More and more people are discovering new reasons to visit Thailand. And we can’t blame them. Full of jaw-dropping cityscapes, gorgeous temples, lush jungles, and sandy beaches, your couple Thailand travel will be full of adventure, culture, and breathtaking scenery.
If that’s not enough to get you packing your bags, just wait. Check out these ten spots in Thailand, perfect for romantic getaways. Our travel tips on what to do and see will surely inspire some bucket list experiences and incredible memories.
Table of Contents
- 1. Bangkok
- 2. Chiang Mai
- 3. Hua Hin
- 4. Koh Yao Noi
- 5. Phuket
- 6. Ao Nang
- 7. Koh Phi Phi
- 8. Koh Ngai
- 9. Sukhothai
- 10. Koh Samui
- Next Vacay Finds You the Cheapest Flights to the Top Destinations in Thailand
1. Bangkok
The crown jewel of Thailand is a dream destination that just so happens to be the most visited city in the world—that doesn’t mean it’s too busy for couples to travel, though!
Located in central Thailand, along the Chao Phraya River delta, Bangkok is a perfect starting point for couples interested in exploring Thailand, from the mountains in the north to the beaches in the south. But first, you’ll want to plan a few days in Bangkok.
Things to Do in Bangkok
This delightful city is full of twists and turns. Literally. Be prepared to get lost amid the winding streets and busy hubbub that characterize Bangkok.
But its upbeat and restless energy makes for excitement at every turn. Palaces and skyscrapers sit within walking distance of each other. Sample delicious street food from friendly vendors and catch heart-pounding Muay Thai matches in the stadiums. Speaking of Muay Thai, one of the most exciting things to do in the city is take a class.
When not learning the art of eight limbs, lovers can tour the city from top to bottom.
Explore the heart of Bangkok at the Grand Palace and bike around Ancient Siam for a closer look at Thailand’s fascinating culture.
Standing out against impressive skyscrapers, Wat Arun sits along the river. Named after the Hindu god personifying the sun’s glow, viewing the temple at sunset makes for a magical experience.
For alternating perspectives, sip cocktails against the gorgeous cityscape or switch things up with a cruise along the river.
Bangkok isn’t just the pulsing heart of Thailand but also the best place for couples to get a taste of Thai culture, food, and life before they travel on.
2. Chiang Mai
Nestled in a leafy valley between a snaking river and magnificent mountains, Chiang Mai combines lush jungle and historic temples.
This city is far from the quiet village that may first come to mind when picturing northern Thailand. Just southeast of Chiang Rai and the northern border, Chiang Mai is the largest city in the north and the third-largest city in Thailand.
Couples interested in exploring Chiang Mai can find flights here, but a less expensive option would be to travel by plane or train from Bangkok. While flying is infinitely quicker, the 12-15 hours by train makes for an incredible time amid the different landscapes of Thailand. Enjoy scenic views of rural villages, verdant rice paddies, and leafy rainforests.
Things to Do in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is home to many ethical elephant sanctuaries. You and your partner will have endless fun observing the elephants and watching their personalities shine on a jungle walk. At night, wander through the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar to find handmade crafts like jewelry and vintage items like old-school CDs.
In the morning, learn to meditate at Wat Suan Dok before wandering the Old City and its gorgeous temples. Wat Phra Singh, the Golden Temple, is full of gleaming stupas, and once the light hits, it won’t be too hard to understand how the temple got its name.
When you’ve had your fill of the city life, escape into the countryside, where nature awaits. Discover cascading waterfalls, serene lakes, and gorgeous trails as you explore the mountains and take in epic views.
It won’t take much time at all to uncover why Chiang Mai is referred to as the “Rose of the North.”
3. Hua Hin
When traveling Thailand as a couple, the beaches call like a siren song to the south. Hua Hin sits in the northern part of the Malay peninsula, just a few hours from Bangkok. For a slow but scenic trip, couples can take the train. However, a taxi or minivan will be more convenient for those in a hurry.
Things to Do in Hua Hin
Once you arrive, you’ll quickly fall in love with Hua Hin’s unique personality. For example, the Hua Hin railway station immediately greets couples arriving by train. The station is small but cute and constructed in Thai style, offering the perfect photo-op to ring in your arrival. And next door, you’ll find the building where the Royal Family would wait for the train back when the city was a royal retreat.
