Hua Hin & Cha-Am, the perfect destination for a sun holiday
Cham beach
The neighboring districts Hua Hin en Father Am are popular destinations among foreign and Thai tourists. Of the two cities, Hua Hin has the most to offer in terms of attractions and activities in the area.
Still, both Hua Hin and Cha Am have their own appeal. Hua Hin has long been a favorite destination of the Thai royal family. The area boasts some of the best golf courses in the world Thailand. Cha-Am is said to have the longest and cosiest beach in Thailand.
Both cities are a popular destination among Thai visitors as they are relatively close to Bangkok. Cha Am is located 25 kilometers north of Hua Hin. You can visit the two places by public transport, a bus ride from Hua Hin to Cha Am takes only 30 minutes.
Klai Kangwon Palace
What can you see?
The Royal Residence, Klai Kangwon Palace ('Far From Worries') in Hua Hin was built in 1920. It is still used as a Royal Residence, but it is also open to the public to visit. The national park Khao Sam Roi Yot ('Three Hundred Mountain Peaks') is well worth a visit, but is not easy to reach by public transport. An organized trip is probably the best option.
The large standing Buddha is located at the foot of the Khao Takiab (Chopstick Hill)
A large standing Buddha is located at the foot of the Khao Takiab (Chopstick Hill). At the top of this hill you will find a temple, many monkeys walking among the visitors and you have a great view of the coastline. A little further south you will find the Khao Tao (Turtle Hill) and the Tam Khao Tao (Turtle Hill Cave). At the top of these hills you will find numerous shrines and an imposing Buddha. The location is a popular destination among Thai tourists and is a pleasant change from a day at the beach.
What can you do there?
Hua Hin is a former small fishing village. It has now grown considerably due to the rise of tourism, but you can still see the fishermen sailing with their trade. A trip to Hua Hin is not complete without sampling the catch of the day at one of the many delicious seafood restaurants, such as Chao Lay Seafood. For a panoramic view of Hua Hin and the coastline, visit the viewing platform on the 17th floor of the Hilton Hotel. In the evening you can swing in the disco under the Hilton. Live bands play and DJs play the latest dance hits.
Hua Hin Night Market – Blanscape / Shutterstock.com
Night market
In Hua Hin you will find a pleasant night market. This covers a number of streets in the center and provides an elongated ribbon of festive stalls. Don't forget to haggle on the price of the merchandise. Market Village, just south of Sao Paulo Hospital on the main Phetchkasem Road, is a modern indoor shopping mall. In addition to luxury shops and many restaurants, you will also find a multi-screen cinema and a bowling center. From Wednesday to Sunday, next to the Sao Paulo hospital, there is also a local Thai night market where you can also eat well and cheaply. For more luxury, head to the new Blúport Hua Hin, a shopping center with well-known designer brands.
Golf courses in Hua Hin
Golfing
Hua Hin is home to a number of excellent golf courses and the ideal base for golf enthusiasts. The Royal Hua Hin is the oldest public golf course in Thailand and the newer Springfield Royal Country was designed by Jack Nicklaus. Black Mountain is another course worth recommending. Just like the 18-hole Banyan. A golf course of international class. This beautifully situated golf mecca is part of the 'Banyan resort', an impressive villa park. The eye-catching 5-star park, a multi-million dollar project set up by Dutch investors, has all the style and allure you can imagine.
Where to stay in Hua Hin & Cha Am
Hua Hin has a number of very attractive budget accommodations. They are guest houses built on scaffolding above the sea. If you have a little more money to spend, you can stay in the historic and atmospheric Railway Hotel. It was built around 1920 and is now known as the Centara Hua Hin. Between these two extremes, there are plenty of other hotels in Hua Hin. You will always find a hotel that fits your budget and meets your needs.
- More information: accommodations in Hua Hin & Cha Am (381)
The choice of accommodation in Cha Am is much more limited than the choice in Hua Hin. Cha Am is very popular with Thai visitors, many of whom come from Bangkok and visit Cha Am on weekends and holidays. This means that most accommodations are quickly booked up from Friday to Sunday. From Monday to Thursday you can often stay there at a considerably reduced rate.
Hua Hin Beach
Hua Hin is very popular among European tourists, especially from Germany and Scandinavia (and increasingly from Great Britain). Package tour providers usually choose the accommodations on the coast between Cha Am and Hua Hin. As a result, most visitors stay somewhat outside of Cha Am and Hua Hin. These hotels often have a private beach. All hotels along the coast can arrange transportation to Cha Am and Hua Hin.
Transportation
From Bangkok it is about a 2 hour drive to Cha Am. The journey to Hua Hin takes an additional 30 minutes. The trains to Hua Hin take about four hours. They depart from Hualamphong and Bangkok Noi (Thonburi) and arrive at the picturesque train station of Hua Hin. Buses run regularly between Cha Am and Hua Hin. In Hua Hin, local buses run between the main beaches and tuk-tuks are also available.