Koh Lanta Old Town Walking Street: Things to Do
Lanta Old Town: century-old shophouses on stilts over the sea
Lanta Old Town is Koh Lanta's most charming corner. It's a single walking street of wooden shophouses, many about a century old, built on stilts over the sea on the island's quiet east coast. It was once the island's main trading port and began as a sea gypsy settlement.
Today you'll find cafés with sea-view terraces, a red-and-gold Chinese shrine, a weekend market and a long pier with boats to nearby islands. Here's what to do in Lanta Old Town, with a map link for each spot.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | East coast of Koh Lanta Yai |
| Distance from Saladan pier | About 20 km, 30 to 40 minutes by car or scooter |
| Distance from Long Beach or Klong Dao | About 13 to 15 km, around 25 minutes |
| Old Town market | Sunday mornings (some stalls on Saturdays too) |
| Saladan Walking Street night market | Fridays 6pm to 11pm (Tripadvisor listing) |
| Best time to visit | Late afternoon, November to April |
| Getting there | Scooter, car or tuk-tuk. No scheduled public transport |
Things to do in Lanta Old Town
1Walk the stilt-house street
The main street runs along the water, lined with old wooden shophouses built on stilts over the sea. Many now hold souvenir shops, cafés and seafood restaurants with terraces over the water.
Lanterns hang along the street. Half a day is enough to explore it all. Go at high tide, when the sea rises up around the stilt houses.
2Browse the Sunday morning market
A local morning market has run in Old Town on Sundays for years. Stalls sell fresh produce and handcrafted souvenirs. One guide says some stalls also open on Saturdays.
Go early for the liveliest atmosphere and the coolest weather.
3Visit the Koh Lanta Community Museum
The small museum sits in the old wooden district office at the roundabout where the Old Town road begins. It covers the Thai, Chinese and Urak Lawoi sea nomad communities that shaped the island, plus island life before mass tourism.
One guide says entry is free. Hours aren't consistently listed, so check locally first.
4See the Maha Katyayana Chinese shrine
This red-and-gold shrine, also called the Phra Sangkajai Shrine, sits on a narrow pier over the water. Two golden dragons guard the walkway. You'll smell incense and see offerings left by locals.
Cover your shoulders and knees. Remove your shoes before entering any building with a Buddha image.
5Walk the Old Town pier and take a boat to Koh Por
The long pier gives you the best view back over the stilt houses, plus a half-sunken boat and the island of Koh Por. Longtail boats leave from the end of the pier for Koh Por, about 20 minutes away, for ฿100 per person.
Koh Por has rubber plantations, a beach and kayaking. Agree your return time with the boatman before you go. Longtails also run to Koh Bubu and Koh Talabeng, so settle the price first.
6Eat with a sea view at Rareview Coffee and Restaurant
Rareview is a waterside restaurant on the main street with a swing and a great view over the sea. One travel writer recommends the fried khao soi with "flying noodles." It's open daily from 9am to 9pm.
Food in Old Town tends to cost less than on the west coast beaches.
7Shop at Hammock House
Hammock House was founded in 1996 by Butch and Jaeb. It sells handmade hammocks produced with the Mlabri tribe of northern Thailand, helping the community toward financial independence.
It's a great place for a meaningful souvenir.
8Visit Wat Koh Lanta
Wat Koh Lanta is a short walk inland. One guide calls it the only Buddhist temple on the island. You can see the ordination hall and a small bell tower.
Dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering.
9Let the kids play at the lobster monument and playground
A big, bright blue lobster statue serves as the village mascot. It isn't a must-see, but kids usually love it.
There's also a small playground by the pier, handy for a quick break with children.
10Take a cooking class with Mon
Cooking with Mon runs small-group Thai cooking classes in Old Town from 11am to 4pm. It costs ฿1,600 per person. You learn three dishes and get a PDF of the recipes afterwards.
11Time your visit for the Laanta Lanta Festival
The Laanta Lanta Festival runs for about three days, starting on the first full moon in early March. It brings chefs from Koh Lanta's top resorts, local food, snacks, sweets and live music on several stages.
It's the busiest and most festive time to visit Old Town.
Bonus: Saladan Walking Street night market
Saladan Walking Street, Koh Lanta: street food and handmade goods
If you're looking for the "Walking Street" night market, head to Saladan in the north of the island. Tripadvisor lists it on Fridays from 6pm to 11pm. It has street food, handmade goods and clothing.
Reviews are mixed. One visitor in March 2026 said "the food was very delicious and freshly prepared," while another called it "an absolutely inauthentic market." It's a fun evening out, especially with kids.
Tips for visiting Lanta Old Town
- Go in the late afternoon. The street cools down and the light falls on the water.
- Avoid midday, when there's little shade.
- Visit between November and April. Many businesses close from May to October.
- Rent a scooter or car, or hire a tuk-tuk for the round trip, since there's no public transport.
- Carry a light scarf or sarong for temples and shrines.
- Muslim travellers should look for halal signs or ask before ordering, as I couldn't confirm which Old Town restaurants are halal.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Going to Old Town on a Friday night expecting the Walking Street night market. It's in Saladan.
- Visiting at midday in full sun.
- Forgetting to agree a return time with your longtail boatman.
- Skipping the pier, which has the best view of the stilt houses.
- Expecting a big market every day.
Sourced from Visit Thailand Today's Lanta Old Town and Koh Lanta Community Museum guides, Home Is Where Your Bag Is, Amazing Lanta, Tripadvisor Walking Street Koh Lanta, Mindtrip's Lanta Walking Street and Old Town Sunday Market listings and Voyage Tips.