Two cities in one — laid-back seaside Songkhla with Samila Beach, the golden mermaid statue, the Cat & Mouse islands and a Sino-Portuguese old town beside Thailand's largest natural lake · and buzzing Hat Yai, the shopping and street-food heart of the deep South
Songkhla, on the Gulf coast of the deep South, is really two destinations in one. On the coast sits the easy-going city of Songkhla — Samila Beach with its golden mermaid statue, the Cat & Mouse islands offshore, and a beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese old town on Nang Ngam Road, all beside Songkhla Lake, the largest natural lake in Thailand. Half an hour inland is Hat Yai, the commercial and shopping hub of the South, famous for its bustling markets, dim sum mornings and legendary fried chicken, and the main gateway for visitors from Malaysia and Singapore.
Where you stay depends on what you came for. Seaside Songkhla town suits beach and culture lovers, while Hat Yai — about 30 minutes inland — is the place for shopping, nightlife and transport. Most visitors split their time, or pick the side that matches their trip.
Calm, breezy and beside the sea — within reach of the golden mermaid, Samila Beach and the Cat & Mouse islands. Relaxed seafront hotels and an easygoing pace.
Songkhla's atmospheric Sino-Portuguese quarter — heritage shophouses, characterful boutique hotels, coffee shops and street art. Walkable, photogenic and full of local flavour.
The bustling heart of the South — Kim Yong Market, malls, night markets and the best dim sum and fried chicken. The widest choice of hotels and the easiest transport links.
A budget-friendly base around the Hat Yai railway station — handy for buses, vans and trains south, with plenty of cheap guesthouses and round-the-clock street food.
Selected across both sides of the province — central Hat Yai for shopping and transport, and seaside Songkhla near the beach and old town. From comfortable city towers to value stays. Compare prices across 3 booking platforms in one click.
Hat Yai's well-known full-service hotel, connected to a Central department store with a pool and spacious rooms — right in the heart of the shopping district.
A tall, popular city hotel a short walk from Kim Yong Market and the main shopping streets — comfortable rooms, great views and unbeatable value.
A bright, friendly value hotel on the Songkhla town side, handy for Samila Beach and the old town — a comfortable seaside base at a budget-friendly price.
A stylish boutique hotel in central Hat Yai with smart, spacious rooms and a rooftop pool — a comfortable, design-led base close to the shopping streets.
A bright, contemporary hotel in the middle of Hat Yai — crisp modern rooms, friendly service and an easy walk to markets, malls and street food.
A long-running, well-priced favourite with comfortable rooms and a pool, a little away from the bustle — reliable value with easy access into the city centre.
Found your ideal base? Compare prices from three leading booking platforms — Songkhla and Hat Yai have great-value stays, from seaside town hotels to central Hat Yai shopping bases.
Songkhla's food is a delicious fusion — fiery southern Thai curries, Cantonese-style dim sum, and Muslim influences from the Malay border. Hat Yai is famous for its fried chicken and morning dim sum; Songkhla town for seafood and old-town coffee. Here is what you can't miss.
The South's most famous dish — crispy marinated chicken fried until golden and showered with crunchy fried shallots, served with sticky rice and a sweet chilli dip. Hat Yai's signature, and reason enough to visit.
Signature DishA beloved local breakfast ritual — bamboo baskets of Cantonese-style dumplings, buns and rolls, ordered by the plate over hot tea or kopi. Cheap, endless and best enjoyed early at a bustling Hat Yai tea house.
Morning ClassicThe fiercest southern curries — gaeng tai pla, a pungent fermented-fish stew loaded with vegetables, and khua kling, minced meat dry-fried with a fiery curry paste. Hot, salty and intensely flavoured, eaten with rice.
Southern ClassicA healthy, beautiful southern breakfast — rice tossed with shredded herbs, toasted coconut, lemongrass, long beans and dried shrimp, then dressed with sweet-savoury budu fish sauce. Fresh, fragrant and uniquely southern.
Local StapleWith the Gulf on one side and Songkhla Lake on the other, fresh seafood is everywhere — grilled prawns, steamed fish, blue crab and clams, best enjoyed at a breezy table near Samila Beach or out at Ko Yo.
Seaside FeastSongkhla's old town keeps the southern coffee ritual alive — strong, sweet traditional kopi poured at heritage shops on Nang Ngam Road, served with toast, custard and old-fashioned local snacks. Pure nostalgia.
Café & SweetsSongkhla pairs a relaxed seaside city — beach, mermaid, islands and a heritage old town — with the buzz of Hat Yai's markets and viewpoints. Here are the sights you shouldn't miss.
Songkhla's signature sight — a long curving beach fringed with casuarina trees, and the famous golden mermaid statue perched on the rocks. The city's most-photographed icon and a lovely spot for a sea breeze at sunset.
City LandmarkTwo small islands shaped like a cat and a mouse, sitting just offshore from Samila Beach — the subject of a much-loved local legend and the perfect backdrop to the giant cat-and-mouse sculptures on the seafront.
Scenic SpotA charming grid of Sino-Portuguese shophouses, temples and mosques along Nakhon Nai, Nakhon Nok and Nang Ngam roads — now full of cafés, street art and old-fashioned shops. Songkhla's most atmospheric walk.
Heritage QuarterA lake island linked by bridge, famous for its hand-woven cotton, lakeside seafood and the excellent Institute for Southern Thai Studies (Folklore Museum) — a sweeping look at southern culture with grand lake views.
Culture & LakeOn the hills above Hat Yai, a big park with a cable car up to the standing Buddha, a four-faced Brahma shrine and a golden Guanyin — sweeping views over the city, especially good towards sunset.
ViewpointThe pulsing commercial heart of the South — Kim Yong and Santisuk markets piled with snacks, dried fruit, cosmetics and bargains, plus malls and night markets. The region's favourite shopping and street-food run.
Markets & ShoppingTwo days lets you taste both faces of the province — day one for Hat Yai's markets, food and viewpoint, day two for seaside Songkhla, the old town and Ko Yo. Easy to tweak to your own pace, or extend either side.
Essential info and getting-around tips to help your Songkhla and Hat Yai trip run smoothly from the very first step.
Fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) in about 1 hr 30 min — Hat Yai city is ~15 minutes away, and Songkhla town about 30 minutes by taxi or van. Sleeper trains and buses also serve Hat Yai.
Carry cash for markets and street food. Cards and PromptPay QR are accepted in malls, hotels and most cafés, and ATMs are everywhere (expect a per-withdrawal fee).
Use the Grab app or local songthaews to get around Hat Yai and out to Songkhla town. To link the two cities and reach Ko Yo or the beaches, a rental car or private driver is the easiest option.
Pick up a tourist SIM (AIS, TrueMove or dtac) at the airport, or activate an eSIM before you board. 4G/5G coverage is strong across the city.
Click any pin for details — plan your route with ease
Songkhla and Hat Yai have great-value stays — from seaside town hotels near the beach to central Hat Yai shopping bases. Pick your ideal base and start comparing right now.
A good trip doesn't end at one city — 3 southern Thailand destinations easily reached from Songkhla.