To nie tylko Ao Nang.
K R A B I
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Table of contents
Ao Nang - Krabi: What’s what? A bit of knowledge and practical info
Beaches in Krabi
Ao Nang Beach
Nopharat Tara Beach
Klong Muang Beach
Klong Root Crystal Water Canal - kajaki
Din Daeng Doi - punkt widokowy
Hong Island, Pakbia Island, Koh Lao Lading
Wycieczki z Krabi - i ciekawe aktywności
You’ll probably land on this page after hearing people’s negative opinions about Phuket and starting to look for an alternative. Some say Krabi is “the lesser evil” - just as touristy, but instead of being packed with Russians, it’s full of Poles. So, is that true? Let me answer in a slightly different way. In 2024, Bangkok was the second most visited city in the world! And here’s the thing - believe it or not, those nearly 23 million people don’t just stay in Bangkok. They also want to see other iconic spots, like the famous Maya Bay. And where do you sail from to get there? From Krabi or Phuket - that’s the closest route. You simply can’t avoid other tourists when traveling in Thailand. Unless, of course, you choose a tiny island with no tourist infrastructure, are fine with very basic accommodation, and don’t mind having no shops or restaurants nearby - then maybe, just maybe, you’ll find peace and solitude. But if you want to see some of the most beautiful and popular places in southern Thailand without being completely cut off from the world - welcome to Krabi 🙂 And remember, Krabi isn’t just Ao Nang. The province is actually quite large and full of stunning places - let me tell you all about them.
Is Krabi too touristy?
Krabi is the name of the entire province, covering 4 709 km² (see the map on the right).
Ao Nang, on the other hand, is a town (around 50 km²) located within that province, right on the Andaman Sea (map below). To give you some perspective - it’s roughly the size of a small European city like Legnica in Poland.
So, if you’re heading to Ao Nang, you’ll technically be in Krabi Province, but you probably won’t manage to explore all of Krabi - it’s quite big! For comparison, Poland’s Opole Voivodeship has an area of 9 412 km², so Krabi is about half that size. To get here from Bangkok or other parts of Thailand, check connections on 12Go Asia
Ao Nang - Krabi: What’s what? A bit of knowledge and practical info
Why does this matter?
Because this little bit of knowledge will come in handy when you’re booking accommodation - if you type “Krabi” on booking.com or Agoda, you might end up looking at places far outside Ao Nang😉
I’ve prepared a detailed map of Krabi to help you plan your trip independently. You’ll find: the most beautiful and interesting attractions (including some hidden gems), beaches, islands, viewpoints, temples, walking trails, restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, massage salons, car, scooter, and boat rentals, private drivers at good rates, Muay Thai gyms, yoga studios, laundries, coworking spaces, currency exchange offices, and even adult-friendly spots like vape shops and coffee shops with a little herbal twist. You’ll also find hospitals and dentists marked.
A quick note: this map does not include Koh Lanta or the Koh Yao islands, but it does cover Koh Phi Phi and several smaller nearby islands that are worth visiting.
Beaches in Krabi
Krabi isn’t an island. The beaches around Ao Nang do exist, but they’re not exactly the best spots for swimming in the region. So why come here at all? WAIT-hold on, I’m getting to that! 😀
While the beaches in Krabi might not be the picture-perfect paradise from your travel dreams, the area is an ideal base for exploring all the most beautiful beaches in southern Thailand. Koh Phi Phi is just an hour away by speedboat, Ko Poda Island or Hong Island can be reached in 20–40 minutes, and the Railay Peninsula, home to the region’s most stunning beaches, is only about 15 minutes away by long-tail boat-the famous Thai boat with a propeller “tail”. From Ao Nang, you can also head to Koh Lanta and nearby smaller islands. From Krabi, it’s just about 4 hours to Koh Samui, and Krabi International Airport offers direct connections to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and even Kuala Lumpur.
Sounds good, right? It really is one of the best bases if you want to see as many incredible places as possible-in Thailand and beyond 🙂
Now, let’s talk about those beaches…
The main beach in Ao Nang also serves as a port. Boats depart from here to Railay and other nearby islands. People do swim here, but honestly, the smell of boat engines can be a bit off-putting. During the day it’s hard to find shade, but the sunsets are absolutely stunning.
