Categories > Guides and Tips

Discovering Phetchaburi Why This Summer Capital of Three Kings is a Blast to Explore

Discovering Phetchaburi: Why This Summer Capital of Three Kings is a Blast to Explore!

I admit, I’m a bit of a history buff. So when I found out that three of Thailand’s great kings each built a summer palace in Phetchaburi, it has been on my bucket list ever since!

Thankfully, work has been good to me and last year, I had ample time (and money) to visit the famous province. And holy cow, as I explored the province bordering Myanmar, the mountains and beaches proved to be simply irresistible. 

Small wonder Thailand’s three kings chose the place. But no worries, we’ll show you the most unforgettable places we’ve been to in Phetchaburi that make it such a must-visit along with all the things you need to make it all happen. Read on. 

Things to Know

Currency: Thai Baht
(Check the current exchange rate)

Language: Thai (Central Thai)

Calling Code: (+66)

Location: Phetchaburi, Thailand

Nearest Airport: Hua Hin Airport (61.9 km)

Best Time to Visit Phetchaburi

It’s best to visit Phetchaburi from November to January if you want optimal weather conditions to explore its historical sites, temples, and natural attractions. After all, these months don’t experience as much rainfall and the temperature is mostly cool.

That means you can enjoy sightseeing in the province at any time of the day. Just know that Phetchaburi’s air quality has dropped recently, so the scenery may look worse during these winter months since air pollutants tend to stay much longer.

If you want better air quality during your trip, consider visiting between April and June but expect hot weather conditions in return.

How to Get to Phetchaburi

Rental Car: Self-driving with a rental car from Bangkok is the fastest way to get to Phetchaburi. It requires a driver’s license and an International Driving Permit (IDP), but the drive will only take approximately 2 hours.

To get there, you must drive southwest from the capital city via Highway 35 and turn left to Highway 4. Keep driving south via Highway 4 until you reach Phetchaburi’s city center.

Taxi: Hiring a taxi is a solid alternative if you don’t drive or have a driver’s license and IDP. This also takes approximately 2 hours and you don’t have to worry about learning the route to Phetchaburi.

Train: If you want a cheaper option that only takes 1 hour longer, you can board the train at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal which travels directly to Phetchaburi.

Moreover, train tickets are even cheaper if you book them at the station.

Bus: If somehow you missed the train, the next best option is to catch a bus at Bangkok’s Mochit Bus Terminal. Buses take approximately 3 hours to get to Phetchaburi and depart every 4 hours.

Where to Stay in Phetchaburi

U Hua Hin

Media from uhuahin

Address: 999, 91 Buri Rom Alley, Cha-am, Cha-am District

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 32 899 998

Website: https://www.uhotelsresorts.com/uhuahin

Pricing: ฿฿

U Hua Hin is a stylish hotel in Phetchaburi with modern airy rooms and suites with minimalist interiors. With its variety of room options, this hotel is the ideal accommodation for solo travelers, couples, and families.

This place also has spacious lobbies and common areas which is great for guests looking for a spot to sit back, relax, and interact with others. Aside from that, they have a chic outdoor pool with plenty of sun loungers and a bar with a comfy sun deck.

That already makes it the perfect place to laze under the sun, and it’s made even better by the hotel’s incredible beachfront view.

2N Guesthouse

Media credit: speed_dang

Address: 98/7 Village No. 2, Ban Kum Sub-district, Mueang Phetchaburi District

Operating Hours: 1 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 85 366 2451

Website: http://2nguesthouse.blogspot.com/

Pricing: ฿

This guesthouse is a solid budget-friendly option for couples and families vacationing in Phetchaburi. It features charming functional rooms and a small cutesy garden with several outdoor tables and chairs.

Since it’s located in a residential neighborhood, it certainly makes you feel like you’re part of the community. It’s also in the heart of Phetchaburi City, so it’s definitely worth a shot if your ideal accommodation has to offer a strategic location.

That means staying at 2N Guesthouse will keep you close to the city center’s numerous Buddhist temples, train station, local shops, and river. If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing in Phetchaburi City, this is one of your best and cheapest options.

