Looking for a quick and affordable getaway from Singapore? This Hat Yai travel guide covers the best things to do, where to eat, and practical travel tips to help you plan your trip.
Hat Yai had never been on my list of places to visit. It was the end of 2025, airfares were climbing, and I just wanted a short escape somewhere nearby without spending too much. While browsing Google Flights with no fixed destination in mind, I came across Hat Yai and booked my ticket without overthinking it.
Only later, when I started planning my itinerary, did I notice news about severe flooding from the month before. With a non-refundable ticket, I decided to go anyway and see what the city was really like. What I found was a destination that doesn’t try too hard to impress but quietly delivers, from scenic spots and relaxed activities to some seriously good food. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your time in Hat Yai.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Trip
Best time to visit: January to September (dry season). I came in December and learned this the hard way.
Getting around: Grab works well in the city centre. For day trips or more remote areas, hiring a tuk-tuk for the day is your best bet. Just note that they charge extra for longer distances and don’t cover everywhere.
Where to stay: I’d recommend staying in the city centre. You’ll be within walking distance of night markets, restaurants, the main shopping mall, and convenience stores.
Things to do
Hat Yai Municipal Park
Just a 10–15-minute drive from the city centre, Hat Yai Municipal Park offers a mix of views, attractions, and small experiences all in one place. From the top of Khao Kho Hong hill, you get sweeping views of the city, along with the chance to ride a cable car and see the iconic standing Buddha.
At the hilltop stands the impressive Phra Phutthamongkol Maharat, a 20-metre-tall golden Buddha that has become one of southern Thailand’s most recognisable landmarks. Just in front of the statue, you can take in a panoramic view of Hat Yai from above. It can get quite hot around midday, so visiting in the morning or late afternoon makes the experience much more comfortable.
Right beside the Buddha is the main cable car station. From here, you can ride across to another hilltop temple for about THB 300 per adult (round trip). There’s no strict schedule, so you’ll need to wait for the next car to arrive. The cabins aren’t air-conditioned, so expect it to feel a little warm and humid during the ride.
On the other side, you’ll find another temple featuring the three-headed elephant, Erawan, along with many smaller elephant statues with names on them. These names usually belong to visitors who made donations or wishes, hoping for blessings or for their wishes to be fulfilled. After exploring and returning to the main station, you can either walk down the hill or take the free tram back down.
Near the park entrance, there’s also a small zoo you can enter for free. If you want to feed the animals, food is available for a small fee (around THB 30), making it a simple but fun stop.
Address: 266 Kanjanavanich Rd, Kho Hong, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Big Bee Farm
At Big Bee Farm, you can shop for a variety of bee-related products such as honeycomb, beeswax items, and propolis. Although this outlet doesn’t commercially produce honey, its main farm is based in Chiang Mai. You can still walk through a small educational area that showcases different types of bees, making it a quick and interesting stop.
If you’re feeling hungry, there’s also a restaurant on-site where you can enjoy Thai dishes by the koi pond. The setting is surprisingly relaxing, with calming music and a peaceful atmosphere that makes it easy to linger a little longer. It feels less like a typical meal stop and more like part of the overall experience. Just a heads up, if you’re ordering the yellow curry, don’t underestimate the spice level. Portions here are quite generous, so it’s best to estimate your hunger level before ordering.
Address: 265 Prachayindee Rd, Tambon Hat Yai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Samila Beach
A handful of vendors offer beachside horse riding along the beach for THB 100 per round. The price also includes assistance from the vendor to help take photos, making it a simple but memorable experience.
You can also collect seashells along the shoreline, where you’ll find a variety of unique pieces in different shapes and colours scattered across the sand.
If neither of these activities appeal to you, you can head over to the nearby food street where stalls are set up under tentages. It’s a good spot to rest and grab a bite. The iced coconut water comes highly recommended for cooling down in the heat, while coconut shakes might lean a little too sweet for some tastes.
Address: Songkhla, Thailand
Wat Laem Pho
On Ko Yo Island in the middle of Songkhla Lake, there’s a small temple with a reclining golden Buddha. It’s not a large complex and there isn’t much to do or see there, but it makes for a nice, quiet stop if you’re already exploring the area. It’s especially popular as a photo spot for visitors heading along the east coast or near Samila Beach.
Address: 5H54+CM9, Ko Yo, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla 90100, Thailand
Ton Nga Chang Waterfall
If you enjoy being in nature, you’ll definitely love this place. It’s a peaceful, scenic spot where you can easily spend an entire hour watching the waterfall and taking photos. Many visitors are not aware that there is a third level where you can see the waterfall split into two, resembling the elephant tusks.
