Krabi is one of those places that can be as lazy or as adventurous as you want—towering limestone cliffs, jungle temples, riverfront sunsets, and night markets that basically turn dinner into a sport.

This 3-day itinerary uses the same “must-see” spots either way (Railay Beach + Princess Cave, Fossil Shell Cemetery, Khao Khanab Nam Caves, Wat Kaew, Thara Park, Krabi Walking Street, an ethical elephant experience, and Tiger Cave Temple). The only difference is where you sleep—and that changes how much you’ll be bouncing around in taxis.

If your goal is minimal transit + maximum eating, pick a base that matches your vibe:

Ao Nang base vs Krabi Town base (quick decision)

Stay in Ao Nang if you want…

• The smoothest day trip to Railay Beach + Princess Cave (Phra Nang Cave Shrine) (boats are constant and easy) Klook Travel
• Beach time built into your mornings/sunsets
• A big, easy night market that’s open daily (Ao Nang Landmark Night Market)

Stay in Krabi Town if you want…

• The best “eat-like-a-local” rhythm: riverfront strolls + markets + casual Thai spots
• Faster access to Tiger Cave Temple and a simple hop to Khao Khanab Nam
• A more local-feeling evening scene (especially on Walking Street weekends)

Pro foodie tip: If your dates include Friday–Sunday, plan one night around Krabi Walking Street (Weekend Night Market)—it typically runs Fri/Sat/Sun ~17:00–22:00.
If you’re not in town those days, make Ao Nang Landmark Night Market your “night-market anchor” instead (it’s generally open daily).

The route logic (so you don’t waste time in vans)

These sights naturally cluster into three “zones”:

1. Railay Peninsula Zone (boat-only vibe)
   Railay Beach + Princess Cave (Phra Nang Cave area)
2. Krabi Town Riverside Zone (walkable + snackable)
   Wat Kaew Korawaram, Khao Khanab Nam Caves, Thara Park, Krabi Walking Street
3. Inland Nature Zone (early start day)
   Tiger Cave Temple + an ethical elephant experience (do these together to avoid two separate inland trips)

Now let’s turn that into two clean 3-day plans.

Option A: 3 Days in Krabi (Ao Nang Base)

Best if you want beaches first, then do the “town + temples + markets” day as one focused loop.

Day 1 — Railay Beach + Princess Cave, then night-market dinner

Morning (low-transit win):

• Longtail boat from Ao Nang → Railay (boats run through the day; common window is roughly 08:00–18:00) Klook Travel
• Spend the morning on Railay Beach (swim, viewpoint walk, chill)

Midday:

• Walk to Phra Nang Beach and explore Princess Cave / Phra Nang Cave shrine area (this is the “Princess Cave” most travelers mean in Krabi).

Late afternoon:

• Float back to Ao Nang before the last easy shared boats taper off (if you’re staying for sunset, consider a private longtail back).

Evening (maximum food, zero thinking):

• Ao Nang Landmark Night Market for dinner sampling—go stall-to-stall, try grilled seafood, curry over rice, mango sticky rice, coconut pancakes, and whatever smells amazing. (It’s widely described as open daily.)

Day 2 — Inland power morning: Tiger Cave Temple + ethical elephants

This is your “start early, nap later” day.

Early morning:

• Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea) at opening-ish hours (commonly 06:00–18:00). Bangkok Air Blog
• If you’re climbing: it’s famously about 1,260 steps—bring water, go slow, and take breaks. Much Better Adventures

Late morning into midday:

• Head to an ethical elephant experience. For the most hands-off approach, look for observation-first/no-touch models (one well-known operator markets a no-touch, elephant-led experience).
• If a venue offers riding or performances, skip it. If they offer bathing, decide based on your comfort level—many travelers now prefer “observe only.”

Afternoon:

• Return to Ao Nang, beach break / pool / massage.

Dinner (Ao Nang):

• If you want a sit-down “big meal” night, Lae Lay Grill is a long-running sunset-view option in Ao Nang. laelaygrill.com

Day 3 — Fossil Shell Cemetery + Krabi Town riverside loop + Walking Street feast

Morning:

• Fossil Shell Cemetery (Susan Hoi / Fossil Shell Beach)—an easy half-day stop that’s unique and quick.
• Keep it moving: this is a “cool, weird, worth-seeing” stop, not an all-day hang.

