Hua Hin Travelers Recommend

With two days in Hua Hin, a seaside retreat south of Bangkok, you have time to laze on its beaches, take day trips to mangrove forests and waterfalls; and feast on fresh seafood and southern Thai street snacks. Here’s how to get the best from 48 hours in Hua Hin.

Day 1: Essential Hua Hin

**Morning:**Ease into your first day by exploring Hua Hin on a tour. A full-day tour typically includes attractions such as the railway station and nearby mangrove park, all with round-trip transportation. Alternately, lounge on the beach or book a kitesurfing lesson—Hua Hin’s seas are ideal for skimming across the waves.

**Afternoon:**If you skipped a full-day tour earlier, discover the city and its local wines this afternoon. Take in landmarks such as the giant Buddha statue at the Wat Huay Mongkol temple on a sightseeing tour, and finish with wine tastings at a winery in the nearby foothills.

**Evening:**Hua Hin is known for its night market and seafood, so channel your gourmet instincts. Swap the standard pad thai for food spots and dishes favored by locals. A sunset walking tour usually offers opportunities to try specialities like salt-crusted fish and Thai sweets.

Day 2: Day Trips or Water Fun

**Morning:**Branch out on a half- or full-day trip from Hua Hin. Discover Petchaburi province’s temples and the Khao Luang cave lined with Buddha statues; or ride a riverboat through Pranburi’s bird-filled forests. Alternately, visit the idyllic Pala-U waterfall or a family-oriented sheep farm to view its meadows and animals. Look for a tour with return transportation included.

**Afternoon:**If you chose a day trip earlier, continue it this afternoon—admiring Petchaburi’s Wat Prasrit Mahathat temple, swimming at Pala-U, or following boardwalks through Pranburi’s mangroves. You also can visit Hua Hin’s Vana Nava water park, which features water slides nestled in its jungle surroundings.

**Evening:**If you haven’t yet done a city tour, conclude your stay with some nighttime sightseeing. Sit back in a trishaw (samlor) as a cyclist guide takes you trundling past the sights and lights. Finish with a seafood dinner at a local restaurant for the perfect finale to your visit.

One of south Thailand’s top vacation resorts, Hua Hin offers more than beaches. Three days gives you time to experience its landmarks and food markets and head out to explore mangrove forests, royal palaces, jungle waterfalls, and even Bangkok itself. Read on for tips on spending 72 hours in this holiday hotspot.

Day 1: City Highlights

Blessed with 4 miles (7 kilometers) of sand, Hua Hin is a magnet for beach lovers. Ease into vacation mode by parking yourself on the sand and taking cooling swims in the Gulf of Thailand.

If you prefer to get straight to sightseeing, take a full-day tour of Hua Hin, once a holiday retreat of Thailand’s royals. Itineraries usually include sights such as the ornate train station and Monkey Mountain (Khao Takiab)—a hillside temple overrun by monkeys. You even can choose a tour that combines Hua Hin with the countryside—either visiting a rural winery for alfresco wine tastings or exploring the surrounding mangroves. Many tours include round-trip transportation.

Those interested in Hua Hin’s cuisine might prefer a food tour. Start by discovering the city’s morning markets and local staples, or if you’re with the kids, consider a family foodie adventure that introduces young ones to Thailand’s distinctive flavors.

Day 2: Day Trips

There are numerous day-trip options from Hua Hin, enabling you to experience more of Thailand with the convenience of a guide and return transportation. Visit Bangkok to explore its golden temples and the glittering Grand Palace—the one-time seat of Thailand’s kings. Alternatively, take a riverboat trip through Pranburi or journey into Kaeng Krachan National Park to Pala-U—a jungle waterfall perfect for swimming.

Another destination is the picturesque province of Petchaburi. Choose from half- or full-day tours, which typically include a cable car ride to Phra Nakhon Khiri Park, a hilltop palace with gardens. For a family-oriented outing, consider a day trip to see and feed animals at a sheep farm and explore Khao Luang Cave, a sunlit rock cavern packed with Buddha statues.

Day 3: Fun and Food

Now’s the time to kick back and focus on fun and food. If you’re ready to get out on the ocean, book a course in kiteboarding—Hua Hin is a mecca for the sport. Options include short discovery sessions as well as full-day packages, all complete with tuition and equipment for a hassle-free learning experience.

If you prefer slides to the sea, head for nearby Vana Nava Water Jungle. With more than 19 rides and pools and on-site dining options, this water park is ready-made for a day of fun.

In the evening, experience Hua Hin’s old town and its cuisine. Join a food walking tour to discover tucked-away eateries that many tourists miss and learn about local recipes from a guide. Or, go all out with a trishaw (samlor) ride around the city, then end the night with a fresh seafood dinner and a stroll through Hua Hin’s buzzing night market.

With its tropical climate, sandy beaches, and bustling markets, it’s no surprise that Hua Hin, located south of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand, is one of the country’s premier seaside resorts. From learning kitesurfing to savoring fresh seafood at the night market, here’s how to spend a day in the city.

Morning: Get a Taster

Start by sampling Hua Hin’s highlights—its beaches, food, and sights. Relax on the sand, or up the pace during a kitesurfing lesson. Hua Hin’s breezes make it a kitesurfing hotspot and options span everything from short lessons to full-day courses, which can be booked complete with hotel transfers for a hassle-free experience. If you’re a foodie, book a tour of Hua Hin’s morning markets, sampling specialities like moo wan (sweet pork) with culinary insight provided by your guide. Alternately, choose a full-day tour around Hua Hin’s landmarks, such as its railway station and nearby mangroves, and uncover the city’s past as a royal retreat—insight you’d miss if exploring independently.

Afternoon: Explore Further

If you didn’t take a Hua Hin tour earlier, dedicate this afternoon to the city’s attractions. While it’s possible to explore on foot and bus, you’ll see more landmarks more quickly on a tour. They typically cover sights such as Monkey Mountain (Khao Takiab)—a Buddha-statue- topped hill named for its monkey population—and the Wat Huay Monkol temple. From there, you can travel to a vineyard in the nearby foothills to learn about local wine production and enjoy alfresco tastings.

Evening: Ride and Dine at the Markets

Hua Hin comes alive at dusk as its night markets light up and locals come out to eat and shop. If you’ve spent the day at the beach or discovering local foods, make the most of the evening on a city tour: Ride a trishaw (samlor) around Hua Hin old town to view the night market and fishing pier before sitting down at a local seafood restaurant. Alternately, delve into Hua Hin’s street foods. Visit food stands to try rice balls and other staples, and sample dishes such as leaf-wrapped fish. A guided tour will point you to off-the-beaten-track restaurants you’re unlikely to find by yourself.