Address: W6XM+XJC, Thung Tam Sao, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Wang Rom Muang
Along the stream flowing from Ton Nga Chang Waterfall, there’s a small eatery serving local dishes where you can dine right by the water. It’s a unique way to enjoy the scenery while experiencing local cuisine. Do note that the outdoor seating depends on the weather. On rainy days, you can still sit indoors and enjoy your meal comfortably.
Address: X727+CQ2 สข.4026 Thung Tam Sao, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Central Hat Yai
Shopping centres are one of the best ways to escape the heat. If you’re craving something sweet, After You Dessert Cafe is highly recommended. Their buttery toast with creamy ice cream melts in your mouth, and the sweetness is well-balanced, not overwhelming. Prices are on the higher side, with ice cream toasts ranging from about THB 225–265 (~S$8.80–10.40).
Beyond desserts, the mall also offers a variety of local snacks, especially at the atrium and basement areas. You’ll find local favourites like larb (spicy meat salad), mango sticky rice, Gluay Khaek (fried bananas), and more.
If you’re in the mood to shop, the mall also features a wide range of international fashion brands. It’s a convenient place to compare styles and prices all in one location.
Address: 1518 Kanjanavanich Rd, Kho Hong, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Café hopping
When I visited about a month after the flood, many stores and cafés were still under renovation due to infrastructure damage. One unique thing about cafés in Thailand is that many offer creative activities like beading and painting. I was looking forward to visiting a particular café, but it was closed for renovation. Luckily, the trip wasn’t wasted. There was another café nearby where I could still relax, although there were no activities available.
Kim Yong Market
If you’re the type to leave a trip with a bag full of snacks, this is the place to come. The nut selection alone is worth a stop, with cashews, peanuts, and even flavoured options like tom yum cashews, all sold by weight.
When you’re ready for something more filling, the surrounding streets serve up boat noodles, pork trotter rice, and grilled skewers to keep you going.
Address: ตลาดกิมหยง Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Where to dine
Krua Pa-Yad
This restaurant offers a wide variety of local food at an affordable price. We ordered 4 dishes (crispy pork, mango salad, Creamy tom yum soup, omelette) and 4 portions of rice for THB 440 (~ S$17.28). You can literally hear the crackling of the pork skin when biting into the crispy pork. It’s the best dish I’ve had out of those ordered.
Address: 272 Sripoovanart Rd, Hat Yai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
J Ma Now Seafood
Having a seafood meal is a must when you’re in Thailand, and river prawns are a definite must-order. This restaurant serves them simply, without heavy seasoning, allowing you to fully enjoy the prawns’ natural sweetness.
Another highly recommended dish is the fried soft-shell crab with salted egg yolk, which is rich, savoury, and pairs perfectly with rice.
Address: 137 Thung Sao 1 Alley, Hat Yai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Lee Garden Night Market
The market offers a wide variety of food, from snacks to full meals, along with fruit smoothies and traditional Thai drinks. When I visited, the street was quiet, likely due to the recent severe flooding, and many stalls were not operating. Still, I’d recommend trying the Gai Ping (grilled chicken skewers). They’re well-seasoned, delicious, and reasonably priced at around THB 100 for six skewers.
Address: 2F4C+9JR, Tambon Hat Yai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, Thailand
Before You Go: A Few Tips
Check the weather for your travel month. Outdoor activities take a real hit in the rainy season, and some of Hat Yai’s best spots are fully outdoors. October to December is the rainy season.
Don’t plan for Ko Lipe from Hat Yai city centre unless you have a full day to spare. The journey is a 5-hour drive. If Ko Lipe is the goal, fly into Langkawi and take a 1.5-hour ferry instead.
Breakfast options are limited in the morning. If you’re eyeing roadside stalls, exercise caution with hygiene or just grab something from a convenience store.
Three to four days is the sweet spot. I stayed for five days, which felt a bit too long. There’s enough to comfortably fill a long weekend, but not quite enough to stretch into a full week.
Final Thoughts
Hat Yai isn’t a flashy destination, but that’s part of its charm. It offers good food, interesting places to explore, and a quiet, laid-back atmosphere that grows on you over time. If you’re looking for a quick and affordable getaway from Singapore, it’s worth considering.
Thinking of going to Thailand’s capital city? Find out which places are worth visiting over here.
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