What to do in Phuket if you only have 1 day?
What is the best itinerary if you only have 1 day in Phuket? If you rent a car or hire a mini-van with a driver for only 1 day, you probably want to see as much as possible without being exhausted at the end of your day. We list some places to discover in the south of Phuket, where most landmarks and things to see and do are. We used Patong Beach as a starting point, but it would work the same for Kata, Karon and Kamala Beach.
Most landmarks and famous points of interest are in the island’s south. Of course, Phuket and its surroundings have an incredible array of islands, beaches and amazing landscapes for you to enjoy if you have more time, but if you are limited by one day only, this itinerary works pretty well.
From our research, you can expect to pay 350 baht per hour, but if you want to rent a car, we gathered some information about car rental companies and car rates here.
This is not an exhaustive list; you could add many more things to this itinerary, but it’s a good start.
(see a bigger map at the bottom of the page)
In the Morning
1. Enjoy the beautiful Kata Beach
Kata Beach is the second most popular beach after Patong, with a wide crescent of powdery sand and clear waters (at least during the high season) and lined with tropical trees.
2. Stop for a short time at Karon Viewpoint
Karon Viewpoint is worth a short stop to admire the panoramic view of three amazing beaches from a high vantage point: Kata Noi in the forefront, Kata beach in the middle and Karon Beach in the far.
3. Admire the superb Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn has always been a favourite beach for tourists, locals and expats alike because hotels did not invade the place. Only the beautiful Nai Harn resort has the privilege of offering amazing views of this pristine beach. If you happen to be hungry during your day trip, a few Thai restaurants are waiting for you in the shade of giant casuarina trees, as well as shops and massage shops.
4. Enjoy a panoramic view at the Windmill Viewpoint
Phuket windmill viewpoint (the only wind turbine in Phuket) is an easy-to-access viewpoint offering beautiful panoramic views of Nai Harn and Ya Nui Beach, as well as the tiny island locally called Koh Man.
5. Find the small Ya Nui Beach
Ya Nui Beach is a charming tiny bay tucked in a cove between the Windmill Viewpoint and the famous Promthep Cape in the very south of Phuket Island. It looks like a secret beach, but it is very well known and can be busy sometimes. If you feel like enjoying the spot a little longer, there are two small restaurants by the roadside where you can enjoy inexpensive Thai food or even a drink. You can even rent kayaks on the beach. Read more
6. A quick look at Promthep Cape
7. Have lunch in Rawai or Bon Island
In the Afternoon
8. Big Buddha
Popular Ways to Discover Big Buddha
10. Explore Phuket Old Town
Phuket town is not very big, but you might want to spend an hour or two exploring the historical streets of Thalang, Dibuk and Soi Romanee, do some shopping, stop at one of the many lovely little coffee shops and even try real local food at Raya Restaurant or Tu Kab Khao restaurant.
Popular Ways to Discover Phuket Town
In the evening
Most tours will take you back to your hotel around 5 or 6 pm, but if you are on your own, you can also plan some evening activities to make the most of your day out.
Phuket One Day Itinerary Map
Rent a van with a driver
Renting a van with a driver for the day is one of the best ways to explore Phuket without stress. They can speak English and customise the places to visit as you wish.
More Phuket itineraries
Phuket 101 Blog shares 30 years of Phuket exploration and thousands of photos, tips and secrets for those who love Phuket as much as we do. This blog is written from our real experiences: we tried and visited every place, and we paid for almost everything, which allows us to keep our honest opinions, and we are pretty strict about this. Phuket 101 was born on January 15, 2011.