Things to Do in Koh Lanta in 3, 5 and 7 Days (Updated Itineraries)
The number one mistake I see travelers make is not planning their days by area. They stay in the north, ride south to see a beach, come back north for lunch, head down again to Old Town… and by the end of the day they’ve spent 3 hours going back and forth on the road.
After living here for months, I’ve put together these routes area by area. The goal is simple: see the essentials, eat at the best places (the ones that are on your way anyway) and don’t waste time on the road.
Option A: Koh Lanta Express (3 Days)
Ideal if you’re short on time and want to see the highlights without the stress.
Day 1: Arrival and the “Secret” Sunset
Spend the first day settling into whichever area you like best. Here’s my guide to the best places to stay.
Morning: Check in and rent a motorbike. You’ll need one for these routes (👉 here’s my transport guide).
Lunch: Start strong at Yellow Bistro (Long Beach). Order the Pineapple Fried Rice, served inside the pineapple itself.
Afternoon: Take it easy on Long Beach. Go for a walk, have a swim and rest after the journey.
The Sunset (Don’t Miss It): At 5:30 p.m., ride up to the northern tip (Kaw Kwang Beach). That’s where you’ll find the Avani+ Koh Lanta hotel, with a restaurant and cocktail bar, live music, views of the sea and the islet of Ko Raeng, and one of my favorite sunsets on the island.
Dinner: Nearby, you’ve got Lanta Sky (cheap and local) or Number 9 (better quality). Both are in the same area, Phra Ae, which shows up on maps as Moo 1.
Day 2: Adventure in the South (Road Trip Day)
Today you’ll want to get up a bit early and ride all the way down to the end of the island.
Morning: Ride straight to Mu Ko Lanta National Park. Walk up to the lighthouse and keep an eye on your backpack around the monkeys.
Pit Stop: On the way back, stop at Bamboo Beach. It has the clearest water on the main island. (You can also do it the other way around: if you see only a few motorbikes there on the way down, I’d stop then, because it can get crowded later.)
Breakfast: Stop at Dampening Family Seafood, a restaurant up on the hill above Bamboo Beach with great views over the whole sea.
Lunch: Head to Kantiang Bay and eat facing the beach, which looks like something out of Jurassic Park.
Afternoon: On the way back north, stop at Klong Nin. It’s the perfect halfway point for a quiet swim before heading back to the hotel.
Dinner: You’ve earned a treat, so head to May’s Chicken. Order the ribs with their famous baked potato and corn on the cob. You can thank me later.
Day 3: Culture and Farewell
Time to switch coasts. Today is all about the island’s historic side.
Morning/Afternoon: Take it slow. Head east to visit Lanta Old Town. On the way, stop at the View Point Restaurant (don’t eat there, just have a coffee, an ice cream, a tea or whatever you feel like) and enjoy the views.
What to do: Stroll along the main street, pick up some souvenirs (good-quality hippie clothes) and soak up the atmosphere of the wooden houses built over the water.
Lunch: Stay in Old Town. My pick is Mayutis Bar. Order the fresh fish or a schnitzel. Service is slow, but eating with the waves under your feet is the perfect way to round things off.
In the afternoon, head back north and relax on the one beach you haven’t seen yet: Klong Dao, the favorite for families and anyone after peace and quiet. Have dinner at my favorite restaurant, El Greco. The food is really good, and if you like lamb, it’s unbeatable.
Option B: The Full Route (5 Days)
The ideal trip. This one adds the boat trips and a few unique experiences.
(Follow Days 1, 2 and 3 of the previous plan, then add these.)
Day 4: Out to Sea (Boat Trip)
You can’t leave without seeing that turquoise water from the Leonardo DiCaprio film.
The activity: You have two main options.
Phi Phi & Maya Bay: Go for this one if you want to see the beach from the film. Yes, it gets crowded, but it’s stunning. Read about my full experience to help you decide.
4 Islands: Quieter, and it includes the famous Emerald Cave.
Dinner: After a whole day on a boat, you’ll want something hearty. Go to Biggies Tapas Bar. Some garlic shrimp and a few croquettes will bring you back to life.
Day 5: Karma and Cooking
Morning or Afternoon: Downtime on your favorite beach (I bet you’ll end up back at Long Beach or Klong Nin).
Morning or Afternoon (about 5 hours): Sign up for the cooking class at Time for Lime.
It’s not just about cooking: the profits go to Lanta Animal Welfare.
You’ll learn to make a curry and the best Mango Sticky Rice. What you cook depends on the day, and afterwards they give you all the recipes so you can practice when you get home from the best trip of your life, or the worst if you ignore my advice 😉
Bonus: their lemongrass margaritas are dangerous.
Option C: “Slow Travel” / Nomad (7 Days or More)
For anyone who wants to live on the island, not just visit it. If you have a week or more, stop looking at the clock and settle into the local rhythm.
Extra Days: Local Life and Sports
Train in the jungle
If you like to work out, go to Luke’s Gym. It’s an old-school gym surrounded by trees, nothing like an indoor commercial gym: the cardio machines look out over the whole forest. Or try a Muay Thai class at the gyms in Moo 1 and Moo 2.
Work with a view
If you’re a digital nomad, you have to try KoHub, considered one of the best coworking spaces in Asia. Or, if you’d rather work from a cafe, go to The Backyard for a Pesto Chicken Sandwich (warning: it packs a serious dose of garlic) and use their wifi.
Local markets
Look for the local market at the entrance to Moo 2. This is where locals shop: cheap clothes, street food and zero pretense.
💡 One Last Tip for Any Route
Koh Lanta runs on sunsets. Life here stops between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Whatever your plans, make sure you’re on a west coast beach with a beer in your hand by then. It’s the island’s official sport.
Where to sleep in Koh Lanta
The island is long and not every beach is good for the same thing. If it’s your first time, go for Long Beach.
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See hotels in Koh Lanta
Need a hand?
We've stayed here ourselves and experienced it firsthand. If you have any questions, leave a comment below and avoid the typical first-timer mistakes.