Krabi

Krabi is the gateway to the karst face of the Andaman Sea: a coastal province where limestone formations leap from the sea in vertical towers 100 to 300 metres high, creating one of the most photographed landscapes in Thailand. At the heart of the region, the peninsula of Railay — accessible only by boat from Krabi town or from Ao Nang — is the south's emblematic beach: limestone cliffs as a backdrop, white sand, turquoise water, sport climbing on the walls and kayaking through flooded caves.

Krabi is a more intimate destination than Phuket, less developed and more authentic, while still offering enough infrastructure for every budget. Krabi town serves as a launching pad for ferries to Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, the Similan Islands and kayak excursions in the bay. Its atmosphere is that of a functional and relaxed seaside town — a world away from the bustle of Patong — with lively night markets and a generous street-food scene.

For climbers, Krabi is one of the great pilgrimages of world climbing — the limestone of Railay and Tonsai has been pulling international athletes for three decades. For kayakers, the sea caves and hidden hongs of Phang Nga Bay are unmatched on this coast. And for the simply curious, the morning long-tail ride from Ao Nang to Railay, with karst towers rising on either side, is one of those small travel moments that justifies the long flight from Europe.