Speaking of royalty, you’ll find a familiar face painted on the city’s walls. Hua Hin’s street art crawl will bring you face-to face-with the beloved late king and beautiful images featuring the city’s history and local ways of life.
Windsurfing is incredibly popular in the area, so for a bit of adventure, set time aside to learn the ropes and spend a day out on the waters.
Meanwhile, after dark, plan to visit the Hua Hin Night Market. You’ll find everything from clothes to fun handmade items and yummy snacks. Dust off your haggling prowess, and you’re sure to walk away with some storied souvenirs.
For an adventure that you and your partner won’t soon forget, set out to see Phraya Nakhon Cave. A bit challenging to get to, the journey will be worth the trouble for a sight that few others see with their own eyes: a beautiful pavilion highlighted by an opening in the cave ceiling.
4. Koh Yao Noi
Couples can travel to the south of Thailand to discover this gem in the Andaman Sea. A land not yet fallen into the clutches of tourist hordes, Koh Yao Noi is the perfect place to take a breather and enjoy your partner’s company.
Located between the island of Phuket and the province of Krabi, a quick ferry ride from either will land travelers on the quiet shores of Koh Yao Noi.
Things to Do in Koh Yao Noi
Mountains and rainforests in the central part of the island divide the tranquil uninhabited beaches on the east coast from the rice paddies and palm trees of the west coast.
The serene beaches are perfect for a romantic getaway, but couples can also kayak out to claim a tropical paradise that’s all their own on Koh Nok. Go at the right time, and you’ll only have to share the island with each other—and the occasional lizard.
Take a longtail boat further out to tour the islands of Phang Nga Bay, its caves, and stunning lagoons. Another option is getting an early start and making your way out to the island of Koh Hong to snorkel off the white sand beaches, swim with fish, and admire the giant limestone cliffs.
Get to know the locals, explore both sides of the island, and hunt for your own private beach, where it’s just the sun, the sand, and the water all around.
This island is perfect for couples wanting to relax and take a deeper look into Thai culture and daily life in a quieter setting.
5. Phuket
A quick domestic flight from Bangkok will take couples to the island of Phuket.
Located in the south of Thailand, Phuket juts out into the Andaman Sea and is the perfect destination for sun-kissed beaches, gorgeous waters, and thrilling nightlife.
Things to Do in Phuket
Phuket is the ideal home base to explore truly sublime sites. Take a day trip to Khao Sok National Park to tour the dense jungle and limestone karsts. Or, pay a visit to the Big Buddha for a panoramic view of Chalong Bay and Phang Nga. Want to memorialize your trip forever? Sponsor a white tile and write both your names so that a piece of you will always remain in Thailand.
Another of the most famous temples in Phuket, and the most visited, is Wat Chalong, which houses a bone fragment from Buddha. Visitors can wander the temple and see his life depicted in the gorgeous illustrations painted on the temple walls. After you’ve experienced that history, explore more in Old Town Phuket. Known for its Sino-Portuguese buildings, the old mansions, Thai temples, and Chinese shrines present a must-see mixing of cultures.
Once finished with your close-up of the city, trek to Karon’s viewpoint for a sweeping look at Phuket’s beaches and lush hillsides. Or, head further out to Samet Nangshe viewpoint and marvel at the sight of islands and mangrove forests rising out of Phang Nga Bay.
Traveling all over Phuket is bound to leave you winded and most likely sore. But, you can take comfort in the knowledge that your lodgings will offer a relaxing escape.
Phuket teems with fantastic accommodation options. So, if romance or relaxation is your dream, it won’t be hard to find gorgeous resorts with private pools or a private villa to enjoy time with your other half.
6. Ao Nang
Smack dab in the heart of Krabi province is Ao Nang. A tourist hotspot, Ao Nang offers a little bit of everything for every traveler, including luxury resorts and wild excursions.
Just 20 minutes from Krabi International, a quick flight is the best way for couples to travel to Ao Nang from Bangkok or anywhere else in northern Thailand. Once here, Thailand opens up to reveal the pearl that is the Krabi province.