Right next to the beach, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cozy bars, and street food stalls where you can try Thai pancakes, rolled ice cream, fried bananas, or classic dishes like Pad Thai and different kinds of curry. There are also many Indian and Western food options, including a McDonald’s. You can buy souvenirs, clothing, swim gear, snorkeling accessories, and all sorts of tourist essentials - waterproof phone cases, hats, and even soap shaped like plumeria flowers.
The best area to look for accommodation is along the main street leading to Ao Nang Beach. You’ll find everything from beautiful resorts with pools and sea views to budget hostels and simple guesthouses.
This long beach sits right next to Ao Nang Beach - it’s quieter and more relaxed than its busy neighbor. Boats and small ferries also depart from here. Not far from Nopparat Beach, you’ll find the Ao Nang Landmark Night Market, where you can try local snacks and street food, buy souvenirs, and enjoy live music 🙂 Along the coastline, there are several nice restaurants with sea views, some even offering pool tables for a laid-back evening. The area is peaceful and great for evening walks, and it’s also a good spot to stay overnight if you prefer a quieter atmosphere.
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, a stretch of beach all to yourself, and a comfortable resort to relax in - this is the place for you. The beach lies on the western coast of the Krabi peninsula and offers a truly beautiful setting for rest and relaxation. You’ll find a few cozy beachfront bars here, with chairs and sun loungers set right on the sand - perfect for a lazy afternoon with a drink in hand. The downside is that the beach has rocks, coral, and stones, so it’s best to swim within the buoyed areas and wear water shoes. Not many people make it here, as it’s located a bit farther from Ao Nang’s center. But if you have some extra time or are exploring by scooter or rental car, make sure to stop by - you’ll get to see a different, quieter side of Krabi🙂
One of the most beautiful beaches in the area. To get to Railay, simply hop on a longtail boat from Ao Nang Beach - a round-trip ticket costs about 200 THB per person. In just 15 minutes, you’ll arrive in this tropical paradise. Once there, you can rent a kayak, get a massage, enjoy delicious food, or browse small shops and markets along Railay Walking Street. You can also walk across to East Railay Beach (where boats depart for Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta) or visit the stunning Phra Nang Beach. Besides its incredible scenery and relaxed vibe, Railay also hides a few fascinating caves, such as the Diamond Cave (Phra Nang Cave) and the Princess Cave. The area is also famous for rock climbing, attracting enthusiasts from all over the world. For the more adventurous, there’s also the Emerald Lagoon (Sa Phra Nang) - a spectacular spot, but the trail is steep and challenging. It’s recommended only for those comfortable with climbing and heights. If you plan to go, check recent Google reviews beforehand and come prepared: proper footwear, water, and a small first-aid kit are essential.
Also known as Princess Beach, this stunning spot is home to the Princess Cave (Phra Nang Cave) - a place that might surprise you at first sight. The cave is filled with phallic symbols of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
While it may seem humorous to visitors, this is actually a sacred site of worship - a kind of shrine. The numerous phallic offerings, made from wood and other materials, are dedications to Princess Phra Nang, who is believed to grant favors and protection in return. According to local legends, the lingams (phallic carvings) symbolize the Hindu god Shiva and represent fertility and masculinity. In Thailand, elements of Hinduism and animism are often intertwined with Buddhism. Local folklore says that if someone carves a wooden lingam and releases it into the sea during high tide anywhere along the Krabi coastline, it will eventually find its way to the Princess Cave. These offerings are most often made by fishermen and seafarers, asking the princess for safe journeys and protection at sea.
Aside from its unique cave, Phra Nang Beach itself is one of the most beautiful in the region, featuring crystal-clear turquoise water, soft white sand, and dramatic limestone cliffs that create an unforgettable tropical backdrop.
Things to do in Krabi
If you’ve ever browsed travel forums about Thailand, you might have noticed people saying there’s not much to do in Krabi besides going to the beach. Well… that’s what happens when someone spends just two weeks in the country and either goes into a full-on Instagram frenzy-posting ten photos a week and making reels about “TOP 10 PLACES YOU MUST SEE!” - or suddenly becomes a travel expert after one short trip, telling everyone where to go and what to skip because “it’s boring here” and “amazing there.” Usually, they’ve just passed through… You know the type: they spend one night in each place, rushing from Chiang Mai to Rai, Pai, Koh Samui, Tao, Krabi, Phuket, Phi Phi, and Koh Lipe, squeezing in Khao Sok jungle for two days, and of course, Bangkok—because you can totally “see all of Thailand” in two weeks, right?
