How to Plan 1 Week in Phuket
32,665 viewsBy Willy Thuan
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Day 1 Arrive, beach, sunset
Day 2 South Phuket landmarks
Day 3 Phang Nga Bay day trip
Day 4 Beach day, spa, beach club
Day 5 Island day trip (Phi Phi or Similan)
Day 6 North Phuket + hidden beaches
Day 7 Old Phuket Town, market, last sunset
Day 1: Arrive and Get Your Bearings
Most flights land in the afternoon or evening. By the time you clear immigration, collect bags, and reach your hotel, you won’t have energy for much. That’s fine. Use this day to settle in.
If you arrive early enough, walk to the nearest beach, get your feet in the sand, and have a late lunch or early dinner with a sea view. If your hotel has a pool, use it. If you’re on Bang Tao or Kamala, a sunset drink at a beach club is a great way to start the week. If you’re on Kata or Karon, walk along the beach and find a restaurant for dinner.
Don’t plan anything ambitious for today. Tomorrow starts the real exploring.
Day 2: South Phuket Landmarks
The south of Phuket has the highest concentration of landmarks. The best way to see them is to hire a private driver with a van for the day (2,400-2,700 baht). You set the pace, and the driver knows all the stops.
Morning: Start at Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hill. The 45-metre white marble statue offers panoramic views of Chalong Bay, Kata, and Karon. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered). Then drive down to Wat Chalong, the most important temple in Phuket. The tall stupa is worth climbing for the view.
Midday: Drive south along the coast. Stop at Karon Viewpoint for photos of three bays at once (Kata Noi, Kata, Karon). Continue to Nai Harn Beach for a quick look, then Promthep Cape at the southern tip.
Lunch: Head to Rawai Beach for seafood. The Rawai Seafood Market is popular but gets crowded. For a quieter meal by the sea, try Aek Seafood on the waterfront roadside.
Afternoon: If you still have energy, ask your driver to stop at Chalong Bay Rum Distillery for cocktails made with locally produced rum. End the day with sunset at a rooftop bar or a sunset restaurant.
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Day 3: Phang Nga Bay
This is the day that makes people fall in love with southern Thailand. Phang Nga Bay is a natural wonder with hundreds of limestone karsts rising from calm jade-coloured water. It is an absolute must-do.
Most tours pick you up at your hotel around 8-9 am and return by 5-6 pm. The day includes kayaking through sea caves and into hidden lagoons (hongs), a visit to James Bond Island, and lunch at Koh Panyi, the village built entirely on stilts. The sea inside the bay is always calm, so seasickness is not an issue.
If you can afford it, a private boat charter lets you reach each spot before the group tours arrive. Otherwise, book a kayak-based tour rather than a longtail boat tour. The difference in experience is enormous. Kayaks are quiet and let you glide into the hongs. Longtail boats are loud and rush past everything.
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Day 4: Beach Day, Spa, or Beach Club
After yesterday’s full-day trip, take it easy. This is the day to actually enjoy the beach you are staying on, swim, read a book, or do nothing at all.
If you feel like doing something, here are a few low-effort options:
Try a different beach. If you are staying in Patong, take a Grab to Freedom Beach (15 minutes + a short hike or longtail boat). If you are on Kata, walk south to Kata Noi, one of the quieter beaches on the island.
Spend an afternoon at a beach club. Catch Beach Club on Bang Tao, Cafe del Mar on Kamala, or one of the newer clubs along the west coast. Day beds, pool, music, drinks, and food in one spot.
Book a spa treatment. Most hotels have their own spas, but standalone spa resorts offer couples packages and half-day programmes. A Thai massage after two days of sightseeing and boat trips is exactly what you need.
Save your energy. Tomorrow is another full day.
Day 5: Island Day Trip
Today is your second big day trip. Which island depends on the season and your interests.
Option 1: Phi Phi Islands (year-round). The most popular island trip from Phuket. About 90 minutes by speedboat. The scenery is dramatic, with vertical limestone cliffs, turquoise water, and Maya Bay (reopened). Most tours include snorkelling stops, lunch on Phi Phi Don, and a visit to Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon. Expect crowds, but the beauty is undeniable.
Option 2: Similan Islands (November to April only). If your trip falls during high season, the Similans are worth the longer journey. The water is some of the clearest in Thailand, and the snorkelling is exceptional. It’s a full day with an early start (6 am pickup) and a long boat ride, but the experience is unforgettable.
Option 3: Racha and Coral Island (year-round). Closer and calmer. Good for families or anyone who wants clear water and easy snorkelling without a long boat ride. Both islands are about 30-45 minutes from Chalong Pier.
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Day 6: North Phuket and Hidden Beaches
The north of Phuket has a different feel from the busy southwest beaches. It’s quieter, greener, and less developed. Today is about exploring at your own pace. Rent a car, hire a driver, or use Grab to hop between spots.
