Phuket
The perfect place to begin your Thai island adventure
Thailand's largest island combines vibrant beach towns, luxury resorts, rich culture, and island-hopping adventures.
Must visit
Old Phuket Town
Sino-Portuguese streets and street art
Phang Nga Bay
James Bond Island by longtail
Big Buddha
45m white marble, hilltop views
Perfect for
Island hoppers
Speedboat to Phi Phi, Similan, or the Racha Islands all leave from Phuket
Beach lovers
Patong for energy, Freedom Beach for seclusion, Kata Noi for beauty
Foodies
Old Town's Sunday Walking Street is one of Thailand's best food markets
Night owls
Patong's beach bars run fire shows nightly — Phuket doesn't sleep
Before you go
Rent a scooter⌄
Escape the tourist bubble — the north of the island has quiet beaches and real Thai villages most visitors never find.
Patong is loud by design⌄
If you want quiet, base yourself in Kata, Rawai, or Kamala instead.
Book island day trips early⌄
The best boats to Similan and Phi Phi sell out days ahead in high season.
Koh Phi Phi
As iconic in person as it is in the photos
Iconic limestone paradise with turquoise waters, hidden coves, and legendary nightlife.
Must visit
Phi Phi Viewpoint
30-min hike, best at sunrise
Maya Bay
The Beach, restored after reef recovery
Monkey Beach
Longtail stop, bring a snorkel
Perfect for
Photographers
Drone-worthy cliffs, neon-blue water, and a viewpoint that earns every step
Snorkellers
Coral reefs surrounding both Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh are still spectacular
Night owls
Tonsai Village's beach bars run fire shows nightly; the island doesn't sleep
Before you go
Stay on Phi Phi Don⌄
Not Phi Phi Leh — Leh is uninhabited; the resorts, restaurants, and nightlife are all on Don.
Maya Bay is now restricted entry⌄
No overnight boats can anchor; arrive early with a small group boat for the clearest water.
The viewpoint closes at dark⌄
Start the climb at least 90 minutes before sunset to make it up and back safely.
Railay
A breathtaking peninsula you can only reach by boat
Dramatic limestone cliffs and pristine beaches accessible only by boat.
Must visit
Phra Nang Cave Beach
One of Asia's most photographed beaches
Railay West
Sunset cocktails on the sand
Railay Viewpoint
Rope climb up, 360° cliffs reward
Perfect for
Rock climbers
Over 200 established routes on limestone karst, from beginner slabs to expert overhangs
Couples
No roads, no noise, just beach, cliffs, and each other
Nature lovers
Mangroves, bat caves, and cliff-top jungle just minutes from the beach
Before you go
Longtail from Ao Nang⌄
The standard way in — about 15 minutes and $100–150 per person, leaves when full.
Phra Nang is tidal⌄
Check tide times before you go; at low tide the cave beach expands dramatically.
No ATMs on Railay⌄
Bring enough cash for your entire stay; resorts charge a heavy premium for card payments.
Koh Samui
Island life, elevated
Complete island experience with luxury resorts, palm-fringed beaches, and lively beach clubs.
Must visit
Silver Beach
The island's most beautiful, tucked away
Big Buddha Temple
12m golden statue, lake views
Ang Thong Marine Park
42-island day trip by speedboat
Perfect for
Luxury travellers
Five-star pool villas, rooftop beach clubs, and private yacht charters available year-round
Couples
Sunset dinners on the beach, couples spas, and Na Muang waterfall hiking
Foodies
Fisherman's Village Friday market and a world-class international dining scene
Before you go
Samui has its own airport⌄
Direct flights from Bangkok take 1hr 20min; it's faster and easier than the ferry route.
The east coast catches monsoon⌄
From October–December, the west coast (Lipa Noi, Taling Ngam) stays calmer.
Rent a car, not a scooter⌄
Samui's ring road is 51km and traffic can be heavy; a car gives you the flexibility and safety to explore.
Koh Tao
Where your first dive could become a lifelong passion
World's best diving destination surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and secluded bays.
