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FR We spend a lot of time getting to know our tour guests, where they’re from, where they’re staying, and their plans during their visit to Krabi. Time and time again, we hear a lot of feedback about how confusing the pre-planning of the trip was.
As an example, one of the questions people often ask in travel forums is, “How long should I spend in Krabi?”, and this topic attracts a wide range of opinions. Regardless of whether you’re on a backpack tour, or higher-budget holiday, we recommend a minimum of 3 days to explore Krabi and its surrounding area and islands.
In this post, we’ve broken your Krabi trip planner into days, and added in some food recommendations along the way – after all, that’s a huge part of your travel experience too! As locals, we’ve been dishing out this advice for over 10 years and (where we can) always follow up with people to see how they enjoyed our recommendations. Let’s dive in!
Where to stay in Krabi
Before we address things to see and do in Krabi, we think it’s important to note that Krabi Town itself feels more geared towards backpackers or those passing through on a quick airport/boat transfer. The beach in Krabi Town is more of a dock than a beach, and we strongly recommend that you opt for a hotel in Ao Nang or Railay – where you can easily catch a daytrip to the town and it’s surrounding attractions.
You can find lots of information about how to get to Ao Nang and Railay on our Pick-Up Location page.
3-Day Itinerary in Krabi for couples
We understand that not all couples necessarily want to follow the same guides. With that in mind, our Owner and Lead Guide Michael and his team have built two separate couples’ itineraries for you to choose from:
Adventure Couples Itinerary
The Relaxed Couples Krabi Itinerary
Let’s get started …
The adventure couple Krabi itinerary
DAY 1:
9AM: Breakfast at the hotel – Most of Krabi’s hotel and guesthouses come with breakfast included and, while it’s nice to get out and explore, we love taking a moment to enjoy a ‘freebie’ and get our bearings.
10AM: Explore Ao Nang’s beachfront and have lunch in one of the sea-view restaurants – Ao Nang’s main strip is relatively small and walkable (even in the Thai heat.) If you’re hoping to hire a scooter for a couple of days, this is a good time compare prices. Most of the scooter rentals can be found off the beach on the road heading out of town (on the same route towards the large mosque.)
1.30PM: Krabi Sunset Cruise – One of the main reasons people come to Krabi is to hop on a boat tour and see the surrounding islands and famous crystals waters. This 4 Island Sunset Cocktail Cruise includes an evening stop near Railay after dinner, where you can jump in for a Bioluminescent Night Snorkel or simply watch the sea glitter from the comfort of our large boat.
You can be as active or as lazy on this tour as you like; the boat cruises and stops at Koh Ya Wa Sam, Koh Chicken, Koh Si & Koh Poda, where you can jump in for some snorkeling and swimming, or hop on our paddleboards or kayak.
Snacks, soft drinks, and water are free-flowing and included in the ticket price, as is your Thai-buffet dinner at sunset. Our bar is open throughout the trip, and we’ll even give a free drink to anyone who does a backflip off the top deck!
Learn more about the Krabi Island Tour
Day 2:
8AM: Breakfast at Tan – If you’re looking for a change from your hotel breakfast, Tan is a favourite with both the local ex-pats and the tourists alike. Originally, Tan had one venue on the road heading out to Krabi Town, however, they have since expanded with a second (larger) location nearer the beach. We prefer the smaller location, which doubles as a hostel, with its relaxed vibes and sturdy menu. Be sure to order a ‘Cloud Coffee’ for something a little different!
9:30AM: Boat to Railay – You can catch a boat to Railay from Ao Nang’s beachfront – it’s easy to spot the boatmen in their long-sleeved sun tops waiting for enough passengers to launch their boat. The journey takes about 10 minutes or so and will drop you off on Railay’s West Beach. These longtail boats will run back and forth until around 5.30pm. After that time, it’s still possible to return to the mainland, though it’s worth keeping in mind that you’ll need to pay a private fare.
10:30AM: Climb to the lagoon/Go climbing in Railay with a guide – Railay’s limestone cliffs are something to be celebrated, they tower over the peninsula and make for a dramatic sight (both on and off-land.)
Railay has a lagoon that fills and empties with the sea tides, tucked away in a basin between the cliffs on the way round to Pranang Beach. The climb up and down is a difficult one, and not for the faint hearted. Be prepared to use knotted ropes installed by the locals and squeeze through some tight spots.
You’ll need sturdy footwear and a small backpack (as you want both hands free!). Before you set off, check the Railay tide times – if you go up there and the tide is out, the basin will be a muddy pool rather than the surreal paradise that it becomes when the water is in.
5PM: Boat back to Ao Nang from Railay West Beach
7PM: Ao Nang Landmark Night Market – Landmark is situated on Noppharat Thara Beach, directly adjacent to the large KFC. It’s open 7 days a week from 3:30pm to 12am midnight. The market is packed with food stalls and gift shops, and it’s not uncommon to see local bands or performers entertaining foodies while they eat.
The walk here from Ao Nang’s main beachfront is relatively easy and will take around 20 minutes or so – or you can hop in one of the many tuktuks lining the streets.
10PM: Drinks in Tribe – Tribe is a trendy bar on Ao Nang’s Moo 2 (main street), tucked down a short side street next to MacDonald’s. They run cocktail promotions on most evenings and provide a better atmosphere for serious music lovers, with a live DJ and a cool techno vibes.
