Centara Grand beachfront
Town centre
The old Railway Hotel, opened in the 1920s and now the Centara Grand, stands behind the beach with its colonial-style buildings and topiary garden.
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Hua Hin, Thailand
Hua Hin Beach
About 5 km of soft sand from the town centre to Khao Takiab, good for long walks, horse rides on the shore and kite-surfing.
Favourite places
Fishing piers
Naresdamri Road
Wooden piers with seafood restaurants built over the water at the northern end of the town beach.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Horse rides on the shore
Central beach
Horses are led along the sand for short rides, a Hua Hin tradition. Agree the time and price first.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Kite-surfing
Towards Khao Takiab
Steady winds in the windy season make the beach popular for kite-surfing, with schools along the shore.
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Historical places
Klai Kangwon Palace
North of the town centre
The royal summer palace whose name means far from worries, built under King Prajadhipok (Rama VII). It is a royal residence and usually not open to visitors.
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Local food
Pla muk yang
Hua Hin, Thailand
Grilled squid with spicy seafood sauce, sold by vendors near the beach.
Pla kapong nueng manao
Hua Hin, Thailand
Steamed sea bass with lime and chilli, a staple of the pier restaurants.
Where to eat
Pier restaurants on Naresdamri Road
Town centre
Seafood restaurants on stilts over the sea — good for dinner with a sea breeze.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Hua Hin Night Market
Dechanuchit Road
A short walk from the beach for seafood and street food every evening.
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Where to stay
Hua Hin town centre
Hua Hin, Thailand
Walk to the beach, the night market and the railway station; many hotels and guesthouses.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Khao Takiab
Hua Hin, Thailand
The quieter southern end of the beach, with resorts by the sea and the hill temple nearby.
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Culture
Hua Hin is a royal resort town and many Thai families holiday here, so it is calmer and more conservative than Pattaya. Swimwear is for the beach; cover up in town. Show respect for the royal family, including at the palace gates.
History
Hua Hin became Thailand's first beach resort after the railway arrived in the early 1900s and the royal family built their summer palaces here. The beach is still long, calm and family-friendly.
Tour plans
Classic Hua Hin day
1 dayStep 1: Morning beach walk
Walk the sand from the town centre while it is cool.
Step 2: Hua Hin Railway Station
Visit the historic station and the Royal Waiting Room.
Step 3: Khao Takiab at sunset
Ride a green songthaew south to the hill temple.
Step 4: Night market
Seafood dinner at the Hua Hin Night Market.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
December to April for sunny, calm days; early morning and late afternoon are the best times to walk the sand.
How to get there
Walk from the town centre; lanes lead down from Phetkasem Road.
Getting around
The town centre around Naresdamri and Dechanuchit roads is easy to walk. Green songthaews run up and down Phetkasem Road between the town and Khao Takiab; flag one down and press the buzzer to stop. Grab, tuk-tuks (agree the fare first) and rented scooters cover the rest. For day trips to the national park or the vineyard, hire a car with driver or join a tour.
Travel tips
Jellyfish appear in some months — ask locally before swimming.