Must visit
Scuba Diving
Get PADI certified from $9,000
Sairee Beach
Main strip, dive shops, sunsets
John-Suwan Viewpoint
The island's best panorama
Perfect for
Scuba divers
Learn to dive for a fraction of what it costs in Europe or Australia, coral reefs at every entry point
Budget travellers
Excellent value for money, quality guesthouses from $500/night and great beach food from $80
Adventure seekers
Shark Bay for snorkelling, Shark Island for diving, rope swings at Freedom Beach
Before you go
Night diving is otherworldly⌄
Bioluminescent plankton and sleeping turtles; book with any dive school on Sairee for around $1,500.
Getting here takes effort⌄
Overnight ferry from Chumphon or Surat Thani, or a quick hop from Koh Samui; that's exactly why it still feels real.
Avoid peak season for diving⌄
March–May has the best underwater visibility with fewer divers in the water.
Koh Phangan
Full moon, quiet mornings, and everything in between
Much more than the Full Moon Party – hidden beaches, waterfalls, and peaceful bays.
Must visit
Full Moon Party
Haad Rin Beach, tens of thousands gather monthly
Bottle Beach
Iconic island. Accessible only by boat.or jungle trek
Than Sadet Waterfall
Royal waterfall, jungle hike
Perfect for
Party-goers
Largest beach party in the world, every full moon
Wellness seekers
Yoga retreats and detox resorts have made it a wellness hub
Budget travellers
Great value, excellent hostels and guesthouses from $8/night
Before you go
Check the full moon calendar⌄
Before booking — prices triple the week around it.
The Half Moon and Black Moon parties⌄
Happen throughout the month for a more intimate version of the full moon experience.
Haad Rin is the party beach⌄
Stay on the north coast if you want quiet.
Koh Lipe
Thailand's most remote tropical paradise
The Maldives of Thailand – crystal-clear waters and powder-soft beaches within walking distance.
Must visit
Sunrise Beach
The island's most beautiful, coral reef at your feet
Snorkelling trips
Crystal-clear 20m+ visibility, swim with sharks and rays
Walking Street
The island's restaurant and bar strip at night
Perfect for
Snorkellers & divers
Some of the best visibility in Thailand, whale sharks sighted seasonally
Couples
Remote, quiet, spectacular sunsets over the Andaman
Digital detoxers
Limited ATMs, weak signal, a feature not a bug
Before you go
No ATMs on the island⌄
Bring enough cash for your entire stay.
Only reachable by speedboat⌄
From Pak Bara or Langkawi (Malaysia).
High season November–May only⌄
The island basically closes May–October.
Krabi
Limestone cliffs, jungle rivers, and Andaman sunsets
Towering limestone cliffs, iconic beaches, and dramatic rock-climbing adventures.
Must visit
Tiger Cave Temple
1,237 steps to the summit, 360° views of jungle and sea
Emerald Pool
Turquoise freshwater jungle pool, Khao Phanom Bencha National Park
Four Islands Tour
Ko Poda, Chicken Island, Ko Tub, Ko Mor by longtail
Perfect for
Rock climbers
Railay's walls are famous worldwide; Krabi Town has beginner walls too
Nature lovers
Mangroves, jungle, hot springs, and sea all within 30 minutes of each other
Island-hoppers
Best base for day trips to Phi Phi, Railay, Koh Lanta, and the four islands
Before you go
Stay in Krabi Town, not Ao Nang⌄
If you want local restaurants and better value.
Rent a scooter⌄
To reach Emerald Pool and Tiger Cave independently.
Boats to Railay leave from Ao Nang Beach⌄
Longtails run until around 6pm.
Thailand
Northern Mainland
Bangkok
Ancient temples, rooftop bars, and street food that changes everything
Vibrant capital where ancient temples, rooftop bars, and world-class dining collide.
Must visit
Grand Palace
Bangkok's most iconic landmark
Wat Arun
Temple of Dawn on the Chao Phraya
Chatuchak Market
8,000 stalls, endless finds
Chinatown (Yaowarat)
Street food capital of the city
Perfect for
Nature lovers
World-class hotels, rooftop infinity pools, and every cuisine imaginable within a short BTS ride
Food lovers
From Michelin-starred restaurants to $1 pad thai — the city is one giant open-air dining room
Night life
Khao San Road, rooftop bars at Silom, and clubs in Sukhumvit that run well past dawn
Culture seekers
Hundreds of temples, the Grand Palace, floating markets, and a thriving contemporary art scene
Before you go
Use the BTS Skytrain⌄
Avoids Bangkok's notorious traffic — it connects the main tourist areas cleanly and is air-conditioned.
