Stairs Wat Tham Suea
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 travellers from around the world, lending the site an atmosphere that balances the spiritual with the adventurous.
The climb typically takes between 15 and 30 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.
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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.
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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: June – September (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.
Location Info
4WGF+9VH, Krabi Noi, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, ThailandVisitor Information
Best time to visit
November – April
Avoid: June – September (rough Andaman seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
23°C – 33°C(73°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Krabi Airport (KBV) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). Ferries connect to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket. Bus or minivan from Phuket takes ~3 hrs.
Getting around
- •Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach)
- •Songthaews in Ao Nang
- •Grab (limited, mainly Ao Nang)
- •Motorbike rental
Where to stay near Stairs Wat Tham Suea
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
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.
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.
Nearby Places
Tiger Cave temple
A hilltop Buddhist temple in Krabi requiring a steep 1,200-step climb, rewarded with panoramic views and a golden Buddha.
Viewpoint at Tiger Cave Temple
A working Buddhist temple in Krabi rewarding those who climb its 1,260 steep steps with sweeping karst panoramas.
Wat Tham Suea
Around 1,260 brutal steps to the summit Buddha, and the temple below is worth your time even if you skip them.
The Palm Krabi
A cultural retreat in Krabi's Pak Nam area, offering visitors a peaceful escape with local charm.
Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand
Wat Phra Kaew
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Doi Suthep Temple
Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.
The Grand Palace
Go at 08:30 sharp, cover your shoulders and legs, and give it three hours rather than one.
The Sanctuary of Truth Museum
A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.
Where to stay near Stairs Wat Tham Suea
Find hotels in Krabi on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – April
Avoid: June – September (rough Andaman seas)
Rainy season
May – October
Avg. temperature
23°C – 33°C(73°F – 91°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Krabi Airport (KBV) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). Ferries connect to Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket. Bus or minivan from Phuket takes ~3 hrs.
Getting around
- •Long-tail boats (islands & Railay Beach)
- •Songthaews in Ao Nang
- •Grab (limited, mainly Ao Nang)
- •Motorbike rental