The best things to do in Phuket go well beyond Patong. Walk the Sino-Portuguese lanes of Old Phuket Town, climb to the Big Buddha, catch sunset at Laem Phromthep, and spend a day on the water among the islands of Phang Nga Bay. Families do well on the calmer southern beaches, couples tend to like the quieter north, and Patong is where most of the nightlife sits.
Know before you go
- Best for first timers: Old Phuket Town, Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Karon Viewpoint and Laem Phromthep in one day
- Best beach base for families: Kata or Karon
- Best for nightlife: Patong
- Best day trips: Phang Nga Bay, Ko Racha, Ko Mai Thon and the Phi Phi islands
- Driest months: roughly November to April
In this Article
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) suggests a one-day route that covers Old Phuket Town, the Thai Hua Museum, Chinpracha House, Wat Chalong, the Big Buddha, Karon Viewpoint and Laem Phromthep. It makes a good first day, and the list below follows roughly the same order before moving on to beaches, islands and nights out.
Things to do in Phuket town and the south
1. Walk Old Phuket Town
Phuket grew rich on tin, and the merchants who came here (Chinese, Indian, European and Muslim traders) built rows of shophouses in the style now called Sino-Portuguese. The old quarter runs along Thalang, Dibuk, Phang Nga, Yaowarat and Krabi roads and Soi Romanee. Many of the buildings are now cafés, small hotels and restaurants. Look out for the more than 20 pieces of street art, and taste local Baba-Nyonya (Peranakan) food while you are there.
2. Visit the Thai Hua Museum and Chinpracha House
Both appear on TAT’s one-day route. The Phuket Thai Hua Museum, set in an old Chinese school building, tells the story of the island’s Chinese settlers. Chinpracha House is a family mansion that shows how a wealthy tin-era household lived. The Peranakan Nithat Museum is another option for a closer look at Baba-Nyonya dress and culture.
3. Shop the Sunday Lat Yai market
Every Sunday evening, Thalang Road turns into the Lat Yai walking street market, with local snacks, crafts and music. It is one of the easiest things to do in Phuket at night with kids, since it starts early and the street is closed to cars.
4. Climb to the Big Buddha
The Big Buddha, officially Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkhon Ek Nakkhiri, sits on Nakkerd hill above Chalong. TAT gives its height as 45 metres. It is built of reinforced concrete and faced with white and jade Burmese marble. The terrace has wide views over Chalong Bay on one side and Kata and Karon on the other. It is an active religious site, so cover your shoulders and knees.
5. See Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong, also called Wat Chaitharam, is Phuket’s most important temple. It is tied to Luang Pho Chaem, a revered monk known for meditation and traditional medicine. During the Ang Yi rebellion in the 19th century, he handed out protective charms to the people who resisted it. The tall Grand Pagoda has upper floors you can walk through, and the temple sits on Chao Fa Road, a short drive from the Big Buddha.
6. Stop at Karon Viewpoint
From the road between Kata and Nai Harn, this lookout takes in three bays at once: Kata Noi, Kata and Karon. It is a quick stop, and most island tours include it.
7. Watch the sunset at Laem Phromthep
Laem Phromthep, also called Promthep Cape, is the southern tip of the island and its favourite sunset spot. A line of palms runs down the headland towards the rocks, with the small island of Ko Kaeo Phitsadan just offshore. The Kanchanaphisek Lighthouse here was built for King Rama IX’s Golden Jubilee and has a small exhibition inside. Arrive well before sunset, because the car park fills up.
Beaches worth your time
8. Patong for energy
TAT calls Patong almost a small town in its own right, with hospitals, malls, hotels and restaurants behind a wide curving bay. It is good for water sports and easy for first trips, but it is busy and built up.
9. Kata and Karon for families
These two neighbouring beaches on the southwest coast are calmer than Patong and close to the viewpoints above. They are popular with families, though the surf can still get strong in the wet season.
10. Nai Yang for nature
Nai Yang lies inside Sirinat National Park in the north, close to the airport. It has a shady pine-lined shore and coral reefs offshore, and sea turtles have historically nested here between November and February. It suits couples and families who want a slower beach.
11. Surin and Laem Sing for quiet coves
Surin is a steep, pine-fringed beach that once held a golf course in the reign of King Rama VII. TAT warns against swimming here in the monsoon because of strong waves. Laem Sing, about a kilometre south, is a small cove with rocks and shade.
