Like Hat Yai itself, the old town of Songkhla has been at the top of my list ever since a good friend of mine visited it a few years ago. Before that, I had hardly any interest in this part of Thailand.

Although I quite enjoyed Hat Yai overall, Songkhla was a considerable disappointment. (As you will see as you read on, this was partly my fault.)

So, is Songkhla worth a visit? There's no simple yes or no answer, although I'll give you a hint. It all depends on your travel plans for southern Thailand and the time you have available.

Distinction between Songkhla Province and Songkhla Old City

Before I discuss whether Songkhla is worth a visit, I'd like to clarify a few terms. First of all: "Songkhla." Although this post focuses primarily on Songkhla's old town, Songkhla is actually an entire province, which also includes the aforementioned town of Hat Yai. Considering Songkhla in this context, there are many reasons why it's definitely worth a visit.

Songkhla's old town stretches along a narrow isthmus right on the coast; the main part of the town consists of just a few streets. If you're planning a visit to Hat Yai anyway, a side trip there is less risky, even if you don't ultimately get much out of it. On the other hand, I can already say that I would never get on a plane and fly south just to explore Songkhla's old town.

Things to do in Songkhla

Explore the old town of Songkhla

Old Town or Old Street? It doesn't really matter, but when your minivan drops you off in Songkhla, you should head south towards the old buildings and warehouses that characterize this area. Be warned, though: you'll probably be exhausted before you've even really begun. Nevertheless, Songkhla's Old Town is one of my absolute favorite places in Songkhla.

Ascent to Tangkuan Hill

A possible next step would be to hike north until you reach the base of Tangkuan Hill. From there, you have a great view of the city and the surrounding area. Personally, however, I can't say that this proves Songkhla is worth a visit. The cable car was out of service; I had to walk along a poorly maintained path, past many monkeys.

Visit Koh Yo – or don't.

Looking south from Tangkuan Hill, you can see the vast island of Koh Yo. Located in Songkhla Lake, it's dotted with fishing villages and remnants of local culture – theoretically a worthwhile destination. However, for those only taking a day trip from Hat Yai to Songkhla, a visit there might not be worthwhile.

Off to the beach!

I certainly can't claim that the beaches are the only reason to visit Songkhla. On the other hand, some of them (especially Samila Beach) are definitely worth seeing, particularly if you have realistic expectations regarding the water and sand.

Watching the sunset at the mosque

Whether you stay in Songkhla or Hat Yai, the Songkhla Central Mosque (located roughly halfway between the two towns and sometimes called the "Thai Taj Mahal") is a must-see. I highly recommend visiting it at sunset and staying a while afterward to witness the sky ablaze with color.

Songkhla vs. Hat Yai

As I mentioned earlier, Songkhla's Old Town is just one destination within the larger Songkhla province. Hat Yai is another, though it's a huge city and not just a tourist area. While it does attract a certain number of tourists—mainly Malaysian Chinese looking for cheap seafood and Malaysian Muslims seeking discreet massage parlors—it is, ultimately, a proper city.

Ironically, while Songkhla is more geared towards tourists, the fact that it's not a "real city" actually puts me off visiting. It simply doesn't offer enough to make me want to return anytime soon. To be fair, I could say the same about Hat Yai, although arriving by plane does at least open up some additional travel options.

More frequently asked questions about visiting Songkhla

Is Songkhla worth a visit?

A half-day trip to Songkhla's old town (or a full-day trip including Koh Yo island) can be worthwhile if you're already planning a stay in nearby Hat Yai. Personally, though, I wouldn't hop on a plane and fly south just to spend a day in Songkhla.

Is it possible to swim at Songkhla beach?

You can swim at the beaches in Songkhla, although in my opinion neither the water nor the sand is particularly beautiful. Furthermore, jellyfish are known to lurk in the coastal waters – and since these are not very clear, they can be difficult to spot.

Are Songkhla and Hat Yai the same thing?

Songkhla and Hat Yai are not the same. Hat Yai is a town in Songkhla province, which also includes the old town of Songkhla, located about 30–45 minutes away by minivan. In other words, although Hat Yai is part of Songkhla, it can also be considered a separate town.

Conclusion

Is Songkhla worth a visit? Yes, but only if you already have enough time for all the activities Songkhla has to offer during your Thailand trip. I wouldn't recommend making a detour specifically for it, especially if it means less time for island hopping (for example). Looking back, if I could have, I definitely would have included a trip to Koh Yo in my Songkhla Old Town itinerary, as it wasn't really appealing enough on its own to justify the trip. Want more honest tips for planning your Thailand trip? Then why not have a personalized Thailand itinerary created for you?