But when you start asking for actual details, they vanish into thin air - and the next day they’re posting, “Maya Bay, been there in 2016”.
Alright, enough of that, Anka… back to the point.
I’m not here to feed you nonsense. If you’re reading this in 2025, everything below is up to date.
Let’s dive in.
These stunning islands are known to almost everyone who’s ever heard of Thailand. The Phi Phi archipelago lies between Phuket and Krabi and is part of Krabi province. The largest island, Phi Phi Don, is the only one that’s permanently inhabited - and therefore the most popular. Once almost entirely green and untouched, it’s now packed with tourist resorts, “luxury” hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. It’s definitely the party island of the group.
The second largest island, Phi Phi Leh, is the most visited one thanks to its world-famous Maya Bay, where scenes from The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio were filmed. Keep in mind that swimming is not allowed here - you can only wade in the water. Since the post-pandemic reopening, the number of visitors is officially limited to 3000 per day. But, knowing how things often go in Thailand, don’t be surprised if it feels a bit more crowded :)
The remaining islets are mainly dramatic limestone cliffs rising from the sea, surrounded by turquoise lagoons - the most famous being Pileh Bay. Its crystal-clear waters attract countless boats that stop for a bit of snorkeling, so you’ll likely visit it on any of the organized tours offered both online and locally. Unfortunately, besides the speedboats, some operators still bring old, smoky long-tail boats into the lagoon - charging tourists 2000 THB for a short transfer just to take photos. Please, don’t support this practice. It’s ironic that sunscreen is banned to protect coral and baby sharks, but diesel fumes apparently get a free pass... Still, despite everything, Pileh Lagoon remains breathtakingly beautiful.
How to get from Krabi to Phi Phi:
1 - By ferry from Ao Nang – about 50 PLN (2 hours)
2 - Speedboat from Railay – about 100 PLN (40 minutes)
3 - As part of a full day organized tour - about 185 PLN per person
Below you’ll find some of our recommended tours - we’d really appreciate it if you booked through our links!
Klong Root - Clear Water Canal - kayaking
If you love kayaking, you’ll absolutely enjoy this! Gliding through mangrove forests and crystal-clear waters where you can even take a refreshing swim is pure pleasure. The difficulty level is moderate - you need to watch out for roots, and the tropical heat adds a bit of challenge, but it’s nothing extreme - unless you get stuck on a branch and have to push yourself off 😁
We love spending time outdoors, so if you’re not the type to lie flat on the beach all day, this is a fantastic way to explore the stunning natural scenery of Krabi province.
The price is just 300 THB per kayak. You’ll get a bottle of water, a waterproof bag, and a locker to store your belongings.
If you’d rather go for an organized tour, check out the options below - we’ve selected some great ones you can book directly from the links.
Din Daeng Doi - piękny punkt widokowy w Ao Nang
Punktów widokowych w okolicy jest całkiem sporo, oczywiście z tych najbardziej znanych mamy Dragon Crest Mountain oraz Wat Tham Suea, zwaną potocznie Tiger Temple. Oba miejsca są naprawdę super i warto się tam wybrać, jeżeli lubicie aktywnie spędzać czas podczas urlopu, jednak nie są to miejsca dla każdego.
Pierwszy z nich - czyli Grzbiet Smoka, to górka, która wymaga dość sporej kondycji. Trasa jest malownicza i biegnie przez las w Parku Narodowym. Nie jest to bardzo wymagająca fizycznie trasa, jednak dodając do niej upał i wilgotność powietrza - nie każdy się zdecyduje na taki wysiłek. Jeżeli dawno nie chodziłeś po górkach - kolejnego dnia zakwasy gwarantowane. Podobnie w przypadku Świątyni Tygrysa. Prowadzi do niej 1237 schodów, które są nachylone pod odpowiednim kątem, aby wierni mogli wspinać się z należytym pokłonem, zatem nie każdy będzie chciał się tam "przespacerować" 😉
Zwłaszcza kiedy na pokładzie mamy dzieci, osoby starsze, schorowane, z kontuzjami... albo rasowych plażowiczów 😀
Właśnie dlatego chciałabym Wam polecić jeden z pięknych punktów widokowych dla każdego (nieopodal kajaków, o których pisałam wyżej). Samo wejście na górę to ok. 15 minut normalnym tempem. I tak się trochę zmachacie, bo trzeba wejść pod górkę, ale każdy tutaj spokojnie wejdzie, bez żadnego przygotowania, nawet małe dzieci 🙂 Łapcie FILMIK z tego miejsca.
