The province is an ancient city having a very long history. The archaeological evidence suggests that the community existed since the Dvaravati Period. The evidence clearly shows that during Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Periods, Phetchaburi was and important city in the West, a fortified frontier of the Ayutthaya Kingdom against the Burmese. A lineage of Kings ruled this historical city. The history of Phetchaburi has been found in the remains and antiques, not to mention the valuable works of art handed down from its ancestors to the present generation.

In the Rattanakosin Period, Phetchaburi has changed its role from a strategic city to a town full of natural beauty, a seaside resort and a place to take a pleasant journey to. The three kings of the Rattanakosin Period, King Rama the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth found their retreats here. They built the three palaces : Phranakhonkhiri, Phraramrajanivet, Phrarajnivesmarugadayawan in Phetchaburi.

Phetchaburi has been nicknamed by some scholars as the "Living Ayutthaya" because the town has many things similar to the Ayutthaya City which was almost completely destroyed after the Thai-Burmese War over two hundred years ago. The prosperity of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and can be seen and appreciated by anyone who is interested.