Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Hat Yai?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Hat Yai?

Three days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Hat Yai at your own pace to experience the restaurant scene, shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the big city activities. Then you can use this city as a convenient base for venturing into smaller destinations nearby where you'll discover exciting day trip options.

How to spend 3 days 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.

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.

This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. The city has many temples to explore such as Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol and Wat Hat Yai Nai.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Hat Yai.

Is 4 days enough time in Hat Yai?

With four days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Hat Yai has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Hat Yai as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the restaurant scene, shopping, and the museums and landmarks at your own pace, as this medium sized city offers a variety of fun activities for . We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.

Hat Yai, Thailand Hat Yai, Thailand

How to spend 4 days in Hat Yai

With 4 days in Hat Yai, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Hat Yai is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. It's been described as a little Bangkok. This lively city is filled with temples and great restaurants.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe by Minivan and Satun Pakbara Speed Boat ($33)
  • Hat Yai Town to Koh Lipe by Minivan and Satun Pakbara Speed Boat ($33)

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Hat Yai.

Is 5 days enough time in Hat Yai?

Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Hat Yai, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. The restaurant scene, shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the big city activities on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Hat Yai as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding areas.

How to spend 5 days in Hat Yai

If you have more than 5 days in Hat Yai, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

After you've explored most of Hat Yai, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Hat Yai.

More Info

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

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