Although it has many similarities with Patong in terms of its beaches, bars, resorts and eateries, Karon is a far more family-friendly and low-key destination than Patong. Even though it is quite popular with visitors, Karon Beach is very spacious, so you won't ever get the impression that it is too crowded to enjoy activities like swimming or snorkelling there. The town centre, which is located some distance from the beach, is home to a variety of restaurants and bars. There is the nightlife in this area, although, in comparison to Patong, it is often less intrusive. Even though it lacks large, glitzy retail centres, the Karon Bazaar is a fantastic place for people to look for deals and acquire mementoes to take home with them.