One of the most magical places in all of Thailand where a Royal Pavilion built in 1890 inside a huge cave is bathed by sunlight for one hour each day, casting sun rays over anything the light touches. Do make sure to visit on a sunny day to see this incredible magic!

GET HERE:

Search ”Phraya Nakhon Cave” on Google Maps. It's next to Bang Pu Beach and this is where you will start the hike. There’s a free parking lot 🅿️ & a couple restaurants + stands selling fresh fruit smoothies. 🥭🍌 To get here you will need your own scooter/car or you can join a tour to the cave. Closest tourist city that might have tours is Hua Hin around 1 hour away, otherwise the closest town in general is Pranburi. Personally we took a train to Pranburi and then a taxi to Sam Roi Yot beach where we stayed and rented a scooter from there.
OPEN TIME: 8 am - 3 pm
ENTRANCE FEE: 200 THB/pp (❗️covers the whole National Park if you visit other sites on the same day - recommended!)
‼️ BEST TIME TO GO:

To see the sun shine through the cave opening you will need to be there BETWEEN 10 - 11 AM (winter season). In summer it might be a bit earlier (check recent Google Maps reviews before you go to get an idea). You can go any other time too but it won't be as epic as seeing the sun shine onto the temple through the cave opening, which creates so much of the magic of this place.

Be aware that the hike is quite strenuous, but doable, especially with a few breaks. Aim to start the hike around 8.30-9 am. The first part of the hike takes you to Laem Sala beach. The trail goes up over the hill and down the other side and then a few hundred metres along the beach (with gorgeous views!). The next part of the hike is the most strenuous where you walk up the second mountain to the actual cave. But don't worry, it's 11000% worth it!

The entire hike from Bang Pu Beach to Phraya Nakhon Cave will take a reasonably fit person just over 1 hour each way.
You can also pay extra (around 200 baht per person) for a boat to take you halfway to Laem Sala Beach, however, unless you would deem yourself very unfit I would personally not recommend it because you still have to walk up the whole second mountain anyways, so it doesn’t save you from hiking.

This is a place you simply must see! It is simply THAT magical. 🥹

***Part of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park - I recommend visiting Bueng Bua Boardwalk and Khao Daeng Viewpoint on the same day***