April 25, 2025, 5:19 p.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes
Koh Phi Phi is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand - and became world famous thanks to “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio. But with the hype came the crowds. In high season that means: overcrowded beaches, rubbish and a lot of jostling. If you prefer something a little more relaxed, you should consider another island in the Andaman Sea.
Koh Phi Phi is without a doubt beautiful, but it is no longer an insider tip. On the contrary! There are thousands of videos about the popular holiday destination on social media. In high season the beaches are full, the hotels are fully booked and the party people are loud. Luckily, Koh Lanta is just an hour's boat href="https://riderace.net" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ride away, a relaxed alternative that impresses with just as spectacular nature but significantly less hustle and bustle. The long beaches of the west coast, such as Klong Nin or Long Beach, offer plenty of space to relax. Of course, there are also tourist hotspots here, such as night markets or bars. But they are concentrated on a very small part of the island. If you don't like partying, but rather peace, sunsets and the sound of the sea, this is the right place for you.
Cozy island flair instead of mass tourism on Koh Lanta
Nature trips and island hopping
Cozy island flair instead of mass tourism on Koh Lanta
Small bungalow complexes, family-run restaurants and a friendly, almost familiar atmosphere make up the charm of Koh Lanta. Many hotels have regular customers who come back year after year. You're also largely spared from tourist rip-offs here, because apart from Instagram hotspots and full-moon parties, there's not much to do here. Koh Lanta is not an island where a lot “happens” – and that is exactly what makes it so attractive.
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Despite this, or perhaps precisely because of this, it's a good place to stay: if you're out of the touristy corners, you can get delicious Thai curry for a few baht. And in addition to the many Muay Thai schools, there are well-equipped fitness studios where you can train for just a few euros for anyone who wants to stay fit on vacation.
Extra tip from our author: Most restaurants close around 10 p.m. A great late-night snack are the sweet pancakes, which are offered as street food until late in the evening. My favorite: pancakes with banana and sweet condensed milk!
Nature trips and island hopping
Koh Lanta is larger than Koh Phi Phi and offers a lot of untouched nature. Much of the island is almost deserted and covered in mangrove forests. The south of Koh Lanta is part of the Mu Ko Lanta National Park and can only be visited on guided tours and only at certain times. If you get bored, go on guided snorkeling tours or day trips to the neighboring islands: For example, island hopping on Koh Rok, Koh Ngai - or even to the famous Phi Phi islands. So you get the best of both worlds. Tours can be booked spontaneously and easily with many providers directly on Koh Lanta.
Extra tip from our author: The only disadvantage on Koh Lanta? The bad roads. Potholes and gravel roads can be really dangerous in the dark. If you want to rent a scooter yourself, you should have driving experience, wear a helmet and not go too fast.
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