After our days in northern Thailand, it was time to leave the mountains behind and head south. The contrast could hardly have been greater. From Chiang Rai and the green mountains, we travelled onwards to Krabi, where the landscape instead consisted of tropical beaches, limestone cliffs and turquoise water.
Krabi is one of those places in Thailand that really feels like a postcard. The tall limestone cliffs rising from the sea make the landscape very special, and it is difficult not to reach for your camera as soon as you get close to the coast.
We chose to stay in Ao Nang, which is one of the most popular places in the Krabi area. There are plenty of restaurants, hotels, shops and opportunities to book boat trips to the surrounding islands.
Ao Nang is also a good base because it is easy to travel to several of the most famous beaches and islands in the area. At the same time, it is quite touristy, so if you want more peace and nature there are better alternatives.
One of the biggest highlights during our time in Krabi was Railay Beach. Even though Railay is located on the mainland, it is not possible to drive all the way there because the area is surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs.
We therefore took a longtail boat from Ao Nang. The boat trip itself became part of the experience. As the boat left the beach and started heading towards Railay, we could see the huge cliffs appearing in front of us.
When we arrived at Railay Beach, we immediately understood why the place is so popular. The beach is surrounded by dramatic rock formations and the water is clear and warm.
We spent a lot of time on the beach and also walked around and explored the area. It is a place where you can easily spend an entire day without really needing to do very much.
Another beach we visited was Phra Nang Beach. It is located close to Railay and is known for its beautiful water, sandy beach and the large limestone cliffs surrounding it.
Phra Nang became one of my favourite places in all of Krabi. The combination of the white sand, blue water and cliffs made the place feel almost unreal.
We also took a boat trip to some of the islands around Krabi. This is something I really recommend if you visit because many of the most beautiful places can only be reached by boat.
One of the most popular tours is an island-hopping trip where you visit several different islands and beaches during the same day. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe and simply enjoy the amazing scenery.
It is also a great place for photography. The limestone cliffs and longtail boats sitting out on the water make almost every picture look like a typical Thailand postcard.
For those who enjoy adventure, there is also the opportunity to go climbing in the area. The limestone cliffs around Railay are internationally famous among climbers, and it is possible to book climbing experiences for both beginners and more experienced climbers.
We also took some time to simply walk around Ao Nang in the evenings. After days on the beach, it was nice to go out for dinner, have something to drink and look around the small shops and market stalls.
Food was also a big part of the experience. There are naturally many tourist restaurants in Ao Nang, but you can still find good local Thai food if you look around a little.
Something I really appreciated about Krabi was the variety. You can start the day on a beach, take a longtail boat to another island, snorkel in the afternoon and then eat Thai food in the evening.
At the same time, it is important to remember that Krabi is a very popular tourist area. Some places can therefore become quite crowded during the day, especially the most famous beaches and islands.
If you want a more peaceful experience, I therefore recommend starting your day early. The temperature is more comfortable and there are fewer people at the most popular places.
Krabi became a perfect stop after northern Thailand. After all the mountains, temples and long journeys, it was nice to simply relax by the sea.
But the journey continued, and after Krabi it was time to leave the Andaman coast and travel onwards to the next island.
The next stop was Koh Samui, where we would continue our journey through Thailand and discover even more of the country's beaches, islands and tropical scenery.
My favourites and tips from Krabi
Ao Nang is a good place to stay if you want to be close to restaurants, shops, the beach and boat trips to Railay and the surrounding islands.
If you prefer a quieter experience, it may be better to stay a little further away from the centre.
💰 Price level: $–$$There are many cafés in Ao Nang where you can have breakfast or grab a coffee before your day's excursion. Perfect if you are heading out early on a boat trip.
💰 Price level: $1. Railay Beach – One of the most beautiful places in the area, with spectacular limestone cliffs and turquoise water.
2. Phra Nang Beach – Fantastic beach with clear water and impressive cliffs.
3. Longtail boat – Take the boat from Ao Nang to Railay and other beaches. The boat trip itself is part of the experience.
4. Island tour – Take a day trip by boat and discover several of the islands around Krabi.
5. Snorkelling – Take the opportunity to snorkel when you go on an island tour.
6. Limestone cliffs – One of the things that makes Krabi's landscape so special.
After our days in Chiang Rai, it was time to leave northern Thailand and head south towards Krabi. The contrast was huge. We left the green mountains behind and instead arrived at tropical beaches, limestone cliffs and turquoise water.
💰 Price level: $–$$After Krabi, it was time to leave the Andaman coast and travel onwards to Koh Samui. There we would find even more of Thailand's beaches, islands and tropical scenery.
💰 Price level: $–$$Make sure to eat plenty of local Thai food while in Krabi. Pad Thai, curries, fried rice and fresh seafood are some of the things that are perfect after a day at the beach.
Try smaller local restaurants rather than always eating at the most touristy restaurants along the main streets.
💰 Price level: $One of my most important tips is to start the day early. The most popular beaches and islands quickly become more crowded later in the day.
Also bring sunscreen, water, swimwear and preferably a waterproof bag if you are taking a longtail boat.