Wat Tham Khao Tao
A limestone cave temple south of town where the climb, not the shrines, is the real payoff.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 07:00–18:00
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Wat Tham Khao Tao
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Tham Khao Tao.
Why go, and how to do it well
The climb is the point here. This is a cave temple set into a limestone hillside in Nong Kae, south of Hua Hin, and while the caverns with their Buddha images and religious artwork are worth your time, it's the walk up to the hilltop and the open views across the surrounding landscape that people remember. If you've done the busier temples closer to town and found them a bit of a scrum, this is the antidote.
It's a working temple, not a spectacle, so come expecting quiet rather than grandeur. Paths link the cave shrines to the higher viewpoints, and the ground is rocky and uneven in stretches. I wouldn't attempt it in flip-flops, and I wouldn't recommend it at all if stairs and loose footing are a problem for you. Go early. Morning is cooler, the light is better, and you'll have the place more or less to yourself.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Sep 2026
Stay within reach of Wat Tham Khao Tao
SponsoredSearch Hua Hin hotels with your dates. Filter for free cancellation if you want to hold a room and decide later.
See hotels near Wat Tham Khao TaoOpens Booking.com with your dates
Best rated within a 6-minute walk
Tours that include Wat Tham Khao Tao
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Wat Tham Khao Tao.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Wat Tham Khao Tao, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
FX4J+Q25, Nong Kae, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand
Open in Google MapsTips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Wat Tham Khao Tao: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wat Tham Khao Tao worth visiting?
Wat Tham Khao Tao holds a 4.4★ rating from 2,175 Google reviews — a strong rating for temples & culture in Hua Hin.
What are the opening hours of Wat Tham Khao Tao?
Wat Tham Khao Tao is typically open 07:00–18:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Wat Tham Khao Tao?
The best months to visit Hua Hin are November – August, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in Weekends year-round (Bangkok day-trippers) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: October (wettest month).
Where is Wat Tham Khao Tao located?
Wat Tham Khao Tao is at FX4J+Q25, Nong Kae, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand, in Hua Hin. Getting around Hua Hin: Songthaews (green, along Phetkasem Road to Khao Takiab); Motorbike taxis.
Also popular in Hua Hin
Hua Hin Night Market
Aowtakiab Seafood Hua Hin
Let's Relax Spa Hua Hin Market Village
Kaeng Krachan National Park
Similar Temples & Culture across Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew
Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Hill)
Wat Phra That Mae Yen
