Looking for the best things to do in Petchaburi? This post is just for you! Read along and find out!
For a growing number of tourists, visiting Bangkok City alone is not enough to complete their Thailand itinerary. Many of them, especially those who visited before, are now trooping to other underrated destinations all over the country. As a result, provinces such as Phetchaburi are slowly hitting mainstream tourism.
Phetchaburi, about 130 kilometers from Bangkok, boasts numerous eco-cultural destinations. Towering mountains, steamy forests, abundant wildlife, cascading waterfalls, enchanting caves, and priceless cultural structures are just among the sights in Phetchaburi. It’s the ultimate getaway for tourists craving thrill, fun, and adventure.
Its capital city is also called the “City of Diamonds” primarily because of its stunning temples reflecting the locals’ rich culture and history.
There are plenty of things to do in Phetchaburi, even if you spend only a night or two. What’s the good thing about these? Visitors don’t have to deal with the hustles and bustles of touristy sites.
Here they are.
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10 BEST Things to do in Phetchaburi
Go spelunking at Tham Khao Luang Cave
Visiting Petchaburi will not be complete without checking out Tham Khao Luang Cave. After all, it is also one of the top tourist destinations in the province.
Near the entrance, playful monkeys will greet tourists like naughty kids. They can sometimes steal bags and hats, so make sure to grip hard on these when in their lair.
Tourists will be strolling on a long, spacious path lined with Buddha statues inside the cave. The highlight is an open chamber with mini-versions of temples and a 14-meter-long statue of Buddha.
Light beams penetrate from above and illuminate the various sections of the cave. Monks are just around the corner for tourists who want to have their blessings.
Aside from the religious spots inside the cave, there are also numerous stalactite and stalagmite rock formations. Although there are guides available near the entrance, they are not mandatory. But it helps the local economy to avail of their services.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi? Get the best deal and book your hotel here!
Trace History at Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park
Phra Nakhon Khiri is one of the historical landmarks in Phetchaburi. The park features a series of Khmer-style temples, cobbled roads, and lush spaces built by one of Thailand’s great kings, namely, King Rama IV.
These make the place a perfect getaway for meditation or introspection. No wonder many locals and monks come here to pray and connect with the serene environment.
The most famous attraction in the park is Phra That Chom Phet temple, which stands 40 meters tall. Even miles away, tourists can see it rising triumphantly into the sky with its bone-white color.
There is also a small hill that offers a panoramic view of the park for tourists who want to level up their adventure. Hiking to the summit takes less than an hour. It’s also an ideal spot for catching a breathtaking sunrise and sunset view.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi? Get the best deal and book your hotel here!
Relax at Cha-Am Beach
Cha-Am Beach is a good choice for tourists who want to enjoy the tropical weather. Although it’s popular among the locals, the beach is generally off-beaten, and visitors don’t have to contend with huge crowds, which are common in other Thai beaches.
Cha-Am Beach offers an ideal place for sunbathing or just enjoying the sight of the vast sea. It is more than five kilometers long; thus, tourists can enjoy a day of fun and exploration: strolling on creamy sands or swimming in crystal-clear waters.
For budget-conscious travelers, Cha-Am Beach is lined with numerous stalls selling cheap snacks and meals. Don’t miss out on trying fresh seafood caught from the nearby seas. Biking is also a favorite activity, and tourists can rent one to explore the entire length of Cha-Am Beach.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi? Get the best deal and book your hotel here!
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Trek to Kaeng Krachan National Park
One of the best things to do in Phetchaburi for adrenaline junkies is to explore the vast Kaeng Krachan National Park. It is one of the largest natural ecosystems in Thailand and is a treasure trove for biological diversity.
It boasts rolling hills and towering peaks; pristine rainforests; crystal-clear rivers; untouched caves; and scenic reservoirs. In just a day or two of a hike, visitors can feel the richness of Thailand’s biodiversity.
The park is also home to a plethora of wildlife species, including those listed as critically-endangered. Therefore, tourists play an essential role in sustaining the ecosystem because every penny spent at the park helps in the conservation.
Among the iconic wildlife are bears, elephants, leopards, and various birds. Gibbons hopping from one tree to another are also familiar sights. Tourists can also chance on rare flowers and orchids depending on the season.
The park is now one of the emerging tourist destinations in Thailand. It has become a popular getaway for mystic-seekers, extreme adventurers, birdwatchers, and ecotourism advocates.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi? Get the best deal and book your hotel here!
Visit the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand
Thailand is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. That means it thrives with rich and diverse flora and fauna species. At the same time, these species are slowly facing extinction due to illegal activities such as deforestation and poaching.
To address these, a group of locals initiated the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand to save these iconic species from extinction, including bears and elephants. The foundation offers a sanctuary for rehabilitating them before being released back into the wild.
