Looking for the best things to do in Phuket? Check out this post and learn more about it!
Besides all the attractive beaches, tropical rainforests, delectable street food, and breathtaking way of life you can deal with. With an enormous number of things to see in Phuket and 35,000 visitors already visiting daily, let’s look at the best things to do in Phuket.
Phuket is situated on the Andaman Coast, in the south of Thailand. Phuket is the country’s biggest island and has been the central tourist spot for decades, offering numerous things to do. Pronounced without the “h,” Phuket is well-known as the Pearl of the Andaman Sea.
While it has currently developed into more than just a peaceful beach-loaded island (Fun fact: it’s nearly as large as Singapore), there is never a dull moment in Phuket, given the full range of activities to do.
You will find excellent eating places, nonstop amusement, nightlife options, and dozens of extraordinary hotels and resorts.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phuket: Maya, Phi Phi, and Bamboo Island with Buffet Lunch
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Top 15 BEST Things to do in Phuket
Take a Day Trip to Kata Noi Beach
Kata Noi Beach is a stunning and serene beach located on the western coast of Phuket, Thailand. With its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, it’s no wonder this beach is often seen as heavenly and picturesque. The water here is warm and inviting, with no waves, making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. Onshore you’ll find plenty of palm trees that provide shade from the sun’s harsh rays, allowing you to relax in peace and quiet.
The sand at Kata Noi Beach is some of the finest around, with a range of colors that vary anywhere from light beige to white. Its shoreline makes for great walking trails and many places to explore. If you’re looking for a more active experience, you can always head to one of the many watersports centers nearby, where you can rent out boards or take a kayak tour.
And if you’re looking for food after all your adventures, plenty is available too! You can find small restaurants offering dishes like fresh seafood or traditional Thai cuisine – so whatever type of food you’re craving, Kata Noi Beach has something bound to please your taste buds! Overall, this beach is full of relaxation opportunities, so check it out if ever given a chance. It is an incredible place that will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated for days afterward!
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phuket: Elephant Save & Care Program Tour
Enjoy Shopping at Phuket Town Night Market
The Phuket Town Night Market is a well-known attraction for visitors to Phuket. It is situated in the center of Phuket Town and is open every evening. Many products are available there, including clothing, accessories, souvenirs, and local handicrafts.
The food is one of the highlights of the Phuket Town Night Market. A wide range of street food vendors serving delectable regional dishes at reasonable costs can be found in the market. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from grilled seafood to spicily Thai curries and freshly crafted fruit drinks.
The Phuket Town Night Market provides entertainment in the form of live music and cultural acts in addition to food and retail. Visitors can also discover massage parlors and stores selling conventional herbal medicines in the market.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phuket: James Bond Island Luxury Sunset Cruise
Walk Around Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town is a fascinating place to explore and experience the history of Thailand. As you walk down the streets, you will find yourself surrounded by old temples, colorful traditional shophouses, and Chinese shrines, which give the area its unique charm. The whole area has been beautifully preserved and looks exactly as it did hundreds of years ago.
You can visit religious sites like Wat Chalong temple, which was built in 1837 and is dedicated to two revered monks who assisted in ending regional struggles or admire the impressive architecture of Thai-Chinese-style buildings along Thalang Road. Take your time exploring the small alleyways full of street food stalls and souvenir shops offering handmade textiles, jewelry, spices, teas, and other traditional products.
The Phuket Old Town night market is also a must-see – it’s bustling with locals and tourists picking up snacks or bargaining for souvenirs. Local musicians play live music at various spots throughout the evening while artisans demonstrate their craftsmanship during weekly exhibitions. Phuket Old Town comes alive at night as many restaurants offer authentic Thai delicacies like crispy pork rinds with chili sauce and coconut sticky rice pudding dessert.
As some may say – when in Phuket, explore Phuket Old Town! It’s worth a visit for anyone interested in experiencing a touch of local culture combined with an unforgettable atmosphere!
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phuket: Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay Day Trip with Lunch
Explore Khao Phra Thaeo National Park
You’ll find a wealth of natural beauty at Phra Thaeo National Park. A thick jungle, towering mountains, and sparkling rivers are just some of the wonders you’ll discover here. The park comprises dense evergreen forests, with various wildlife living among them, including elephants, tigers, and hornbills. This special park also contains abundant rare and endangered plants, such as redwood and Thai orchid trees.
From its impressive cascading waterfalls to its lush flora and fauna-filled jungles, there are plenty of sights for visitors to explore at Phra Thaeo National Park. Trails meander through the park, allowing you to hike along steep inclines or take in breathtaking views from above. You might even spot birds and other animals along your journey! Several camping sites are also available if you wish to extend your stay in this beautiful location.
As well as offering amazing views, Phra Thaeo National Park is home to a range of activities, including kayaking down the river or rafting on its rapids. You can also explore the numerous caves within the park that feature ancient Buddhist artwork or take in some stunning sunrises from atop one of its many peaks. If you’re feeling daring, you can even try out some rock climbing! No matter what activity you choose to do here, rest assured that some incredible scenery will surround you while doing it.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: From Phuket: James Bond Island & Canoe Tour by Longtail Boat
Visit the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
All across Phuket, elephants can be seen working and having fun, but unless you go very far into the forest, you won’t find any as happy as those fortunate enough to call this spot home.
Aside from the friendly giants themselves, the real draw here is the chance to get hands-on by feeding, swimming, and cleaning with these majestic animals.
