Places to Visit in Koh Samui

With its beautiful rock formations, secluded lagoons, and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Thailand, Angthong National Marine Park is a true utopia. This 42-island archipelago is a must-see for anyone who enjoys nature and outdoor activities. There's plenty to see and do in the surrounding area, from beautiful beaches and mountains to lush jungles and breathtaking waterfalls.

Wat Phra Yai, or the Big Buddha Temple, as it is called in English, is one of the most famous places to visit in Koh Samui. The temple houses Witness various statues of Buddha in different forms and sizes. The largest attraction is the Mara posture that depicts tranquility and serenity.

Big Buddha temple is a hotspot for tourists because of the architecture and the gorgeously crafted idols. Do check it out if you are in Koh Samui, it will be one of the most unforgettable parts of your trip.

Highlights - Buddha statues, Buddhist architecture with animalism injected in the design

Location - Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 8 am to 5 pm

Price - Free

Locals and tourists flock alike to this famous market of Koh Samui where you can buy everything at a nominal price. The quiet town of Bohut becomes a vibrant and colourful place to visit on weekends, as the Walking Street gets lined with stalls and shops that sell everything from T-shirts to fake jewelry.

If you want to get some souvenirs for your loved ones back home, this is the place to be at. You can get sunglasses, handbags, electrical gadgets, fake branded clothes here. Just remember to check the items before making a purchase as they may be of suspicious origins.

Highlights - Souvenir shops, cheap clothes, fake handbags

Location - Borphud Sub-district Koh Samui District Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 5 pm to 11.30 pm

Price - Free

The south coast of this intriguing island offers some of the most interesting views. The names mean Grandpa and Grandma in Thai, and the rock formations inspire chuckles from visitors because of their striking similarities with human genitalia.

Tourists flock to the site to witness the unusual sight with their own eyes. And when you have finished giggling at the rocks, the views will keep you enthralled.

Highlights - Clear blue sea stretches out as far as the eye can see, and it is the perfect place to enjoy some much-needed respite from everyday routine.

Location - 126/92 Moo 3 Ko Samui District, Surat Thani

Timings - 6 am to 7 pm

Koh Samui, along with other Thai provinces, is a hub for Buddhist devotees because of its large collection of temples dedicated to the religion. Wat Plai Laem is another Buddhist temple in the city, and it features something unique – an 18-armed statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion in Thai culture.

The sight is breathtaking and enough to make anyone stop in their tracks to admire its beauty. There are also several statues and murals of Buddha that are worth checking out.

Highlights - a statue of Guanyin that has 18 arms, serene surroundings, murals of Buddha, laughing Buddha statue

Location - Wat Plai Laem, Road Thailand, Thailand

Timings - 8 am to 5 pm

Price - Free

Nestled on top of the Pom Mountain hill, the Secret Buddha Garden is a place that offers a unique combination. Majestic statues that leave the viewer awestruck and lush green woods that infuse a sense of serenity make this place sought after both by architecture enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The garden offers a collection of statues that depict deities in various poses, humans and magnificent animals. Do take a camera when you go here, so you can take some Instagram worthy shots of the statues and jungles.

Highlights - Lush green jungles, statues of deities and animals

Location - Na Mueang, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 9 am to 5 pm, every day

Price - INR 175/THB 80

Wat Khunaram offers a view of the mummified body of Luong Pordaeng who died in 1973 in a seated meditative position. Ever since then, his dead body has been preserved in the glass enclosure and has become one of the most famous Koh Samui attractions.

You can also check out the Buddhist statues around the temple, buy some trinkets and souvenirs for family and friends, and enjoy the overall serene environs of the place. You can also have fun participating in the daily rituals of the temple. Visit the Wat for a truly unique experience.

Highlights - Mummified Monk, souvenir shops, Buddhist statues

Location - Na Mueang, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84140

Timings - 7 am to 5 pm

Price - Free

Whether you love swimming in the virgin waters or hanging out by the beach – Chaweng beach is one of the best places to visit in Koh Samui. The beach is slowly emerging as a tourist hotspot in Thailand because of its spectacular views and happening nightlife.