Tourists can visit the foundation’s sanctuary to learn about the plight of wildlife species and Thailand’s diminishing forests. Visitors can also have intimate and personal interactions with the bears and elephants as they have been capacitated to get used to humans. Thankfully, such interactions are done responsibly here.
For tourists who are animal lovers or who want to contribute to conservation, visiting the park is one of the best things to do in Phetchaburi.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi? Get the best deal and book your hotel here!
Enjoy the authentic Khanom Mor Gaeng
Most tourists are only familiar with rice and noodles as the main cuisines in Thailand. But when traveling to other provinces, they may be surprised to know that there’s an endless list of authentic treats to try.
One of the iconic desserts in Phetchaburi is the Khanom Mor Gaeng. Maria Guyomar de Pinha, a local of Portuguese descent, invented the said delicacy and many other desserts which have become popular in Thailand during the Ayutthaya regime. That makes the dessert a historical treat.
Khanom Mor Gaeng’s main ingredient is egg mixed with palm sugar and coconut milk. These ingredients are then starched in the form of mung beans or taros. For tourists who want a taste of Thailand’s history, try eating this iconic dessert.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi? Get the best deal and book your hotel here!
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Visit Wat Mahathat Worawihan
Like Bangkok City, Phetchaburi hosts impressive temples, signifying the rich Buddhist traditions of the locals. One of the most visited in the province is Wat Mahathat. Thousands troop here every year to pray and express their devotion.
The temple has distinct Khmer-style architecture dominated by an imposing prang more than 40 meters tall. Every structure is embellished with creative renditions of Buddha. Other sights to see here are beautiful stuccos featuring angles and naga that will surely reel visitors into a pause of awe and amazement.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi? Get the best deal and book your hotel here!
Check Out Wat Yai Suwannaram
Another temple worth visiting in Phetchaburi is Wat Yai Suwannaram. It’s most famous for its collection of jaw-dropping murals, which date back to the 17th century. Each mural depicts a distinct visualization of angels in varied styles.
One could wonder how these murals have been well preserved despite centuries of civil unrest and invasion. Aside from the murals, tourists can also enjoy the sights of beautiful buildings surrounding a man-made lake.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi? Get the best deal and book your hotel here!
Visit Mrigadayavan Palace
Tourists can make a side trip here when strolling along Cha-Am Beach. It was built in the 1920s and served as the official summer residence of King Rama XI. The palace features a Thai-Victorian architectural style. Raised on stilts, the palace has elegant gardens, well-furnished rooms, and a stunning sea view. Tourists coming here should follow set dressing protocols for local traditions.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi? Get the best deal and book your hotel here!
Have Fun at Santorini Park Waterventures
As the name suggests, Santorini Park resembles the island of Santorini in Greece. It features several buildings painted in traditional white and blue Greek color combinations.
That is why tourists here will feel they’re experiencing a tropical version of Greece. The adjacent water park involves different types of rides, including adrenaline-pumping options.
Those are some of the best things to do in Phetchaburi. Not only will you enjoy the sights but also immerse in the rich culture and history of the province.
Where to stay in Phetchaburi? Get the best deal and book your hotel here!
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
Planning to visit Thailand soon? Start here!
- How to plan your trip: A Step-by-Step Guide on Planning a Trip to Thailand
- When to visit Thailand: Find out here when to visit and plan your trip according to season
- Itinerary examples: 1-Week Itinerary, 2-weeks in Thailand Itinerary
- How much does it cost to travel Thailand? Read this guide on how to budget your trip!
- How to pack for Thailand? Read this guide to learn what to pack!
- Where to buy groceries in Thailand? Read this guide!
- How to get around Thailand? Read our transportation guide!
- List of places to visit in Thailand: Places to Visit in Thailand, Southern Thailand, Central Thailand, Northern Thailand, and Isaan
- Points of interest in Thailand: Things to do, Cities to Visit, Islands to Chill in, Best Beaches, Surfing Spots, Diving Spots, Best Hiking Destinations, Where to go Camping, Waterfalls to Chase, Temples to Visit, Romantic Destinations, Honeymoon Destinations, National Parks, Unique Experiences, Thai Cuisine, Fine-dining Experience, Attractions to Visit, Tourist Spots, Vacation Spots, Heritage Sites, Family Travel, Adventure Travel, Backpacking Experience, and Beautiful Resorts
- Cultural overview: Thai Customs, Culture and Traditions, Temple Etiquette, Tipping in Thailand, Things to Know Before Your Visit, What NOT To Do in Thailand, Facts about Thailand, Festivals in Thailand, How to Wai, Useful Thai Phrases, and How to Greet in Thai
- My Favorite Places in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Lanta, Pattaya, Koh Samet, and Koh Samui
