Is Koh Lanta Old Town Worth Visiting? Things to Do & Tips

Yes, Koh Lanta Old Town is worth visiting, especially if you want to see a different side of the island beyond its west-coast beaches.

I spent a week exploring Koh Lanta, and Old Town was one of my favourite stops.

Rich in history, with wooden stilt houses, local shops and small temples, Old Town has a completely different feel from the beach areas.

I especially loved walking along the fishermen’s pier and stopping for a meal overlooking the sea.

You only need a few hours to explore, making it an easy stop to add to a day on Koh Lanta’s east coast.

In this guide, I’ll show you what to do in Koh Lanta Old Town, how long to spend there and what to know before you visit.

Koh Lanta Old Town: What to Know Before You Go

Best for	Culture, history, local food + waterfront atmosphere
Time needed	2–3 hours
Location	East coast of Koh Lanta Yai
Best time to visit	Late morning through afternoon
Getting around	Old Town itself is easy to explore on foot
Combine with	A Koh Lanta east-coast road trip
Swimming beach	No
Staying overnight	Good for atmosphere + waterfront stays, but not for a beach holiday

My verdict: Visit Old Town for a few hours rather than giving it an entire day. It’s especially worthwhile because it shows you a side of Koh Lanta you won’t see around the west-coast beach resorts.

Where Is Koh Lanta Old Town and How Do You Get There?

Koh Lanta Old Town is on the east coast of Koh Lanta Yai, away from the island’s main beach areas on the west coast.

You’ll need some form of transport to get there from most parts of Koh Lanta. The main options are scooter, car, tuk-tuk or taxi/private driver.

If you’re comfortable riding and have the correct licence and insurance, a scooter gives you the most flexibility and makes it easy to combine Old Town with other stops around the island.

I explored Koh Lanta by moped and found it convenient for getting around.

If you don’t want to drive yourself, a tuk-tuk, taxi or private driver is a better option. Your accommodation can usually help arrange transport.

I wouldn’t recommend cycling to everyone. Koh Lanta is large, and the distance to Old Town depends heavily on where you’re staying.

Once you arrive, Old Town itself is small and easy to explore on foot. You can park nearby and stroll along the main street, waterfront and Ban Si Raya Pier.

Best Things to Do in Koh Lanta Old Town

Walk the Historic Main Street and See the Wooden Stilt Houses

The best way to explore Koh Lanta Old Town is simply to walk along its main street.

It’s lined with old wooden shophouses, small cafés, restaurants and local shops, and feels very different from the beach towns on the west coast.

Some of the most interesting buildings are the traditional wooden houses built on stilts over the water.

Many have been turned into restaurants, shops and guesthouses, while still keeping much of their original character.

Take your time walking through town, browse the small shops and look down the side streets towards the sea.

Old Town is compact, so you can easily explore it on foot without following a strict route.

Stroll Along the Peaceful Ban Si Raya Pier

Ban Si Raya Pier is one of my favourite places to stop in Koh Lanta Old Town.

The long pier stretches out into the water and gives you beautiful views back towards the wooden waterfront houses and across the east coast.

It’s not the main pier anymore, but it’s still used by local fishing boats and longtails, so you’ll often see boats coming and going while you’re there.

Head towards the end of the pier for the best views and a different perspective of Old Town from the water.

My tip: The pier is exposed to the sun, so it can get very hot in the middle of the day. Bring a hat and water if you’re visiting around lunchtime.

Visit the Koh Lanta Community Museum

Just before the roundabout leading to Ban Si Raya Pier, you’ll find the Koh Lanta Community Museum, which focuses on the history of the different communities that have lived on the island.

One of the most interesting parts is learning about the Urak Lawoi, an Indigenous community whose name translates as “People of the Sea.”

In Thailand they are also called Chao Leh or Chao Naam, which means “sea gypsies”.

Traditionally, their lives were closely connected to fishing and the sea.

Urak Lawoi communities can still be found on several islands along Thailand’s Andaman coast, including Koh Lanta, Koh Lipe and Koh Mook.

The museum also covers more recent local history, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and its impact on Koh Lanta.

It’s a worthwhile stop if you want to understand more about the people and history of the island, rather than only seeing its beaches and tourist areas.

My tip: The museum is small, so you don’t need to allow a lot of time. Check the current opening hours before visiting.

Explore the Shrines and Buddhist Temple

As you stroll through Koh Lanta Old Town, you’ll come across several colourful shrines and temples. Most are easy to visit while exploring the town on foot.

1. Maha Katyayana Chinese Shrine

The colourful Maha Katyayana Shrine is one of the most striking religious sites in Koh Lanta Old Town.

It sits between the wooden buildings and waterfront restaurants and is easy to spot thanks to its bright red and gold colours. To reach the shrine, follow the small pier guarded by two golden dragons.

Just across the street, you’ll find another small Chinese shrine that seemed to be more popular with locals than visitors.

We visited Koh Lanta during Chinese New Year, when we saw plenty of offerings here.

2. Kromluang Chumphon Khetudomsak Shrine

Head back towards the parking area beside Ban Si Raya Pier and you’ll see the Kromluang Chumphon Khetudomsak Shrine.

It has a rather unusual location, right in the middle of a roundabout. It’s not the most peaceful setting, but that’s part of what makes it an interesting little stop while exploring Old Town.

3. Thai Buddhist Temple

There is also a larger Thai Buddhist temple around a 10-minute walk from Old Town, or a very short scooter ride.

Unlike the smaller shrines in the centre, this temple is in a quieter and more secluded setting. You may see monkeys around the area, so keep food and small belongings secure and don’t feed them.

Browse the Shops and Sunday Market

Old Town is a nice place to do a little shopping while you explore.

