31 Most Instagrammable Spots in Phuket

Big Buddha Phuket

Important: The Big Buddha has been closed since August 2024 following a landslide. There is no confirmed reopening date yet, but you can still drive most of the way up the hill.

The Phuket Big Buddha is a 45-meter-high white marble statue built at the top of a steep hill. It started around the year 2000 and is slowly moving toward completion. People love to take photos with the Big Buddha in the background and the bird’s-eye view from Nakkerd Hill. On one side of the hill, you can admire Chalong Bay and sometimes Phang Nga Bay, which is not often. On the left side of the Buddha statue, a platform offers a beautiful panorama of Kata Beach. On the way down, you can also stop at one of the panoramic bars to capture some photos of Karon Beach. I’ve driven up that winding road more times than I can count over the years, and the view never gets old.

The Chartered Bank Intersection in Phuket Town

The old Chartered Bank in Phuket Town is definitely the hottest selfie spot on the island now. A small crowd of young people are engulfed in their selfie fashion show at each corner of the intersection of Phuket Road and Dibuk Road. It’s almost entertaining but also difficult to walk through without photo-bombing someone’s selfie. The old Chartered Bank (on the right) and the old police station with the clock tower on the left were both converted into a museum a few years ago, called the Peranakan Baba Museum.

Soi Romanee in Old Phuket Town

The historical centre of Phuket town is beautiful, and it gets even better each year as the municipality improves roads and infrastructure while owners renovate their houses. Many colourful Sino-Portuguese shophouse facades are an irresistible opportunity for selfies and a great playground for photographers of all kinds. I’ve watched Soi Romanee transform over the years from a quiet backstreet into one of the most photographed alleys on the island.

Aungku Phuket Cafe

Aungku Phuket Cafe is probably the most photographed building in Phuket right now. It sits at the corner of Thalang Road and Soi Romanee, two of the most popular streets in Old Phuket Town. The building looks like it has been there for a century, but it is only a couple of years old, designed from scratch in Sino-Portuguese style and covered with mirrors and pink flowers. It was an instant magnet. You can walk past at any time of the day, and there will be a small crowd posing in front of it. Ironically, while hundreds of people take photos outside, the cafe inside is often quiet.

Maya Bay

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island is probably Thailand’s most famous beach, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and turquoise water. It became world-famous after the Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach was filmed here in 2000. I visited recently with Love Andaman cruises, and even with other visitors around, it still felt special.

The bay reopened in 2022 after being closed for nearly four years to recover from overtourism. The rules are strict now, and the experience is very different from the chaotic scenes of the past. Boats can no longer enter the bay. Instead, visitors arrive at a floating pier on the back of the island and walk through a short jungle path to reach the beach. Swimming is not allowed, but you can wade knee-deep in the water. Visitor numbers are capped at 375 people per round, with 11 rounds per day. The national park fee is 400 baht, usually included in day trip prices. The bay closes every year for about two months, from August to September, for ecosystem recovery, so always check before booking.

Mai Khao Plane Spotting

Planespotting on Mai Khao beach was long unknown. However, it slowly grew in popularity because large jets come close to the beach; it’s a jaw-dropping and unique photo to take. Its popularity exploded when, in 2016, it became forbidden to stand on the beach directly in the path of planes. This announcement triggered even more people to come and stand in front of landing planes; there was no better advertising, and Mai Khao is now a selfie paradise! Just keep in mind that planes only land above the beach during the high season!

Wat Kanan

Wat Kanan is Phuket’s striking white Buddhist temple, often compared to the famous Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) in Chiang Rai. Located in the Thalang area, this relatively new and lesser-known temple has recently gained attention as a stunning spiritual and architectural destination. It appeared almost out of nowhere and quickly became a favourite photo stop for visitors exploring the northern part of the island.

A fun addition to any Wat Kanan visit is the traditional Thai costume rental shop located in front of the temple. For just 200 baht per person, visitors can wear authentic Thai silk outfits and ornate brocades, transforming their visit into an immersive cultural experience. The beautiful white architecture and elaborate carved pillars create a stunning backdrop for photographs in traditional dress. Read More!

Kor Ra Kang Cafe

Kor Ra Kang on Thalang Road is a giant pink floral café-restaurant in Phuket Old Town, and the main reason people stop here is the incredible pink flowers theme that would make Barbie feel at home. The entrance is tiny and almost hidden, but once inside, the place opens into a long hall with ceilings and walls fully covered in artificial blooms. Most guests come for the photos more than the food, using the space as a playful backdrop for selfies and reels.

