With tree-lined roads, rugged limestone rock formations, beautiful sandy beaches and exotic islands, Krabi Province is a traveler’s dream destination. The 165km coastline is a veritable trove of natural delights, and even Krabi Town itself has a quirky charisma to it. Koh Phi Phi and Ao Nang stand out as significant nightlife attractions, while Railay Beach is a must-visit place.
Krabi Town
Krabi, a modest-sized town of about 25,000 inhabitants, is one of the oldest settlements in Thailand, with roots going back hundreds of years to when it was a ‘kraal’ containing primarily elephants. Of course, the only residues of this rich history are natural sites such as Tiger Cave, but the town itself retains a distinct, almost timeless rural charm. The Krabi River, running through the city, also adds to the allure of a riverside market, restaurants, guesthouses and atmospheric cafés. For shopping, Krabi city does not particularly shine, but it does have fresh markets, new textile shops and several large stores on its outskirts. An early evening relaxing ramble through its streets will reveal its laid-back and unpretentious personality.
Ao Nang
Beachside, bustling and directly aimed at the visitant market, Ao Nang is changing monthly. By road, Ao Nang is 15 minutes from Klong Muang Beach and Krabi Town, and a minute drive from Noppharat Thara Beach. Via sea, Railay’s beaches (including Ton Sai) and a mishmash of small intimate islands are a few minutes away. Ao Nang has a decent nightlife and quite a few reputable diners, and it is possible to stroll from one end of town to the other. Several clusters of bars provide different ambiance, with the newly renovated Center Point on Beach Road at the town’s nightlife nexus. Shopping is a relaxed affair here, with elegant boutiques lining the road out to Noppharat Thara Beach.
Railay Beach
One of the most renowned beaches in Thailand, Railay’s distinct craggy and stunning appearance is etched on many a visitors’ memory. The characteristic limestone cliffs that form the boundaries of the beach are superb for rock climbing, and the area plays host to numerous climbing schools. In just one little peninsula, you will find gorgeous white-sand beaches, soaring limestone cliffs, caves, viewpoints and a lagoon hidden inside the cliffs, shaped and nourished by the changing tides. Moreover, all within walking distance as it is only accessible from the sea, the area has a mysterious lure that is only heightened come sunset. Railay is not a shopping hub, and the only vehicles you will come across are bicycles and hotel golf buggies.
Koh Phi Phi
Iconic, unique and a bucolic party hub, Koh Phi Phi is a love-it-or-hate-it sort of place. Irrefutable beauty belies the fact that the site turns into party central at night, with groups of inebriated (and usually young) visitants on noisy pub crawls. By day, however, its beaches are symbolic, with nodding palms providing shade, by cerulean waters and talcum-white sand. The isle’s many day visitors tend to lend the illusion that the place is busier than it is and at night, away from the nightlife sites, Phi Phi is a place where you could be enticed to spend the rest of your days. A significant scuba diving departure point, and featuring excellent restaurants and exciting shopping, Phi Phi is undoubtedly a noteworthy holiday experience.
Nopparat Thara Beach
Nopparat Thara Beach is located 17km west of Krabi Town and is abutting to Ao Nang. This quiet beach lies within the Hat Noppharat Thara-Koh Phi Phi National Park and features a three-kilometer long sandy stretch lined by casuarina trees. Like most of Krabi’s beaches, you will not find miles of beach chairs and deck umbrellas, so buy a beach mat and find the perfect spot. It is also possible at low tide to walk from the beach across to Koh Kao Pak Klong Island in the bay. It is popular with local Thai picnickers and those who like to swim, eat and laze in the sun. The northern end has excellent seafood restaurants, while the southern extreme, bordering Ao Nang, has some nightlife.
Klong Muang and Tubkaak Beaches
Klong Muang Beach is situated 13km north of Ao Nang and is, to say the least, a serene hideaway. Its natural rustic beauty marries well with the serenity of the area, and for a slice of ‘real’ Thailand, it is hard to beat. Shopping, devouring, and nightlife here are all decidedly modest, but that is the very charm of the place. Tubkaak Beach, a 15-minute drive from Ao Nang and 30km from Krabi Town, is even more remote and enjoys the soft white sand and a sense of peacefulness that is hard to imagine without actually experiencing it. The isle's that make up the fantastic Koh Hong archipelago can be seen from the beach. You can get a closer look at a day trip around the islands. There is no nightlife or shopping at Tubkaak Beach.
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