Phuket, Thailand
Thailand's largest island, on the Andaman Sea: white-sand beaches from Patong to Kata and Kamala, the Big Buddha, colourful Sino-Portuguese Old Phuket Town, sunsets at Promthep Cape and boat trips to Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi islands.
Nakkerd Hill, between Chalong and Kata
How to get there: About 20–30 minutes by car or scooter from Patong or Kata.
Boat trips from Phuket piers
How to get there: Day tours and ferries leave from Rassada and Ao Po piers.
Beach
Phuket, Thailand
An 8-km beach on the north-west coast, home to the Laguna resorts, beach clubs and quieter stretches of sand.
Explore Bang Tao Beach
Beach
Phuket, Thailand
A small, white-sand beach hidden between wooded headlands south of Patong, reached mainly by longtail boat.
Explore Freedom Beach
Beach
Phuket, Thailand
One of the longest beaches on Phuket, with fine "singing" sand, a wide bay and a relaxed resort strip behind it.
Explore Karon Beach
Viewpoint
Phuket, Thailand
A roadside lookout above the west coast with a famous view of three bays — Kata Noi, Kata and Karon — one behind the other.
Explore Karon Viewpoint
Beach
Phuket, Thailand
A golden sand bay with good swimming in the dry season, surfing in the monsoon and plenty of restaurants close by.
Explore Kata Beach
Beach
Phuket, Thailand
A scenic bay at the south of the island, framed by green hills, with a lake behind it and a laid-back feel.
Explore Nai Harn Beach
Beach, Nightlife
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket's busiest beach: a long bay of sand with water sports, shopping, restaurants and the Bangla Road nightlife.
Explore Patong Beach
Heritage, Walking
Phuket, Thailand
Pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, Chinese shrines, street art, cafés and the best local food on the island.
Explore Phuket Old Town
Viewpoint
Phuket, Thailand
The southern tip of Phuket and the island's favourite sunset spot, with a lighthouse and an elephant shrine.
Explore Promthep Cape
Temple
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket's largest and most important temple, with a tall chedi said to hold a fragment of the Buddha's bone.
Explore Wat ChalongThep Krasattri Road, Thalang
How to get there: On the main road between the airport and Phuket Town.
Heritage, Walking
Phuket, Thailand
Pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, Chinese shrines, street art, cafés and the best local food on the island.
Explore Phuket Old TownTemple
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket's largest and most important temple, with a tall chedi said to hold a fragment of the Buddha's bone.
Explore Wat Chalong
Phuket, Thailand
Phuket's yellow Hokkien noodles stir-fried with seafood, pork and greens, a legacy of the tin-mining Chinese community.
Phuket, Thailand
Slow-braised pork belly in soy, garlic and black pepper.
Phuket, Thailand
Old Town's Chinese breakfast tradition of dim sum and strong coffee.
Wirat Hongyok Road, Phuket Town
A big weekend evening market with street food and stalls.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Thalang Road, Old Town
Local snacks, desserts and crafts every Sunday evening.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Phuket, Thailand
Relaxed beaches, good for families.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Phuket, Thailand
Boutique hotels, food and culture, away from the beach.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Phuket's Peranakan (Baba) heritage mixes Chinese, Malay and Thai traditions in its food, dress and houses. The Vegetarian Festival in September or October is the island's most famous event.
Phuket grew rich on tin mining from the 1500s onwards, trading with Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese and Indian merchants. In 1785 the island famously resisted a Burmese attack, led by the heroines Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Si Sunthon, whose monument stands at the Heroines Monument.
Hokkien Chinese miners shaped Old Phuket Town's shophouses, temples and food. Tourism took over from tin in the 1970s and 1980s, and the island recovered strongly after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Travel information
Kata or Karon beach, sunset at Promthep Cape.
Boat trip to Phang Nga Bay or the Phi Phi islands.
Hilltop views in the morning, temples and Rawai seafood later.
Shophouses, cafés and Chinese shrines; a dim sum breakfast and mee Hokkien lunch.
November to April is the dry season with calm seas. May to October is the south-west monsoon: cheaper, greener, but rougher seas and some boat trips cancelled.
Flights: Phuket International Airport (HKT), in the north of the island, has frequent flights from Bangkok (about 1 hour 25 minutes) and many direct international flights. Buses: Buses from Bangkok's Southern Terminal take about 12–13 hours. Ferries: Boats connect Phuket with Phi Phi, Krabi and Koh Lanta.
Grab and Bolt work in most areas; taxis and tuk-tuks are pricier and fares should be agreed first. Smart Bus and local songthaews run between the airport, beaches and town. Many visitors rent a car or scooter.
Respect red flags on the beaches in the monsoon season — rip currents are dangerous. Wear a helmet on scooters. Book boat trips with licensed operators.
