📝 Written 2 Jul 2026 · ✅ Fact-checked 3 Jul 2026 · prices and schedules can change — check with the operator before booking
If you come to Songkhla wanting a laid-back place to walk around with both pretty things to photograph and good food to eat, Songkhla Old Town is nearly everyone's first pin on the map. This district is an old port town over two hundred years old, laid out as long rows of shophouses along three parallel streets — Nang Ngam Road, Nakhon Nok Road, and Nakhon Nai Road — blending Chinese, European, Malay, and Thai architecture into a look all its own.
Today, Songkhla Old Town is one of the cities the Thai government has nominated to UNESCO for World Heritage status. What draws people in is the atmosphere of old buildings that still feel alive — shops that are genuinely open, locals who genuinely still live there, not just a backdrop for photos. On this page we'll walk you through the district street by street, both the parts people fall in love with and the parts you should be mentally prepared for before you go.
Walking Songkhla Old Town (Nang Ngam-Nakhon Nok-Nakhon Nai)
Most days of walking the Old Town start on Nang Ngam Road, considered the heart of the district. Both sides of the street are lined with Sino-Portuguese and Sino-European shophouses, old wooden louvered shutters, red lanterns in front of shrines, and plaster walls worn down to reveal the original brick, interspersed with old-fashioned sweet shops, antique stores, and cafes renovated from the original buildings without tearing them down. Keep walking along and you'll find street art in several spots on the walls, mostly depicting local life — children playing in water, street vendors carrying their wares, and a mermaid image that echoes the city's symbol.
Next come two more parallel streets: Nakhon Nok Road, closer to Songkhla Lake, lined with old warehouses and commercial buildings that tell the story of the city's past as a port, and Nakhon Nai Road, with old wooden houses and mansions to admire, where you can stop by small museums like Baan Nakhon Nai. Along the way, try tao khua, a well-known Songkhla dish — a local-style salad topped with a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce — and khanom jeen with bold southern-style curry sauce. Finish with a cup of coffee at a cafe in one of the old buildings before heading back.
From real reviews across several platforms, people consistently praise how the district still feels alive, the old buildings are charming, every angle makes a good photo, and it's easy to walk around since the distances aren't far. Coffee shops and local food are also inexpensive. What you should be prepared for is that midday sun is harsh and there's a lot of walking — around noon there's almost nowhere to escape the sun. Weekends get crowded and parking is hard to find, so you'll need to circle around for a while, and many shops only open on weekends — if you come on a weekday, some will be closed. Another thing to note is that some buildings are still run-down and awaiting restoration.
- A heritage district that still feels alive, with beautiful Sino-Portuguese and Sino-European buildings that photograph well from every angle
- Street art scattered across several spots on Nang Ngam Road, fun to hunt down while walking
- Local food like tao khua and khanom jeen is tasty and inexpensive
- The three streets sit next to each other with short walking distances, so you can see it all in half a day to a full day
- Midday sun is harsh and there's a lot of walking, with almost nowhere to escape the heat around noon
- Weekends get crowded and parking is hard to find, requiring some circling around
- Many shops only open on weekends, so some are closed on weekdays, and some buildings are still run-down
💡 What to know before visiting Songkhla Old Town
The three streets sit next to each other over short distances, so walking is most comfortable, or renting a bike to cruise past the old buildings is also fun — no need to drive into narrow sois and deal with the hassle.
Mornings before 10am and evenings after 4pm have softer sun, comfortable walking, and beautiful light for photos. Avoid midday, when it's scorching hot with almost nowhere to escape the sun.
Songkhla-style tao khua (a local salad topped with sweet-and-sour dipping sauce) and khanom jeen with bold southern-style curry sauce. You can stop by old-fashioned sweet shops and cafes in the old buildings along Nang Ngam Road all day.
After finishing the Old Town, continue to Samila Beach to photograph the mermaid statue, then head up Khao Tang Kuan to take in views of the city and Songkhla Lake in the evening — a perfect one-day combo.
Book trips and activities in Songkhla-Hat Yai
Compare schedules and prices across several providers — booking online in advance is more convenient than showing up on the day.
Visiting Songkhla — where should you stay?
Want to stay in the Old Town district or along Samila Beach? Compare well-located hotels in Songkhla right here.
Search hotels on AgodaPlanning tip: Songkhla Old Town is about 30 kilometers from Hat Yai. Many people fly into Hat Yai Airport and then continue into Songkhla city. For the full experience, stay in Songkhla city for at least one night, walk the Old Town in the morning and evening, and save Samila Beach and Khao Tang Kuan for the same day.
Walked the Old Town all day and want a well-located place to stay in Songkhla? Check out the hotels we've picked for you.
See well-located hotels in Songkhla →