Koszt wejścia na górę to dla dorosłych 70 THB, dla dziecka 30 THB.
Można również zamówić sobie wjazd autem ale nie korzystaliśmy z tej niesamowitej usługi, więc nie mam pojęcia czy to można zrobić od ręki, ale znając Tajów i ich żyłkę do biznesu, pewnie tak 😀
Na samej górze znajduje się restauracja, w której możecie coś zjeść albo napić się mrożonej herbaty czy kawy. My piliśmy zieloną herbatę i była tak pyszna, że domówiliśmy jeszcze jedną. Grunt to dobre nawodnienie 😉
Poniżej jak wygląda trasa i jak pięknie wygląda Ao Nang z góry 😍 A przynajmniej jej zielona część. Byliśmy tam całkiem sami przez ponad pół godziny. Nie jest to bardzo turystyczne miejsce, więc macie szansę pobyć trochę sami i nacieszyć się piękną przyrodą w spokoju. Nawigacja dobrze Was poprowadzi, nie potrzebujecie specjalnych wskazówek na dotarcie tutaj. ENJOY! 🌴
Wybór wycieczek z Ao Nang jest całkiem spory. Jeżeli nie macie za dużo czasu i wahacie się jakie wyspy odwiedzić - koniecznie wybierzcie Hong Island!
Koh Lao Lading wyglądem przypomina nieco Maya Bay, a plaża na Hong jest niczym Railay Beach, ale o wiele piękniejsza! Nie będę za wiele pisać, po prostu sami zobaczcie. Po lewej Hong Island (na telefonie pierwsza), po prawej Koh Lao Lading (na telefonie druga)- a TUTAJ magia w postaci krótkiego filmiku 😍🌴
a tymczasem zapraszam na naszego instagrama 😊
po kliknięciu w poniższy obrazek zobaczycie co można robić w krabi
Oczywiście możecie wykupić sobie taką wycieczkę online, poniżej przedstawiam propozycje - jeżeli wolicie wycieczkę zorganizowaną, będzie mi miło, jeżeli zarezerwujecie przez nasz link:
Nieustannie jednak zachęcam Was do wspierania lokalnych biznesów. Najlepiej zatem wynająć łódkę w porcie - koniecznie weźcie wszystkie te 3 destynacje! Z plaży Ao Nang zapłacicie 3000 THB za łódkę, z Klong Muang Beach 2500 THB. Możecie oczywiście połączyć siły z innymi turystami i umówić się na wspólny wynajem łódki, wówczas koszty rozkładają się na więcej osób. Wstęp do Parku Narodowego to 300 THB/os. Wypożyczając łódeczkę, będziecie przepływać także przez piękną Hong Lagoon. Koniecznie nastawcie się na snurkowanie z rurką. Woda jest piękna i przejrzysta, zapewne uda się Wam zobaczyć trochę kolorowych rybek. Pamiętajcie, że przy takich bezludnych wyspach swój dom mają różne gatunki meduz. Zaopatrzcie się więc w jakiś środek lub fiolkę z octem, gdyby jakaś postanowiła się poprzytulać 😉
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Top tours and activities in Krabi
Island hopping doesn’t have to be the only thing you do in Krabi - though it’s definitely one of the main reasons people come here. There’s so much more to experience. You can try your hand at Muay Thai, meet rescued elephants, go ziplining, or dive into other adventurous activities like rock climbing or jungle trekking. If you’re passionate about Thai cuisine and would love to recreate some local dishes at home, consider joining a Thai cooking class - it’s a fun and delicious experience. Wondering what else to do in Krabi? Have a look below. And if something catches your eye, I’d truly appreciate it if you booked directly through the links provided below.
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