Every weekend, people flock to the place to go bar hopping and groove in the nightclub till the morning. There is something for everyone here – do pay a visit and enjoy the wide contrast in day and nightlife at the beach.

Highlights - Nightclubs, bars, swimming

Location - Chaweng, Ko Samui, Thailand

Timings - Open 24 hours

Price - Free

The incredible park lives up to its name – it is indeed a heaven for those of you who are traveling with your family. Paradise is spread over 20 acres and offers a bunch of interesting activities that will keep your little ones occupied while you enjoy a cocktail.

The Thai restaurant serves some delicious local delicacies, as well as European dishes that will make your mouth water. Enjoy the interactive animal experiences, walk up close to majestic beasts, and make your holiday memorable.

Highlights - Interactive wildlife experience, serene surroundings, restaurant

Location - Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 9 am to 5 pm

Price - INR 870/THB 400 per person

Nestled against the rocky beaches of Bang Kao, the yellow temple of Laem Sor Pagoda makes for an interesting sight. The bright color offers an interesting contrast against the clear turquoise waters of the sea and tourists flock here to take some stunning shots of the same.

The beach is one of the calmest places in Koh Samui and an ideal spot to spend an afternoon far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. You can also enjoy boating here, along with relaxing in the visitor center to restore a sense of peace.

Highlights - Bright gold colored Pagoda, boating, swimming, picnic

Location - Taling Ngam, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - Open 24 hours

Price - Free

Lad Koh is slowly emerging as a tourist hotspot and over the last few years, it has become one of the most famous places to visit in Koh Samui. The vantage point offers the most spectacular views of the east coast of the island and turquoise waters of the sea. Photography enthusiasts and nature lovers will find an idyllic destination at Lad Koh.

Take stunning shots of the natural beauty, enjoy a luxurious stroll along the place, and soak in the natural splendor of Thailand. Make memories you will cherish for a lifetime at Lad Koh.

Highlights - Stunning natural beauty, photography

Location - Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - Open 24 hours

Price - Free

So it is Sunday night and you want to hang out at a place where you can enjoy some local delicacies without being hassled by throngs of tourists. Lamai Sunday market is the perfect place for you. Enjoy a quiet and tranquil evening eating some delicious food without any flashy flights or thumping music.

Everything from prawns and curries, to delicious noodles and fruit, is available here. You can also shop for off-brand clothes and souvenirs here – just remember to bargain a little.

Highlights - Delicious local food, souvenir shops, clothes shops

Location - Had Lamai Rd, Tambon Maret, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 5 pm to 10 pm, only open on Sundays

Price - Free

Wildlife lovers rejoice – the Samui Aquarium offers up-close and intimate views of majestic beasts and exotic birds. If you are traveling with kids, a visit to the place will offer them a chance to get close to and learn about some otherwise elusive animals like tigers and cheetahs.

Be a spectator to the scheduled live shows in the zoo which are quite entertaining to watch. The aquarium part of the zoo features marine wildlife including manta rays, catfish, and whirlpools of vibrant exotic fish if you are enthusiastic about that.

Highlights - Daily tiger shows, photography with animals, marine wildlife

Location - Ban Harn Beach, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 11 am to 4 pm

Price - Free

Wat Sila Ngu is one of the most popular places to visit in Koh Samui. The temple attracts devotees of the Buddhist religion from all over the country, along with tourists. The complex is red in color and it has a seating area where you can enjoy the scenic, picturesque views of the island.

It is close to the beach, so visitors can enjoy the cool breeze while enjoying a walk around the complex. Enjoy the 100-year old architecture and take some beautiful pictures of the natural beauty around.

Highlights - Red colored temple complex, beach views, Buddhist architecture, tranquil settings

Location - Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 9 am to 5 pm

Price - Free

Surrounded by tall groves of palm trees, and clear turquoise waters of the sea, Pink Elephant is a calm hideout nestled away at the beautiful Maenam Beach. If you are traveling with kids, the rides and slides here will keep them busy while you get some much-needed relaxing time at the bar.