Jurassic Fishing Park

Media from jurassicfishingpark

Address: 43 Moo 6, Baan Kokesehti, Cha-am District

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Contact Number: +66 61 631 2614

Website: http://www.jurassicfishingthailand.com/

Pricing: ฿ ฿฿

If your dream accommodation must provide a unique and exciting experience, here’s Jurassic Fishing Park. This place has unpretentious private villas with traditional-style decor and all the basic amenities you’ll ever need for a comfortable stay.

This includes a kitchenette, en suite bathroom, and a sizable living room. But this place’s biggest selling point is its massive fishing where guests can book fishing activities to try and land a giant Siamese carp, arapaima, alligator gar, and more.

Aside from that, guests can enjoy numerous other facilities. Think fitness center, games room, restaurant and bar, museum, and outdoor pools.

Where to Eat in Phetchaburi

Rabieng Rimnam

Media credit: wonderpang

Address: 1 Soi Rim Nam, Khlong Kra Saeng, Mueang Phetchaburi District

Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)

Contact Number: +66 32 425 707

Website: https://www.facebook.com/rabiengrimnampetchburi/

Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿

The place to go if you like dark teak wood interiors, artsy vibes, and Thai food. This vintage-looking restaurant is particularly a solid option for vegetarians since they’re open to modifying menu items upon customer request.

That’s why it’s a popular choice among a wide variety of tourists vacationing in Phetchaburi. Rabieng Rimnam’s biggest hitters are its classic Thai curry offerings which you can choose to be made with chicken, pork, beef, squid, vegetables, or prawns.

Think green curry, red curry, clear soup curry, and sour curry. Just be sure to ask them to adjust the spiciness according to your preference so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Luna Lanai Beach Restaurant & Bar

Media from luna_lanairestaurant

Address: 1573 Phet Kasem Road, Cha-am, Cha-am District

Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 32 708 000

Website: http://www.sheratonhuahin.com/

Pricing: ฿฿ – ฿฿฿

This upscale restaurant is a great place to go for various Thai and Western dishes. Luna Lanai Beach Restaurant & Bar has a massive menu, so you’ll likely find the perfect dish to satisfy your food cravings.

However, this place specializes more in Thai curries, soups, and salads. Think green curry, red curry, tom yum goong, som tum, and yam goong fu.

In fact, our favorite is their signature tom yum goong which has a distinct spicy and sour broth. This dish only has lemongrass, galangal, and mushrooms by default, but you can also request extra assorted veggies for a more hearty meal.

Krua Preeyanon

Media credit: seniorsnoopy

Address: 60, 2 Hat Chao Samran, Mueang Phetchaburi District

Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 32 706 446

Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿

Krua Preeyanon is a beachside restaurant famous for its excellent and affordable seafood options. The dishes to watch out for are fried soft-shell crab, sun-dried fish, stir-fried clams, spicy seafood salad, and tom yum soup.

But if you want to get the value for your money, we recommend getting their signature hearty set, consisting of sun-dried fish, tom yum soup, and crispy chakram leaves.

The foodies on our team particularly enjoyed every bite of the crispy chakram leaves topped with a white chili sauce. That means their menu wasn’t lying about the leaves tasting better the more you eat them.

What to See and Do in Phetchaburi

Visit Wat Tham Khao Yoi 

Media credit: martydpone

Address: 73 Moo 5, Suwanwithi Road, Khao Yoi, Khao Yoi District

Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 32 562 744

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068380485000

This Buddhist temple in Phetchaburi was constructed at the base of a rocky mountain, so it’s definitely one of the most unique temples in Thailand. It also features 2 gilded Kinaree-style gates, each with a golden staircase and intricate Naga carvings.

Since it’s built inside a mountain, expect to see a cavern interior with plenty of curvy rock formations that make up its walls and ceiling. You’ll also see numerous golden Buddha images and monk statues which locals and pilgrims pay their respects at.

If you like taking photos, you’ll be pleased to know this cave temple has sufficient lighting, so you’ll have many opportunities to capture interesting shots during your visit.

Check out Tham Khao Luang’s massive cave temple

Media credit: eclipsemariana

Address: Thongchai, Mueang Phetchaburi District

Operating Hours: 

  • 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Weekdays)
  • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Weekends)

Contact Number: +66 32 706 639

Website: http://www.thongchai.go.th/

Admission Costs: 10 baht

Tham Khao Luang is a popular and unique mountain cave temple in Phetchaburi. Unlike other cave temples, this one has a massive opening in its ceiling which lets sunlight in.