Samet Nangshee

Samet Nangshe is located just outside Phuket Island and requires a bit of driving, but it is truly impressive. The panoramic view over Phang Nga Bay with its dozens of limestone islands rising from the water is unlike anything else in the region. It is worth the effort, not only for your selfies but as a place to admire once in a lifetime. Up there, you will find some accommodations and restaurants to spend time in if you wish. I remember driving there for the first time years ago, not expecting much, and being completely speechless when I reached the top.

Naithon Beach Staircase

The Naithon Beach staircase is easy to find if you know where to look, but most people miss it because the entrance is very narrow and tucked between a wall and dense vegetation. If you enter Naithon Beach from the south, with the ocean on your left, the staircase will be on your left as you go down the hill before entering the small city opposite Malaiwana villas. It is one of those spots that look incredible in photos but you could drive past a hundred times without noticing.

Cafe Phuket Viewpoint

Cafe Phuket Viewpoint is a 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, has carried different names, and was never really popular until someone realised that Instagram was an irresistible magnet for the young generation.

The Commune

The Commune Resto Bar is a popular seaside terrace bar perched above the rocks between Karon Beach and Kata Beach. Despite being tucked away at the end of a narrow street, this hidden spot has gained significant traction with travellers, especially with the Instagram crowd. Its appeal goes beyond its scenic location above the ocean, as it also benefits from the popularity of its neighbours, A Blanket and A Pillow and Laem Sai Cup Cafe. This stretch between Karon and Kata has quietly become one of the most popular photo spots on the west coast.

Ma Doo Bua Cafe

Ma Doo Bua Phuket is a cafe and restaurant built entirely around providing an irresistible background for the Instagram generation. The main attraction is an artificial lake covered with giant circular floating leaves called Victoria Amazonica, a species of flowering plant, the largest of the Nymphaeaceae family of giant water lilies. The place took off almost overnight and turned a quiet corner near Bangtao into a must-stop for anyone with a camera.

Secret Bay Phuket

Secret Bay Phuket is a hidden bar built on a hillside overlooking the Andaman Sea, located between Patong Beach and Kamala Beach. A long wooden path leads visitors to several lower decks below, some with chairs and tables and some others with colourful bean bags. The setting feels like a treehouse above the sea, and it is one of those places that looks even better in person than in photos.

Karon View Point

Many people take a short break at Karon View Point (often called Kata View Point). The view from up there is legendary, and everyone has a photo of the three bays: Kata Noi, Kata Beach and Karon Beach in the far distance. It’s beautiful all year round, but the view is even more striking with a blue sky. I’ve stopped here countless times over the years, and it always surprises me how different it looks depending on the weather and the light. People don’t stay long because there seems to be nothing much around; however, in the evening, you should stop for a drink or dinner at the beautiful Heaven Rooftop Restaurant located somewhere on the hill below.

Bangla Walking Street Sign

Bangla is a strange place: some hate it, and most love it. There are not many such streets in the world. It’s where you’ll find the famous beer bars, Live music bars, fantastic clubs and famous Go-Go bars! Most people stop at the renowned sign ‘Bangla Walking Street’ or ‘Welcome to Patong Beach’ and take a selfie to add to their bucket list.

James Bond Island

This standing rock featured in the old James Bond movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ is the subject of photos that strongly remind us of the Pisa Tower in Italy. People pretend to lean against it, push it, hold it in the palm of their hand and do all kinds of funny poses. It’s a very touristy place, but it is a beautiful location. I first visited Phang Nga Bay in the mid-90s when it was still relatively quiet. These days, it gets busy, but the limestone formations are still as impressive as they were back then.

Wat Chalong

Wat Chalong is the largest and most revered temple in Phuket. It is so beautifully crafted and such an impressive landmark that it naturally became an Instagram favourite. I’ve been visiting Wat Chalong since my early years in Phuket, and the temple complex has been expanded and improved significantly over the decades. Remember that Wat Chalong is a Buddhist temple, and you should behave quietly and respectfully. Remember not to wear skirts that are too short or pants that are too short (they should be below the knees).

Phi Phi Viewpoint

Phi Phi islands are famous and very scenic, and of course, everyone pictures the famous Maya Bay from the movie The Beach. The Phi Phi Viewpoint is one of the impressive spots for a selfie or a memory. It’s not too hard to reach, but remember that there are two levels, and the most iconic bird’s-eye view of the two bays of Phi Phi main island is from ‘Viewpoint 2’. There is also a small but unavoidable entry fee. The climb is worth it. The view from the top is one of the most recognisable images of Thailand.

