.
Skip to content

What to Do?

What to Do in Phuket? What not to miss, and what are the must-see? There are so many answers. Phuket is blessed with many activities and attractions. Some are on the island, and the most impressive are near enough to visit one or more in a single day. After 25 years here, it is quite easy to answer, and we listed all the places we love most in this ‘Phuket Attractions’ section… have fun!

Kitesurfing in Phuket

Kitesurfing in Phuket

    Kitesurfing, an exhilarating water sport that combines elements of surfing, wakeboarding, and kite flying, has gained popularity on the beautiful island of Phuket.

    Aungku Phuket Cafe in Old Phuket Town

    Aungku Phuket Cafe

      Aungku Phuket is a cafe that literally popped up in a couple of months at the intersection of two famous streets of the Old Phuket Town: Thalang Road Soi Romanee.

      Fuga Beach Club in Patong Beach, Phuket

      FUGA Beach Club

        FUGA Beach Club, located at the northern end of Patong Beach just below Novotel Patong, is a recently opened seaside restaurant and beach club offering a fun experience.

        What to Do in Phuket?

        What to Do in Phuket

          What to Do in Phuket? Phuket is known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant nightlife. Some of the most popular attractions on the island include the Big Buddha, Wat Chalong Temple, the old streets of Phuket Town

          Flamingo Beach Front Cafe - Ao Yon Beach

          Flamingo Beach Front Cafe – Ao Yon Beach

            Flamingo Beach Front Cafe is a superb beachside restaurant and bar located on the hidden Ao Yon Beach, southwest of Phuket. Its unique location right on the beach offers stunning views of the turquoise waters and soft sand.

            Starbucks Sinae Phuket on Koh Sirey Island

            Hilltop Cafe by Sinae Phuket

              Hilltop Cafe by Sinae Phuket is an unusual and unexpected version of the famous Seattle-based coffee shop, perched at the top of Sinae Hotel on Koh Siray, an island located east of Phuket Town and connected to Phuket by a bridge so short that it never felt like an island.

              Meg Khram The Sunshine Restaurant in Patong Beach, Phuket

              Meg Khram The Sunshine Restaurant

                Meg Khram The Sunshine Restaurant is an upmarket Thai restaurant located at the north end of Patong Beach, where the original Baan Rim Pa restaurant used to be, just at the feet of Novotel Phuket Resort.

                Kata Night Market, Phuket Thailand

                Kata Night Market

                  Kata Night Market is not a very well-known market as it is rather hidden between a maze of buildings and small hotels in the middle of Kata Beach, roughly behind Club Med hotel.

                  Phuket Big Buddha is the most important landmark of Phuket in Thailand

                  Hiking to Phuket Big Buddha from Karon Beach

                    Hiking to Phuket Big Buddha from Karon Beach is a great experience for the adventurous: there’s a slower and sweatier way to the top of Big Buddha hill, starting from the west side of the hill near Kata and Karon beaches.

                    Wat Chalong Fair in Phuket

                    Wat Chalong Fair 2026 – 16 to 22 February

                      Wat Chalong Fair runs for about 10 days every year during the Chinese New Year. It’s a proper Thai temple fair with carnival rides, loud stage shows, firecrackers, and endless food stalls.

                      Maya Bay in Phi Phi Islands

                      Maya Bay

                        Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh is Thailand’s most famous beach, made world-famous by the movie “The Beach”. The bay reopened in 2022 with strict new rules: no boats on the beach, knee-deep wading only, and limited visitor numbers.

                        Best Dive Sites near Phuket Island

                        7 Best Dive Sites near Phuket

                          What are the most popular dive sites near Phuket Island? Phuket is the gateway to diving in Thailand’s Andaman Sea; it’s the jumping-off point for both northern and southern Andaman Sea dive sites.

                          Koh Hong Island

                          Koh Hong – an amazing island near Krabi

                            Koh Hong is a small and very popular island located halfway between Koh Yao Noi and Krabi, about 7 km from each and technically 30 km east of the closest port of Phuket Island.

                            Sunset on Kata Beach

                            Phuket Trip Planner

                              Planning your trip to Phuket is, of course, optional. You could just book a flight and a hotel for the first night and take it from here. However, it can help you make the best of your time and budget.

                              Andamanda Phuket

                              Andamanda Phuket

                                Andamanda Phuket is Thailand’s biggest water park with 25+ rides, a massive wave pool, and the longest lazy river in Southeast Asia. Great for families, a perfect escape from the heat.

                                Rebel Rock Climbing near Bang Tao, Phuket

                                REBEL Rock Climbing in Phuket

                                  REBEL Rock Climbing is an impressive 3-story, 700 sqm indoor set of walls to ascend. Everyone, from kids to adults, from beginners to very advanced, can practice their skills on top-rope walls, boulder walls

                                  Yaowarat Road in Phuket Town

                                  Yaowarat Road in Phuket Town

                                    Yaowarat Road in old Phuket Town connects the popular heritage streets of Thalang Road, Phang Nga Road and Dibuk Road, starting from the fountain circle near the municipal market.

