Ao Nang is a popular tourist destination in Krabi, Thailand. It's well-known for its limestone cliffs and day trips to nearby islands & Railay Beach. It also has some great diving spots nearby.
I spent two weeks here in August 2022 and despite its small size there is plenty to see & do here. Here are my top finds in Ao Nang, Krabi.
Ao Nang is a small resort town in Krabi, Thailand. It's a bit of a tourist hotspot as you can easily reach popular islands from here such as Phi Phi islands, Ko Kai, Ko Poda and Railay Beach - not technically an island but is only accessible by boat.
Many of the restaurants in Ao Nang serve Thai and Indian cuisine but I did find that some of them were overpriced and underwhelming, however there are a few gems if you know where to find them. Thankfully I've done all the hardwork for you and listed the best restaurants, bars and things to do in Ao Nang, Krabi.
Located just 200 metres from Ao Nang Beach, BlueSotel SMART Krabi provides two outdoor swimming pools, free private parking, a fitness centre and an outdoor terrace, plus an onsite restaurant and bar.
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I spent 10 nights here in July 2022, it is a modern, adults-only hotel located just 3-mins from the beach, with spectacular views of the limestone mountains, a large infinity pool & a rooftop pool and bar. It's the perfect place to relax and unwind.
This fantastic little cafe serves both Thai and western breakfasts, brunches and lunches, the staff are really friendly and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. My recommendations would be a veggie burger or the spaghetti bolognese... both were delicious.
This rustic beachfront restaurant has a great location and reasonable prices. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee or an ice-cold beer. The food we tried was tasty but the portions were a little small.
Kiran Kitchen serves authentic Indian cuisine, all of which is flavourful and delicious. Don't go anywhere else for Indian food in Ao Nang, every dish here was perfectly spiced and warming and the staff are absolutely lovely. I can highly recommend the chicken biriyani, tarka dhal, sag paneer and the chana masala.
Diver's Inn specialises in grilled meats & fish. Expect big portions and a warm and friendly, family atmosphere. Lunchtimes are a little quiet here but evenings can be busy so book to avoid disappointment.
Part of the Sea Seeker Resort, this fantastic sushi restaurant was a great find. In a town that is filled with Thai and Indian restaurants, this is just something a little bit different. I would recommend the salmon and tuna sashimi and the california roll, plus the avocado maki.
The Coffee Club have a number of locations throughout Thailand, all serving delicious coffees, breakfasts and brunches. My recommendations would be any of the iced coffees and posh toasts, I always go for avocado with poached eggs.
Jojo's is just around the corner from Reeve beach club and is a small streetside bar selling cocktails and weed from all around the world, including pre-rolled cigarettes and edibles. The drinks are strong, the weed is stronger and the vibe is very cool.
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Things to do
Spot monkeys on the way to Pai Plong Beach & Coast Beach Club
First up take the Monkey Trail to Pai Plong Beach. It's a short walk along wooden steps, through the trees, where you'll spot families of monkeys along the way.
The stairs here are a little uneven so watch your step, also the monkeys here are used to people, but they are still wild animals so please mind your belongings and do not try to touch or hold the animals.
Part of the Centara Resort, Coast Beach Club offers a selection of Thai and Western dishes, has a swimming pool that you can use (with purchase of food & drink) and even a pool table to enjoy a game with your feet in the sand.
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Visit Ya's Cookery School and cook your own Thai feast
One of my favourite things I have ever done during my travels was to visit Ya's Cookery School, I learnt so much about Thai flavours and cooking styles. The link to book is for the afternoon session and costs £35 pp ($42/AU$65).
Ya's is a famous cooking school in Ao Nang having previously taught Gordon Ramsey how to make a selection of Thai dishes. We spent the afternoon here and made an absolute feast, starting with spring rolls, then moving onto spicy papaya salad, curries, soups and finishing with mango sticky rice. A wonderful day out, you can take home any food you can't finish and you'll also receive a recipe book with everything you've created and more to make once you're home.
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Visit Railay Beach
Easily the most popular day out from Ao Nang is the trip to Railay Beach via a longtail boat.
Railay is known for it's beautiful beaches, towering limestone cliffsand laidback vibes. It is only accesible by boat and it's easy, cheap and quick to get there from Ao Nang.
To buy your tickets just head along the main road towards the beach, when you arrive at the T junction you'll spot a ticket office on the corner, this is where you can buy your return longtail boat tickets.
Return tickets cost ฿200 (you must return before 6pm)
Please note you do have to get into the water and climb up onto the boat using a small ladder, you also get off into the sea so be mindful of clothing, footwear and your belongings. The beach at Railay is rocky in places so I would recommend purchasing some sea shoes.
Stunning natural beauty, great rock-climbing opportunities, laidback vibes, plenty of bars and restaurants serving Thai and western dishes, plus places to buy cold beers, mushroom shakes, pre-rolled joints and edibles.
There is even a diving school here. It's a great day out from Ao Nang and you can easily spend hours here just relaxing on the beach or being a little more adventurous. The choice, is yours.
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A final note from me...
Ao Nang is a very popular tourist destination and offers lots of great day trips, everything from visiting an elephant sanctuary to sea kayaking, street food tours to private sunset cruises.
There are also a lot of restaurants to try and some great nightlife but I did find that some of it was expensive and not the best quality, so follow this guide or do your research before heading out for dinner to make the most of your time in Ao Nang.
After living in Brighton, UK for almost 15 years, myself & my fiancé Carl, set out on our very own travel adventure in June 2021.
After spending the first 8 months travelling around Europe we then headed for South East Asia, where we totally fell in love with Thailand, more specifically, Koh Samui.
We split our time equally now between Koh Samui & Europe, and work with local businesses to enhance and improve their social media whilst also promoting them through my online guides, blogs and ebooks.
