Got a couple of days free to jet off to a new destination? Then let Krabi be your choice! Set on the western side of Thailand, overlooking the Andaman Sea and close to Phuket, this destination is a paradise for nature and adventure lovers. Its coastal towns and aquamarine waters, peppered with limestone karsts, make you feel as if you are stepping into a live painting.
Krabi spans 5,323 square kilometers, and is quite a bit smaller compared to other Thai beach destinations like Phuket. To fully enjoy the destination, you would definitely need at least five to seven days to explore it entirely. But if you are here for only a couple of days, then you can explore a couple of beaches and other prominent things to do in Krabi.
When you decide to visit Krabi for a short 2 day getaway, make sure to include the four main aspects of Krabi that captivate tourists – temples, beaches, the underwater realm, and, of course, the seafood! So, wondering what activities to do and attractions to see in Krabi in 2 days?Â
Here are our top 8 attractions to visit. Don’t leave Krabi without visiting a couple of these popular attractions, as listed below.
Tiger Cave Temple
Probably one of the best temples in Krabi to visit, Tiger Cave Temple, or Wat Tham Sua, as locals fondly call it, is a sight to behold! Pay 50 Thai Baht at the gate to gain entry and walk in to view a colossal, grand gold-and-white temple. Get lost in the spiritual atmosphere with the local crowd, surrounded by the scent of incense, watching people make offerings, and listening to prayers being chanted in harmonious hums, all of which creates a peaceful ambience.Â
To get to the main temple, climbing 1,260 steps might test your endurance, but in the very end, you are rewarded with a sweeping panorama that rejuvenates the soul. Once you get to the top, just gaze at the grand, gleaming Golden Buddha, and you will understand what we are talking about. The surrounding views are ones you will never forget.
Make this your first attraction to visit early in the morning so that you are fresh and full of energy to make the ascent to the magnificent Golden Buddha Temple on top. Also, in the early mornings, the sun is quite mild, making it easy for you to make the climb.
Ao Nang Beach
This gorgeous Thai beach is proof of nature’s stellar craftsmanship. At every turn, you will be met with turquoise waters, soft sugar-white sand, and limestone cliffs. Just an hour and a half away from Krabi Town, this beach is one of the liveliest and most crowded beaches in Krabi, which is due to its popularity and proximity to the town. Nevertheless, the bustling chaos amid the calm backdrop of the sea and sand adds a contrasting thrill to your journey. Simply lie back on a lounge chair, soaking in the serene scenery, splash, and swim in the waters, or enjoy a massage at one of the many Thai massage huts on the shores.
For adventures, gear up for scuba diving and snorkelling sessions to meet the enigmatic, colourful creatures of the underwater realm. Additionally, venture into the raw wilderness with an Ao Nang Monkey Trail hike, where you can find the cutest species of monkeys known as dusky leaf monkeys. Ao Nang Beach is also a premier gateway to explore the nearby beaches and islands of Krabi. If you have got the time, take a long-tail boat to explore Phi Phi Island, Poda Island, and Tup Island. The famous Railay Beach is just a long-tail boat ride away from Ao Nang Beach.
Railay Beach
Without a doubt, one of the attractions that can be covered as tourist places to visit in Krabi in two days is Railay Beach. Here, azure waves flirt with dramatic, jagged limestone cliffs that soar skywards. These cliffs are called mogotes – did you know that? If you did, here’s another thing to ponder: did you know that Railay Beach isn’t just the name of one beach?
The area is actually a small peninsula, comprising many pristine beaches, and is known as a peninsula rather than a beach. You can reach it only by a scenic boat ride, as it is inaccessible by road. At Railay, you can stroll and bask in the sun-kissed ambience at Railay West, Railay East, Phra Nang, and Tonsai Beach. If you are a beach lover visiting Railay just for the sun, sand, and sea, Railay West is the best fit for your holiday.
The place is mesmerising and peaceful. Mind you, you would quickly turn your afternoon-to-evening trip to this beach destination into a full-fledged, two-day stay because it is that beautiful – a slice of tranquil, tropical paradise to just laze, chill, and do nothing.
Phra Nang Beach
This attraction is a timeless wonder, and its scenery is a view you might have come across as a screensaver image on your desktop. Phra Nang Beach lies just a short boat ride away from the Railay Beach shores. What makes it special is that its crystal-clear water and soaring limestone cliffs, eroded by crashing waves, have made permanent, large caves and rock formations that offer a natural canopy to just relax in the laid-back shade and enjoy the stellar panorama.
The uniqueness grows as you explore the cave’s interiors, where you can go rappelling, rock climbing, and even view fertility shrines. Make sure you capture many photographs at this picturesque Thai attraction. Famished? Take this opportunity to dine at the famous The Grotto restaurant at Rayavadee Resort for a fabulous lunch with splendid views.
Krabi Town
Arriving at Krabi Town instantly shatters the blissful, tranquil image. But if you give it some time, you will find the cacophony and chaos of vendors and locals a delightful change. For many, Krabi may not seem like their place, and they won’t instantly fall in love with it. But this place grows on you the more you stay.
