Krabi

Accessible only by boat (no roads reach it), Railay's dramatic limestone cliffs have made it one of the world's most celebrated rock-climbing destinations, alongside simply being one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. Even non-climbers should make the trip for the scenery alone.

A day trip taking in four of Krabi's most beautiful islands — including Chicken Island, Tup Island, and Poda Island — by longtail boat, with plenty of stops for snorkelling among colourful reef fish and swimming in some of the clearest water along this coastline. A fresh coconut, hacked open on the beach by one of the local vendors, is the perfect low-key way to cool down between stops — genuinely one of Krabi's simple pleasures.

Set within Khao Phra Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary, the Emerald Pool's strikingly clear, mineral-rich water makes for a genuinely refreshing jungle swim, often paired with a visit to the nearby natural hot springs for a full day of contrast.

For those willing to climb over 1,200 steps, the summit of Tiger Cave Temple rewards you with one of the best panoramic views in Krabi — well worth the effort, ideally tackled in the cooler early morning.

Ao Nang's coastal viewpoints offer some of the most reliably beautiful sunsets in Krabi, looking out over the same dramatic limestone formations that make this stretch of coast so distinctive.

Accessible only by boat and set across three private beaches on the Phranang Peninsula, Rayavadee is widely regarded as Krabi's finest resort — award-winning architecture, dramatic limestone surroundings, and a genuinely singular sense of place that's hard to replicate anywhere else in Thailand.

One of only a handful of Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties worldwide, Phulay Bay pairs the brand's exceptional service standards with a genuinely serene beachfront setting near Tubkaek Beach — an intimate, all-villa property built for total relaxation.

Set on Tubkaek Beach with panoramic views across to nearby islands, Banyan Tree Krabi brings the brand's signature spa-focused luxury to this dramatic stretch of coastline, with spacious pool villas and consistently excellent reviews.

A newer boutique addition to Krabi's coastline near Ao Nang, The ShellSea pairs private-beach pool villas with a genuinely secluded, away-from-it-all atmosphere — a quieter alternative for anyone wanting real peace rather than a bustling resort scene, with its own spa and a real sense of privacy along its own stretch of beach.