Is Krabi Town Worth A Visit? Things To Do There
Krabi Town may not have a beach and is more of a quick stopover for most tourists and backpackers in Thailand, but it’s a town that can introduce you to the warmth and hospitality of the Thai people. If you’re headed to popular areas in southern Thailand like Ao Nang and further on to the picturesque Railay Beach, chances are you’ll drive right through Krabi Town.
Through this guide to Krabi Town, I’ll show you why you should stop for a bit, the cool things to do in Krabi Town, and explain why maybe this more budget friendly spot is ideal as a starting point to explore Thailand’s beautiful islands.
Wondering if you should stay in Krabi Town in Southern Thailand? It’s worth a few nights and here is why:
- What to know about Krabi Town
- Is Krabi Town worth visiting?
- How to get there
- Where to stay
- Things to do in Krabi Town: Quick Guide
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What to know about Krabi Town
Krabi Town is nestled in the southern Krabi Province. Krabi Town serves as the capital of this Thai province and sits along the beautiful Andaman coast. The province includes 80 islands and several national parks. This province is popular for adventure seekers, yachtsmen, scuba-divers, and snorkelers.
While most tourists pass through the town on their way to nearby Ao Nang and Railay Beach, Krabi Town itself boasts its own unique charm. The town’s relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, and picturesque river make it an ideal base for exploration. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the authentic Thai culture that thrives here.
While Krabi Town may lack prominent tourist spots, its biggest allure lies in the warmth and hospitality of its residents. During my visit, I encountered numerous locals who went out of their way to offer help and guidance. Thais on motorbikes stopped as I walked on the sidewalk and asked where I was headed and then gave me directions when I let them know.
The first few times this happened I responded with a general “that way” or “just up there”, wondering what their motivation for asking me was. Were they going to follow me? Why would they be interested in where I was headed? By the end of my ten days, it seemed they just wanted to make sure I wasn’t lost, or they were motorbike taxi drivers offering a ride. I had never seen a motorbike taxi before this trip and the thought of them existing hadn’t ever dawned on me.
Krabi Town is not the destination in Thailand but when I think of where I would want to travel it hits every bullet point on the head.
This trip served as a reminder to trust in the kindness of strangers and embrace the spirit of exploration. I find that I, like most travelers I imagine, can be wary when traveling. Wary of people trying to rob me, take advantage of me and the like, but as we should always be a little cautious, there needs to be a good balance and optimism in humanity that there will be good people along the way as well. Constantly being suspicious and guarded would ruin any trip and wouldn’t really allow one a full picture of a place or a culture.
From the motorbike taxi drivers eager to assist me to the long boatman who captured a perfect photo of me in front of the iconic Khao Khanab Nam rocks when I was out and about by myself, the people of Krabi Town were kind, hospitable, and it was a perfect place for me to take adventures alone while my friend worked.
Is Krabi Town worth visiting?
Most tourists to the area will traverse right through Krabi Town in order to head to nearby Ao Nang where they can catch longtail boats out to hot spots like Railay Beach. While Krabi Town doesn’t have a beach, there are things to do there and there’s a great river that stretches through the relaxed town.
How to get there
Krabi Town is easily accessible via Krabi Airport which is less than 15 kilometers out of town. You can take a taxi or bus straight into town.
Where to stay
When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay in Krabi Town, there are several excellent options to consider. I recommend selecting a hotel with a pool, as the tropical climate can be hot and sometimes calls for a refreshing dip especially since there isn’t a beach in Krabi Town. That said, if you’re only there for a couple of nights, you can always wait to enjoy the beaches later.
Nap Krabi Hotel
This four-star hotel offers a shuttle service to and from the airport, ensuring a convenient arrival and departure. Enjoy the comfort of well-appointed rooms and a central location that provides easy access to the town’s attractions.
Book your room on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
Family Tree Hotel
This comfortable hotel provides airport transfers and a great continental breakfast option. It’s a great area to stay in and the staff is friendly and helpful and attentive. They have nice modern rooms that are chic and clean.
Book your room on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
The Brown Hotel
Check out the clean and spacious rooms of The Brown Hotel. This 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms for max comfort and there is a full breakfast available daily. This is a top rated stay in the area.
Book your room on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.
Things to do in Krabi Town: Quick Guide
Krabi Town may not have its own beaches, but it offers a plethora of activities nearby for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts. Check out some of the fun things you can do in or from Krabi Town.
Hike to Tiger Cave Temple
Wat Tham Suea is probably the most famous attraction in Krabi Town. Located on a limestone cliff 280 meters high, you have to climb 1237 steps to get there. Expect to be sweating and out of breath by the time you get up there. You’ll get an amazing view from the top though. It’s called tiger cave as a tiger once resided in the cave, but don’t worry about coming upon him today… well I should say, you won’t come upon the real him, though you will see a beautiful tiger sculpture and shrine to the tiger that once resided there.