Lunch:

• Transition toward Krabi Town and eat where locals eat (look for busy lunchtime spots; southern Thai tends to be spicier and intensely flavorful).

Afternoon (walkable cluster):

• Wat Kaew Korawaram (short visit, easy viewpoint feel).
• Khao Khanab Nam Caves (Krabi’s iconic twin karsts at the river entrance). Tourism Authority of Thailand
• Thara Park for a river breeze reset before dinner. GPSmyCity

Evening (the grand finale):

• Krabi Walking Street (Weekend Night Market)—go hungry. It’s widely listed as running Fri–Sun evenings.

Food strategy for Walking Street:
Do one savory lap (grilled skewers + curry + noodles), then a dessert lap (roti, mango sticky rice, coconut sweets), then a “why not” lap for the item you regret not buying the first time.

Option B: 3 Days in Krabi (Krabi Town Base)

Best if you want local food and river vibes nightly, and you’re okay commuting once to Ao Nang/Railay.

Day 1 — Krabi Town “no-car” day: Wat Kaew + Khao Khanab Nam + Thara Park + Walking Street

Morning:

• Wat Kaew Korawaram first (cooler temps, calmer vibe).

Late morning / early afternoon:

• Khao Khanab Nam Caves—Krabi’s signature twin mountains, around 100m tall, flanking the river at the city entrance. Tourism Authority of Thailand
• Aim to do this in daylight (it’s a cave + boat kind of outing).

Late afternoon:

• Thara Park riverfront stroll—perfect for sunset light and decompressing. GPSmyCity

Evening:

• Krabi Walking Street if it’s Fri–Sun (arrive early, then snack for hours). Thailandmagazine

Day 2 — Inland morning: Tiger Cave Temple + ethical elephants, then dinner back in town

Early morning:

• Tiger Cave Temple early for comfort and fewer crowds (commonly 06:00–18:00).
• If climbing, remember the ~1,260 steps and pace yourself. Much Better Adventures

Midday:

• Ethical elephant experience (again: prioritize no riding, no shows, ideally observation-led). Followinggiants

Evening:

• Back in Krabi Town for a relaxed meal—this is where staying in town pays off: you don’t have to “commute home” after dinner.

Day 3 — Ao Nang + Railay + Princess Cave (your one purposeful commute) + Fossil Shell stop

Morning:

• Transfer Krabi Town → Ao Nang, then longtail Ao Nang → Railay (common window roughly 08:00–18:00). Klook Travel
• Beach time + limestone cliffs = yes.

Midday:

• Walk to Phra Nang Beach and see Princess Cave / Phra Nang Cave shrine.

Afternoon (smart routing):

• On the way back toward town, add Fossil Shell Cemetery (Susan Hoi) as your “last interesting stop” before shower + dinner.

Evening (choose your night market):

• If it’s not a Walking Street night, go where the food is easiest: Ao Nang Landmark Night Market if you’re still near Ao Nang, or keep it local in town.

Food-first checklist (what to hunt for each day)

If you want to “eat Krabi properly,” aim to try:

• Southern Thai curry (often spicier than central Thai)
• Som tam (papaya salad) + grilled chicken
• Seafood: grilled prawns, squid, whole fish
• Khao soi (sometimes appears even in the south—grab it if you see it)
• Roti (banana, egg, or condensed milk… or all three)
• Mango sticky rice + coconut desserts
• Anything you’ve never heard of that locals are lining up for

Tiny tips that save big time

• Start temple/inland days early (heat hits differently in Krabi)
• Plan your Walking Street night around Fri–Sun so you don’t miss it Thailandmagazine
• Do Railay + Princess Cave in one day—they’re made for each other
• For elephants: pick venues that clearly state no riding (and ideally no forced bathing), and prefer observation-led models Followinggiants

Final call: which base wins for you?

• Choose Ao Nang if you want effortless Railay access and nightly market energy without planning. Klook Travel
• Choose Krabi Town if you want local food momentum, riverfront evenings, and faster starts for Tiger Cave + Khao Khanab Nam. Tourism Authority of Thailand