                                    Islands near Phuket - Visiting the Many Islands near Phuket

                                    Islands near Phuket

                                      Phuket is surrounded by a stunning array of islands. The Phi Phi Islands, located to the southeast, are famous for their breathtaking cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life, attracting divers and beach enthusiasts alike.

                                      Phuket Surf Schools

                                      Best Surf Schools in Phuket

                                        Here is a list of surf schools in Phuket. We’ve seen surfboard rentals priced from about 150 to 300 baht an hour around the island, while surfing lessons start at about 1,000 baht per person for a group lesson.

                                        Stand Up Paddle in Phuket

                                        Stand Up Paddle in Phuket – SUP

                                          Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) as a sport has been around Phuket for quite some time but is still one of the world’s most popular water sports mainly because of its wide range of recreational uses.

                                          Thai Cooking class in Phuket

                                          BrassWok Thai Cooking Class

                                            Thai cooking classes at BrassWok cater to small groups of 2 to 6 guests per session. Typically, each guest will have their own station and hands-on learning to craft their own dish.

                                            Sports and Activities in Phuket

                                            8 Land Sports in Phuket

                                              There is a surprisingly wide range of activities and land sports in Phuket if spending your day on the beach and exploring the islands is not enough for you.

                                              Phuket Town, Thailand

                                              PHUKET CITY

                                                Phuket city, which is locally still called Phuket Town, is becoming increasingly popular, perfect for an exploration day away from the beach and to please selfies and Instagram enthusiasts. The architecture in the old town is beautiful, and many streets have been renovated and repainted colourfully.

                                                Phuket Go Kart Speedway

                                                Patong Go-Kart Speedway

                                                  Patong Go-Kart Speedway is one of three Go-Kart tracks you can find in Phuket. It no doubt has the most varied kart fleet and a very good track to offer. The Speedway is located about 30 minutes from Patong Beach, just next to the Tiger Kingdom Phuket on the way to Phuket Town.

                                                  Beach Pig Bar on Bangtao Beach

                                                  Beach Pig Phuket

                                                    Beach Pig Phuket is a cool beach bar on Bang Tao Beach serving tacos, nachos, Thai food and cocktails; it is a perfect spot to end your beach day with a sunset over the Andaman Sea.

                                                    Cafe Phuket Viewpoint

                                                    Cafe Phuket Viewpoint

                                                      Cafe Phuket Viewpoint is a really hard-to-spot Instagram gem hidden on the curvy roadside that connects Patong Beach to Kamala Beach. The place has been around for a long time but never was popular until someone realized that Instagram was a magnet for the young generation

                                                      Carpe Diem Beach Club on Bang Tao Beach, Phuket, Thailand

                                                      Carpe Diem Beach Club

                                                        Carpe Diem on Bang Tao Beach is the latest Beach Club in Phuket, serving appetizing Mediterranean and Italian cuisine with creative cocktails and a long list of fine wines.

                                                        Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket

                                                        Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket

                                                          Soi Dog Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping street dogs and cats around Phuket, Thailand and beyond, spaying and neutering them to avoid proliferation and rescuing injured and abandoned animals.

                                                          Sam Sae Chu Hut Chinese Shrine in Phuket Town

                                                          Sam Sae Chu Hut Shrine

                                                            Sam Sae Chu Hut Chinese Shrine is a modest and discreet Chinese shrine located near the intersection of Khaw Sim Bee Road and Mae Luan Road, on the way up to Khao Rang Hill in Phuket Town; opened in May 2002.

                                                            Akoya Rooftop Bar in Ao Yon Beach, Phuket

                                                            Akoya Star Lounge at V Villas Phuket

                                                              Akoya Star Lounge is an upmarket rooftop bar and tapas at V Villas Phuket by MGallery in Ao Yon Beach, a secluded cove in the southeast of Phuket. The place is new and packed every evening with Instagram and selfie lovers, so you need to book before going.

                                                              Tha Rua Shrine

                                                              Tha Rua Shrine

                                                                Tha Rua Shrine is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket, found in Thalang District on Thepkasattri Road about 800m south of the Heroines’ Monument. It’s an important site during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival, when thousands of devotees come to hold ceremonies and eat vegetarian food during the event’s nine days.

                                                                saphan hin shrine

                                                                Kio Thian Keng Saphan Hin Shrine

                                                                  Kio Thian Keng Shrine is a colourful Chinese shrine that is set on the seashore inside Saphan Hin public park in Phuket Town. It’s a place of worship for the local Chinese-Thai community, and it plays an important role as the site of the final farewell to the gods during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival.