The main street has small independent shops and stalls selling clothes, jewellery, souvenirs, handmade items and local products.

The atmosphere is much more relaxed than in the busier tourist areas, so it’s easy to browse as you make your way through town.

If you visit on a Sunday morning, look out for the local market.

You’ll find fresh fruit and vegetables, snacks, prepared food and other everyday products, and it’s a good chance to see a more local side of Old Town.

You don’t need to plan your whole visit around shopping, but it fits naturally into a few hours exploring the main street.

Eat at a Waterfront Restaurant

One of my favourite things to do in Koh Lanta Old Town was stop for a meal overlooking the sea.

Several of the old wooden buildings extend out over the water on stilts and are now home to restaurants and cafés.

You can sit outside with views across the east coast while enjoying Thai food, fresh seafood or a drink.

I’d plan your visit around lunch or an early dinner if you can.

It gives you time to slow down and enjoy the waterfront setting rather than simply walking through Old Town and leaving.

You don’t need to seek out one particular famous restaurant. Choose somewhere that looks good on the day and has a table overlooking the water.

Look for the Blue Lobster, Rawi Warin Grand Ship and Lighthouse

There are also a few unusual sights around the Old Town waterfront that are easy to see while exploring the pier.

Near Ban Si Raya Pier, you’ll find a huge blue lobster sculpture, one of the more quirky landmarks in Old Town and a fun spot for a photo.

A little farther along the coast is the capsized Rawi Warin Grand Ship.

The large shipwreck sits close to the shore and was one of the more unexpected things we came across while exploring Old Town.

You can walk along the coast for a closer look, and there’s also a small lighthouse nearby.

You don’t need to plan separate stops for these sights. They’re easy to see while exploring the waterfront and add a little more character to a walk around Old Town.

How Long Do You Need in Koh Lanta Old Town?

You don’t need a full day to explore Koh Lanta Old Town.

I’d say around 2–3 hours, which gives you enough time to stroll along the main street and pier, visit the museum and shrines, browse the shops and stop for a meal overlooking the sea.

If you’re only interested in seeing the main sights, you could visit more quickly.

But I think Old Town is better when you don’t rush it. Part of the appeal is simply enjoying the waterfront atmosphere and stopping somewhere for lunch.

If you have a full day available, I’d combine Old Town with other places on Koh Lanta’s east coast and south, rather than spending the entire day in town.

What Else Can You Visit Near Koh Lanta Old Town?

Old Town is easy to combine with other stops on Koh Lanta’s quieter east coast, especially if you have a scooter, car or private driver.

Drive South to Pirate Bay

From Old Town, continue south along the east coast to Pirate Bay.

It’s a small, quiet beach with a mix of sand and rocks and a much wilder feel than Koh Lanta’s west-coast beaches.

This works particularly well if you’re following my Koh Lanta road trip, which continues from Old Town along the east coast before heading towards Mu Ko Lanta National Park and the southern beaches.

Take a Boat to Koh Por and Koh Bubu

You can also arrange a longtail boat trip from the Old Town area to nearby Koh Por and Koh Bubu.

Koh Por is an inhabited island with a local community, homestays and places to eat, while Koh Bubu is much quieter, with sandy beaches where you can swim and relax.

Looking for more ideas beyond Old Town? See my guide to the best things to do in Koh Lanta for beaches, mangroves, the national park and more.

Old Town is also well placed for exploring the quieter east side of the archipelago, including day trips to Koh Por and other islands around Koh Lanta

Should You Stay in Koh Lanta Old Town?

You can stay in Koh Lanta Old Town, but whether you should depends on the type of trip you want.

Staying in Koh Lanta Old Town

Old Town is a good choice if you want a quieter stay with local atmosphere and sea views rather than being close to the beach.

Some of the most interesting accommodation is right along the waterfront, where traditional wooden houses extend over the sea on stilts.

Stay here and you can wake up to sunrise over the east coast and explore Old Town before or after most day visitors arrive.

There are also cheaper places farther inland, but you’ll miss the waterfront setting that makes staying in Old Town special.

The main downside is the location. Old Town doesn’t have a proper swimming beach, so you’ll need transport if you want to spend your days on Koh Lanta’s west-coast beaches.

If swimming is your priority, compare the best beaches in Koh Lanta before choosing where to stay.

Staying on Koh Lanta’s West Coast

For most first-time visitors, I’d recommend staying on the west coast and visiting Old Town as a day trip.

This puts you closer to Koh Lanta’s main beaches, restaurants and other tourist facilities, while Old Town is still easy to visit by scooter, car, taxi or private driver.

It’s the better choice if your trip is mainly about beaches and swimming, and you only plan to visit Old Town once during your stay.

If you’re still deciding where to base yourself, my Where to Stay in Koh Lanta guide compares the best areas around the island.

Continue Planning Your Koh Lanta Trip

Still planning your journey to the island? My guide to travelling to Koh Lanta covers the different ways to get here by ferry, speedboat and overland transfer.

Once you’re there, these guides will help you plan the rest of your stay:

• Koh Lanta Travel Guide – Plan your trip with practical tips and an overview of the island.
• 5-Day Koh Lanta Itinerary – Combine Old Town with beaches, boat trips and more time exploring the island.
• 24 Hours in Koh Lanta – See what to prioritise if you only have one day.
• Is Koh Lanta Worth Visiting? – Compare the pros and cons if you’re still deciding whether Koh Lanta is right for you.

Exploring More of Southern Thailand?

Koh Lanta is easy to combine with other islands along the Andaman Coast. Use my Southern Thailand Travel Guide to choose where to go next, or explore my Southern Thailand island-hopping routes to plan your route.