Stairs Wat Tham Suea
A steep 1,260-step climb up a Krabi mountain leads to a revered Buddhist temple with rewarding views.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 05:00–18:30
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 Stairs Wat Tham Suea
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Stairs Wat Tham Suea.
Why go, and how to do it well
Wat Tham Suea, known locally as Tiger Cave Temple, earns its reputation through the physical challenge that precedes the reward. The main staircase ascends 1,260 steps up a limestone mountain at a punishing incline — steep enough in sections to demand real effort from even fit visitors. At the summit, a large golden Buddha image and panoramic views across the Krabi landscape make the climb worthwhile. The temple is an active place of worship, and visitors can observe genuine religious practice alongside fellow travelers from around the world, lending the site an atmosphere that balances the spiritual with the adventurous.
The climb typically takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on fitness level, with opportunities to rest along the way. A breeze at the top provides welcome relief after the ascent. An entry fee of 50 baht per person applies, making this an accessible cultural experience. The temple is open daily from 5:00 AM to 6:30 PM throughout the year.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Tours that include Stairs Wat Tham Suea
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Stairs Wat Tham Suea.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Stairs Wat Tham Suea, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Stairs Wat Tham Suea, round out your day in Krabi with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
As stairs go, these are as stairy as you could possibly want. 1260 of them, and every one of them merciless. Join the many (but not too many) tourists and witness praying and cursing in many languages. Enjoy the increasingly idiosyncratic, borderline unhinged signs that line the stairs. There are two bathrooms, loosely speaking, available during the ascent. There is a fee of 50 baht to enter the temple complex. The view from the top is very much worth the effort, though.
Good and bice olaceto visit as well as exercising your heart... Depending on fitness, you can get up the 1260 steps in 15-20 min including resting here and there. Nice views, nice breeze at the top. Free holy water offered at the start (bring down and throw empty bottle in appropriate place!) Be aware of monkeys, they might steal your snack... Don't feed the monkeys.
Great workout up these stairs. Challenging because they're around 60 degrees inclined in parts. Definitely worth the effort. Burns plenty of calories to earn yourself a smoothie at one of the cafes at the bottom. Beware, the monkeys pull things from your backpack.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 464 reviews on Google.
4WGF+9VH, Krabi Noi, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within a 3-minute walk of Stairs Wat Tham Suea.
Viewpoint at Tiger Cave Temple
Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea)
Tips 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.
Stairs Wat Tham Suea: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stairs Wat Tham Suea worth visiting?
Stairs Wat Tham Suea holds a 4.7★ rating from 464 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Krabi.
What are the opening hours of Stairs Wat Tham Suea?
Stairs Wat Tham Suea is typically open 05:00–18:30 — 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 Stairs Wat Tham Suea?
The best months to visit Krabi are November – April, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: May – October (rough Andaman seas).
Where is Stairs Wat Tham Suea located?
Stairs Wat Tham Suea is at 4WGF+9VH, Krabi Noi, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand, in Krabi. Getting around Krabi: Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach); Songthaews in Ao Nang.
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