A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ao Nang vs. Hiroshima for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hiroshima? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Ao Nang

Ao Nang is a lively, accessible, and popular town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a meaningful, park-filled, and memorable city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Ao Nang and Hiroshima: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Ao Nang than Hiroshima, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ao Nang is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Hiroshima is more popular for its museums, food, and shopping. Ao Nang is more touristy than Hiroshima and is known for its easy access to nearby natural beauty. Also, Ao Nang is famous for the Island Boat Tours. Hiroshima is well known for being the sight of the world's first atomic bomb detonation.

How is Ao Nang different from Hiroshima?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hiroshima and Ao Nang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. However, Ao Nang is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Hiroshima has many famous sights for visitors. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built to commemorate the victims of the world's first nuclear attack. The park also serves as a sight to promote long term peace. In the park you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum, the Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the Flame of Peace. Other sights in Hiroshima include the Itsukushima shrine, the Hiroshima Castle, and Mitaki-dera Temple.

Ao Nang offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most of the fun of this town is the beach setting and easy access to natural beauty. If you're looking for a temple, you can check out nearby Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cavee Temple).

Is the Food Better in Ao Nang or Hiroshima? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hiroshima is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Hiroshima has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local dishes that you'll find in restaurants around town. Some of the best dining areas are around Hiroshima Station and in downtown Hiroshima. Make sure you try the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, the local oysters, and tsukemen.

Ao Nang offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are plenty of restaurants that are vying for your business. The food is the typical Thai cuisine as well as international options like pizza and burgers.

Is Ao Nang or Hiroshima Better for Nightlife?

Ao Nang is a great town for nightlife. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Ao Nang has something for everybody. It has some of the best nightlife in the province of Krabi. There are many bars and restaurants where you can grab a drink and enjoy a fun night out.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Hiroshima. The city has many hidden pubs and traditional Japanese bars. The most vibrant nightlife scene is in the Chugoku-Shikoku district, particularly around Nagarekawa Street.

Is Ao Nang or Hiroshima Better for Resorts?

Ao Nang is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Hiroshima is not a resort destination.

In Ao Nang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. It's a resort town with many diverse places to choose from, including budget-friendly and more upscale.

Hiroshima is not a resort destination.

Is Ao Nang or Hiroshima Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Ao Nang is a great town for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Hiroshima is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Ao Nang is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are plenty of dive shops that offer both snorkeling and dive excursions to nearby areas.

Hiroshima is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ao Nang or Hiroshima Better for Beaches?

Ao Nang is a town with good options for its beaches. However, Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Ao Nang. Ao Nang Beach is the most popular beach near town. It is lined with longtail boats and there's often a crowd that keeps things busy and chaotic. Noppharat Thara Beach is popular with the locals and sees less tourists than Ao Nang Beach. It has golden sand and a beautiful setting.

Hiroshima is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Hiroshima. There are outlet malls as well as morning markets, that make for interesting shopping. Head to old Sanyodo Road to shop where the locals shop and for international brands head to Hondori Central Shopping District.

Ao Nang is a great destination for shopping. You'll find some of the best shopping in the province of Krabi along Catalunya Walking Street in Ao Nang.

Is Ao Nang or Hiroshima Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ao Nang or Hiroshima.

Ao Nang is a family-friendly town. The sandy beaches are great for kids. This is also a nice base if you want to take day trips to Railay Beach and other nearby areas.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Hiroshima. Tragedy often comes to mind when you think of this city, as it was the sight of the first atomic bomb detonation. Older kids will learn a lot from a visit, but it may be a bit overwhelming for younger kids. There are still many things to do with kids of all ages in the city though, such as feeding the koi fish at Shukeien Park or visiting the floating Itsukushima shrine.

Is Ao Nang or Hiroshima Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ao Nang and Hiroshima make for a notable place to visit.

Ao Nang is a good town for couples to visit. The area is filled with amazing natural beauty and stunning beaches. You can use Ao Nang as a base for exploring the many impressive areas that aren't far away.

Hiroshima is a nice destination for couples. There is plenty of nature and green space in the city. Couples will enjoy visiting the Hiroshima Castle or wandering through the gardens such as Shukkeien or the Hiroshima Botanical Garden.

Is Ao Nang or Hiroshima Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ao Nang is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hiroshima is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Ao Nang is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are hostels and budget accommodation in abundance in the area. Ao Nang also has some of the best nightlife in Krabi, which attracts a younger crowd.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hiroshima. There are many hostels around town and plenty of things to see an do.

Is Ao Nang or Hiroshima Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hiroshima is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ao Nang is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Hiroshima. There's a good tram and streetcar network around town as well as a ferry connecting the city to Miyajima Island. There are also buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Ao Nang, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Tuk tuks or renting a motorbike are your best bet for reaching places quickly.

Is Ao Nang or Hiroshima a more walkable city?

Ao Nang and Hiroshima are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Ao Nang is a very walkable destination. It's a small town, so most places can be reached on foot.

Hiroshima is very walkable. If you base yourself in downtown Hiroshima, you can explore many areas on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Ao Nang Worth Visiting? and Is Hiroshima Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hiroshima or Ao Nang?

How long in Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ao Nang and Hiroshima. In our opinion, Ao Nang has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ao Nang than Hiroshima. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Ao Nang than Hiroshima. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ao Nang, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ao Nang than Hiroshima if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ao Nang.

One day in Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the town of Ao Nang. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Hiroshima, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the accessible destination of Ao Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Hiroshima, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Hiroshima has to offer.

Five days in Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively town of Ao Nang. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hiroshima is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

Ao Nang is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hiroshima. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Hiroshima. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Ao Nang and Hiroshima, we can see that Ao Nang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ao Nang Expensive? and Is Hiroshima Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang and Hiroshima, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Ao Nang or Hiroshima?

Hiroshima has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ao Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hiroshima in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Hiroshima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hiroshima for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Hiroshima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ao Nang in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Hiroshima averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In Ao Nang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ao Nang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hiroshima during summer. Ao Nang gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 194 hours of full sun in the summer.

Hiroshima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Hiroshima. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Ao Nang.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hiroshima in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Hiroshima. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Hiroshima because of the shopping scene.

In October, Ao Nang is generally much warmer than Hiroshima. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 27°C (81°F), and Hiroshima fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Ao Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hiroshima. Ao Nang gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hiroshima. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in October than Hiroshima. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Ao Nang is the dry season. August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hiroshima in the Winter?

Both Hiroshima and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hiroshima this time of year.

It's quite cold in Hiroshima in the winter. Ao Nang is much warmer than Hiroshima in the winter. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Hiroshima fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually receives more sunshine than Hiroshima during winter. Ao Nang gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Hiroshima receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ao Nang usually receives less rain than Hiroshima. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Ao Nang is December to March.

Should I visit Ao Nang or Hiroshima in the Spring?

Both Hiroshima and Ao Nang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Ao Nang is much warmer than Hiroshima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ao Nang in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Hiroshima averages at about 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Ao Nang. In the spring, Ao Nang often gets more sunshine than Hiroshima. Ao Nang gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hiroshima receives 193 hours of full sun.

Hiroshima gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in April than Hiroshima. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Hiroshima receives 168 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hiroshima and Ao Nang