I recently visited Koh Lanta and my first thought was 'why don't more people visit this place?'. I guess that answers the question on whether Koh Lanta is worth visiting... Honestly, yes, and it ended up being one of my favourite places in Thailand.
After spending time in places like Phuket and Krabi, Koh Lanta felt completely different. It’s more quiet and less built up, life here is 10 paces slower, offering a more relaxed vibe that’s becoming harder to find in southern Thailand.
The beaches are long and often empty, sunsets are some of the best in Thailand, and it never feels overwhelming.
That said, it’s not for everyone, and I think that’s exactly why I liked it so much.
In this guide, I’ll share my honest experience of visiting Koh Lanta, what it’s really like, what to do, where to stay, and whether it’s the right choice for your Thailand itinerary.
What Koh Lanta Is Really Like
Koh Lanta feels very different to a lot of the more well-known Thai islands. It’s noticeably quieter, more spread out, and much less built-up than places like Phuket or even parts of Krabi. There aren’t rows of high-rise hotels or packed beach clubs here.
Instead, you’ll find long stretches of sand, low-key beach bars, and an easy pace that makes it easy to properly switch off.
When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was how calm everything felt. The roads are quiet, the beaches aren’t crowded, and even in peak season it never had a tourist-heavy energy. You can drive along the coast and pass beach after beach without seeing many people at all, which feels quite rare now.
The island is quite large, which adds to that sense of space. It’s not somewhere you just walk everywhere, you’ll likely need a scooter or taxis to get around. It means different areas feel distinct, from the livelier Long Beach to the more peaceful, tucked-away bays further south.
What I really liked about Koh Lanta is that it feels a bit more real. There’s a strong local community, especially around Koh Lanta Old Town, and it hasn’t been overdeveloped in the same way as some other islands. It still feels authentic, relaxed, and slightly under the radar.
If Phuket is busy and built up, and Krabi is somewhere in between, Koh Lanta sits firmly on the quieter, more laid-back end of the spectrum.
It’s not about ticking off loads of attractions, it’s about slowing down, enjoying the stunning scenery, and having space to finally breathe!
Where Is Koh Lanta and How Do You Get There?
Koh Lanta is located on Thailand’s Andaman Coast, just south of Krabi. It’s part of Krabi province, but feels much more relaxed and off-the-beaten-track.
What makes Koh Lanta particularly easy to include in a South Thailand itinerary is how well it connects to other destinations. It sits neatly between Krabi, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lipe, which means it works perfectly as part of a wider island hopping route.
How to Get to Koh Lanta
The easiest way to reach Koh Lanta is via Krabi, which has the nearest airport.
Koh Lanta From Krabi Airport:
This is the most straightforward option. From the airport, it’s around 2–3 hours to Koh Lanta, including a short car ferry crossing. Most people arrange a transfer includes everything (minivan + ferry), making it really easy.
You can book this all inclusive transfer here.
Koh Lanta From Ao Nang or Railay:
If you’re already in Krabi, you can:
Take a shared minivan + ferry transfer (most common)
Or a direct boat transfer in high season
The journey takes roughly 2–3 hours, depending on the route and traffic.
You can book transfers here.
Koh lanta From Phuket:
From Phuket you can take a direct speedboat in high season which takes 1 hr 30 minutes. Alternatively, in low season when speedboats don't always run, the journey takes 4–5 hours.
You can search and book transfers here.
Why Koh Lanta Is Worth Visiting
There are a lot of islands in southern Thailand, and it’s easy to feel like they might all be quite similar, but Koh Lanta is different, it genuinely stands out.
For me, what makes Koh Lanta worth visiting is the balance it strikes. It has beautiful beaches, great places to stay, and plenty to do, but without the crowds, noise, or overdevelopment you find elsewhere.
If you’re planning a trip around southern Thailand and want somewhere that still feels relatively under the radar, Koh Lanta is a really easy addition. It works perfectly as part of a wider island hopping route, but it’s also the kind of place you might end up wishing you’d stayed longer.
Below are the main reasons I think Koh Lanta is absolutely worth visiting.
The beaches are quiet, long and uncrowded
One of the biggest reasons I think Koh Lanta is so beautiful is the beaches. They’re long, wide, and often fairyly empty. You can walk for ages along stretches like Long Beach without feeling hemmed in by crowds, and it’s very easy to find your own space.
The water is calm for most of the year, and the gradual shoreline makes it really easy for swimming, which is one of the reasons Koh Lanta is often considered one of the best places in Thailand for families. It feels safe, relaxed, and just much less overwhelming than busier islands.