                                                                  Hok Nguan Kong Shrine

                                                                  Hok Nguan Kong Shrine in Phuket Town

                                                                    Hok Nguan Kong Shrine is a Chinese temple near the Surin Clock Circle in Phuket Town, founded more than 80 years ago by the Chinese-Thai community in Phuket. Hok Nguan Kong Shrine’s design features many traditional Chinese motifs, including columns wrapped with large dragon images, wall murals with tigers, and bright red and yellow colours throughout

                                                                    Kathu Shrine – Lai Thu Tao Bo Keng Shrine

                                                                    Kathu Shrine – Lai Thu Tao Bo Keng Shrine

                                                                      Lai Thu Tao Bo Keng is one of the oldest Chinese shrines in Phuket, and many believe it was the birthplace of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival nearly two centuries ago, 1825 to be precise. The shrine is located in the subdistrict of Kathu in the island’s interior, between Phuket Town and Patong Beach.

                                                                      Bang Neow Shrine in Phuket Town

                                                                      Bang Neow Shrine in Phuket Town

                                                                        Bang Neow Shrine in Phuket Town is one of Phuket’s oldest and most revered Chinese shrines. It’s one of the main shrines taking part in the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival It is a place of worship and merit-making activity for the local Chinese-Thai community throughout the year.

                                                                        Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine in Phuket Town

                                                                        Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine (Sam Kong Shrine)

                                                                          Lim Hu Tai Su is a Chinese Taoist shrine on the north side of Phuket Town, also known as Sam Kong Shrine, for the neighbourhood in which it’s found. Though not as well known by visitors as larger Chinese shrines like Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket’s Old Town area, Sam Kong Shrine is a revered place of worship for the local community. It’s become a key part of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival when it hosts several ceremonies and a procession during the annual 9-day event.

                                                                          Koh Yao Islands

                                                                          Koh Yao Noi

                                                                            Koh Yao Noi is a small island just 20 kilometres away by boat from the east coast of Phuket. Koh Yao consists of two distinct islands: the smallest and most populated is Koh Yao Noi, and the largest but mostly uninhabited is Koh Yao Yai.

                                                                            How many days do you need in Phuket

                                                                            How Many Days Do You Need in Phuket?

                                                                              How many days are enough to visit Phuket? This is a question we receive very often, mostly from first-time visitors. As you can expect, there is no easy answer because everyone has different lengths of annual leaves, budgets, or lives at different distances

                                                                              Xana Beaach Club at Angsana Laguna Phuket

                                                                              Xana Beach Club Phuket

                                                                                Xana Beach Club is part of the Angsana Laguna Phuket Resort and one of the popular beach clubs in Phuket. Xana is a cool place to spend an entire day on the beautiful Bang Tao Beach.

                                                                                Phuket Art Village in Rawai

                                                                                Phuket Art Village

                                                                                  Phuket Art Village is a small art gallery and artist community hidden at the end of a small lane, on the way to Rawai Beach, in the south of Phuket Island.

                                                                                  Baan Ar Jor House Museum in Phuket

                                                                                  Baan Ar Jor House Museum

                                                                                    Baan Ar Jor is a hotel, a restaurant and a museum with a long history that started in 1936. This house has always been one of the most mysterious old mansions of Phuket, standing lonely near Mai Khao Beach in the north of Phuket.

                                                                                    Pine Beach Club at Intercontinental Hotel Phuket on Kamala Beach

                                                                                    Pine Beach Bar

                                                                                      Pine Beach Bar is a beautiful venue on the sand of Kamala Beach and part of the prestigious Intercontinental Phuket Resort. With such a wide strip of soft white sand and a beautiful landscape, the north end of Kamala is an ideal place to spend the afternoon.

                                                                                      Baba Nest Rooftop Bar at Sri Panwa

                                                                                      Baba Nest

                                                                                        Baba Nest at Sri Panwa Hotel is the ultimate rooftop bar in Phuket. It is built high above Phuket Aquarium on the remote Cape Panwa, southeast of Phuket Island. It’s far, hard to find, and hard to book, as you can expect a two-week waiting list to get a reservation, but it’s worth it.

                                                                                        Blue Tree Waterpark in Phuket

                                                                                        Phuket Water Parks

                                                                                          Phuket has a few water parks to spend a day of fun, whether you want to laze around on a giant floating doughnut or slide down a 45-degree wet slope and get propelled 10 feet in the air.

                                                                                          Restaurant Patong Sunset View

                                                                                          Patong Sunset View Restaurant

                                                                                            Patong Sunset View Restaurant is a great spot to end the day with a nice dinner or even just a drink while enjoying one of Phuket’s famous sunsets. The restaurant is relatively small, but the terrace can welcome quite a few guests, and everything is very affordable.

                                                                                            Royal Thai Air Force Museum

                                                                                            Royal Thai Air Force Museum in Bangkok

                                                                                              The Royal Thai Air Force Museum might not be the most visited cultural museum in Bangkok, but it can be a good surprise if you are interested in old planes.