Visiting Songkhla
Which Route Should You Pick?

Songkhla's old town is the starting point most people recommend if you're visiting the city for the first time. The core area sits along three short streets — Nang Ngam Road, Nakhon Nok Road, and Nakhon Nai Road — comfortably walkable together in half a day. Both sides of the streets are lined with century-old Sino-Portuguese shophouses; some have been restored into cafes, hostels, and souvenir shops, while others are still lived in as private homes. Old shrines tuck into the side alleys, and street art is scattered across more than a dozen spots along the building walls, perfect for photo-hunting. The charm here is seeing Thai-Chinese-Malay culture layered together in a single neighborhood.

Based on real reviews across multiple platforms, people consistently praise how walkable and unhurried the area feels, how photogenic both the old buildings and the street art corners are, and how affordable the local food is — think tao khua (Hokkien-style omelet), noodles, old-fashioned sweets, and traditional coffee at heritage shops. The thing to expect is that some shops close on weekdays, and the area is fairly quiet — anyone expecting the bustle of a big market might find it a bit too calm. It's liveliest on weekends, when shops are fully open and there are more visitors around.

As for timing, if you're just walking and taking photos, half a day covers it, but if you plan to stop at cafes, try the food, and browse souvenir shops, budget the full day. There's no entry fee here — walking around is free, and you only pay for coffee and food as you go. It makes a great starting base before heading on to Samila Beach, just a few kilometers away.

If you want to capture Songkhla's signature sights in a short window of time, the Samila route is the answer. The main draw is the Golden Mermaid statue on Samila Beach, erected back in 1966 and now the city's symbol — everyone who visits stops here for a photo. Not far away stand the cat and rat statues that tell the legend of Ko Nu Ko Maeo (Rat Island and Cat Island), set against a sea view. Samila Beach itself has white sand, shady pine trees, and a cool sea breeze, making it a nice spot to sit and relax in the late afternoon. For anyone wanting a bird's-eye view, head up Khao Tang Kuan, where you can see the whole town of Songkhla, the lagoon, and Ko Nu Ko Maeo all in a single frame — you can go up by cable car or by stairs.

Based on real reviews, people like that these spots are all close together, so you can drive or walk between them and cover everything in half a day without much effort, and the view from Khao Tang Kuan is often better than expected, especially in the late afternoon. What people flag is that it gets crowded on holidays with limited parking, the midday sun can be intense so it's best to go in the morning or evening, and there are quite a few monkeys around Khao Tang Kuan — keep food and bags well secured.

On cost, the main spots like the mermaid statue and Samila Beach are free to visit; the main expense is the Khao Tang Kuan cable car at around 30–60 baht per ride. Check the opening hours before you go, since it sometimes closes for maintenance or shuts early in the evening. Ko Nu Ko Maeo is mostly viewed from the shore, so there's no need to take a boat out to it.

Hat Yai is Songkhla's commercial hub, and people come here specifically to shop and eat. The town center has a night market, large malls, and food shops open late. A favorite spot with visitors is Khlong Hae Floating Market, open only Friday through Sunday afternoons into the evening, with boats selling food and stalls lining the canal — many dishes cost as little as 20 baht each, and there's plenty of halal food, making it welcoming for all groups. Another spot families love is the Khao Kho Hong cable car in Hat Yai Municipal Park, where you can ride a gondola up to pay respects at a temple and take in views of Hat Yai from above.

Based on real reviews, people praise Hat Yai for its abundant, tasty, and affordable food, and enjoyable market strolls — Khlong Hae Floating Market in particular is lively with plenty to sample. What people flag is that the floating market feels quite touristy, gets crowded and hot at times, and is only open on weekends — if you visit on a weekday you'll miss it, so check the schedule before planning. The Khao Kho Hong cable car has a separate ticket fee and can have long queues at times, so it's best to go in the morning or before evening to avoid crowds.

As for timing, Hat Yai suits an overnight stay of 1–2 nights since the food and night market are all within the town, giving you plenty to explore on foot. The main cost is food and shopping, which you can budget freely, while the cable car and floating market carry small separate fees. If you're based in Songkhla town, you can also do Hat Yai as a day trip.

This route suits anyone who wants to escape the bustle for nature and local culture. The first stop is Koh Yo, an island in the middle of Songkhla Lake connected by a bridge you can drive across, known for lakeside seafood, Koh Yo woven textiles, and the Folklore Museum of the Institute for Southern Thai Studies, which gathers everyday objects and ways of life from southern Thailand into room after room — an enjoyable place to wander through. Songkhla Lake is also home to Irrawaddy dolphins, a rare freshwater species, and boats occasionally take visitors out to spot them, though the chances depend on the season and luck — it's worth asking a local operator first.

Another stop on the nature route is Ton Nga Chang Waterfall, inside the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary on the Hat Yai side. It's a multi-tiered waterfall where the lower levels are an easy walk with swimming and plenty of fish in the stream, while the upper tiers require a steep climb suited to those who are fit. Based on real reviews, people praise the waterfall's shade, clear water, and how it makes for a good nearby retreat. What people flag is that entry fees for foreign visitors are fairly high, and the water runs low in the dry season — it's best visited after the rains when there's more water.

On timing, if you only do Koh Yo and the museum, budget around half a day, but if you add Ton Nga Chang Waterfall, plan for a full day since it's in a different district. The main costs are waterfall and museum entry, each a few hundred baht, plus lakeside seafood at Koh Yo, known for its freshness. This route is about quiet and nature, and doesn't suit anyone looking for excitement or shopping.