🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Most people know Songkhla by its district name 'Hat Yai' — a busy commercial and food hub — but the actual city of Songkhla sits about 30 km away, a quieter coastal town with a well-preserved old quarter. The easiest way to plan your trip is by zone: the old town and Samila Beach are walkable from each other in the city center, while Koh Yo and Hat Yai require a short drive but are not far. Doing one zone per day beats cramming everything into one exhausting day.
Old Town Zone — Three Streets and the Sino-Portuguese Quarter
The heart of Songkhla's old town is three parallel streets: Thanon Nakhon Nok, Thanon Nakhon Nai, and Thanon Nang Ngam. Century-old Sino-Portuguese shophouses line both sides, broken up by street murals and small cafés repurposed from the old buildings. You can cover the whole district on foot in a single morning. Go early — the light is better, and the cafés have just opened.
Thanon Nang Ngam
The old town's main street for food and antiques, lined with traditional snack shops, tao kua vendors, and classic shophouse facades. It connects to Nakhon Nai and Nakhon Nok so you can wander the whole network in one go.
Thanon Nakhon Nok & Nakhon Nai + Street Art
Restored Sino-Portuguese shophouse rows with wall murals dotted along both streets depicting the city's history. A favorite spot for photography — you can work your way down the full length of either street.
Songkhla City Museum (Baan Nakhon Nai)
A restored house on Nakhon Nai Road converted into a local heritage museum covering everyday life and Songkhla's history. Worth a quick walk-through before you explore the three streets — it gives the neighborhood context.
Hub Hoh Hin (The Red Mill)
A century-old red rice mill on Nakhon Nok Road that's become the old town's most-recognized landmark. Now used as a community event space, it's a reliable backdrop for photos that every visitor picks up.
Old Town Tip
Several cafés and snack shops in the old town close on Mondays or open late. If a specific café is on your list, check their social page before heading over. Morning visits also mean better light and more shops actually open compared to the afternoon.
Want more out of Songkhla? 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.
Beach Zone — Samila Beach and Khao Tang Kuan
A few minutes from the old town sits Samila Beach, Songkhla's signature stretch of sand with its famous golden mermaid statue. Just beyond is Khao Tang Kuan, a small hill in the middle of the city where you can look out over both the Gulf of Thailand and Songkhla Lake. These two spots connect naturally into a half-day loop.
Samila Beach + Golden Mermaid
Songkhla's white-sand city beach, anchored by the golden mermaid statue that has become the city's symbol. Good for a stroll, photos, and sitting with the breeze all day. Locals come in the evenings to exercise and watch the sunset. Free entry.
Laem Samila + Cat and Mouse Rocks
The headland beyond the mermaid statue, where sculptures of a cat and mouse add another photo stop. From here you can see Koh Nu and Koh Maew (Mouse and Cat Islands) sitting offshore. Easily reached on foot from the mermaid.
Khao Tang Kuan
A small hill in the middle of the city with an electric lift to the top. Up there: an old chedi, a red pavilion, and 360-degree views over Songkhla — Gulf of Thailand on one side, Songkhla Lake on the other. Open roughly 09:00–17:30; lift ticket costs a few dozen THB.
Chalat Beach
A long beach continuing south from Samila along Chalat Road. Better for a morning jog or cycling session than for swimming. Several seafront cafés and restaurants make it a relaxed place to sit.
Beach Zone Tip
Khao Tang Kuan looks best late afternoon before sunset, but the lift closes around 17:30. If you want both midday views and the warm light, aim to go up before 17:00. There are also stairs if you'd rather skip the lift queue.
Lagoon Zone — Koh Yo and Tinsulanonda Bridge
Koh Yo is an island in the middle of Songkhla Lake, reachable by car across Tinsulanonda Bridge. It's the zone for lakeside seafood and a slow look at community life. Positioned between Songkhla city and Hat Yai, it fits naturally as a half-day stop on your way between the two.
Tinsulanonda Bridge
The concrete bridge crossing Songkhla Lake to Koh Yo — once Thailand's longest. It runs in two sections through the island, with lake views on both sides the whole way. Drive straight across; it's the only way in and out of Koh Yo.
Koh Yo
A lake island known for its hand-woven Koh Yo fabric and lakeside seafood restaurants built on stilts over the water. Fish-cage farming is visible from the shore. A good lunch stop — eat with lake views and pick up a length of Koh Yo cloth as a souvenir.
Institute of Southern Thai Studies
A folklore and cultural museum on Koh Yo near the bridge approach, covering southern Thai ways of life and traditional knowledge. Set on a hillside with lake views. Open 08:30–17:00; Thais 50 THB, foreigners 100 THB.
Hat Yai Zone — Cable Car and Markets
Hat Yai is more of a commercial and food city than a nature destination, but it has a couple of sights worth slotting in between meals and shopping: a hilltop park on Khao Kho Hong with a cable car up to a temple, and a floating market that runs on weekends only.
Hat Yai Municipal Park + Cable Car
A park on Khao Kho Hong hill with a cable car that takes you up to Phra Phutthamongkol Maharaj and Thao Mahaphrom shrines at the summit. Wide city views. Open 06:00–20:00; cable car: Thais adults 100 THB, children 50 THB, foreigners adults 200 THB.
Klong Hae Floating Market
Hat Yai's cultural floating market with food boats on the water and stalls on land. Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only, roughly 15:00–21:00. A good option for an evening meal on the right days.
Kim Yong Market
A central Hat Yai market selling dried foods, snacks, nuts, and imported goods. The go-to souvenir shopping stop for Hat Yai visitors and easy to walk in the city center.
Hat Yai Tip
Klong Hae Floating Market is weekends only (Fri–Sun). If you're visiting on a weekday, it will be closed — check your dates before building it into the plan. The cable car on Khao Kho Hong gets crowded on public holidays, so budget extra time for the queue up and down.
How to Cover Songkhla in 2 Days Without Feeling Rushed
With 2 days, spend Day 1 in Songkhla city — old town in the morning, Samila Beach and Khao Tang Kuan in the afternoon. On Day 2, drive out to Koh Yo then continue to Hat Yai since they're on the same route. Here's a plan that flows without backtracking.
Old Town + Samila Beach
Koh Yo + Hat Yai
Getting Around Songkhla
- Rent a car or motorbike — the most practical option. Songkhla city, Koh Yo, and Hat Yai are in different locations and public transport between them is infrequent. Rentals are available at Hat Yai International Airport and in the city.
- Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) — the main gateway to the province. About 20–30 min to downtown Hat Yai, and 40–50 min to Songkhla city. Airport minivans and taxis are available.
- Songthaew / motorbike taxi — useful for short hops within Songkhla city and Hat Yai. Agree on the fare before you get in.
- Ride-hailing apps — available in both Hat Yai and Songkhla city. Handy at night or in rain. Carry cash as backup since some drivers only accept cash.
Want a full Songkhla trip plan with logistics and food?
See the Songkhla Travel Guide →