Hua Hin hides one of the most incredible sites in Thailand.

Vol. 28 - April 2026

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We came down for the weekend, a nice short getaway at only 3 hours from Bangkok.

There is no need to stretch a plan across too many days. A bit of sea air, good food, and just enough to see if you feel like moving around.

Traveling with Moana meant we kept things simple. Early starts, slower afternoons, and no pressure to cover everything.

What stands out more over time is how many expats have chosen to make Hua Hin their base. You notice it in the details. Bakeries that would not feel out of place in Europe, cafés that open early, menus that reflect a mix of long-term residents and local tastes. It gives the town a balance. It is still clearly Thai, but shaped by the people who have stayed.

Happy Travels!

Ploy, Jochem & Moana ❤️

A travel story

We stayed at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin, a well-established hotel set right along the coast. The grounds are wide, the pool is very large, and everything is spaced out in a way that makes it easy to settle in. It works especially well with children, with plenty of room to move around and a beach that is only a short walk away.

Mornings started early. The beach was quiet, the sand flat from the tide, and a few fishermen already at work. It set the tone for the rest of the day without needing much else.

We set aside one day to drive south to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. The shift in landscape is immediate. The coastline gives way to limestone hills, and the roads thin out.

The walk up to Phraya Nakhon Cave is short but steep enough to take seriously in the heat. Once inside, the cave opens wider than you expect. The air cools, sound carries, and for a moment it feels closed off from everything outside.

Then the light comes through.

It drops in from the opening above in a clean, direct beam, landing on the small pavilion below. As it shifts, the cave changes with it. The contrast between shadow and light gives the whole space a slightly unreal quality, as if it has been set up that way on purpose. The scale, the light, and the stillness combine into something that feels almost otherworldly.

From there, we continued further into Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. The landscape opens up again, this time into wide wetlands where the water sits still and stretches out between patches of reeds. Birds move low across the surface, and if you stop for a moment, you start to notice how much is happening quietly around you.

In the middle of the lake, a narrow walkway leads to a tall observation tower. We climbed up, step by step, until the wind picked up near the top. It was stronger than expected, moving straight across the water with nothing to block it. From there, you can see the full spread of the park, limestone hills in the distance, water below, and birds cutting across the open space.

Back in Hua Hin, the rest of the weekend followed a simple pattern. Time at the pool, short trips into town, and evenings at the market where dinner sorts itself out without much thought.

The way a great weekend can be.

• 6:30 am : Beach walk at sunrise // Start early along the shoreline near your hotel. The beach is empty and there are only a few fishermen already at work. It’s the best time of day to see Hua Hin without interruption.

• 7:30 am : Breakfast at the hotel or nearby café // Keep it simple. Coffee, fruit, eggs. If you are staying at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin, take your time and sit outside. There is no need to rush the morning.

• 9:00 am : Drive to Sam Roi Yot // Head south toward Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park. The roads get quieter, and the scenery shifts from town to open coastline and limestone hills.

• 10:30 am : Start the hike to Phraya Nakhon Cave // Begin the walk up to Phraya Nakhon Cave before the heat builds. The trail is short but steep in sections, so take it slow.

• 11:30 am : Explore the cave // Spend some time inside. The space opens up, and when the light drops through the ceiling onto the pavilion, the whole cave changes. It is not somewhere to rush through.

• 1:30 am : Late lunch near the park // Stop at a local restaurant nearby. Grilled fish, simple stir-fries, cold drinks. Something to reset after the walk.

• 3:30 pm : Back to Hua Hin for pool time // Return to town and slow things down again. An afternoon by the pool or a short rest works well after being out in the heat.

• 5:30 pm : Coffee or a short wander // Head into town for a quick stop at a café or a walk along the streets. We always love to explore towns by foot and experience daily life.

• 7:00 pm : Dinner // Make your way to the centre and walk through the stalls. Seafood, skewers, small plates. Pick what looks good and keep moving. The night markets always gives that pure ‘holiday’ vibe.

• 8:30 pm : Back to the hotel // Back at the hotel, the day naturally slowed. A short walk by the sea, then an early night, with Moana already half asleep.

If you liked this week’s edition, here’s what’s worth to Eat, See and Explore:

Food in Hua Hin is straightforward, and that is part of the appeal.

You will find everything here, from hotel dining to more polished cafés, but the places that stay with you are usually the simpler ones. Seafood grilled fresh, dishes cooked quickly, and menus that have not changed much over time. At the same time, the number of long-term expats has shaped the town in quieter ways, with bakeries, cafés, and a few more Western-style spots mixed in naturally.

You don’t need to plan meals too much. Walk, look around, and stop when something feels right.

But if you want a few reliable places, these are worth knowing:

Lung Ja Seafood
A very local seafood spot that people return to for a reason. Nothing about it is designed, but the food is consistent and well done. Grilled prawns, steamed fish, simple stir-fries. Best to come hungry and order a few dishes to share.

Baan Itsara
Set in an old wooden house by the sea, this place has been around for a long time. It leans slightly more polished, but still keeps things grounded. Good mix of seafood and Thai classics, and an easy place to sit for a while in the evening.

Praca
A smaller, more considered space with a menu that blends Thai and Western influences. It reflects the expat side of Hua Hin without feeling disconnected from the town. A good option when you want something a bit different, but still relaxed.

Skoop Beach Café
Right on the beach, a bit more modern, and popular for a reason. Coffee, light meals, and desserts. It reflects that expat and café side of Hua Hin without feeling out of place. Good stop in the afternoon when you want a break from the heat.

Phraya Nakhon Cave
Just outside Hua Hin, this is one of the most remarkable places in Thailand. A short but steep hike leads you into a cave that opens unexpectedly from above. When the light drops through the ceiling onto the small pavilion, the whole space shifts. It has a slightly unreal quality, quiet but striking, and worth planning your day around.

Khao Takiab
A hill at the southern end of the beach, known for its temple and wide coastal views. The climb is short, and from the top you can see the full stretch of Hua Hin. Monkeys move around the area, so it is worth keeping a bit of distance.

Cicada Market
More than just a market, especially in the evening. Food stalls, small shops, and open seating areas make it easy to spend time here without a plan. It is one of the more organised spots in Hua Hin, but still relaxed.

Wat Huay Mongkol
A short drive out of town, known for its large statue of Luang Phor Thuad. The scale stands out immediately, but the surrounding grounds are open and calm, making it an easy stop if you are already heading inland.

Hua Hin Railway Station
One of the older landmarks in town. The wooden pavilion and platforms have been carefully preserved, and while it does not take long to visit, it gives a sense of how long Hua Hin has been part of Thailand’s travel routes.

Suan Son Pradipat Beach
Just south of the main town, this stretch of beach feels noticeably quieter. Fewer people, more space, and long rows of pine trees that give it a different feel from central Hua Hin. Good if you want the coast without the crowds.

Sai Noi Beach
A smaller bay tucked between hills, about a short drive from Hua Hin. The water is usually calmer here, and the setting feels more contained. It is an easy place to spend a slower part of the day.

Pranburi Forest Park
A bit further out, but worth it if you want something different from the beach. Wooden walkways run through mangrove forests, and the area stays quiet compared to the main town. Best in the morning before it gets too warm.

Whether you are trying to find the beach, a café, or your way back to the hotel, this is the easiest way to ask for directions without overcomplicating it. Most people will point, gesture, or give a quick answer that is enough to get you moving again.

Songs for discovering Thailand: from scenic drives to hidden escapes. New vibes added every week .

Click on any of the tracks below to get in the travel mood.

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