Phuket Travel Guide 🏝️

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.

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 sceneries just a short boat ride away. There are activities for everyone: scuba diving, snorkelling, golf, ziplining, and Muay Thai for active travellers, as well as cooking classes and spas if you prefer to take it easy. We did not forget families! Kids can feed the elephants, learn to surf safely and play in water parks.

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.

1. Most of the sandy beaches are on the west coast.
2. The most popular beaches are in the southwest, but also the busiest: Patong, Kata, and Karon can be bustling during the high season.
3. 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.
4. The northwest beaches, such as Naithon, Nai Yang, and Mai Khao, are peaceful and have enough restaurants and great hotels for a great holiday.
5. There are still some hidden secret beaches!

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 we find it quite enjoyable during the rainy season.

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.

Are you planning to party at night and relax on the beach the next day, or are you looking for a quiet and remote location? Are you planning to spend a lot of time in your hotel relaxing, or is it just a base from which to explore the island? What is your budget? When do you plan to visit? Is the weather important or can you take a bit of rain for better prices? In the past 30 years, we explored and reviewed hundreds of hotels on the island to share them on the blog, from luxury to budget, from beachfront resorts to private pool villas.

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.

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. Island hopping is very easy to organise for an unforgettable day trip, and we never miss a chance! Similan Islands is another iconic gem that only opens during the high season (October to May) and is a bit far in the northwest area.

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.

We enjoy great Thai food by the roadside for just 50 baht or have a fancy dinner with a sunset on a romantic terrace by the sea. The choice of Thai food is staggering! We share new places as we discover them. You can start with the classic and well-known Thai dishes and the amazing seafood, try some excellent local Thai restaurants, and then experience real southern specialities.

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.

It’s much easier and safer than most people think. We listed great hotels with swimming pools dedicated to children and kids’ clubs with fun teams to keep the young ones busy with plenty of fun activities. Keeping the kids happy is easy and fun with waterparks, many kids’ parks with various activities, fun attractions, and, of course, all the vast white beaches of Phuket are freely accessible.

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.

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. Just next to Jungceylon, Banzaan Fresh Market is a great opportunity to explore the vast range of tropical fruits, seafood, spices, and ingredients used in Thai food. If you are in Phuket Town, Central Floresta is now the largest shopping mall on the island.

This story was first published on February 14, 2012