Krabi’s main tourist hotspots

Posted by admin on January 26th, 2009 filed in attractions, holidays, sightseeing, travel tips

Renowned for its “Graveyard of Shells” (fossil beds near the ocean), the province of Krabi boasts also magnificent beaches and a fascinating botanical garden. The province’s largest part is positioned on mainland Thailand approximately 40 miles away from Phuket.

Krabi encompasses sandy beach areas along its shoreline and 132 offshore islands, the idyllic Phi Phi archipelago among them. Krabi’s beaches are filled with tourists in the winter months, as are the two main breathtaking Phi Phi Islands, situated about 40 miles off coast.
 
The province’s commercial centre is Krabi Town while Ao Nang is the most significant tourist hub. Visitors head to Ao Nang for the vibrant seaside strip filled with bars, restaurants, handicraft shops and a pretty arc of wide beach.
 
Not that long ago Krabi was mainly a string of serene village communities. It was just 10 years ago that Krabi’s international airport started to operate. Today, lodging establishments and other tourist-related projects are popping up everywhere, although compared to Phuket Krabi still remains refreshingly low-key.
 
The stunning Railey peninsula is one of the province’s most panoramic spots. The peninsula’s dramatic cliff formations keep it cut off by road from the mainland’s rest, giving it an extremely laid-back island ambience.

 
Tourists can reach Railey from Krabi Town by long-tail boat. Depending on the tides, the duration of the trip is around 15 to 30 minutes. From the airport Krabi Town can be reached within less than a 20-minute drive. Railey is compact and crammed with café’s and low-rise hotel establishments. Railey’s strip, along with this popular destination’s other outstanding beach area at Phra Nang offer spectacular scenery dominated by the jaw-dropping rock formations. The Railay peninsula represents good accommodation options from small hotels to guesthouses to the five-star Rayavadee resort.

Krabi holiday accommodation guide