How to Spend 3 Days in Hua Hin

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.