Cha Am is the kind of seaside destination people visit to get away from all the partying and hubbub found on more popular beaches like Pattaya and Phuket. It’s a quiet town with few attractions aside from some wonderfully uncrowded sites and natural parks nearby to escape from the world, but this is precisely Cha Am’s charm. Fortunately, plenty of spectacular highlights aren’t far from Cha Am, particularly in Petchaburi.

Cha Am Fishing Village
Near Cha Am, past the docks over a narrow bridge is what is known as the Fishing village. The mainstay of the local economy is in full swing during the day and an interesting thing to witness. There is plenty of observe and a couple of places to eat, making it worth a few hours of exploration.

Eurasia Cha Am Lagoon
The greatest secret hangout beach spot in Cha Am is not near its main beach, but three kilometres north at the Euraisa Lagoon. Its two lovely free-form swimming pools look out over the sea and are free to the public. A terraced restaurant serves food and beer, but you can also bring your own snacks and refreshments. It’s open 24 hours so after sundown feel free to use the fire pits in the sand or take a dip in the gulf.

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
The “Mountain of Three Hundred Peaks” is one of the best national parks around Cha Am. A number of easy hikes lead to some spectacular sea vistas, and wildlife abounds in the forests. There are two caves in the park, and more extensive trekking can be arranged to visit Pala-U Waterfall along the Burmese border.

Mrigadayavan Palace
King Rama VI’s summer palace, known as the Palace of Love and Hope, is 10 kilometres south of Cha Am and a marvelous introduction into the royal lifestyle of Thailand’s monarchy. Built in 1922, it’s no longer used by the royal family, so visitors are welcome to explore the historic complex containing 16 teak houses and other interesting structures in a unique Thai-Victorian style. Dress codes apply, so wear conservative clothing. The palace’s extensive grounds can be toured by rental bikes too.

Temples of Petchaburi
If you really want to see the glory of Thailand’s Buddhist temples, you’ll need to leave Cha Am and head north to Petchaburi. It’s a temple-lover’s paradise, featuring some of the kingdom’s finest religious structures. Don’t miss Wat Yai Suwannaram and its amazing murals built during the Ayutthaya era. Wat Ko Keo Suttharam is another stunner from the 17th century. But for something unique check out Wat Kamphaeng Laeng, a temple built as a Hindu shrine during the reign of Khmer ruler King Jayavaraman VII (1157 to 1207).