Splash Beach Club

The Love Swing at Splash Beach Club is a popular selfie spot located south of Patong Beach on the way to Paradise Beach. There is an entrance fee of 100 baht. The place has changed hands and names a few times over the years, so check that it is open before making the trip.

Baba Nest Rooftop

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. I remember trying to get a table for years before finally making it. The 360-degree view over Panwa Bay at sunset is one of the best things I’ve seen on this island.

Akoya Star Lounge

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 relatively new and packed every evening with visitors chasing the perfect sunset photo, so you need to book before going. Keep in mind that it is quite expensive, so if you are looking for more affordable rooftops, check our long list of Phuket rooftops.

Aikwanich Mansion

You can’t miss Aikwanich Mansion, this mint-green building, when you walk through the heart of Phuket Old Town — it sits right at the corner where Dibuk Road meets Yaowarat Road, just opposite the Locktien Local Food Court, a beautiful example of the island’s old Sino-Portuguese architecture. I’ve passed it countless times over the years, and even though it’s not open to the public, it’s still one of the most photographed corners in town.

Tann Terrace

Set in a unique location on the beach at the south end of Karon Beach, Tann Terrace Phuket has a beach bar, a restaurant, and a small boutique hotel. The restaurant serves Thai, Italian and Western dishes with a wide range of drinks and cocktails. What used to be a run-down Thai restaurant where we used to have a casual Thai lunch is now one of the most popular beach clubs in Phuket.

Three Monkeys Restaurant

Three Monkeys restaurant is set in the jungle somewhere between Phuket Town and Chalong, part of the popular Hanuman World Zipline attraction. With a beautiful and somehow unusual design, the Three Monkeys restaurant has been a success from day one, attracting a crowd of teenagers and young families. The restaurant is surprisingly large, built on several levels on the side of a hill overlooking the Chalong area. The whole setting feels like dining in a treehouse, and the photos almost take themselves.

Baan Ar Jor House Museum

Baan Ar Jor is a historical house located north of Phuket near Mai Khao. This superbly renovated house from 1936 is a rare glimpse into how wealthy Phuket families lived nearly a century ago. Each room is decorated with period furniture and details, making it a fantastic playground for selfies. It is one of those quiet places most visitors never hear about, but it is well worth the detour if you are in the area. I love to stop there for lunch at their Michelin-listed restaurant ‘Toh Daeng‘.

Promthep Cape

Promthep Cape is probably one of the oldest photo locations on the island. Twenty years ago, when I first arrived in Phuket, Promthep was already famous. From 6 pm to 6:30 pm, a little crowd would gather to admire the sunset over the iconic cape. With the arrival of mobile cameras, it just became more popular, and buses now offload a hundred tourists to Promthep Cape daily.

Hilltop Cafe by Sinae Phuket

Hilltop Cafe by Sinae Phuket is probably the most surprising Starbucks I’ve visited in Phuket. Perched right at the top of the Sinae Hotel on Koh Sirey, the coffee shop shares a rooftop with the hotel’s bar, and the views are truly stunning — especially on a clear day. You’ll need to park at the hotel entrance and take a buggy ride to the top (there’s a 150 baht coupon required, but you can use it for any drink).

It’s more than just coffee — you can order beer or cocktails too, and the space is open and peaceful, with plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the view. I didn’t expect much at first, but it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.

Laem Singh Viewpoint

It was not easy to see Laem Singh Beach from the road until a couple of years ago. Although it was not a secret beach, people loved it and would make an effort to walk up and down the steps to get there for the day. For a long while, Laem Singh beach remained closed to the public because the land leading to it was private, but recently, it became possible to go back by boat from Surin beach or with a bit of a walk around the rocky cape. A scenic viewpoint with a convenient parking space is now a must-stop and must-shoot location.

Windmill Viewpoint

A little less known but equally popular is the Windmill viewpoint overlooking Ya Nui beach. It would be easy to miss the small road leading to the outlook if not for the large electric propeller that marks the location, visible kilometres away. I often take visitors here because the view of Ya Nui below is one of the prettiest on the island, and it is rarely crowded compared to nearby Promthep Cape.

Coconuts Cafe

Coconuts Cafe is an excellent little venue hidden near Chalong Bay. The house is set in an immense garden where customers can enjoy delicious cakes and drinks while taking photos, sitting at little white tables in the natural surroundings. It feels like stepping into someone’s private garden, and that is exactly what makes it work as a photo spot.