That’s why it attracts crowds of tourists who want to see and capture stunning photos of its picturesque cave interior. This natural light also gives the temple a magical and sacred vibe, so expect to see plenty of locals going here to pray for blessings.

In fact, many people also come here to buy holy amulets and talismans for protection and good luck.

Stroll around Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park

Media credit: basslinemanager

Address: 97 Kirirathaya Road Khlong Kra Saeng, Mueang Phetchaburi District

Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 32 425 600

Website: http://virtualhistoricalpark.finearts.go.th/phranakhonkhiri/index.php/th/

Admission Costs: 200 baht

Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park is the perfect place to learn about Phetchaburi’s history and enjoy its panoramic views. This palace complex was constructed during King Rama IV’s reign to serve as his summer residence and receive important guests.

That’s why you’ll see buildings with different architectural styles like Chinese, European, and Thai. However, that also means the complex is massive, so be ready for a challenging hike if you plan to climb all its three panoramic hilltops.

Or you can use the park’s cable cars if you don’t have strong legs. The ride isn’t free but we think it’s definitely worth the awe-inspiring panoramic view of Phetchaburi’s city center.

Admire Wat Mahathat Worawihan’s architecture

Media credit: jeanmichelfavez

Address: 3, 1 Pho Karong Road, Khlong Kra Saeng, Mueang Phetchaburi District

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 87 079 5823

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Watmahathat.Vorlawiharn.Phetchaburi/

If you’re into temple structures, you can’t go to Phetchaburi and not check out Wat Mahathat Worawihan. Plus, it’s Phetchaburi’s most important Buddhist temple, which is why it’s smack in the middle of its city center.

Its standout structures are five tall ivory-white pagodas which are also the city’s most prominent landmarks, so they’re definitely a must-visit. Aside from that, this 12th-century temple has numerous other buildings with sacred relics and statues.

That’s why it attracts local and tourist crowds who like to do or watch merit-making, incense-burning, and ceremonial activities. 

Tour Wat Phai Lom and Wat Kamphaeng Laeng’s temple ruins

Media credit: yury.okh

Addresses: 

Operating Hours: 24/7

Contact Number: (Wat Kamphaeng Laeng) +66 32 423 742

Wat Phai Lom and Wat Kamphaeng Laeng are neighboring temple ruins in Phetchaburi which makes them popular hotspots to visit together. Going to these ruins gives you a chance to photograph timeworn laterite towers, shrines, and wall carvings.

Wat Kamphaeng Laeng, in particular, is a must-see if you’re a fan of Khmer-style temples. In fact, one of the temple’s prangs remains intact so you can still inspect its multi-tiered and richly carved spire in great detail.

Just be careful when strolling around since there are dogs in the surrounding modern temples.

Have fun at Cha-Am Beach

Media credit: ashintayzaw

Address: Ruamjit Alley, Cha-am, Cha-am District

Operating Hours: 24/7

Cha-Am Beach is arguably the most popular beach in Phetchaburi, so it’s definitely the top pick if you like to get a tan or enjoy fun beach activities. Its best feature is its vast soft sandy coast with sufficient shaded area.

That means you get enough space to laze under the sun or relax while enjoying the cool breeze. This is also a long beach, so you’ll find plenty of nearby establishments: cafes, bars, restaurants, massage shops, and hotels.

Numerous beach services are also available here, so you have plenty of fun options during your visit. This includes kayaking, banana boating, jet skiing, and even horseback riding.

Explore Khao Nang Panthurat Forest Park

Media credit: blanche_travel_memory

Address: Khao Yai, Cha-am District

Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Daily)

Contact Number: +66 98 686 0989

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068123744561

Admission Costs: 200 baht

The place to go if you want to admire Phetchaburi’s rich nature. Here, you can traverse lush hiking trails, see numerous limestone formations, climb scenic viewpoints, observe diverse wildlife, and explore caves.

Our team’s animal lovers particularly like going here for birding trips. Khao Nang Phanthurat Forest Park has over 100 bird species, so there are plenty of chances to spot common and rare birds.

Aside from that, you can also spot other animals like the vulnerable Indochinese serow and endemic Cha-Am leaf-toed gecko.

FAQs about Phetchaburi

Related topics