What to Do in Phuket Town?
Phuket Town is a surprising treasure trove of things to see and do if you decide to spend a day away from the beaches. The old streets add to the many reasons why Phuket is so unique. There are many islands in the world with beautiful beaches, but not many of them combine amazing beaches, amazing landscapes and islands, delicious food, and a beautiful historical old town! Beyond the now well-known old streets, there are so many places to visit, shop, eat and even stay.
Phuket town has a lot to offer. It was long neglected as most people were not able to appreciate the underlying charm of the Sino-Portuguese shophouses and amazing mansions. The massive Instagram trend combined with the huge effort made by the Phuket municipality to renovate the old streets brought old Phuket to fame. But there is more than just a few old streets. If you drive a bit around and if you have time and passion, you too will discover a lot of gems.
Phuket Walking Street Market
The Phuket Walking Street Market on Thalang Road every Sunday was a success from day one. It’s packed with food, fun shopping, street performances and a fun, friendly atmosphere. Night markets are very much part of Thailand’s culture, and this one is the most scenic.
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Thalang Road
Thalang Road is the best-known street in Old Phuket. Both sides are lined with Sino-Portuguese shophouses, many of which are cafes, shops and even restaurants. This street hosts the famous Sunday Walking Street Market.
Soi Romanee
Soi Romanee has become the most famous street in the historical centre of old Phuket town. This very short street with a long and colourful history. Today it is home to colourful cafes, souvenir shops, fancy ice cream parlours and small but posh guesthouses, but it wasn’t always like this. A long time ago, the posh Soi Romanee was the red-light district of Phuket Town!
Dibuk Road
Dibuk is the second most popular street in the old town, just 100 metres from the famous Thalang Road. It’s more residential and has fewer shops, but more Sino-Portuguese mansions, a beautiful place to explore.
Chillva Night Market
Chillva market has become very popular because it is open the evening of weekdays, and is in a convenient location for people living in Phuet town. It’s vast and fun, with a lot of fun food and casual shopping.
Naka Weekend Market
The Naka Market is a vast and famous weekend market on the outskirts of Phuket Town. Note that it has many names, from ‘Phuket Weekend Market’ to ‘Naka Market, or ‘Chaofa Variety Weekend Market’, and shouldn’t be confused with the even more popular Phuket Walking Street Sunday Market listed above.
Other Old Streets
There are many other streets to explore beyond the famous ones listed above. Each street has its own charm, history and activities, and since they are all in the central area, they are easy to explore in a day.
The Shrine of the Serene Light
The Shrine of the Serene Light is a small but beautiful Chinese temple on Phang Nga Road. Once a hidden gem, this temple has now become a must-see when exploring the old streets.
Jui Tui Shrine
Jui Tui Shrine is a bit away from the old streets, but it plays an essential role during the opening of the famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival that occurs every year around October.
Thai Hua Museum
Thai Hua is a modest museum set in what used to be a school a long time ago. It mostly narrates how the first Chinese immigrant arrived in Phuket.
Baan Chinpracha
Chinpracha House (Baan Chinpracha in Thai) is a private home museum. It’s quite modest, but it retained its true identity. It appeared in a couple of old films such as ad Heaven and Earth, a 1993 movie with Tommy Lee Jones.
Phuket 3D Museum (Trickeye Museum)
Phuket 3D Museum, often called Trickeye Museum, is an interactive playground where you get to be part of a large painting and take surprising and fun selfies. The place is vast, with more than 100 scenes to blend in, and the result is up to your creativity.
Wat Khao Rang
Wat Khao Rang is a hidden and not very well-known temple despite the large sitting golden Buddha that is not to confuse with the Giant Buddha of Phuket.
Aquaria Phuket
Aquaria is a massive set of aquariums located in the basement of Central Floresta Shopping Mall, on the outskirts of Phuket Town. The purpose of this aquarium, which includes a restaurant in an underwater tunnel near the fish, is more for entertainment purposes rather than educational.
Endless Summer
Endless Summer is a trendy boutique and coffee shop inside a beautifully renovated Sino-Portuguese mansion. The shop is just next to Dibuk Road, making it a perfect stop when exploring the old streets of Phuket Town.
Central Phuket Shopping Mall
Technically there are two Central Shopping Malls in Phuket Town. The old one opened more than 10 years ago and the new wing is called ‘Floresta’. Since they are connected by a wide-covered bridge, they are in fact, one place. Expect to find hundreds of shops, dozens of restaurants, a movie theatre and food stalls, plus a giant aquarium.
Phuket Town Photo Gallery
Map of Phuket Town
Your Phuket Town Travel Guide
