Explore Phuket: top things to do, offbeat attractions and where to stay

This beach-fringed island in southern Thailand is no longer just an essential stop on the backpacker trail. Fabulous restaurants (including PRU, Phuket’s first Michelin-starred spot) have transformed the isle's culinary scene, while spruced-up heritage sites, ranging from temples to the famous Big Buddha, show that there’s more to the destination than its endless beaches.

Phuket has ditched its reputation as the country’s debauched party isle in recent years – although you’ll still find some of the country's liveliest and loudest clubs in the Patong area.

The growing number of resorts near the northern tip, where space is in abundance, are proving popular with visitors keen to fly and flop. These romantic beachfront retreats are a short drive from the airport, but feel wonderfully remote.

And then there’s Phuket Town. No longer just a jumping-off spot for travellers heading to islands like Phi Phi (though that's still a great option), it's a place that's undergone a total transformation of late. The Old Town, with its heady mix of temples, art galleries and heritage buildings, is the star of the show here – take time to explore its labyrinthine alleys before pausing for a caffeine fix at one of its cafés, many of which double as arts spaces.

Tamara Hinson

1. Monkey Hill

Who doesn’t love monkeys? There’s no shortage of them at Monkey Hill (Khao Toh Sae) and at the base, which you can walk to from Phuket Town, you’ll find a pretty shrine dedicated to three holy spirits (Toh Sae Dang, Toh Sae Dam and Toh Sae Kaow). Yet the highlight is the viewpoint at the hill’s peak – it’s a steep hike to the top, but the vistas of the Andaman Sea make it worthwhile.  

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2. Kata Beach  

A spectacular 0.9-mile (1.5km) strand – think turquoise water and blindingly white sand – on Phuket’s western coast, this is the go-to spot for visitors craving some beach time. There are fantastic amenities nearby and plenty of water sports; it’s a popular surfing, scuba diving and kayaking spot. For a sundowner with a view, head to one of the bars lining the road behind the beach. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and street-food stalls here too. For a taste of home, opt for the decadent afternoon tea at the beachfront Kata Rocks resort. 

READ MORE: What to see and do in Bangkok's neighbourhoods

3. Phuket Old Town 

In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to smarten up Phuket Town’s Old Town. There’s less litter about and the unsightly tangles of electricity cables you might see elsewhere have been buried underground. Its narrow streets are lined with brightly coloured heritage buildings and there are dozens of fantastic boutiques and restaurants.

Our favourites include Woainiarte at 51 Yaowarat Road, where you can buy colourful tote bags made from repurposed nylon sacks once used to contain everything from cement to pet food (and still bearing the original Thai logos). Or stop by Paint Palette Phuket for colourful beachwear and pom pom-adorned totes. There are several brilliant cafés here too. We suggest combining an art fix with a caffeine hit at Chino@Cafe, where the bare concrete walls are hung with bright paintings by local Thai artists.  

Tourism Authority of Thailand

4. Markets  

Phuket Town’s Phuket Weekend Market is a night market and a great spot for street food, as well as cheap and cheerful souvenirs (don’t forget to haggle, but within reason – prices are generally incredibly low anyway). The nearby Chillva Night Market on Yaowarat Road, which opens Wednesday–Saturday, has a funkier vibe – come here for boho accessories and quirky souvenirs, many of which are sold out of shipping containers repurposed as shops. 

5. Big Buddha  

This is Phuket’s most famous landmark – a 148-foot (45m) tall Buddha atop the Nakkerd Hills, near Karon Beach. The statue is made of concrete covered with Burmese white jade marble, giving it a lustrous appearance that contrasts sharply with Phuket’s (usually) blue skies. Near its base are several smaller Buddhas, including one made from 20 tonnes of brass. 

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1. Chinpracha House  

Phuket’s Old Town is filled with gorgeous examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture and this is by far one of the best. It can only be explored on guided tours, led by a fifth-generation descendant of Chinese immigrant Phra Phitak Chin Pracha, who built the house in 1903. It’s a veritable treasure trove, filled with antiques, family photos and a traditional Thai kitchen. 

Tamara Hinson

2. Patong  

No, you won’t find museums, fine dining or cultural hotspots here – Patong is all about partying. Yes, some parts are definitely seedy, but for a cheap, raucous night on the town, it’s hard to beat. The other draw is its beach – Patong Beach (or Hat Patong), a 1.8-mile (3km) strip of sand where you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas.

Almost all of the bars and clubs are on neon-drenched Bangla Walking Street, which is unapologetically loud and brash – you’ll find everything from go-go bars to nightclubs here. Its most popular venues include Illuzion, a club which has hosted DJs such as Steve Aoki, and Monsoon for cheap cocktails and (rather randomly) games of Connect 4 and Jenga. 

3. Freedom Beach  

This 984-foot (300m) strip of soft white sand near Phuket’s south-western tip is the island’s most beautiful chunk of coastline. The water here is wonderfully clear and the forested hills which serve as a backdrop are great spots for some Indiana Jones-style exploring. The beach’s beauty lies in its secluded location and the best way to get here is by taxi or tuk-tuk – you’ll be dropped off on the main road and will then need to hike down a trail. 

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4. Sang Tham Shrine 

Phuket has numerous temples and shrines, but some of the prettiest are tucked down Phuket Town’s side streets. One example is the Sang Tham Shrine, founded by Chinese descendants of the Tan Luan Jae family in 1891. The architecture style is traditional Hokkien – there’s an ornate terracotta-tiled roof and a series of intricate murals known as Si Yin Gui. Keep an eye out for the more recent murals covering the walls near the entrance – these depict lantern-wielding monks marching towards the temple.  

Phuket Town 

Phuket Town is a great base for travellers keen to be in the centre of the action. You’ll be just a few kilometres from Rassada Pier – the departure point for ferries to nearby islands such as Phi Phi – and close to some of the island’s top nightlife spots, shopping areas and temples. The Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town is a fantastic option – it’s just a few metres from the Old Town and has a gorgeous rooftop pool and brilliant restaurants. We recommend Krua Talad Yai for cuisine inspired by Southern Thailand. 

READ MORE: Singapore is just a short hop from Phuket – here’s what to do in the city state

The West Coast 

This is where you’ll find some of Phuket’s finest hotels, many of which are near the southern tip. These hotels make great bases if you’re keen to flop on a beach and make occasional forays elsewhere. Many of the hotels have bicycles for guests – the roads here are quiet and well maintained, and cycling past paddy fields and tiny temples is a great way to explore a different side of Phuket.

We recommend the Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, a beautiful beachfront villa resort which opened in late 2021. The gorgeous grounds are filled with greenery – scan the QR codes on the trees to find out more about the species.

 

 

 

 

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There are numerous air routes between Phuket and other Southeast Asian countries, but if you’re flying from the UK, the best route is via Bangkok. From there, numerous airlines, including THAI Smile and AirAsia offer direct flights. The flight time is around 90 minutes. For the best views of Phuket’s coastline, bag a seat on the right side of the plane if possible and on the left when flying out.

The airport is located near the island’s northern tip, close to some of Phuket’s best beach resorts. However, bear in mind it will take you around 50 minutes to get to Phuket Town from here. To get there, use taxi sharing app Bolt – expect to pay around 500 Thai Baht (£12) one way. Grab is also available but fares are twice as much.  

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Lead image: worradirek/Shutterstock