It has a much more laid-back atmosphere than Koh Samui, Phuket or Krabi
Koh Lanta has a noticeably slower pace. There’s no pressure to rush around ticking off sights, and days tend to follow a similar rhythm of beach, lunch, maybe a swim, sunset, and dinner somewhere simple.
There’s no constant traffic, no packed beach clubs, and no sense that you need to plan everything in advance.
It feels less commercialised and more local
What I really liked about Koh Lanta is that it still feels quite grounded. There are plenty of lovely places to stay and eat, but it hasn’t been overdeveloped in the same way as some of Thailand’s more famous islands.
You’ll notice it in small ways, local restaurants along the roadside, quieter beach bars, and areas like Lanta Old Town, which still feel connected to the island’s history rather than built purely for tourism. It gives the whole place a more authentic, easygoing feel.
It’s perfect for slow travel
Koh Lanta is one of those places where you naturally slow down without even trying. You don’t feel the need to pack days full of activities and adventure, this is why Koh Lanta works so well as a holiday destination on its own, or twinned with somewhere like Krabi or Bangkok.
It’s ideal if you’re travelling for longer or building a an itinerary where you want a few days to relax between busier stops.
There’s enough to do without it feeling busy
Even though Koh Lanta is more low-key, there’s still plenty to fill your time. You’ve got beautiful beaches, the national park, Old Town to explore, and lots of opportunities for boat trips and island hopping nearby.
You can pick and choose what you feel like doing each day without feeling like you’re missing out, which makes the whole experience much more enjoyable, especially if you’re travelling as a couple or a family and want that balance between things to do and time to just relax.
Best Things to Do in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta isn’t about ticking off a long list of attractions. That said, there’s a really nice mix of things to do here, from beaches and boat trips to a few more unique experiences that make the island feel special.
Spend time on Koh Lanta’s beaches
This is the main reason most people come to Koh Lanta, and it’s exactly what you should prioritise.
The beaches here are long, quiet and easy to access, with a really relaxed feel. Long Beach (Phra Ae) is probably the most popular, but even here you’ll find plenty of space. Further south, places like Kantiang Bay (I stayed here and loved it!!) feel even more peaceful, with softer sand and a slightly more tucked-away setting.
Just pick a beach, bring a book, and spend the day moving between the sea, a low-key beach bar, and back again.
Visit Tung Yee Peng mangrove forest (don’t miss a sunrise gondola tour)
If you want to see a quieter, more local side of Koh Lanta, visiting Tung Yee Peng mangrove forest is a really nice change from the beaches.
Located on the east side of the island, it's much more focused around nature and local life. Instead of open coastline, you’ve got narrow waterways winding through dense mangroves, wooden walkways, and small villages where daily life moves at a slower pace.
One of the most memorable experiences here and something a bit different is doing a sunrise gondola-style boat tour along the coastline. Early in the morning, the water is almost still and you are joined just by the monkeys and the birds.
I recommend this sunrise gondola tour.
Explore Koh Lanta Old Town
On the east side of the island, Koh Lanta Old Town has a completely different to anywhere else I have been on any Thai island!
You’ll find wooden houses on stilts over the water, small cafés, and a handful of shops and restaurants. It’s not somewhere you need hours for, but it’s definitely worth a visit to see a different side of the island.
I’d recommend coming for a slow wander and staying for lunch (I recommend Beautiful Restaurant which is right over the sea). After lunch make sure you visit the Koh Lanta Community Museum which shows you the historical side to the island and the blend in different cultures that found themselves here.
Go island hopping or take a boat trip
Koh Lanta is a great base for exploring some of the surrounding islands, and there are a few really good boat trips you can do from here.
One of the most popular is a snorkelling trip to places like Koh Rok and Koh Haa, which are known for clear water, colourful fish, and coral reefs. It’s a full-day experience, but it’s a good way to add a bit more variety to your trip if you’ve spent a few days relaxing on the island.
There are also shorter trips and private boat options if you prefer something more flexible.
Where to Stay in Koh Lanta
Where you stay in Koh Lanta really shapes your experience, as the island is quite spread out and each area has a different feel. Most people base themselves along the west coast for easy beach access, but there are also some quieter, more local options on the east side.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the best areas to stay in Koh Lanta, based on my experience:
Long Beach (Phra Ae)
If it’s your first time visiting Koh Lanta, Long Beach (Phra Ae) is one of the easiest places to base yourself.
It has a good mix of restaurants, cafés and beach bars, but it's relaxed and never too busy. The beach itself is long, wide and great for swimming, so you can happily spend full days here without needing to move around too much. It’s also a really convenient location for exploring other parts of the island.
