An Insider’s Travel Guide to Phuket Island
Phuket Travel Guide and blog share 30 years of 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 real, local food in local restaurants, explore night markets, and discover the notorious nightlife and the famous Bangla Road in Patong Beach.
First Time in Phuket?
There are usually 5 steps to plan a perfect trip to Phuket: When to go? ► How long should I stay? ► Where to stay in Phuket? ► Which hotel? ► What to do? With your precious holiday time after you finally have dropped your suitcase in the perfect hotel! We help you with each of these steps… and more!
What to Do in Phuket?
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.
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 beaches can be bustling during the high season.
- The central west part of Phuket 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 beaches, are peaceful and have enough restaurants and great hotels for a great holiday.
- There are still some hidden secret beaches!
Choosing the right beach for you…
Located on the west coast, roughly in the middle of the island, Patong is the most popular beach resort in Phuket. The immense white sand beach is indeed one of the most beautiful, and with its huge number of restaurants, bars, and clubs, Patong has become a magnet for young travellers looking for fun and parties at night, then beach time during the day. Patong has become a very busy town and may not be to everyone’s taste during the high season, but there are more beaches to stay, and each has its own atmosphere!
Phuket Hotels and Accommodation
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
As our plane approaches Phuket island, and if we are lucky enough to have a window seat, 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, often tall limestone cliffs with a beautiful crescent of white sand that reminds us of Robinson Crusoe.
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 rental, but remember that driving here can be challenging for beginners!
Phuket with Kids 🧸
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.
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 south Thailand, from the cheapest street food to Michelin restaurants and everything in between.
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. While Patong is the beating heart of the nightlife here, each beach resort has something to offer after dinner, from rooftops to beach clubs and tattoo studios, all the way to simple bamboo bars on the sand facing the ocean!
Shopping
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.