Day 3:
9AM: Breakfast at Into the Forest Krabi – if you’ve hired a scooter, this is a real hidden gem you might want to put some time aside for. The ride out here alone will give you a wonderful glimpse into the ‘real’ Krabi province. The road is lined with lush green jungle and staggering cliffs, and your end location sits quietly in the shade of the enormous mountain above. The café specialises in ‘Western’ coffee-culture food and drinks – they are famous for their smoothie and aesthetically pleasing drinks menu.
10:30AM: Back to Ao Nang for pick-up for a Mangrove Kayak or Mirror Lake tour (this could also be replaced with a trip to Krabi’s Tiger Temple). Most of these tours are done as a half-day trip, with all locations sitting relatively close to Ao Nang. The Mirror Lake Tour is the newer of the two, but we prefer paddling through the winding trails of the mangroves to the open waters.
6PM: Take a taxi or tour transfer to Krabi Night Market – It’d be a waste to visit Krabi and not visit the town centre! Krabi’s main night market has been running for decades, and many tour operators will provide a cheaper rate than a taxi to transfer you there and back. We don’t recommend driving out here at night on your scooter – the roads to Krabi are particularly busy and fatal accidents happen all too often.
The main Krabi Night Markets takes place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with a focus around street food dinner and shopping. You’ll also find a number of massage parlours and nail bars in the area surrounding the market – perfect for winding down after a busy 3 days.
The Relaxed Couples Krabi Itinerary
Day 1:
9AM: Breakfast at the hotel and lazing by the pool – you’ve arrived in paradise, take a moment to enjoy your surroundings! Most of Ao Nang’s hotels and guest houses serve up tasty buffet breakfast with juicy plates of local fruit. Enjoy a slow morning in your new home for the next few days, with the option to duck out and take a stroll along Ao Nang’s beachfront and pick out a few local eateries.
1:30PM: Krabi Sunset Cruise – There are plenty of boat tours to be had in the Krabi area, but if you’re looking for relaxation and comfort, you might want to consider a larger boat. While longtail boats provide a traditional element to your trip, there’s little room to spread out enjoy the day at a slower pace.
Alongside the perks of onboard paddleboards kayaks, this 4 Island Sunset Cocktail Cruise comes with comfy cushions on the deck and rooftop, sun and shade lounging spots, and free-flowing drinks and snacks. Plus, we have a cocktail bar where you can sip your favorite mixes as you take in Krabi’s island views.
Note: You can also opt for a Private Morning Krabi Cruise – have the full boat to yourselves and allows the flexibility to choose between a full morning at sea, or a few captivating hours exploring the surrounding islands and waters.
Day 2:
9AM: You’ve had enough of hotel breakfasts and fancy something a bit different. Take your pick from one of our ‘Best places to have breakfast in Ao Nang, Krabi.’
10:30AM: Boat to Railay Beach for a morning of relaxation (for full instructions, see the Adventurer notes above.)
12PM: Lunch on Railay Walking Street – From local Thai food and wood-fired pizzas to vegan hangouts and western fast-food, Railay’s Walking Street is lined with restaurants and bars to take your pick from. We recommend you take advantage of the traditional Thai food and head to one of the oldest restaurants on the peninsula, Mangrove Restaurant. Run by a husband-and-wife duo, their large menu covers all the delicious Thai classics and comes at a great price.
2PM: Take a walk past the monkeys to Pranang Beach – Due to its National Park status, the longtail boats are no longer allowed to pull up at Pranang Beach, making it easier to swim and allowing for beautifully clear waters. At low tide, you can take a paddle across to the small limestone island that sits in front of the beach, while at high tide, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Phra Nang cave, full of offerings from the boatmen to the Princess Goddess.
5:00PM: Boat back to Ao Nang from Railay West Beach
7:00PM: Dinner in the street food markets – For a casual and inexpensive evening meal, we love dipping in to the mini food markets that run up the road from the beach, especially the busting court that sits on the opposite side of the road from Subway.
9PM: Just a short walk from the food court, you’ll find Reggae Bar. In keeping with Ao Nang and Railay’s laid-back feel, the bar offers live music almost every evening, with bands playing some of your favourite reggae songs and relaxed tunes. As an alternative, Full Moon Bar (on the other side of Ao Nang) is a spacious bar that often hosts a talented rock band who draws quite the crowd with their Led Zeppelin covers.
Day 3:
7:30AM: Breakfast at the hotel
8:30AM: Following Giants Elephant Sanctuary – Ethical elephant sanctuaries in Krabi are something we get asked about a lot. Unfortunately, a lot of the locations selling themselves as ‘sanctuaries’ in the immediate Krabi/ Ao Nang area are just riding camps that have been rebranded over the years.
However, there is one elephant experience in Krabi who do a lot of great work for the community and are very active in local groups: Following Giants Elephant Sanctuary.
The team here aim to provide a sustainable and (most importantly) elephant-friendly day out with the animals – they have a strict no riding/no washing policy. The elephants here are free to roam where they like, and the trips focus on their current welfare circumstances, alongside their likes, dislikes, and friendships. They offer multiple daytrips (with pick ups from Krabi and Ao Nang), with a range of budgets and timings. However, we recommend a full day to make the most of the journey to Koh Lanta.
Want to swap the elephant sanctuary for something else? We recommend a cooking class with Ya’s Krabi Thai Cookery School – featured on Gordon Ramsay’s Great Escapes!
7PM: Dinner at Cru Kitchen & Bar – When in Thailand, eat Thai Food! However, sometimes you just want something a little different. If that’s the case, we love Cru for its modern bistro menu, serving tapas, pizzas, grill, craft cocktails and premium wines. Alongside tasty plates, it’s not uncommon to come across relaxed live music here – a lazy spot to people watch and spoil yourself with their premium drinks menu.
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