I recommend Lazy Days Bungalows if you’re looking for something simple but well done. It’s right on the beach, has a really laid-back feel, and is perfect if you want to wake up and walk straight onto the sand.
Kantiang Bay
If you’re looking for something a bit more peaceful and slightly more elevated, Kantiang Bay is one of the most beautiful areas on the island.
It’s further south, which means fewer people, and the bay itself is really scenic, soft sand, clear water, and jungle-covered hills surrounding it.
For a more luxurious stay, Pimalai Resort & Spa is one of the best hotels in Koh Lanta. It’s set on the hillside overlooking the bay, with beautiful villas, multiple pools, and direct access to the beach. It’s a great option if you want something more special or are celebrating something.
Koh Lanta Old Town
On the east side of the island, Koh Lanta Old Town offers something completely different.
It’s not about beaches here, instead, it’s much quieter and less touristy, which some people will really love.
I recommend at Hidden Haven Resort, which is a really peaceful, tucked-away property just outside Old Town. It’s ideal if you’re looking for something more private and relaxed, and a good base if you want to experience a different side of Koh Lanta.
How Long to Stay in Koh Lanta
I’d recommend spending 3–5 nights in Koh Lanta, depending on how your trip is structured.
If you’re including it as part of a wider South Thailand itinerary, two to three nights is usually enough to experience the island properly, a couple of beach days, a sunset or two, maybe a boat trip, and time to explore places like Old Town or the national park. It’s not somewhere you need to rush, but it’s also not somewhere that requires a packed schedule.
That said, if you’re looking for somewhere to properly slow down, Koh Lanta is a place where it’s very easy to stay longer. It’s ideal if you want a few days to just relax between busier stops like Krabi or Phuket.
If you’re planning a route through southern Thailand, I’ve included Koh Lanta as a key stop in my 10 day South Thailand island hopping itinerary, where it works perfectly as a more laid-back part of the trip.
Koh Lanta vs Phuket
If you’re deciding between Koh Lanta and Phuket, it really comes down to the kind of trip you want, they offer very different experiences, even though they’re both on Thailand’s Andaman Coast.
Phuket is much bigger, busier, and more developed. You’ll find a huge range of hotels, restaurants, beach clubs and nightlife, especially around areas like Patong. It’s a good option if you want variety, convenience, and a bit more energy, there’s always something going on, and it’s very easy to organise tours and activities.
Koh Lanta, on the other hand, is noticeably quieter and more relaxed. There’s still plenty to do, but it doesn’t feel crowded or overwhelming. The beaches are longer and less busy, the atmosphere is more low-key, and the whole island is just slower.
For me, Koh Lanta felt like a place to properly switch off, whereas Phuket felt more like a destination where you’re constantly choosing between things to do.
FAQs About Koh Lanta
Is Koh Lanta worth visiting?
Yes, Koh Lanta is definitely worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxed alternative to places like Phuket or Phi Phi. It’s known for its long, uncrowded beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and slower pace, which makes it a great addition to a South Thailand trip.
How many days do you need in Koh Lanta?
I’d recommend spending 3-5days in Koh Lanta. This gives you enough time to enjoy the beaches, explore the island, take a boat trip, and experience a couple of sunsets without feeling rushed.
Is Koh Lanta better than Phuket?
It depends what you’re looking for. Koh Lanta is better if you want something quieter, less crowded, and more relaxed. Phuket is better if you’re after nightlife, beach clubs, and a wider range of activities. They offer very different experiences.
What is Koh Lanta known for?
Koh Lanta is known for its long, peaceful beaches, laid-back vibe, and more local, less commercialised feel. It’s also popular for island hopping trips, sunset views, and places like Koh Lanta National Park and Old Town.
Which is better, Koh Lanta or Krabi?
Krabi is more varied and slightly busier, with dramatic scenery like Railay Beach and easy access to island tours. Koh Lanta is quieter and more relaxed, with fewer crowds and a slower pace. If you’re deciding between the two, it really depends whether you want activity or downtime.
Is Koh Lanta expensive?
Koh Lanta is generally more affordable than Phuket and offers good value for money. You’ll find a mix of accommodation options, from budget stays to luxury resorts, along with reasonably priced restaurants and activities.
Is Koh Lanta Old Town worth visiting?
Yes, Koh Lanta Old Town is definitely worth visiting, even if just for a few hours. It has a more local, traditional feel, with wooden houses on stilts, small cafés, and a quieter atmosphere compared to the west coast beaches. It’s a nice way to see a different side of the island.