Morning: Start at Kamala Beach for a relaxed breakfast by the sea. Then head north to Banana Beach, which requires a short hike down a steep hillside path. The reward is a small bay with clear water, a simple restaurant, and very few people.
Midday: Continue to Naithon Beach, one of the most underrated beaches on the island. Long, quiet, and backed by trees. If you drive further north, Mai Khao Beach stretches for 11 km. This is where planes fly low overhead on their approach to the airport. It’s an iconic Phuket photo, but stay at a safe distance (standing in the flight path carries a fine).
Lunch: If you drive past the Sarasin Bridge (the bridge connecting Phuket to the mainland), try Rimpan Seafood right by the bridge. Or stay on Nai Yang Beach for a casual meal under the trees.
Afternoon: On the way back south, stop at Bang Pae Waterfall (better during the rainy season when there is more water). For excellent local Thai food, try Piang Prai Restaurant nearby.
Day 7: Old Phuket Town and Last Sunset
Save Phuket Town for your last full day. It’s a good way to end the trip because the pace is slower, the streets are walkable, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to enjoy between sightseeing.
Morning: If you haven’t tried a Thai cooking class, today is a good time. Most classes run from 9 am to 1 pm and include a market visit. You go home with recipes you can actually use.
Afternoon: Walk through the Sino-Portuguese streets of Old Phuket Town. Start on Thalang Road, walk down Soi Romanee (the most photographed lane), explore Phang Nga Road and Dibuk Road. Stop for coffee at one of the many small cafes. Visit the Shrine of the Serene Light, hidden through a narrow passage between shophouses.
Evening: If today is Sunday, stay for the Phuket Walking Street market on Thalang Road (starts around 4-5 pm). It’s the best market on the island with local food stalls, live music, and handmade souvenirs. If it’s not Sunday, try the Chillva Market or a night market near your hotel.
End the week with a sunset. A rooftop bar overlooking the Andaman Sea, a romantic dinner on the beach, or simply sitting on the sand watching the sky change colour. That’s the Phuket feeling you will take home.
If You Have More Than 7 Days
A week covers the essentials, but if you have 8-10 days, here are the best ways to use the extra time: Stay a night on Phi Phi Island. The day-trippers leave by 4 pm. After that, the island transforms. The sunset from Phi Phi Viewpoint is worth the hike, and you can rent a longtail the next morning to explore Maya Bay and Pileh Lagoon without the crowds. Day trip to Krabi and Railay Beach. About 2.5 hours by road from Phuket, or 2 hours by ferry during high season. Railay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. Worth a full day or even an overnight stay. Visit the Similan Islands (if you went to Phi Phi on Day 5 and want a second island experience). Open from November to April only. Try an activity day. Zipline at Flying Hanuman, Andamanda Water Park, a Muay Thai class, or scuba diving. Stay on Koh Yao Noi. A quiet island between Phuket and Krabi with rice fields, fishing villages, and almost no tourists. The opposite of Patong. One or two nights here is a perfect way to decompress before flying home.Where to Stay for a Week
Your choice of beach affects every day of a week-long trip. Here is what works best: Kata Beach is the best all-round base for a one-week trip. Good restaurants, calm water during high season, and central enough to reach both the south landmarks and the north beaches without long drives. About 15 minutes from Patong if you want a night out. Bang Tao Beach suits couples and those who prefer an upmarket, quieter atmosphere. Beach clubs, fine dining, and luxury resorts. Slightly further from the south Phuket landmarks but closer to the north. Kamala Beach is a good middle ground. Quiet village feel, beautiful bay, and only 10 minutes from Patong. Popular with families. Patong Beach is the most convenient base with everything walkable, but it’s noisy. For a week, the noise can become tiring. Better for 3-4 day stays.Insider Tips
Don’t schedule two full-day boat trips back to back. Phang Nga Bay on Day 3 and Phi Phi on Day 5 with a rest day in between is the right rhythm. I’ve seen too many visitors burn out by day four because they stacked island trips on consecutive days. Hire a private driver for Day 2 (South Phuket) and Day 6 (North Phuket). It costs 2,400-2,700 baht per day and is far more comfortable and flexible than a group tour or renting a motorbike on unfamiliar roads. Check if your trip includes a Sunday. If it does, plan Day 7 (Phuket Town) to fall on that Sunday so you catch the Walking Street market. It only happens once a week and is the best market experience on the island. Pack light for day trips. Sunscreen, hat, swimwear, a towel, and a waterproof bag for your phone. Most boat tours provide snorkelling equipment, water, and lunch. Book sunset restaurants a few days ahead during high season (December to February). The best tables go fast, and showing up without a reservation at a popular spot usually means sitting in the back.Map of Phuket
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