*This is an activity that you want to be fairly fit for. The steps aren’t all the same height and can be steep at times. The walk up should take between 30 minutes to an hour so it’s not long, but if you’ve got bad knees, it’ll feel a lot longer.
Join a tour: While you can head out and up to Tiger Cave Temple on your own, there are some great tours that will take you there along with some other great spots in the area and provide transportation and an English-speaking guide so you don’t have to do any of the planning.
- Address: 35, Krabi Noi, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
- Hours: Every day: 5:00am ~ 4:00pm
- Tiger Cave Temple with a stop at the Emerald Pool: Join this tour by TTD Global on Klook or on Get Your Guide
Walk to Wat Kaew Korawaram
If you don’t want to attempt the steep walk mentioned above, perhaps this Buddhist temple located on a small hill is more up your Krabi Town alley. Walk up a beautiful staircase with colorful snake decorations to find the striking white temple.
- Address: 3W77+53R, Pak Nam, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00am ~ 4:30pm
Ride a boat to Khao Khanap Nam Cave
A hidden gem I only found because my local friend told the boatman where to take me for the morning. This cave is located inside rocks along the Krabi River. Take a boat from the docks atPak Nam in Krabi Town to get there or after walking through Mangrove Walkway, you can get a boat too. Enjoy the boat ride and enter the cave when you get there. I was the only person there when I visited, which made it only a little scary, but the cave itself is quite impressive.
There are large caverns to take in with light that somehow shines through from above. There is an art installation of a large skeleton, not to be confused as being authentic.
- Address: 3WGC+X72, Pak Nam, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
- Book online: I was glad I had a friend who could get a boat for me because I wasn’t really sure how you even go about getting someone to take you to the cave. If you don’t want to try and figure it out, book online. You can pre-book a longtail boat to take you out to Khao Khanap Nam Cave as well as Crocodile Cave on Klook. There’s also a sunset tour to go out to the cave, watch the sunset from the water, and then head to the night market together to get good eats. Another great way to make sure you know what you’re eating at the market. You can join this option on Get Your Guide.
Walk on the Mangrove Walkway
Krabi Town sits on the Pak Nam River and there is a beautiful boardwalk where people hang out and enjoy listening the water flow by. It’s great for people watching. Once you’ve had enough of that though, you can walk to the northern end of the boardwalk and find the Mangrove Walkway. This man-made walkway takes visitors through a lovely preserved pocket of mangrove forest. Mangroves are really intriguing and a unique ecosystem. Take the 1km walk that takes just 15 minutes and enjoy the shade.
- Address: 3WF8+MVP, Pak Nam, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Enjoy a Krabi Mangrove Kayak Trip
While you can walk through the Mangrove forest as mentioned, there is another unique way to experience this unique ecosystem. Join a Mangrove Kayak Tour. Paddle through the tranquil waters, witness the beauty of the mangrove forests, and enjoy a workout amidst the breathtaking scenery.
- Join a tour: You can book a Krabi Mangrove Kayak Tour on Klook.
Soak up a Krabi Luxury Sunset Cruise
Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience on the Krabi Luxury Sunset Cruise. The sunsets in southern Thailand are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen. Take a ride on the water, celebrate with someone special, and enjoy a lovely meal with a great crew. You can book a sunset cruise in advance on Klook.
Visit the Krabi City Pillar Shrine
While maybe not a major tourist site, when you take walks in the city, you’ll come upon some beautiful things including this site. In the year 1872, King Rama V nominated Pakasai district to be a province and named this new province “Krabi”. In 1875, Krabi was separated from Nakhon Srithamarat as it was growing into its own.
- Address: 3W59+V55, Pak Nam, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
- Hours: Every day: 6:00am ~ 6:00pm
Eat at the Krabi Town Night Market
Head to the Night Market beside Tha Khong Kha on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays from 6:00pm to midnight. Hang with the locals and you’ll get some delicious and budget friendly food for dinner. It seemed to be where everyone was rocking up for dinner. You can get seafood on skewers, watch some local performers, and just enjoy the overall ambiance of the local area. Try some spicy green papaya salad, fried noodles, prawn and lemongrass soup, and grilled fish. The night market’s vibrant ambiance and diverse food options make it a really great evening out.
- Address: Pak Nam, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
- Hours: Friday – Sunday: 6:00pm ~ 11:00pm
Krabi Town’s charm lies not in its postcard-perfect beaches, of which there are none, but in its genuine people and cultural experiences. As you plan your own adventure in Krabi Town, embrace the thrill of exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations and savor the rich tapestry of experiences this captivating town has to offer.
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