Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Hat Yai?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Hat Yai?

Many visitors spend one to three days in Hat Yai during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the restaurant scene, shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the big city activities.

Hat Yai is a Thai city near the border with Malaysia. It's a popular shopping destination with a floating market and several night markets. It also has a wonderful culinary scene with amazing street food and local restaurants. There are several temples in town as well.

Do you have one or two days to visit Hat Yai? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Hat Yai?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time when exploring the main attractions. After all, Hat Yai is a medium-sized city with a some good sights and activities, but still hosts a fairly small number of tourists. To fully embrace Hat Yai, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate one to three days to enjoy a meal at a restaurant, browse the shops, browse the museums, and enjoy the city's energy. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Hat Yai

Shopping in Hat Yai is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. It's a large commercial hub in southern Thailand and many visitors come specifically for the shopping. There are many markets in town and places to buy everything from local products to trendy clothes.

The delicious food of Hat Yai is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. Eating is really what you do in this city. There is amazing street food, impressive floating restaurants, and authentic cuisine that locals and visitors alike enjoy. The dishes include lots of seafood and some Chinese influences.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Hat Yai?

Two days or a full weekend in Hat Yai is often considered the right amount of time to spend here, as many tourists take around one to three days for their trip in the area. A 2-day trip would usually give you enough time to check out the restaurant scene, shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the big city activities. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.

Hat Yai, Thailand

How to spend 2 days in Hat Yai

With a weekend (two to three days) in Hat Yai, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Perhaps the most famous place in Hat Yai is Wat Hat Yai Nai, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. It's a big city, so there are plenty of clubs and bars where you can party late into the night.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Hat Yai, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.