nakhon Nai roads — eat, wander, and photograph the whole neighbourhood on foot.
BeachSamila Beach
Home to the city's famous bronze Mermaid statue. A long sandy beach with a cooling sea breeze — best in the late afternoon.
ViewsKhao Tang Kuan
A hilltop viewpoint right in the middle of town with panoramic views of the city, the Gulf, and Songkhla Lake on both sides. Funicular available.