Therefore, if you enjoy animals, this refuge will enhance your visit’s pleasant and memorable aspects. One of the most enjoyable things to do in Phuket is to get a personal interaction with an elephant.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phuket: Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Interactive Tour
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Top attractions to see in Phuket
Visit The Big Buddha
This giant Buddha is one of Phuket’s most renowned tourist attractions, sitting at the highest point of the Nakkerd Hills. You can enjoy a panoramic sight of the island from the top of the hill. The Buddha is produced using white Burmese marble and shines gracefully in the sun.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phuket: James Bond Island Day Trip by Speed Boat with Lunch
Travel to Wat Chalong
There is much to see at Wat Chalong, starting with Poh Jao Wat, which houses two statues of elderly men. The pagoda is wonderfully beautified with Buddha pictures and images that portray his life story.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Be Motivated at Jui Tui Shrine
Following a progression of redesigns, the Jui Tui Shrine house three giant statues, every one of an alternate Chinese god, the most striking of these is Tean Hu Huan Soy, the lord of performing arts and dancing.
There is a firecracker accommodation at the left of the shrine; you will frequently notice people throwing flaming firecrackers during different festivals.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phuket: Phi Phi Islands Day-Trip by Speed Catamaran
Be Overwhelmed at the Phuket Trickeye Museum
The Phuket Trickeye Museum is the first of its sort in Southern Thailand; the museum is an interactive system with the reason for exciting your thoughts and vision. There is a lot of 3D art to see and be stunned by, regardless of whether in a permanent installation or one of the changing short-term ones.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: From Phuket Or Khao Lak: Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour
Enjoy The Shrine of the Serene Light
Constructed by a neighboring family almost 150 years before and veiled away toward the end of a passageway is the Shrine of the Serene Light. There is much to see, including Taoist drawings covering the walls and an arched ceiling.
There is constantly burning incense and freshly laid flowers, and a live-in caretaker ensures that things are kept continuously only how they ought to be.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phuket: Old Town, Chalong Temple, and Great Buddha Van Tour
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Top things to experience in Phuket
Go Natural in Patong
Patong Beach is well-known as the heart of Phuket. There are two things tourists come to Patong Beach for, its shoreline and the nightlife. The beach is nearly 2 kilometers long, and you can experience jet skiing, parasailing, or just rent a sunbed to unwind for a couple of hours.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phang Nga Bay: Early Bird James Bond & Beyond Tour
Experience a Traditional Thai Massage
Free yourself from the worries of daily existence and enter the space of all peacefulness and restoration. This group of experienced specialists will utilize a range of unwinding frames on you, leaving you sensing that you’ve ventured out of the wellspring of youth.
Attempt a choice of traditional Thai cures passed down from ages that will help stir your body and quiet your brain. Pampering yourself with a body massage after an adventure is one of the most relaxing things to do in Phuket.
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: From Phuket or Khaolak: Similan Islands Snorkeling Day Trip
Experience Sea Gypsies in Koh Panyee
Koh Panyee, which is 1 hour and 30 min from Phuket, is a quick day trip. It is tactically situated close to the well-known James Bond Island; thus, getting here is no trouble. Famous for being a floating Muslim village and a fishing village, too – you can take a quick look into the lives of this interdependent community by paying a visit!
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phuket: Khai Nok, Khai Nai, and Khai Nui Island Day Trip
Top food to eat in Phuket
Tom Yam Goong
Tom Yam Goong is a classic Thai dish that is incredibly delicious and has a unique combination of flavors. It consists of a spicy tomato-based soup, sweet coconut milk, fresh herbs, lime juice, pungent garlic and chili peppers, and succulent shrimp.
The soup can be served hot or cold, depending on your preference. It’s an ideal meal for those looking for something light yet flavorful. Not only does it taste great, but it’s also relatively healthy, packed with vitamins like vitamins A and C from the tomatoes and omega-3 fatty acids from the shrimp. Tom Yam Goong can be enjoyed on its own or with steamed jasmine rice to complete the meal.
Depending on how much heat you want to add, you can adjust the number of chilies used in the recipe. And if you are feeling adventurous, you can add other ingredients like mushrooms or tofu to give it a different twist!
Where to stay in Phuket? Find an awesome deal and book your hotel here!
Book this unique experience: Phuket: Old Town Food Tasting Tour with 14 Dishes
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
Planning to visit Thailand soon? Start here!
- How to plan your trip: A Step-by-Step Guide on Planning a Trip to Thailand
- When to visit Thailand: Find out here when to visit and plan your trip according to season
- Itinerary examples: 1-Week Itinerary, 2-weeks in Thailand Itinerary
- How much does it cost to travel Thailand? Read this guide on how to budget your trip!
- How to pack for Thailand? Read this guide to learn what to pack!
- Where to buy groceries in Thailand? Read this guide!
- How to get around Thailand? Read our transportation guide!
- List of places to visit in Thailand: Places to Visit in Thailand, Southern Thailand, Central Thailand, Northern Thailand, and Isaan
- Points of interest in Thailand: Things to do, Cities to Visit, Islands to Chill in, Best Beaches, Surfing Spots, Diving Spots, Best Hiking Destinations, Where to go Camping, Waterfalls to Chase, Temples to Visit, Romantic Destinations, Honeymoon Destinations, National Parks, Unique Experiences, Thai Cuisine, Fine-dining Experience, Attractions to Visit, Tourist Spots, Vacation Spots, Heritage Sites, Family Travel, Adventure Travel, Backpacking Experience, and Beautiful Resorts
- Cultural overview: Thai Customs, Culture and Traditions, Temple Etiquette, Tipping in Thailand, Things to Know Before Your Visit, What NOT To Do in Thailand, Facts about Thailand, Festivals in Thailand, How to Wai, Useful Thai Phrases, and How to Greet in Thai
- My Favorite Places in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Lanta, Pattaya, Koh Samet, and Koh Samui
Where to stay in Phuket
Booking.comTours to do in Phuket
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