Krabi Town is all about chilling and enjoying its pace and warm hospitality. Though a township, nature still makes its presence felt, offering you chances to jump into emerald pools and saunter along a mangrove walk – all just a few minutes away from the town centre. The Krabi Night Market is one place you shouldn’t miss wandering around on your Krabi trip. This is the perfect spot to purchase local souvenirs and to dive into sampling some of the most flavoursome Thai delicacies.
Apart from strolling the markets and enjoying some local sightseeing, the township has some unique spots, like having a brunch at a forest cafe shrouded among the verdant wilderness, or dining at Khaothong Hill Restaurant overlooking the karst-dotted, emerald waters.
Wat Kaeo Korawram
You will come across plenty of gold-gilded temples in Thailand, but there are also a handful that do not adorn this quintessential colour combination and stand out for their choice of bright, exuberant hues. One such temple is Wat Kaeo Korawram in Krabi, which stands out elegantly for its pristine white and blue hues, with an accent of gold serpentine staircases.
This Buddhist temple, perched on a hillside near Krabi Town, is one of the biggest temples to visit in Krabi. Visit it and pay your respects to a grand golden Buddha that sits in the centre of the shrine inside this charming temple complex. Next to the temple’s main hall is the Krabi Museum of Contemporary Art, which is a great spot to spend time if you are an art lover.
Khao Kanab Nam Mountains and Caves
Extend your adventure to Khao Kanab Nam Mountains and Caves, which are often considered the iconic landmarks of Krabi Province. These two magnificent limestone mountains set on either shore of the Krabi River are a popular photo stop in Krabi tour packages. To access this attraction, you have to take a short boat ride from the town’s Chao Fa Pier.
Once you reach Khao Kanab Nam on the right side of the riverbank, venture out to explore the archaeological sites beneath the caves, which contain findings from as far back as 40,000 years ago. Go forth and spend your time exploring the caves inside these limestone formations. Some of the caves have bats thriving within them, and they fly out in groups like those in horror movies to build up suspense!
Tonsai Beach
Another fascinating beach to explore in Krabi, Tonsai Beach, will captivate the adventurer in you. Set next to Railey Beach, Tonsai Beach is blessed with towering cliffs that make it a draw for rock climbers from around the world to show off their climbing skills. Even if you are a novice, you can try your hand at this adrenaline-rushing sport with the aid of instructors and gear that they provide for a small fee.
The crystal-clear emerald water surrounding the beach brims with vibrant marine life. This is why it is also an idyllic spot to go scuba diving and marvel at the surreal underwater world. Those who do not want to try anything extreme can enjoy the scenery with kayaking experiences. Tonsai beach also has a good vibe for nightlife, but Railey is a better spot to let your hair down and dance the night away to foot-tapping music.
We know there are so many options to pick and choose and fit them into a 2 day Krabi itinerary. To ease it a bit, here’s what you should check out to enjoy two perfect days in Krabi.
Day 1:
Start your morning at Tiger Cave Temple. You can have your breakfast at the hotel or enjoy a sumptuous one at one of the many cafes near the town centre, such as First Restaurant or An Chalee Restaurant, to name a few. Once you reach Tiger Cave Temple, spend your morning in this stunning temple, admiring the giant Buddha statue and enjoying a bird’s-eye view of Krabi. Later in the afternoon, head to Kotung Restaurant for lunch. Stroll around for a while before heading to Ao Nang Beach. Here, stay for exciting watersports and snorkelling sessions. Stay back for a breathtaking sunset view, then head back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2:
On your second day here, explore Krabi Town for a bit until the afternoon and visit attractions like Wat Kaeo Korawaram. Try brunch at unique dining spots like Khaothong Hill Restaurant. Later, take a boat ride to Railay Beach, where you can spend your day relaxing in the tropical haven.
If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, go and explore the Phra Nang Caves and try your hand at rock climbing. But if you are visiting anytime between November and April, stay back after sunset when it gets pitch black and the ocean becomes iridescent with bioluminescent plankton. If you are in luck, you can see this natural phenomenon on a dark, moonless night.
With these dreamy, picturesque images etched in your mind, unwind with a sumptuous dinner at Grotto Restaurant at Ao Nang Beach or in the town, and return to the hotel or to your flight to your onward destination.
When we say 2 days, we assume you have two full days to explore this beautiful coastal Thai destination. If you are arriving on Day 1 and departing on Day 2, then you have even less time to explore what Krabi has to offer. In that case, your best bet would be to enjoy the pristine beaches, indulge in spa treatments, tuck into delicious seafood Thai delicacies, and roam around the night market, along with a visit to a temple. This would wrap up the time you get in your short getaway. By then, it’s time for you to catch a flight back home.
Visiting the afore-mentioned places only makes sense if you have two whole days to spend in Krabi. So, keep that in mind, and we insist that you enjoy these spots while you are present right here in Krabi for two whole days.
Conclusion
Krabi is doable in 2 days, but you might feel that you left out a lot of other experiences. Nevertheless, these attractions and activities are sufficient to introduce you to this little paradisiacal place in Thailand. After these two days in Krabi, you will definitely come back for more blissful experiences and adventures with more time in hand. Even Krabi echoes your thoughts – ‘ For now, this is enough, but we depart with a promise to come back for more.’
