Related Articles
Must Visit Places In Phuket – We know what you’re probably thinking! Is Phuket not a party island in Thailand? While technically that might be true, we found it even more so on our last visit! Phuket has everything from stunning beaches to delicious food and an amazingly rich cultural history. After reading about all the best things to do in Phuket Thailand, we’re sure you’ll be excited about your next trip to the island!
Let’s start with the obvious one! We know almost every Thai island has some sort of incredible beach to enjoy. However, we were not ready for the beauty we would find on the island of Phuket.
Must Visit Places In Phuket
It seemed as if around every corner there is a beautiful new beach to swim in like beautiful Kataand Kata Noi. With how many different beaches there are on the island, it’s easy to find one that fits any travel style. Honestly, the secluded sands and coves of Phuket Island are straight out of a dream!
Living In Phuket Expat Guide
Phuket has become famous as a vacation island hosting travelers from all over the world. With that, you can expect to see many restaurants and tourists. They have everything on Phuket from pizza to sushi, and any other food your heart desires.
But in Thailand it is better to indulge in all the local food! Go to street food spots, night markets, and local restaurants. You may love Pad Thai and Papaya Salad, but be adventurous and try some Thai dishes you haven’t heard of.
Phuket Island has a deep history that can be best explored in the streets of Old Town. The mix of cultures is immediately seen in the Sino-Portuguese architecture and colorful buildings on Thalang Road.
Long before it brought in millions of tourists every year, Phuket was a center for international trade. Fishing and tin mining also attracted immigrants from all over Asia who left their footprints on the island of Phuket.
The Ultimate Travel Guide To Patong Beach, Phuket
One of the best things to do on Phuket is to simply kick back and relax in its many cafes and beach bars! We like to grab a fresh coconut or fruit smoothie near the water to enjoy during the heat of the day.
Although Phuket may be famous for its wild nightclub scene, the beach bars are a nice contrast to that. If you’re anything like us, having an ice-cold beer on the beach is way more enjoyable than a crowded nightclub anyway!
Every Sunday there is a huge night market set up on Thalang Road in Old Town. Here you can find local art, jewelry, clothing, and fun souvenirs to take home with you.
There is also a section to taste more great street food on the island of Fuke. Can’t go to the Old Town market? It’s all good! There are several other markets that appear all over the island.
Your Guide To Visiting Phuket In 2023
Many of the best things to do in Phuket Thailand are done on the ocean! Kayaking is one of our favorite activities and we were happy to find them on almost every major beach.
Want to know the best part? They will not charge you more than 100 Thai Baht ($3 USD) for an hour of paddling! Some places even rent transparent kayaks so you can have views of the ocean life below.
Are you the type of traveler who likes to splurge on vacation? Well, you’re in luck! Phuket Island is full of some of the luxury resorts and hotels in all of Thailand.
Don’t want to spend on a fancy resort? No worries! Some of the nicest hotels offer days spent in their pools and bars.
The Best Islands Around Phuket, Thailand
Nui Beach is one of the best kept secrets on Phuket Island! Between Kata Beach and Rawai you will find a dirt road that leads down to a path.
At the bottom is a beautiful and secluded beach that can only be described as paradise! There are two restaurants with ocean views and a number of fun photo spots that remind us of Bali Indonesia.
If you don’t feel like making the 1.6 km trip down you can easily pay 100 baht for the van to take you there and back.
From many places on Phuket Island, you will look up and see a familiar face in the mountains. Big Buddha is the most iconic religious statue on the island and a symbol of Thailand’s deep faith.
Exciting Places To Visit In Phuket
The white marble statue stands nearly 150 feet tall and was created in the Maravija Buddha style. It is a fun adventure to drive a motorcycle to the top, and there are even hiking trails in the forest up to it.
Phuket Island Tip: Also check out the restaurants on the way to Big Buddha as they are spectacular sunset spots!
Once you have experienced kayaking, another fun and popular water activity is diving! In many of the best beaches in Fuke are great spots to see the colorful fish.
Our favorite place to dive was around the rocks and the edge of the coves at Yanui Beach. Just make sure you plan your visit during high tide as it can be too rocky to dive at other times of the day.
Best Things To Do In Phuket For The Ultimate Island Escape In Thailand
If you are serious about diving, we also recommend taking a boat trip. The tours will take you to hard-to-reach places and even other islands from Phuket!
Sunset is a magical time every night on the island of Phuket. You can experience this all along the west coast and Southern Point is known to be one of the best places to see it.
Going to the famous Windmill and Promthep Cape for this special moment of the day is easily one of the best things to do on Phuket! Here you will have stunning views of the ocean and coastline as the colors change before your eyes.
Another great part about staying on Phuket is that it is easy to get to the surrounding islands! Especially from the southeast beach town of Rawai, you can take a traditional longboat to explore the coast.
Top 10 Best Things To Do In Patong
This can be a fun way to go diving and explore more tropical destinations nearby. There are also many day trips to Hong and Similan Islands. Check out some of our favorites below!
Unlike many other places in Thailand, Phuket is not really known for its temples. However, there are definitely some worth seeing! One of the most interesting is the Chalong Temple which was built in the early 1800s.
You will see a mix of locals and tourists here all come to pay their respects. A recent addition to the temple is a massive 60-meter tall stupa (or chedi) that houses a bone relic from Buddha.
If you are looking for an ethical way to see elephants Thailand we have the perfect place! At the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary they care for these beautiful animals that have been rescued from injury or illness.
Best Things To Do In Phuket In 2023
Once rehabilitated, they travel to the temple grounds safely. This is quite refreshing to see, as there are many other places in Thailand that do not treat these animals in the same way. The temple is also home to the longest canopy walkway in the country.
Our absolute favorite way to see the island of Phuket is to rent a scooter. You’ll need a way to get around if you want to do all the best things on Phuket… I mean it’s Thailand’s biggest island after all!
Just know you’ll want to have your motorcycle license and an international driver’s license if you plan on driving on Phuket. It is a busy island so the traffic can get dense, especially around Phuket town.
The best places to drive without traffic are often on the West and South coasts. Here you can cruise freely and worry less traffic than on the highways inland.
Top 8 Reasons Why Phuket Is The Most Popular Destination In Thailand
Many travelers do not experience the Southeast coast on the island of Phuket, but they are seriously missing out! This is just another reason to rent a motorbike or take a Phuket island tour during your stay.
Cape Panwa is home to many resorts and provides a secluded feel compared to the rest of Phuket. In fact, Ao Yon and Khao Khad are two of our favorite beaches!
Phuket Island Tip: Cape Panwa is also an excellent place to watch the sunset. It offers a completely different view than from the popular beaches of Phuket.
As you read about things to do in Phuket Thailand, you should know that the mountains and beaches are best seen from above. Unsurprisingly, one of the best views is from Big Buda! Still, there is much more to enjoy if you know where to look. Below are some of the best views on the island of Fuke.
Reasons To Visit Phuket
Speaking of views… One of the most unique you can find is at Mai Khao Beach. During high season every year, commercial planes land right on these gorgeous sands.
The only other place we saw this was at Maho Beach in Sint Maarten so it is actually quite remarkable! This is definitely something interesting to add to your list of things to do on Phuket Island.
Muay Thai is a way of life in Thailand and there