The high-quality rides are completely safe for kids and adults, so you can stay worry-free. If you have an adrenaline addiction yourself, there are some adventurous rides for adults too.

Highlights - Jacuzzi, water rides and slides, adventurous rides

Location - Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 10 am to 6 pm

Price - INR 2600/THB 1200

The exciting adventurous trek to this waterfall is completely paid off by the breathtaking views of pristine waters falling from a height and striking the rocks underneath in a goosebump-inducing experience. The falls here are a beauty no doubt, but there is more.

Enjoy a relaxing stroll around the naturally blessed area, explore the durian plantations, and plan a picnic near the falls with your family. The place is magical to be at, so plan a vacation here today to get away from the humdrum of city life and experience a holiday you will remember for the rest of your life.

Highlights - Beautiful waterfalls, nature walks, picnic area

Location - Wat Thale, Thailand

Timings - 6 am to 6 pm

Price - Free

If you are a wildlife enthusiast or you have a kid who loves the dangerous world of reptiles, check out the Samui Crocodile Farm, one of the most intriguing places to visit in Koh Samui. The farm has all the famous species of crocodiles and alligators – from saltwater crocodiles to Siamese ones, along with a wide array of snakes, lizards, monkeys, and even caimans.

The shows are held three times a day and are a tourist hotspot. Get up close to these dangerous beasts and enjoy the riveting show that is full of danger and excitement.

Highlights - Various species of reptiles, daily crocodile shows

Location - Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 8.30 am to 5 pm

Price - Starts from INR 1300/THB 600

Explore the enticing world of Muay Thai boxing at the Phetch Buncha Samui Boxing Stadium. The stadium is beautifully crafted and the architecture itself is breathtaking. Live shows are held during weekdays and weekends where tourists and locals flock to the stadium to witness the glamorous world of Muay Thai Boxing.

The shows lend unique insight into Thai history and culture and offer an exciting and adventurous experience. If you love live boxing, do check out the stadium.

Highlights - Beautiful stadium with live shows of Muay Thai Boxing.

Location - Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 9 am to 5 pm

Price - INR 2175/THB 1000

Wat Kiri Wongkaram is famous for housing the mummified body of Luang Por Ruam, a monk who was placed at the temple 25 years ago. The body is in very good condition and is preserved in glass casings. Visit the temple complex which also has various statues and murals of elephants, deities, and humans in different positions.

Discover yourself as the offers a place for quiet introspection and solitude for weary souls looking for a salve for their tired minds and bodies. Enjoy a visit here to reconnect with your soul and your body.

Highlights - Mummified preserved body of Luang Por Ruam, relaxing environs

Location - Koh Samui, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 8 am to 5 pm, every day

Price - Free

The colourful marketplace at Wharf Samui is the perfect place for a shopping enthusiast. Shop to your heart’s content at the mall spread over an impressive 5000 square hectares. The place has a serene and quiet vibe to it, and you will be able to enjoy shopping without the usual throngs of tourists here.

It is very close to the famous Fisherman’s market, so do check that out when you are in the area. In contrast to the Fisherman’s area, you will find high-quality products here.

Highlights - Shopping area with serene vibes

Location - Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 12 am to 12 pm, 6 pm to 12 am

Price - Free

Overlap Stone is a place of natural wonder in Koh Samui which is not thronged by hordes of tourists. If you want to check out some off the beaten path tourist destinations, Overlap Stone is the place for you. It features a naturally round boulder sitting on top of another round stone, perfectly balanced without any support.

The site overlooks beautiful Thai beaches and gives a serene and tranquil vibe that is perfect for those of you looking to get away from the humdrum of everyday routine. Take a bicycle ride or hire a taxi to the Overlap Stone and enjoy some mesmerizing views.

