Koh Lanta Old Town, located on Koh Lanta’s East coast, was once the island’s main port for trade. Now Lanta Old Town is a charming place to visit which looks and feels like it’s stood still in time.
Lanta Old Town was originally a sea gypsy settlement. Over the decades it transformed into a village influenced by trade. Now you can enjoy many shops, restaurants and homes built on stilts above the sea level. This is great when the tide is in and also overlooks other islands and the mainland allowing breathtaking views.
A few years ago you could not stay in Lanta Old Town but now you can now enjoy a taste of Thai culture which you can’t experience anywhere else on Koh Lanta.
The Old Town has a distinct Chinese influence and a very slow, laid back feel. Walking around looking at the lanterns gives you a sense of days gone by. While still a fishing village for the locals, much of Old Town’s trade now comes through low-key tourism with gift shops selling local goods like real leather.
Cool bars like Mango House, and numerous restaurants offering great sea food dishes. See our page on Best places to eat in Koh Lanta Old Town for our recommendations.
How To Get To Lanta Old Town
The quickest way to get to Lanta Old Town is by Express Transfer, which combines a minivan and speedboat to get you door to door from Krabi Airport to your Koh Lanta hotel. You can also get a Private Minivan Transfer which is perfect for families and groups of friends.
Lanta Old Town Map on Google Maps
This is our comprehensive Google Map of Lanta Old Town on Koh Lanta. We recommend you open the map in a new window to see it properly.
Each type of landmark has a different colour marker on the map:
- BLUE: Accommodation on Koh Lanta
- GREEN: Food and Drink on Koh Lanta/li>
- BRIGHT RED: Things To Do on Koh Lanta
- ORANGE: Shopping on Koh Lanta
- DARK RED: Koh Lanta Practicalities
- PURPLE: Koh Lanta Landmarks
Click on a marker and it will give you the name of the landmark, with a brief description and links for more information and directions. You can pan, scroll, and zoom around the map, or use the + or – buttons in the bottom left of the map to zoom in and out.
Click on the icon in the top left corner for an index of every location, sorted by category. Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want. Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
Each category is on a different layer, which can be switched on and off. So you can just see the Hotel or Restaurant pins, for example.
If you are using the map on your phone, open the Koh Lanta Thailand Map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
There’s also plenty of space to park your bike if you drive to Old Town from the beaches.
Koh Lanta Hammock House
One of the coolest shops to visit is Hammock House helping the world relax since 1996. Founded by Butch and Jaeb, two very nice and understandably relaxed owners.
Good things come out of the hammock business: “The Hammocks were conceived as a way to help the Mlabri tribe of North-Thailand in their search for a new livelihood. Due to deforestation, their once nomadic life-style in the jungles of Laos & Thailand was no longer an option and they have struggled long time to find a suitable alternative. Now, making these quality hammocks has finally brought them financial independence within the home village and makes prior alternatives such as tough field work or sweatshop labour unnecessary ”
During the first full moon at the start of March, Lanta Old Town holds a festival of culture, known as the Laanta-Lanta festival.
The festival normally lasts for three days and hosts talented chefs from Koh Lanta’s Luxury resorts showing their expertise and also local community members serving up local food. You can enjoy many snacks, sweets and meals and live music on many stages. Well worth a visit if you are on Koh Lanta.
Lanta Old Town also has a museum which traces back the life and times of Koh Lanta. There is even a picture of His Majesty the King sitting on a rock on Koh Lanta when he was younger.
For many locals, the tsunami of 26th December 2004 is still a vivid memory. Koh Lanta was a lucky island and largely escaped the full force of the tsunami, however some rubble still remains in the Old Town harbour from that terrible day, leaving a reminder of the devastation.
Villas near Koh Lanta Old Town
If your looking for a quiet retreat away from the masses along Koh Lanta beach areas. There are now a selection of villas built very close to the Old Town. The villas sit in stunning natural beautiful surroundings where you can witness the spiritual sun rise over the distant islands. Villas near the Old Town also offer you the chance to experience Koh Lanta in a different way, and get a glimpse in to Thailand local island life but still enjoy all the refines of luxury living.
Villa Colugo
Location: East Coast near Old Town
:: Book on Booking.com and Agoda.comVilla Colugo is a luxury one bedroom seafront villa set in 2 acres of private grounds. The villa is in a secluded location on Koh Lanta's east coast. More Info
Villa Loris
Location: East Coast near Old Town
:: Book on Booking.com or Agoda.comVilla Loris is a two bedroom seafront villa set in 2 acres of private grounds. The secluded location provides peace and quiet away from the crowds. More Info
