7 Reasons you’ll enjoy Koh Lipe Walking Street with cafes to eat at, places to shop and more

Being basically the centre of the island, almost like a bustling little village, Koh Lipe Walking Street is the heart of well, Koh Lipe.

It’s typical to that of any small Thai island town – think Phi Phi Island’s tiny town – where small alleys and roadways connect you to another street to be discovered – and you might get lost once or twice.

But that’s the fun of it all anyway, right?

If you’re walking around the island, you usually have to walk through some of Walking Streets roads too, and if walking from beach to beach you will have to use these streets. The main entrance to Walking Street is actually from Pattaya Beach, convenient or what? 😉

(Walking street actually stretches from Pattaya beachfront until the middle of the island, which connects to the main road.)

Read more: 4D3N Koh Lipe and Langkawi Itinerary with things to do, places to eat and stay

1. It’s not only the heart, but also the soul food hub – Rak Lay Restaurant, Cafe Tropical, Elephant Cafe

Hungry??? You’d better bring your BIG appetites boys and girls, because this is where the food party is at!

It’s home to some of the best food on the island, and most people end up eating here most evenings because the food is just that good! (Plus it’s pretty much where all the cafes are too.)

There’s tons of variety, from fresh seafood on display (Rak-lay Restaurant is a firm favourite and always busy), to local Thai, your fusion-style restaurants and of course, all the glorious street food.

Apart from all that, we also noticed a little cafe culture they’ve got going on. If you’re in the mood for something fresh and healthy, places like Cafe Tropical will do the trick with their one of their Vegan Big Plates or Smoothie Bowls. 

It also caters for all budgets, from low to more high-end, so make sure you bring an empty stomach – we wanted to try everything!

PS: If you’re looking for an affordable brunch spot, check out Elephant Cafe, they make a delicious looking Eggs Florentine, as well as thick-crusted pizzas and yum burgers!

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2. Enjoy shopping in slightly more curated stalls – Shopping in Koh Lipe

Had your fair share of crazy markets in Thailand?

Things are a little more organised down at this Walking Street and it feels more like boutique stalls, but on an island, and each place has a roof over its head.

(If you’ve ever travelled to Vietnam, their Walking Streets are usually their Ancient/Old Towns and it’s more of this vibe, setup-wise.) 

Walls are lined with products, and these shops sells all sorts of unique handicrafts and artful assortments, beautifully and proudly on display.

There’s art for sale, and crystal shops selling beautiful hand-wrapped macrame jewellery, beautiful bohemian dresses and locally manufactured clothing –  and a plethora of handmade leather goods, herbal sprays and oils and traditional souvenirs.

Munay Designs was one shop that caught our attention and sells an eclectic mix of all the above goods, in one little shop (they have some gorgeous crystals and jewelry here for sale just FYI).

If you’re need of any beachwear and accessories, from swimming inflatables to snorkelling masks, waterproof-ware and buckets and spades – you’ll find everything you need for a day at the beach here too.

3. Music playing at every corner and always laughter in the air – Great Nightlife!

No matter where you’re walking, you’re sure to hear the sound of music in the air, whether it be live bands, bars or restaurants playing their own selection of instrumental sounds.

This just makes everything feel so lively, and add to that a mix of travellers from around the world – walking, chatting, laughing, eating, drinking, just general merriness!

Maya Bar is really a really epic hideaway hang on Walking Street, with your feet in the sand, among epic murals, groovy furniture and setup – and later on in the evenings there’s either live bands playing, or the DJs hit the decks spinning some house tunes.

Elephant Cafe, mentioned above, is not only an eatery, but in the evenings is home to live acts and bands full of talent, as well as open-mic evenings and gets really festive, a total vibe.

4. In-town Budget-Friendly Accommodation options

Let’s be real, whenever you’re staying on a small and secluded island, accommodation always tends to be a bit more pricey, and staying right on the beach/beachfront always will cost a penny more.

So if you’re travelling on a budget and are looking for cheaper options, there are some great hotels/guesthouses in the area. Here are some options you can consider!

The Box Lipe Resort (from USD $75.45) is a cute boutique stay that’s both comfortable and stylish! (They also have an in-house cafe that serves up a mean Padthai and more. Tried and tested!)

If you’re a fan of Industrial/Scandinavian design, you’ll enjoy Seventh Boutique Hotel (from USD $85) in all its minimalist glory.

Otherwise, try Bloom Cafe and Hostel (from USD $22). When you’re craving a smoothie bowl, head over to Bloom Cafe to chow down!

Finally, if you’re more of a beachy kinda person and you love your beach bungalows, Gecko Lipe Resort (from USD $19) has exactly what you’re looking for with its tropical bungalows!

5. From day-trips to ferry bookings, it’s your – Tourist Information and Go-to Hub

Not only does Walking Street have everything you may need for an island stay, and then some…

It’s also conveniently where you can book and buy day-tours to surrounding islands, ferries to and from Koh Lipe – and speedboat bookings to other major neighbouring islands such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.

There’s also a large tourist map outside an information centre – if you need to quickly re-centre yourself, or are looking for a shop/restaurant/accommodation in particular.

There’s also a few dive centres around here, and you can organise a snorkel/dive tour with them.

6. It also functions during the day, with shops open needed for vacation convenience

As with most walking streets across Thailand, they really come ALIVE during the evening hours – however this one does still have a function during day time hours.

The Walking Street officially opens at 6pm, and this is when all the shops and stops fully open. However, during the day there are some restaurants and cafes that are open.

If in case of a medical emergency of any kind, you’ll also find a few Medical Clinics around here, as well as pharmacies.

(Siam International Clinic have numerous branches and clinics around the South of Thailand, particularly the Southern Islands).

TripCanvas tip: Always remember that medication of any sort will always be more expensive on an island/remote destination as you kinda have to buy it from there only. Do remember this when travelling. Or if you need to stop at 7-eleven before you leave for Koh Lipe!

7. Communist or Capitalist? There’s a fixed priced for everything here.

Today we live (well most of us) live in the land of the free, i.e. in a capitalist society, where each producer/seller/even buyer is trying to get one up on the other.

So this was a little to our surprise, when we discovered that almost all shops sell their items – at the same, fixed price. (You can bargain, but be nice! The rule of thumb is to bargain at ½ or ¾ the price originally offered, and haggle from there.)

Massages are all at a fixed price. Thai Massages are 300 Baht, Oil Massage is 400 Baht and a Foot & Back Massage is 350 Baht – standard!

It’s the same story with the motorbike taxis on the island, which just happen to be the only mode of transport too. So if you’re tired and need to get from destination A to B, it’s a standard 50 Baht charge – no matter where you’re going or how far the distance.

This is where the island comes alive, and trust me, you certainly want to be a part of it!

Enjoy the holiday in your tropical paradise eating delicious food, picking up a few new beloved items – and enjoy live music and a cocktail or two under the stars.

Not only is this walking street convenient, but it sure is fun and we promise you won’t leave hungry! It was a lovely place for us, and I’m sure you’ll love it too. 🙂

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