Beaches
Hua Hin Beach
Hua Hin is located on the west side of the Gulf of Thailand and is well endowed with some beautiful subtropical beaches. The Hua Hin Beach is wide and long, general depths are shallow and currents are very mild. This is why the Hua Hin beaches are very safe for the whole family.
Hua Hin Beach runs from the main entrance of the Sofitel Hotel to Khao Takiab and is approximately 7 km long.
The first kilometer can be rather busy and it is here that you can find some restaurants and deckchairs. Water sports like waterskiing, jet skiing, banana boats and kite boarding are becoming more and more popular in Hua Hin.
Khao Takiab Beach
The Khao Takiab beach and Takiab Bay Hua Don beach are located south of Hua Hin just 7-8 minutes from the its center. There are a variety of restaurants located on this beach that serve Thai and European food. It is also a beautiful beach where you can relax in your deck chair and enjoy several water sports.
Khao Tao is a charming fishing village set on a beautiful sandy beach about 18 km south of Hua Hin. Just next to the village is a wonderful secluded beach called Hat Sai Noi. This idyllic location can be found on the southern end of Kao Takiab Beach. At Hat Sai Noi several beach restaurants that serve delicious local food and drinks can be found. Deck chairs and umbrellas are available.
Palaces
Klai Kangwon
The current monarch King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikitt nowadays spent a lot of time at their summer palace Klai kangwon Palace, meaning "far from worries", in Hua Hin. The residence is not publicly accessible and can only be visited by invitation.
Maruekatayawan Palace
Further to the north is Maruekatayawan Palace. This was designed by His Majesty King Rama VI in 1923 and is a superb example of classic Thai architecture. This palace is open to the public and a must see if you are interested in Thai Architecture and the Thai Royal Family. The Palace is the longest golden teak palace in the world and is open to the public daily from 08.00 till 16.00.
Parks
Pala-U
The Pala-U waterfall can be found on the south side of Kaeng Krachan National Park and is located about 60 kilometers from Hua Hin. The park is one of the largest in Thailand and it borders Burma.
The waterfall has 16 steps, making it one of the highest in Thailand. At the top of the waterfall you will have a view over Thailand and Burma. But beware, to climb further than the third stage is rather difficult and one needs to be in good condition to be able to reach the top of the cascade. Getting to the third stage where you have access to a large, deep pool is for most visitors rewarding enough.
Khao Sam Roi Yot
Khao Sam Roi Yot or "the mountain with 300 peaks" is only a 45 minute drive south of Hua Hin. Limestone mountains rise up to 605 meters from the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, making it a topographical wonder.
There is a vibrant Bird-life of over 300 species recorded in the park and the forested sections support a wide variety of wild life. You can visit spectacular sized caves, lie on the fine white sandy beaches or take boat excursions to the nearby islands.
Kaeng Krachan
Kaeng Krachan is the largest national park in Thailand, covering an area of 2,915 sq kilometers and located about 1.5 hrs northwest of Hua Hin. Numerous caves, waterfalls and mountains can be found in the park.
As a visitors to Kaeng Krachan you can choose to take a boat trip on the reservoir or trek for a few days up the Khao Panoen Thung road.
Kaeng Krachan is one of the most important ecological areas in Thailand with over 400 species of bird and 57 mammals within its borders. If you have the chance you certainly should visit the park, for some exciting trekking or a more relaxing time.
Shows
Cabaret
Be sure not to miss out on a cabaret show. Don't be put off by the fact that most of the performers are transvestites. They really can be great fun and quite a spectacle. Shows of this type have a long history in Thailand and are not frowned upon here.
Thai Dancing
Some of the hotels and restaurants put on shows of classical Thai dancing and music. It is a great way to get a taste of ancient and current Thai culture. If you're interested in the culture or just want to have an enjoyable evening, you should really go and see one of these shows.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand. It is referred to as "The Science of Eight Limbs", as the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively in this art. Thai Boxing can be watched in Hua Hin in two locations where weekly fight nights are held.
Temples
Wat Ampharam
There are several temples in and around Hua Hin. The main temple is Wat Ampharam in the centre of town. The temple at Bor Fai has some impressive ponds and is located about 5 kilometers north of Hua Hin. There is a good selection of temples in Khao Takiab, including Wat Khao Lad at the top of "Monkey Mountain". Wat Kao Krailas is located to the west of the city centre with some impressive Buddha statues.
You will find all the temples welcoming places with a real feeling of tranquility in which you are welcome. It is important to be respectful at all times within the temple grounds, dress conservatively.If you follow this simple rule, you will not cause offence which is important in these places of worship.
Wat Huay Monkgol
Luang Phor Tuad was a legendary Southern Thai monk, immensely popular with the Southern Thais and increasingly so elsewhere in the Kingdom for the miracles associated with him.
The big Buddha statue of him at Wat Huay Mongkol was commissioned by Queen Sirikit of Thailand. Not only is Wat Huay Mongkol regarded as a holy place but it has also become an attraction for visitors from all over the world.
The huge Luang Phor Thuad statue is seated on a pedestal with four smaller images places in niches around the bigger statue.
Wat Huay Mongkol is reasonable accessible for wheel chairs, some assistance is recommended. There is an adapted toilet for wheelchair users. The access to the toilet is rather steep and one definitely needs assistance to conquer this cement made ramp.