Island trips from Phuket
12. Phang Nga Bay
The bay north-east of the island is famous for limestone towers rising straight out of green water, sea caves and hidden lagoons. Boat and sea-canoe trips often stop at Khao Phing Kan, better known as James Bond Island. Choose a licensed operator and check what the price includes.
13. Ko Racha and Ko Mai Thon
Ko Racha, south of Phuket, is two islands: Racha Yai has a white sand beach and clear water, and TAT calls Racha Noi a dive site for experienced divers only. Ko Mai Thon, off the south-east coast, is a short speedboat ride away and suits people with limited time.
14. Phi Phi and Krabi
The Phi Phi islands are a classic full day out by boat. Krabi, across the bay, has Railay and Ao Nang and makes a good second base if you want both Phuket and Krabi on one trip. Our 7-day Thailand itinerary shows one way to fit Phuket, Krabi and Bangkok together.
Things to do in Phuket at night
15. Shows, markets and Bangla Road
Bangla Road in Patong is the island’s party street, with bars and clubs that run late. For something calmer, TAT points to two big evening shows: Phuket FantaSea, a cultural theme park on a 30-acre site, and Siam Niramit, a stage show on Thai history and culture. Weekend markets in Phuket Town are a cheaper night out for families.
If you visit after the Chinese New Year, look out for the Old Phuket Festival. Thalang, Krabi, Dibuk and Phang Nga roads become walking streets for parades in Baba-Nyonya costume and local food stalls.
Phuket with kids, families and couples
With kids, base yourself in Kata or Karon, book an Old Town morning with the Sunday market, and choose a calm-water island like Ko Mai Thon over a long speedboat run. Families with grandparents will find the one-day TAT route easy by taxi or hired car.
For couples, Nai Yang or Surin give you quieter evenings, Laem Phromthep gives you the sunset, and a canoe trip in Phang Nga Bay is a good shared day on the water.
When to go and getting around
Phuket is drier from about November to April, which is peak season. From around May to October, the Andaman monsoon brings rain and rougher seas, and some boat trips may be cancelled. Our guide to the best time to visit Thailand has the month-by-month detail.
There is no metro on the island. Most visitors use taxis, ride-hailing apps, hired cars with drivers or day tours. Indian passport holders should check current entry rules in our Thailand visa guide, and if you start or end in the capital, see our list of things to do in Bangkok.
How many days do you need?
Three full days cover the essentials: one for the town and the southern sights, one for a boat trip, and one for a beach of your choice. With five days you can add a second island trip, a slow morning in Old Town and an evening show, or move on to Krabi for two nights. If you only have a single day between flights, follow the TAT route above and finish at Laem Phromthep.
Leave some slack in a monsoon-season plan. Boat trips can be called off at short notice when the sea is rough, so keep the land sights for those days.
FAQ
What are the best things to do in Phuket, Thailand?
Old Phuket Town, the Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Karon Viewpoint and sunset at Laem Phromthep cover the island’s main sights in a day. Add a boat trip to Phang Nga Bay or Ko Racha and a beach day in Kata, Karon or Nai Yang.
What can you do in Phuket with kids?
Stay near Kata or Karon, visit the Sunday Lat Yai market in Old Town, see the Big Buddha and choose a short island trip such as Ko Mai Thon. Check flags before swimming in the wet season.
What are the best things to do in Phuket at night?
Bangla Road in Patong is the nightlife hub. Phuket FantaSea and Siam Niramit are big evening shows, and the Lat Yai market runs on Sunday evenings in Old Town.
Is Phuket good for couples?
Yes. Quieter beaches such as Nai Yang and Surin, sunset at Laem Phromthep and a sea-canoe day in Phang Nga Bay suit couples well.
Can I do Phuket and Krabi on one trip?
Yes. Many visitors spend a few days in each, travelling between them by road or boat. Railay and Ao Nang are the usual bases in Krabi.
Official resources: TAT: 10 things to do in Phuket; TAT: one-day Phuket route; TAT: Phuket province
Photo credits
Featured image: Bennypc / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; 1. Walk Old Phuket Town: Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; 3. Shop the Sunday Lat Yai market: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; 4. Climb to the Big Buddha: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; 5. See Wat Chalong: Edwin Lee derivative work: MrPanyGoff / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; 6. Stop at Karon Viewpoint: Frank Overzier / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; 7. Watch the sunset at Laem Phromthep: Phuket@photographer.net / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; 8. Patong for energy: Arnaud-Victor Monteux / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; 12. Phang Nga Bay: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
