Hua Hin in 3 days

Thailand's original royal resort: long quiet beaches, night markets, temples and golf, three hours from Bangkok. Best time to visit: November-February. Average daily budget: $50 to $120 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Hua Hin Beach & Town Centre, The main beach strip, railway station, piers and night market core.

Morning: Horse ride or kiteboard the beach. Ride the sand at dawn or learn to kiteboard in the shallow gulf.

Afternoon: Explore Hua Hin Beach & Town Centre, The main beach strip, railway station, piers and night market core.

Evening: Hua Hin Night Market. Eat grilled seafood, mango sticky rice and shop handicrafts nightly.

Eat: Grilled blue swimmer crab and giant prawns at the night market

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Khao Takiab (Chopsticks Hill), A temple-topped hill and quieter beach south of town.

Morning: Wat Khao Takiab & Monkey Hill. Climb the temple hill for gulf views past resident macaques.

Afternoon: Explore Khao Takiab (Chopsticks Hill), A temple-topped hill and quieter beach south of town.

Evening: Sam Roi Yot National Park. See the Phraya Nakhon Cave's royal pavilion in a shaft of light.

Eat: Som tam and grilled chicken from street carts

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Cicada Market Area, Weekend arts market and Khao Takiab's dining strip.

Morning: Cicada Market's weekend art, live music and food stalls (Fri-Sun).. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Cicada Market Area, Weekend arts market and Khao Takiab's dining strip.

Evening: Hua Hin railway station, a royal waiting room in gingerbread teak.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Hoi tod, crispy mussel omelette, at Chatchai Market

Hidden gems

Cicada Market's weekend art, live music and food stalls (Fri-Sun).
Hua Hin railway station, a royal waiting room in gingerbread teak.
Monsoon Valley vineyard's safari and tasting in the hills.
The morning fish pier at Khao Takiab as the boats come in.

Getting around

Hua Hin is about 200km south of Bangkok: 3 to 4 hours by train from Krung Thep Aphiwat station, minivan from Bangkok's southern terminal, or direct bus from Suvarnabhumi airport. In town, songthaews (green shared trucks) run the main strip, Grab works, and most visitors rent a scooter or bicycle for Khao Takiab and beyond.

Safety

Hua Hin is one of Thailand's safest resort towns, with a large retiree and family population; petty theft is rare but watch bags in markets. The sea is generally calm, though jellyfish appear after rains in the wet season. Sun and motorbike accidents are the real hazards, so use sunscreen and only ride scooters with a valid licence and insurance.

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