It comes as a surprise to some people, but not all the places in my Krabi travel guide are beaches. Some of the province’s best attractions, in fact, are nowhere near the sea.
Which is not to say Krabi’s beaches aren’t amazing. Generally speaking, whether we’re talking about the beaches of Railay or Ao Nang on the mainland, or ones further afield on islands like Koh Phi Phi or Kod Poda, I find Krabi to be the best “mainstream” beach destination in Southern Thailand, and certainly better than Phuket in this regard.
The thing is, Krabi is just so much more than a beautiful beach. Continue reading to learn more about things to do in Krabi, no matter how far from the Andaman Sea you end up finding yourself.
Where to Stay in Krabi
Before we dig deeper into my Krabi itinerary, allow me to recommend a few hotels. If you’re on the higher end of travelers, you won’t want to miss Railay Beach’s Rayavadee, which some people consider to be the best hotel in all of Thailand. A more reasonably priced property, meanwhile is Sunrise Tropical Resort, which is also in Railay but is more, shall we say…accessible.
If you aren’t swayed by the best beach hotels in Krabi, you can call landlocked places in this province home as well. I’m not going to recommend any hotels in Koh Phi Phi or Ao Nang, for reasons I’ll explain in just a moment, but I am a fan of the cozy and comfortable Sasi House in Krabi Town. This laid-back yet stylish hotel is built inside an old Thai house, and has a charming feel you won’t find at any place where waves lap nearby.
My Favorite Places to Visit in Krabi
Railay Beach
When it comes to the best beach in Krabi (at least those that are easily accessible), Railay Beach takes the cake, no question. As far as actual swimming is concerned, Railay West is where you’ll want to head, while many of my favorite hotels and restaurants are located along the mangroves Railay East. I’d also like to call your attention to Phra Nang Cave Beach, the Railay Viewpoint and Tonsai Beach, where you can see bioluminescent plankton.
Koh Poda
Among places to visit in Krabi that require a bit more effort, meanwhile, I think that Koh Poda is probably the best beach you’ll find in the province. This is usually visited on a “four island” day trip from Railay, during which you unsurprisingly visit several other islands (like Koh Gai, or “Chicken Island”), and which also gives you the opportunity to do some snorkeling. TIP: Book a private long tail boat so you can visit Koh Poda early, before the crowds arrive.
Koh Phi Phi
Speedboats connect Railay with Koh Phi Phi, making this iconic island group an easy addition to a Krabi itinerary. Once you arrive at Tonsai Pier, I recommend heading up to the Phi Phi Viewpoint; Level 2 offers the most flattering perspective—you’re welcome! You can also hire a long-tail boat to visit Maya Bay, although be warned: Crowds can be oppressive, even with government restrictions on visitor numbers.
Wat Tham Suea Temple
I promised you early on that my Krabi itinerary would transcend the beach—and I’m making good on that promise now. Let’s start at Wat Tham Suea, aka the Tiger Temple. Visiting this temple isn’t easy—after getting a car there from Ao Nang or Ao Nammao Pier, you’ll need to climb up about 1,200 steps, which is a chore even if you’re fit, given how hot it’s likely to be. The view from the top, however, is just stunning, to say nothing of how the breeze hundreds of meters up will cool your sweaty body.
Sa Morakot (The Emerald Pool)
When it comes to inland day trips from Krabi (assuming you stay in Railay), I like to combine several into one, if I can. To be sure, you can visit the Sa Morakot “Emerald Pool” using the same taxi you book to take you to the Tiger Temple. Additionally, you can add a third attraction—the so-called Hot Springs Waterfall—if you want, but beware: Although this place is cool, figuratively speaking, it is literally scalding! Not the best destination for an extremely hot Thai day!
The Truth About Ao Nang
The good news? Many of the cheap hotels in Krabi (at least the ones on the beach) are in Ao Nang, which is the closest thing to a “main” beach Krabi has. The bad news? Ao Nang’s accessibility (you don’t need to take a boat to get here, as you need to do with Railay) means that anyone and everyone goes here, which gives the area a crowded, claustrophobic feel that just isn’t very pleasant to me.
To be sure, while visiting Ao Nang isn’t near the best example of what to do in Krabi as far as I’m concerned, it isn’t horrible. If you’ve already booked a refundable night (or three!) there by the time you read this, I wouldn’t recommend taking the loss. I just think that when you dive deeper into Krabi, both its beaches and some of its inland treasures, you will see what I mean about Ao Nang, and why it’s not a place I’m rushing to return.
Krabi vs. Phuket
The topic of the best islands in Thailand, more generally, is one I’ve left to another post. What I will say, when simply comparing Krabi and Phuket, is that it’s not really close for me. While Phuket island does have some merits, which include both charming places inland and great beaches, Krabi generally has scenery that is more iconic of Thailand, even if it isn’t as culturally interesting.
This takes into account the fact that some of what to do in Krabi (such as excursions to Koh Phi Phi, the Koh Yao islands and James Bond Island) are also accessible from Phuket. Click here to read more about my thoughts comparing Phuket vs. Krabi, which I hope will give you insights to make your own decision to this end.
Other FAQ About Travel to Krabi
How many days do you need in Krabi?
Krabi province is huge, so I recommend spending at least 3-5 days here. This will afford you a night or two either in Railay or Ao Nang (including the potential for a 4-island day trip), two nights in Koh Phi Phi and at least a full day exploring the attractions of inland Krabi province.
What part of Krabi is best to stay?
Personally, I find that Railay Beach is the “sweet spot” of Krabi. Although it’s not an island, it is only accessible via a (short) boat trip from the mainland, which gives it a castaway feel and a less busy atmosphere than Ao Nang. The scenery is gorgeous, featuring towering limestone karsts and calm, clear waters; islands deeper in the Andaman are either a day trip (Koh Poda, Koh Gai) or a weekend excursion (Phi Phi) away.
How much is the 4 island tour in Krabi?
Depending on how many people you have, whether you choose a private tour and your preference (speed boat or longtail), the 4-island day trip from Krabi starts from 500 Baht per person. As of October 2026, you can hire a private long-tail and driver for a half day for under 5,000 Baht. However, if you’re a solo traveler or on a budget, you might want to join a group tour. In either case, any travel agent on the main street between Railay West beach can hook you up, presuming you aren’t afraid to haggle.
The Bottom Line
The breadth and depth of my Krabi travel guide embodies precisely why this is one of my favorite Thailand destinations, even if it is a rather “mainstream” one. There’s simply very few sights in the Kingdom as iconic as the towering limestone karsts of Railay Bay, especially if you’re able to see them with dozens of long tail boats splayed out beneath them. I hope you’ll follow in my footsteps to this paradisiacal part of Thailand. And I hope, if you aren’t able to mold the advice I’ve laid out here into an itinerary, you’ll consider hiring me to create one for you.