Highlights - Serene views, naturally occurring stone sitting on top of a stone

Location - Maret, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - Open 24 hours

Price - INR 43/THB 20

If you take a walk to this abandoned waterfall in the middle of the deep green woods, you will find one of the most popular Koh Samui attractions. The waterfall is easily accessible by foot, and the walk itself is serene and calming. The falls offer a relaxing atmosphere for those of you looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The scenery is pleasing to the eye as well as the mind, with vines covering the naturally occurring boulders and the sound of water falling on the rocks echoing through the woods.

Highlights - Serene environs, stunning landscape

Location - Lipa Noi, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - Open 24 hours

Price - Free

Buddha’s Footprint Temple features four footprints of Buddha, each one on top of the other and engraved in a beautiful manner. The temple is an iconic building when it comes to Buddhist and Thai heritage, and people visit from all over the country to witness the gorgeous architecture.

Highlights - The temple complex also acts as a vantage point to view the stunning scenery of the island in all its glory – from pristine coastlines to deep woods. Do check out this Wat if you are a cultural buff.

Location - Na Mueang, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 8 am to 6 pm, every day

Price - Free

Koh Samui hosts a wide array of Chinese temples that are slowly emerging as tourist hotspots over the last few years. The temples are dedicated to Buddhism and feature stunning imagery of Buddha in various forms. If you are a cultural enthusiast or want to explore the religion while in Thailand, this is the perfect place for you to be at.

Not only are these temples magnificent in their architecture, but they also offer a serene and tranquil environment that is perfect if you want to get away from your everyday routine.

Where to visit - You can take a visit to Wat Plai Laem, Wat Nara Charoen Suk, Maenam Chinese Temple etc 

Timings - Varies according to the temple

Price - Different for different temples

The Samui Cultural Center is far away from the usual tourist centers, so it provides a calm environment to relax without the noise and pollution of the city. The cultural center is designed like an old Thai house and it has a host of statues of animals and deities that are carved in traditional Chinese style.

There is also a small lake in front of the complex where you can enjoy the views and take a relaxing walk. Much of the house is residential and closed to the public, so do take care of that while exploring the complex.

Highlights - Statues and murals of animals and deities

Location - Lipa Noi, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 9 am to 6 pm, every day

Price - INR 260/THB 120

The Samret Wat is one of the most offbeat of Koh Samui attractions, and that’s why it is the perfect place to be if you want a quiet afternoon away from the city. The temple is fairly new, less than 100 years old, and it features several statues of Buddha in the complex.

One of the statues is made entirely out of one piece of marble and it is said to be the oldest Buddha statue in Thailand. There is also another section where several statues are placed. The temple complex also has a Buddhist monastery and a cemetery.

Highlights - oldest Buddha statue made of a single piece of marble

Location - Na Mueang, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand

Timings - 9 am to 5 pm

Price - Free

Walk through the majestic entrance of Taling Ngam Village, which features magnificent statues of two majestic elephants that seem to adorn the gate, as well as ward off any evil presence. These sculptures, scaled to size and depicting the importance of the beautiful beasts in the local culture of this sleepy hamlet are beautifully crafted, and attract tourists from all over the country to admire their stunning design.

Visit the village as it is secluded and offers the perfect site for some much-needed introspection and solitude tourists may desire after a few days in the city.

Highlights - Life-sized elephant sculptures

Location - Surat Thani, Ko Samui

Timings - Open 24 hours

Price - Free

Located on Koh Samui Island, Thailand, this sanctuary is the first of its kind to treat elephants with respect and dignity. It provides a safe haven for elephants who have worked long and hard hours in the logging and tourism sectors. Visitors to this sanctuary can interact with elephants in a variety of ways, including feeding, greeting, and bathing.

A beach party in Haad Rin, on the island of Ko Pha-ngan, marked the beginning of the Full Moon festival in 1985. Every full moon, up to 30,000 people from all over the world come to the same beach for the celebrations. It's a night filled with music, art, dancing, beverages, and fireworks, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to party with high-spirited partygoers.