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.
Phuket is Thailand’s largest and best-known island, about 850 km southwest of Bangkok. The island is relatively small: 48 km north to south and 21 km west to east, making exploring in a day or two easy. Beyond 40 superb beaches, our list of things to see and do during the day is vast: Phuket Big Buddha, the many beautiful temples and the streets of Old Phuket Town are just the most popular places we list on our blog. We listed even more exploration outside Phuket: Phang Nga Bay with James Bond Island and Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, plus dozens of tropical islands with stunning scenery just a short boat ride away.
What are the best things to do in Phuket is one of the most important questions people ask us when planning a trip. We explored the island for 30 years to bring you the best of Phuket, sorted in what we saw and what people liked the most. Read More
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.
Phuket is known today for its beach clubs, resorts, and nightlife, but beyond the modern lifestyle, there is another side that many forget — what we call the “Real Phuket.” This side of the island hasn’t disappeared. It’s just a Read More
Our list of the best local Thai restaurants in Phuket keeps growing because local food in Phuket is great, especially if you step away from Patong Beach! We chose not to list any places and no trendy venues here; our Read More
Our Old Phuket Town and Old Street Walking Guide will save you time and effort! The historical part of Phuket is not huge but is rich and exciting enough to explore in half a day. Read More
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.
Our Phuket Webcam lets you see what the weather in Phuket looks like right now from a unique bird's view of Patong beach from a live cam located at the top of the Patong Tower. Read More
In November, the weather in Phuket starts showing some improvement as it is the last month of the rainy season. On an average year, you can expect a mix of sun and rain, and while the risk of entire days of heavy rain still exists, sunny days are frequent. Read More
December in Phuket is the first month of the much-awaited high season, and the weather is usually perfect unless it’s an unlucky year. Typically, the weather in Phuket is beautiful, with a magnificent blue sky peppered with tiny white clouds and a cool temperature. Read More
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.
Kata Beach, on the west coast of Phuket island, is one of the most visited beaches after Patong Beach. Kata enjoys a lovely sandy bay with an incredibly blue sea and an iconic island standing in the middle of the ocean, making excellent sunset photos. Read More
Explore Patong with us! from the beach to the famous nightlife, we share 30 years of real reviews and insider's tips on clubs, go-go bars, hotels and restaurants! Read More
Kamala Beach is a very nice beach with a tranquil atmosphere on the west coast of Phuket, popular with families and travellers who prefer a quiet holiday. Read More
Bang Tao Beach is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, halfway between Phuket airport and Patong Beach on the island's west coast and part of the Cherngtalay area. Read More
Karon is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, ranking 3rd on our beach popularity page. It enjoys a 3 kilometres stretch of white sand, a decent choice of dining and nightlife, and never seems to draw crowds of tourists, which is a good thing. Read More
Nai Harn is a superb beach with soft, smooth white sand tucked between green hills and a couple of tiny islands in the south of Phuket. More laid-back than West Coast tourist spots, Nai Harn has enough restaurants, hotels, and shops near the beach for a great day and has remained relatively untouched. Read More
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.
Finding the right family resort in Phuket is as challenging as it is important. Phuket has a great range of hotels that appeal to families, from cosy guesthouses with local charm to sprawling luxury resorts. Read More
Staying in a true beachfront resort in Phuket is the obvious dream of most people travelling to a tropical island. The beaches of Phuket can be pretty amazing, and there are thousands of hotels here now, but those right on the sand are minimal, not to mention costly too. Read More
Picking the right beach to book your hotel can and will significantly impact your holiday. There are 44 beaches in Phuket, and they can be divided into four categories, plus Phuket Town. The beaches where most people book their hotels are Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Bang Tao, and Kamala. Read More
Staying in one of the amazing pool villas of Phuket, overlooking the Andaman Sea is, without a doubt, the most fantastic way to enjoy a holiday on the island. If you can afford such luxury, of course. Read More
Here are some of the best hotels in Phuket that we personally enjoyed the most. We stayed in these hotels without informing them in advance, so our experience was exactly like any other guest, and we can recommend each one without hesitation. Read More
Patong Beach hotels come at many prices, sizes, and locations, so finding a hotel in Phuket that will please your budget and all your needs can be tricky. Many readers ask for our suggestions, but no hotel in Patong fits all. Read More
As our plane approaches Phuket Island, we are always amazed by how many islands we will fly over! In the northeast, the vast Phang Nga Bay is home to hundreds of exotic islands. Cruising east and southeast, Phi Phi Islands are the best known, but there are other gems we often go for a break, such as Racha Island, Coral Island, Rang Yai and our favourite hidden gem: Koh Yao Noi.
There are so many big and small islands around Phuket; it would take forever to visit them all. Most are not far, and you should consider island hopping for your trip or even a private cruise. These are just a few islands near Phuket... Read More
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.
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!
Travelling to Phuket with kids offers a perfect blend of family fun and relaxation with the island’s beaches, attractions, and exciting adventures. Kids can enjoy building sandcastles on picturesque shores, exploring vibrant markets, and visiting attractions like the Aquarium and ethical elephant sanctuaries. Family-friendly accommodations with pools and childcare services make for a comfortable stay.
Phuket is a great destination for families, as there are many fun things to do in Phuket with kids and the whole family. Of course, you could spend your entire holiday on the beach and in the sea with your children, but it would be a waste not to add some activities to your stay. Read More
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.
Phuket Beach Clubs are great places to enjoy the island’s easygoing lifestyle. You’ll find them along the sand of several beaches around the island, each with its own style. Read More
Shopping in Phuket is cheap and surprisingly fun! With so many street stalls, night markets and bazaars, anyone can find something to take back home. The Sunday Walking Street Market is the most talked about, but more markets are open on weekdays, including Chillva Market and Naka Market in Phuket Town and Malin Plaza in Patong Beach. Jungceylon in Patong is the most popular shopping mall in Phuket. It offers entertainment, spas, and restaurants to keep you busy on a rainy day or evening.
Night markets in Phuket are always fun; from the new Chillva Market to the giant Naka Weekend Market or the Sunday Walking Market in Phuket Town, almost everyone loves to browse the incredible array of things you don't need. Read More
Located in the heart of Patong Beach, not far from the famous Bangla Road, Jungceylon Phuket shopping centre is the largest on Phuket Island, spanning more than 200,000 square meters. Read More
Central Phuket is one of the biggest malls on the island, split into two massive wings on either side of a wide road: Festival and Floresta. If you're just exploring, it can feel like two different malls, but it’s actually one big complex. Read More
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.
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.
Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 is a national contemporary art biennial set across Phuket, featuring Thai and international artists under the theme “Eternal [Kalpa],” which explores long-timescale relations between humans and nature. Read More
Christmas in Phuket is a festive and lively time. Hotels host special evening events with cocktails and buffet dinners, often served by the pool. Many include live performances, music, and entertainment to add to the fun. Read More
What are the best party places for New Year’s Eve in Phuket? This is a big question that is coming up soon. New Year is a day like no other, and this is the place to be! Phuket is pretty much a party all year round, so you can expect some serious happening all around the island. Read More