Things to Do in Ao Nang
Ao Nang is the perfect starting point to discover Krabi with a little island hopping. Or a lot of it.
A quick way to traverse Krabi is on a Four Islands Tour, which takes visitors to see gems like Koh Kai (Chicken Island) and its secluded beaches. Couples can also plan a day to visit the Similan Islands and relax on some of Thailand’s most beautiful islands and pristine beaches.
The James Bond Island tour is a must-do for movie lovers, taking you on an in-depth exploration of the island featured in The Man with the Golden Gun. And Railay Island awaits with stunning views on West Railay Beach and picturesque scenery on Railay East.
Couples can’t travel to Ao Nang in Thailand without adding the Emerald Pool and Phra Nang Cave Beach to their travel plans.
At the Emerald Pool, a long boardwalk leads to a glittering green pool that sheds light on how it got its name. Take a dip and chill for a few hours in the evergreen waters, or head to Phra Nang Cave Beach. Here, you’ll discover something a bit more adrenaline-pumping: limestone cliffs perfect for rock climbing. If you’ve never done it before, no worries. There are lessons on-site to give you a crash course on the climb.
Your days in Ao Nang might be numbered, but the fun will be endless.
7. Koh Phi Phi
Traveling to the Andaman sea, couples will find one of Thailand’s most treasured gems: the beautiful, picture-perfect islands of Koh Phi Phi. An archipelago of six islands near Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi offers up magical landscapes tucked away in the middle of the sea. But not to worry, getting to the Phi Phi Islands is easy via speedboat or ferry from Phuket or Krabi.
Things to Do in Koh Phi Phi
Without fail, these islands make their way onto the list of romantic getaways for every couple traveling to Thailand. Upon arrival, you can indulge in countless wonders.
Monkey Beach draws in crowds for the natural aquarium hidden in its depths. Meanwhile, Maya Beach, made famous by Leonardo Dicrapio’s movie, The Beach, reopened earlier this year. Previously closed in June 2018 due to overtourism, this stunning natural wonder is open again and a must-see in Koh Phi Phi. Just remember to enjoy Maya Bay responsibly.
To truly take in the breathtaking islands, the Koh Phi Phi viewpoint is one of the most popular spots on the island. The sweeping views of the bay are worth the crowds to view the sunrise or sunset from this jaw-dropping lookout.
You’ll likely be so swept up in each other and the view, you won’t even notice the crowds!
Go sea kayaking to explore the coastlines of Loh Lana Bay and Phak Nam Bay, catch a fire show on the beach, and cliff jump from impressive limestone cliffs into vibrant turquoise waters. When you’ve had your fill of fun and adventure above water, under the sea holds countless areas to explore for the inexperienced snorkeler and the expert diver.
Though Koh Phi Phi provides boundless activities, Koh Lanta, just a thirty-minute ferry ride away, might be a better spot to spend your nights, with a wider range of accommodation options to fit every budget.
8. Koh Ngai
Travel to the south, past the beauty of Koh Lanta, to another cozy little island in the Andaman Sea.
Couples can travel to this tiny island in the south of Thailand by ferry during the high season or Express Transfer (a combination of minivan and longtail boat) during the low season.
Koh Ngai may lie just off the Trang Province coast, but it’s actually the southernmost developed island of the Krabi Province. And it’s here that couples will find their paradise.
Things to Do in Koh Ngai
Koh Ngai is not an island with endless activities or excursions. Here, laidback beach living thrives. The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for couples hoping for cozy and romantic getaways with white sugar sand, palm-lined beaches, and tranquil sea views.
Many hotels are located right on the beach, with others located further up on the cliffs to offer stunning panoramas.
On days when you don’t feel like lounging in a pool overlooking the sea, couples can set out on a kayak or longtail boat to regard Koh Ngai’s peaceful coastline or go for an easy jungle trek in the forest.
Another option is to head out island hopping, exploring Koh Mook and treating yourself to pearl-white sands on Sivalai Beach and Emerald Cave. Swim through the pitch-black cave to come out the other end to a dazzling emerald pool with a powdery beach.
