A True Insider’s Travel Guide to Phuket Island
Our Phuket Travel Guide and personal blog share 30 years of passionate exploration and photography to help you plan your trip. We’ll help you prepare it, decide where to stay to fit your holiday style, pick all the best things to do, and even discover some hidden gems off the beaten track, secret beaches, and amazing islands. Try some truly local Thai food in local restaurants, explore night markets, and discover the notorious nightlife and the famous Bangla Road in Patong Beach.
What to Do in Phuket in 2026?
After 30 years here in Phuket, I still find new things to do. That says a lot about this island. Yes, there are over 40 beaches, but Phuket goes far beyond sunbathing. The Big Buddha is worth the drive up the hill. Old Phuket Town is a full morning of walking, eating, and photographing old Sino-Portuguese shophouses. The temples are genuinely beautiful if you take time to explore them properly. And once you’ve seen the island, there’s Phang Nga Bay with its dramatic limestone karsts, James Bond Island, and dozens of smaller islands you can reach in under an hour by speedboat. I’ve listed everything we’ve explored over the years, from the obvious highlights to places most visitors never hear about.
The Real Phuket
Many visitors think the real Phuket is gone, lost under all the development and beach resorts. But it’s still here, just harder to spot. Old family-run restaurants still serve the same local dishes they’ve made for decades. Historic streets, Chinese shrines, Thai temples, and quiet museums still tell the story of the island’s past. You just need to know where to look. That’s what we do: help you find the places locals still love and visit every day. The real Phuket is not a show. It’s lived, it’s authentic, and it’s worth discovering.
Weather in Phuket
Phuket’s monsoon season can be unpredictable. It doesn’t rain all day, every day, but when it does, it pours. The good news? You don’t have to waste a day hiding in your hotel. We’ve lived here long enough to know how to make the most of a rainy day, and there are actually plenty of fun things to do when the sky turns grey. From local food adventures to indoor activities you might not expect, we’ll help you turn a wet day into something worth remembering.
Phuket Map and Beaches Locator
Our map will help you locate the many beaches and visualise our small island’s geography.
The Beaches of Phuket
We explored more than 40 amazing beaches to help you decide which beach you wish to stay on and which beach you want to explore during your holiday. We also remind you that the situation is very different during high season and low season.
- Most of the sandy beaches are on the west coast.
- The most popular beaches are in the southwest, but also the busiest: Patong, Kata, and Karon can be bustling during the high season.
- The central west part of the island is getting trendy: Kamala and Bang Tao Beaches now offer many fancy restaurants, beach clubs, and a wide choice of affordable 4- and 5-star resorts.
- The northwest beaches, such as Naithon, Nai Yang, and Mai Khao, are peaceful and have enough restaurants and great hotels for a great holiday.
- There are still some hidden secret beaches!
Phuket Hotels and Accommodation
We found that there are usually 6 steps to plan a perfect trip to Phuket:
► When to go?
► How long should you stay?
► What kind of holiday do you prefer?
► Where to stay in Phuket?
► Which hotel is best for you?
► What to do once in Phuket?
With your precious holiday time after you have finally dropped your suitcase in the perfect hotel! We help you with each of these steps… and more!
There is a vast range of hotels for all budgets, and it can be challenging to pick the right beach and hotel in Phuket. We found most hotels on the island’s main beaches: Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala, Bang Tao, Maikhao, and Old Town. Before diving into this section of our travel guide, it is good to consider what you want for your holiday.
Islands Nearby
Every time I fly into Phuket, I look out the window and count the islands below. There are so many. Phi Phi gets all the attention, and it deserves it, but the islands around Phuket go far beyond that one famous destination. Racha Island has some of the clearest water I’ve seen anywhere. Coral Island is close enough for a half-day trip. Koh Yao Noi feels like stepping back 20 years, quiet and unhurried. And Phang Nga Bay, with its hundreds of karst islands rising from the water, never gets old no matter how many times I go. If you have time, don’t just stay on Phuket. Get on a boat.
Where and What to Eat in Phuket?
Thai food is an endless discovery, and if food is as important to you as it is to us, Phuket will surprise you! Experience true local food with us, as there is much to enjoy in southern Thailand, from the cheapest street food to Michelin restaurants and everything in between.
Phuket with Kids 🧸
Phuket is genuinely easy to travel with children. The beaches are safe (during high season) and shallow in the right spots, there’s always something to do when kids get restless, and Thai people are incredibly welcoming to families. Beyond the usual beach days, you’ll find water parks, aquariums, elephant sanctuaries (the ethical ones), and enough night markets to keep everyone happy. Most family-friendly resorts have kids’ clubs and pools with slides, so parents can actually relax. The main thing to know: pick the right beach (Kata and Bang Tao work well for families) and book a hotel with decent facilities, and you’re set.
Phuket Nightlife
Patong Beach nightlife has always been legendary; it’s pretty unique and as fun and wild as you want it to be. Bangla Walking Street, also known as Bangla Road, is where you will find clubs with famous international DJs, excellent live music bands that won’t cost you more than a drink to enjoy, dozens of easy-going beer bars, and, of course, the go-go bars that always trigger curiosity.
Shopping
I love shopping in Phuket, and there’s no shortage of places to do it. The night markets are where I spend most of my time. The Sunday Walking Street in Old Town is the most popular, and it’s worth going for the food alone, but the stalls selling local crafts and clothes are just as good. Chillva Market has a younger vibe on weekday evenings. Naka Weekend Market is huge and chaotic, which is part of the fun. For air-conditioned shopping, Jungceylon in Patong has everything you’d expect from a big mall, plus it’s a good escape when it rains. Central Phuket, near the town, is even bigger and has become my go-to for serious shopping. But honestly, the real finds are still at the markets, not the malls.
Useful Information
This section of our travel guide covers all the aspects and elements you need to plan your first time in Phuket or next trip, from the correct Phuket pronunciation to weather information, when is the best time to come, weather information month by month (even with a live webcam!), where to exchange money at the best rates as there are many options for getting Thai Baht, but the best rate is in the street and at the many ATMs around the island. We also share some information on driving, car rentals, and scooter rentals, but remember that driving here can be challenging for beginners!
Phuket 101 Directory
The Phuket 101 Directory is a fast-growing resource for anyone planning a trip to Phuket. Joining the directory is free, and it continues to expand, so you’re sure to find the latest local updates. Travellers can easily search for restaurants, shops, attractions, and nightlife venues close to their hotels or favourite beaches. With options sorted by type, location, and popularity, the directory helps make every trip simple and organised. Add your own business for FREE to the directory here.
Latest Additions:
Bisou Phuket
Casuarina Beach Club
Fantastic Phuket Museum
The Garage OG Phuket
Events and Festivals in Phuket
The Phuket Event Calendar helps travellers discover what’s happening across the island. Submitting your event is completely free, and the calendar continues to grow with fresh updates every week. Travellers can browse festivals, dining promotions, sports events, concerts, and special celebrations happening near their hotels or favourite areas. Events are sorted by date, type, and location, so planning becomes simple and organised. From major island-wide festivals to intimate hotel gatherings, the calendar connects visitors with Phuket’s vibrant lifestyle. To add your events, click here.