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Hua Hin, a charming coastal town located on the Gulf of Thailand's ethereal shoreline, is not the typical resort town that you would expect. A town with ancient palaces, this aristocratic resort town is also known for its cosmopolitan lifestyle with bustling markets, street food and shopping malls; a perfect opportunity to dive into a diverse array of savoury and sweet dishes that are a testament to Thailand's rich cultural heritage. Given below are some tips to truly immerse in Thai flavours when you visit Hua Hin.

You cannot go wrong if you visit a market in Hua Hin. Cicada Market stands out as a platform for local artists to entertain the public. A market with pretty little eateries and an amphitheatre is definitely an exciting prospect. Small plays, stand-up comedies, art exhibitions and music are a great way to experience the local culture and appreciate art. Sipping a cold beer and eating giant grilled prawns is one way to spend the evening after an outing on the beach which is only a few kilometres away from the market. You can indulge in traditional favourites like Khao Soi which is a creamy coconut curry broth topped with fried noodles. Seafood dishes like Tom Yang Goong (spicy shrimp soup) are worth tasting due to their authentic tangy flavours brought on by adding lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal and chillies. If you want to calm your taste buds with Western food like pizza or burgers, Cicada Market will not disappoint.

Hua Hin is a thriving seafood hub due to its advantageous coastal location. Most hua hin restaurants buy their seafood here. An early morning excursion to the fishing village in Khao Takiab in southern Hua Hin could be precisely what your palette desires. Both sides of the road are full of stalls with fresh catches of crab, shellfish, prawns and squid. Surrounded by the scenic views of the Gulf of Thailand, you can choose from a variety of seafood options and have a seaside stall grill or steam it just the way you like. For a more refined culinary experience, you can arrange a meal with a hotel like Avani + Hua Hin Resort without having to travel to the fishing village itself. These hotels also source their seafood supplies from local fishermen. Some seafood specialties are known to taste better in Hua Hin due to the freshness of the ingredients. An example is, Au Suan, a crispy pancake made with plump oysters and eggs. Another delicacy that is famous in Thailand is Som Tam Pu Ma, a spicy blue crab papaya salad with a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours due to the variety of ingredients such as papaya, blue crab, tomatoes, green beans, garlic, chili peppers, peanut butter plus lime for seasoning.

This night market is another place where every corner will reveal an opportunity to please your tastebuds. As you walk along the lanes, you will hear seafood sizzling on grills and the aroma of the food will leave you speechless. Look around and the petite little food stalls with their vibrantly coloured food items will call for you. One of the special dishes you can find here is Lod Chong, a traditional Thai dessert. This sweet and refreshing treat is made from pandan leaf flavoured rice flour noodles with a chewy texture accompanied by creamy coconut milk infused with palm sugar syrup. The pandan leaves give the noodles a green hue and an herbal aroma. Another unique dish in Hua Hin Night Market is Rotee, a soft-cooked thin omelette with a filling of mango, banana, cheese and coconut. If these flavours were not enough to tempt you, this food item is also served with different sauces.

In addition to the above places, you can also swing by Tamarind Market which is located close to Cicada Market. This market specializes in food and drink stalls. Mango Coconut Sticky Rice, Moo Yang (grilled pork skewers), Pad Thai and grilled corn are some of the best local dishes that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. Pop into food stalls at ChatChai Market to revel in comfort food like soft-cooked dumplings with flavourful fillings of red beans, pork, pumpkin and sweet potato. You can also try Hot Crullers, a fried pastry made of sweetened dough that is eaten with custard, coconut milk or pineapple. Hoi Wan Pad Cha, which is Babylon Snails stir-fried with aromatic herbs and spices like garlic, pepper, chillies, hot basil leaves and roasted chilli oil is a must-try for spice lovers and bold flavour enthusiasts as you navigate the culinary landscape of Hua Hin.

Located south of Bangkok in Hua Hin is the much acclaimed and loved amusement park of Santorini Park. Having opened its doors to the general public in 2013, Santorini Park has swiftly risen to fame as a ‘must visit’ when on holiday in this part of the country. Complete with a slew of leisure thrills and spills to take advantage of, Santorini Park is best enjoyed if you plan your visit well.

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Given the location of the attraction which is found just off Highway 4, those arriving from Bangkok or even Krabi for that matter will not find it too arduous a task of reaching same. This is because there will be clear signs along the way from both destinations that will not see you wasting time on the road or relying on Google Maps for hours on end. If driving from Bangkok, then you will only exhaust around 3 hours of your time while if your starting point is Krabi, then the ride will be an hour less.

Although the amusement park can be accessed throughout the year, it is advisable to time your visit around the weekdays. This is because Santorini Park tends to get crowded no sooner the weekend arrives with scenes of locals and their families coupled with foreign travellers being the norm. Therefore, if you do not fancy moving through crowds and waiting in line to access the Park’s facilities, then come over during the week as you will have ample space and freedom to move about. Further, know that the opening hours of Santorini Park are from 9 am to 9 pm respectively.

If you ever dreamed of being in Greece without ever having to travel, then time spent at Santorini Park ought to do the trick for you as the said attraction has been modelled along the lines of Greece’s world-famous island of Santorini. Aside from the blue and white colour scheme which has been skilfully incorporated, the visitor will also be able to explore a replica of the Blue Dome Church. Against such a backdrop, avid photographers, Instagrammers and in short, social media fanatics will find the attraction well worth heading over to for there lies plenty of nooks and crannies to pick and choose from.

Simply said, there is something for all ages and likes within the inviting environs of Santorini Park. Over the past decade, the attraction has left no stone unturned in improving its facilities in a manner to attract a greater number of locals and particularly, tourists who arrive in Hua Hin. Among the noteworthy facilities that one could avail of is riding in the Ferris wheel which presents 360-degree views of Hua Hin. Added to this, you can beat the heat, cool off or even frolic with your best friends at the pool found at the waterpark nearby. For the shopaholic in you, Santorini Park’s bustling marketplace will be a worthy contender to be included in your bucket list where you can while away the hours shopping for fancy attire, and attractive souvenirs and tucking into scrumptious fare prepared by beaming locals. If travelling with family, then the little one’s attention can be captured on board the little train that runs the length and breadth of Santorini Park. Also, the merry-go-round can be accessed if you want to keep the kids glued while you hop across to a nearby eatery for a quick bite to eat. Not to be outdone, the more adventure-savvy traveller will be handed every opportunity to try navigating the challenging and physically demanding parkour course. In terms of cost, a 1-day pass can be purchased for as little as THB 250 (USD 8) which is quite the affordable price tag for what you will soon have access to. Also, for those wanting a convenient base from where such a visit can be easily planned out, then make a note of Anantara Hua Hin Resort which is a good hotel in Hua Hin in area.