Khao Khanab Nam
Krabi River, Krabi Town
Twin limestone peaks rising from the river mangroves, the symbol of Krabi. Caves inside have yielded ancient human remains.Read more
How to get there: Longtail boats from the Chao Fa pier in Krabi Town.
Krabi, Thailand
Krabi
Dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise water and over 100 islands on the Andaman coast: Railay and Phra Nang beaches, Ao Nang, island hopping to Hong and the Four Islands, rock climbing and the Tiger Cave Temple.
Favourite places
Beach
Ao Nang Beach
Krabi, Thailand
Krabi's main beach town, with hotels, restaurants, sunsets behind limestone islands, and the boats for Railay and island tours.
Explore Ao Nang Beach
Nature, Day trip
Emerald Pool
Krabi, Thailand
A natural pool of clear blue-green spring water in the forest of Khlong Thom, often combined with the nearby hot springs.
Explore Emerald Pool
Island, Boat trip
Hong Islands
Krabi, Thailand
A group of limestone islands with a hidden lagoon, white beaches and snorkelling — a favourite day trip from Ao Nang.
Explore Hong Islands
Island, Beach
Koh Poda
Krabi, Thailand
A small island off Ao Nang with a white beach, clear water and a limestone pinnacle — a stop on every "Four Islands" tour.
Explore Koh Poda
Beach, Boat trip
Maya Bay — Phi Phi Leh
Krabi, Thailand
The famous bay ringed by cliffs on Phi Phi Leh, made world-famous by the film "The Beach" and now carefully protected.
Explore Maya Bay — Phi Phi Leh
Island, Boat trip
Phi Phi Islands
Krabi, Thailand
Thailand's most famous islands: dramatic cliffs, clear water, snorkelling and the lively village on Phi Phi Don.
Explore Phi Phi Islands
Beach, Nature
Phra Nang Cave Beach
Krabi, Thailand
One of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand: white sand, turquoise water and cliffs hung with stalactites, at the tip of the Railay peninsula.
Explore Phra Nang Cave Beach
Beach, Climbing
Railay Beach
Krabi, Thailand
A peninsula cut off by limestone cliffs and reached only by boat: beaches, viewpoints and world-class rock climbing.
Explore Railay Beach
Island, Boat trip
Talay Waek — Separated Sea
Krabi, Thailand
At low tide a sandbar rises between Koh Tup, Koh Kai and Koh Mor, and you can walk across the sea between the islands.
Explore Talay Waek — Separated Sea
Temple, Viewpoint
Tiger Cave Temple — Wat Tham Suea
Krabi, Thailand
A forest temple with 1,260 steep steps up a limestone peak to a golden Buddha and views over the whole province.
Explore Tiger Cave Temple — Wat Tham Suea
Historical places
Local food
Gaeng Som
Krabi, Thailand
Southern sour curry with fish and vegetables, tangy and very spicy.
Khanom Jeen
Krabi, Thailand
Fresh rice noodles with southern curry sauces and a basket of fresh herbs and vegetables.
Grilled seafood
Krabi, Thailand
Fish, prawns and squid grilled at beach restaurants and night markets.
Where to eat
Krabi Town Walking Street
Maharat Soi 8, Krabi Town (Friday to Sunday evenings)
Street food, local desserts and live music.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Chao Fa Pier night market
Krabi Town riverside
Evening stalls with seafood, noodles and fruit shakes.
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Where to stay
Ao Nang
Krabi, Thailand
Most choice and boat links — the easiest base.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Railay
Krabi, Thailand
Car-free and beautiful; stay a night after the day boats leave.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Krabi Town
Krabi, Thailand
Cheaper, local and close to the bus and ferry piers.
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Culture
Krabi is a mix of Thai Buddhist and Thai Muslim communities, with fishing villages and mosques along the coast. Seafood, southern curries and the Andaman way of life shape the province's character.
History
People have lived in Krabi for tens of thousands of years — stone tools and cave paintings have been found in its limestone caves, and Khlong Thom has one of the oldest archaeological sites in southern Thailand.
Krabi was long a quiet fishing and farming province of rubber and palm oil. Travellers discovered Railay and the islands in the 1980s, and the province has since become one of Thailand's favourite beach destinations.
Travel information
- Country: Thailand
- Language: Thai; English is widely used in tourist areas.
- Currency: Thai baht (THB).
- Time zone: Indochina Time, UTC+7.
- Suggested stay: Three to five days for Ao Nang, Railay and island hopping.
Tour plans
Krabi in three days
3 days, 2 nightsStep 1: Day 1 — Railay
Longtail to Railay, Phra Nang Cave Beach, the viewpoint or a climbing session; sunset on Railay West.
Step 2: Day 2 — Island hopping
Four Islands or Hong Islands tour from Ao Nang.
Step 3: Day 3 — Temple and town
Tiger Cave Temple early, lunch in Krabi Town, Khao Khanab Nam by longtail and the walking street at night.
Map
Travel information
Best time to visit
November to April for calm seas and sunshine. May to October is the monsoon: some island trips stop and seas can be rough.
How to get there
Flights: Krabi International Airport (KBV) has frequent flights from Bangkok (about 1 hour 20 minutes) and some international routes. Ferries: Boats link Krabi and Ao Nang with Phuket, Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Buses: Buses from Bangkok take about 12 hours; minivans connect Phuket and Surat Thani.
Getting around
White songthaews run between Krabi Town and Ao Nang. Longtail boats are the way to Railay and nearby islands. Grab works; scooters and cars can be rented.
Travel tips
Longtail boats to Railay leave when full — boarding often means wading through shallow water. Pay the national park fee on island trips. Bring reef-safe sunscreen.
