Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Ñaño house with mausoleum skull in foreground.
Ñaño Casa Museo
Honningsvåg Bamse Statue
Honningsvåg Bamse Statue
The salt cairn.
The Lewis and Clark Salt Works
South entrance.
Reigate Tunnel
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è Pasta... E Pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
about 10 hours ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
about 13 hours ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
about 14 hours ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
about 14 hours ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All Thailand Ko Samui

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Ko Samui

5 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Ko Samui, Thailand

Updated December 27, 2024

Email
Attractions
Food & Drink
Map
Leaderboards
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Ko Samui

Luang Pho Dang

Ko Samui, Thailand

Mummy of Luang Pho Dang

Self-mummified monk who wears sunglasses and has become a gecko hatchery.
The temple complex of Wat Phra Yai from the base of the staircase

Ko Samui, Thailand

Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple)

A dazzling temple featuring a towering 12-meter golden Buddha.

Ko Samui, Thailand

Secret Buddha Garden

A sculpture garden built by a retired durian farmer.
Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks.

Ko Samui, Thailand

Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks (Hin Ta Hin Yai)

This natural rock formation has an anatomical aesthetic.
Crab meat and shrimp get pounded in a mortar and pestle with grated coconut, shrimp paste, chili and aromatics, smeared on the inside of a coconut shell and grilled until fragrant,

Ko Samui, Thailand

Bangpor Seafood Takho

Dig into rustic southern Thai island dishes at this decades-old beach shack.
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Ko Samui

Crab meat and shrimp get pounded in a mortar and pestle with grated coconut, shrimp paste, chili and aromatics, smeared on the inside of a coconut shell and grilled until fragrant,

Ko Samui, Thailand

Bangpor Seafood Takho

Dig into rustic southern Thai island dishes at this decades-old beach shack.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Ko Samui, Thailand

A
5

Ko Samui Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. embentley1
    1
  2. Hermit
    1
  3. randyfix2
    1
  4. AdOYo
    1
  5. Austin Bush
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Ko Samui.

Places Edited

  1. randyfix2
    3
  2. Lee Scott
    3
  3. linkogecko
    3
  4. Aksel
    1
  5. AdOYo
    1
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. johnm c4d2bcfe
    4
  2. okara
    3
  3. Tharmph
    3
  4. johncamp500
    3
  5. carlitosway
    3
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Ko Samui.

Recent Ko Samui Activity

  • Lee Scott

    has been to Mummy of Luang Pho Dang

    5 days ago
  • Lee Scott

    updated Mummy of Luang Pho Dang

    5 days ago
  • gronlisandal

    wants to go to Secret Buddha Garden

    4 days ago
  • jskelhorn22

    wants to go to Mummy of Luang Pho Dang

    4 days ago
  • Lee Scott

    updated Mummy of Luang Pho Dang

    4 days ago

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.