Joanna James
A coastal village in Thailand, Hua Hin was once chosen by royals as the location for a stunning summer palace. Today, it is a pleasant vacation spot with stunning beaches and contemporary luxuries.
If you've never heard of Thai wine before, you're really missing out! Hua Hin is home to one of the top three vineyards in Thailand, and Hua Hin Hills Vineyard is a must visit for any wine connoisseur. Located just 45km outside of the city, the vineyard hosts daily tours for groups at 1500B per person. Guests will get a tour of the vineyard, a wine sampling session and a three course meal, along with return transport to the city. You can also opt to a wine tasting session only with a shuttle to the vineyard. Aside from the vineyard, there are also several bike trails and around the area you can explore.
That's right, Hua Hin is only 2.5 hours away from Bangkok by car, so you won't have to worry about long hours spent travelling on the road to reach your hotel in Hua Hin. For just 400B, you can reach the town from the capital by either bus or train. However, while the train is the most scenic option, it is also the slowest, with an average travel time of 5 to 6 hours.
Sun, sand, shady palm trees and a refreshing cool breeze, this is what you can expect on a day trip to the beach. The beaches are the town's main attraction and cover a 7km stretch that's popular with locals and foreigners. While there is always development happening around the beachfront, you should still be able to find a quiet spot to soak up some sun. Do note, during weekends and national holidays the beaches will get packed as many locals come from Bangkok to enjoy the beach.
The Hua Hin night market is a popular shopping and hangout area for both Thais and tourists alike. Located along the beachfront, near several resorts such as Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, for example, the lively market opens daily at 5pm and runs till midnight. The fresh food is the biggest attractions here, with several stalls serving up piping-hot curries, sizzling stir-fries, and fresh seafood straight off the grill. In between all the food vendors, you can find stalls selling quirky souvenirs and colourful trinkets.
Located around 60km outside of Hua Hin, the Sam Roi Yot National Park is home to breathtaking natural mangroves, dense forests, lime stone mountains and an array of bird species. Visitors should definitely make time to explore the caves around Tham Kaeo or, for something a bit more relaxing, head to Hat Sam Phray, a small beach fringed with pine trees.
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