Visit temples early⌄
Before 9am the Grand Palace has a fraction of the crowds and the light is golden.
Stay in Sukhumvit or Silom⌄
For convenience; Banglampu puts you closer to the old city and the backpacker buzz.
Chiang Mai
Mountain temples, slow coffee, and the best base in the north
Relaxed northern city with ancient temples, cafe culture, and mountain adventure.
Must visit
Doi Suthep Temple
Sacred hilltop temple above the city
Old City Temples
300+ temples within the ancient walls
Elephant Nature Park
Ethical elephant sanctuary
Perfect for
Cafe culture
Some of the best specialty coffee in Southeast Asia — the Nimman area alone has dozens of outstanding cafes
Digital nomads
Fast internet, affordable co-working spaces, and a large international community make it a favourite long-stay base
Adventure seekers
Doi Inthanon National Park, zip-lining, mountain biking, and multi-day trekking into hill-tribe villages
Before you go
Rent a scooter⌄
To reach Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon independently — public transport to these spots is limited.
Sunday Walking Street on Wualai Road⌄
Far more local and relaxed than the Saturday market — worth prioritising.
Book Elephant Nature Park early⌄
Day-visit slots sell out weeks in advance, especially in peak season.
Pai
Mountain mist, bohemian cafes, and a pace of life that actually slows you down
Laid-back mountain town famous for scenic landscapes and bohemian atmosphere.
Must visit
Pai Canyon
Narrow ridges, epic sunset views
Tha Pai Hot Springs
Natural thermal pools in lush jungle
Pai Walking Street
Nightly market with local food and crafts
Perfect for
Nature lovers
Waterfalls, rice terraces, hot springs, and canyon trails all within 20 minutes of town
Road trippers
The 762-curve mountain road from Chiang Mai is half the adventure — best done on a scooter
Slow travellers
Charming cafes, hammock-friendly guesthouses, and a town that actively resists being rushed
Before you go
The minivan from Chiang Mai takes 3–4 hours⌄
762 curves — sit in the front seat if you're prone to motion sickness.
Pai Canyon at sunset⌄
Genuinely spectacular — arrive 30 minutes early to get a good spot on the ridge.
Chiang Rai
Temples that look like they were dreamed, not built
Contemporary art meets mountain scenery and centuries-old temples.
Must visit
White Temple
Wat Rong Khun — otherworldly and unmissable
Blue Temple
Wat Rong Suea Ten — electric blue and gold
Black House Museum
Baan Dam — dark art and raw materials
Perfect for
Culture lovers
Three of Thailand's most visually striking temples within a 30-minute drive of each other
Photographers
The White Temple's mirror-mosaic facade is one of the most photographed structures in Southeast Asia
Road trippers
Perfect as a day trip from Chiang Mai or an overnight stop on a Golden Triangle route
Before you go
Visit the White Temple early⌄
By 10am the selfie queues stretch back to the car park; before 8am it's almost quiet.
Combine all three temples in a single day⌄
With a scooter or hired songthaew — they're all within 15km of the city centre.
Ayutthaya
A former kingdom's ruins that still command respect
UNESCO World Heritage Site with ancient temple ruins and historical treasures.
Must visit
Wat Mahathat
The famous Buddha head in tree roots
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Riverside ruins at their most dramatic
Historical Park
UNESCO site — best explored by bicycle
Perfect for
History buffs
Capital of the Siamese kingdom for 417 years — the scale of what remains is genuinely humbling
Cyclists
The ruins are spread across a flat island — a bicycle is the perfect way to explore at your own pace
Day trippers from Bangkok
Just 80 minutes by train from Hua Lamphong — an easy and rewarding escape from the capital
Before you go
Rent a bicycle near Naresuan Road⌄
Most ruins are within a 15-minute ride and there are almost no hills.
Dress respectfully⌄
Shoulders and knees covered at all temple sites; sarongs are available to borrow at the main entrances.
The train is the nicest way to arrive⌄
Scenic, cheap, and it drops you close to the ruins.