Koh Ngai is one of the best places in Thailand for couples traveling in search of paradise. The living is easy, and the views are out of this world.
9. Sukhothai
Miles away from the country’s stunning beaches, tucked away in central Thailand between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, lies a city of historical significance: Sukhothai.
Once part of the Khmer Empire, Sukhothai was the first capital of ancient Siem and the place where Thai culture first took root and blossomed.
For couples in a hurry to see all of Thailand’s wonders, a quick flight will do the trick in getting you here. But, for those with more time on their hands, the scenic route by train will offer up some unforgettable sights.
Things to Do in Sukhothai
Once you arrive, dive deep into the history of this ancient capital. The Sukhothai Historical Park unveils a treasure trove of ancient history and centuries-old ruins.
Wat Maha Thai is the largest ruin complex in the park and draws in crowds of visitors. But many tourists also make their way to Wat Si Chum, another popular site in the park, to take in the stone walls and open ceiling that showcase the 49-foot tall sitting Buddha.
You’ll find another seated Buddha at Wat Srasi, with a tranquil lotus pond in front. For a spellbinding experience, come back to see the statue and lotus pond lit by the sinking sun.
And when you want to understand everything you’ve seen in the park, pay a visit to Ramkhamhaeng National Museum. The museum offers a peek into the history of Sukhothai and will enhance your understanding of the impressive Buddha statues and restored sites.
While Sukhothai doesn’t boast many intimate getaways or beaches, romance is still in the air. Couples looking for love can venture out to the Holy Heartland, a heart-shaped island in the middle of a heart-shaped lake, to watch the sunrise or sunset with their beloved partner.
10. Koh Samui
One of the most romantic getaways in Thailand for couples to travel to lies in the country’s gulf. Koh Samui is a resort island in the Chumphon Archipelago and the largest island in Thailand after Phuket.
If you’re looking to splurge on your romantic getaway, Koh Samui makes it easy. You’ll find hotel resorts providing exclusive access to private beachfront areas and secluded villas with their own private pools.
Flying is the easiest way to get to Koh Samui directly, but the other, cheaper option is to travel into Surat Thani first and catch the ferry to Koh Samui.
Rest assured, once you arrive, prepare for adventure, beach life, and lazy days. Koh Samui is a destination to make your own.
Things to Do in Koh Samui
Experience the island’s cultural spirit with a trip to the Big Buddha. A visit in the early morning will provide a glimpse into the local life, with residents paying their respects to the Buddha with offerings and monks performing their morning prayers.
Close by, you’ll find Wat Plai Laem, a Buddhist temple surrounded by a lake. Next to the temple, a statue of the 18-armed Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin, bestows visitors with a serene expression.
Head to Ang Thong National Marine Park for exciting day trips off of Koh Samui. Within sight of Koh Samui, you can relax on the pearly beaches or get up to an adventure. Head out sea kayaking on the water or plunge into the jungle to hunt for hidden coves and waterfalls.
Further north, travelers will find Koh Tao. Turtle Island, as it’s often called, is a prized scuba diving destination full of vibrant coral reefs and colorful marine life.
Spend your days picnicking on a private beach, visiting rescued elephants, and watching Muay Thai matches. Koh Samui provides an exciting taste of Thai culture alongside a paradisiacal escape.
Next Vacay Finds You the Cheapest Flights to the Top Destinations in Thailand
Whether you want to spend your honeymoon on Koh Ngai in peace or head to lively Phuket, every couple will surely find a reason to travel to Thailand. But one important question remains. How will you get there?
While Thailand may be insanely affordable compared to other popular destinations, flights here are distinctly less so. And finding flights for two means you’ll want a great price on airfare. With Next Vacay, you can rest a whole lot easier.
Next Vacay’s deal hunters search for round-trip flight deals to Thailand from your closest airport and deliver them to your inbox. You don’t have to worry about spending hours searching for a good price or worrying you’ll miss a deal. When a price drop occurs, or cheap tickets go on sale, we deliver the good news right to your inbox with a link to the airline. So, all you have to do is book your flight.
If you’re ready to visit the “Land of Smiles,” then get ready to fly with Next Vacay.
