Phuket is one of the most visited places in Thailand. It is the largest island in the country that serves as an international entry for tourists as well.
So, for those travellers who want to spend a quick vacation on the beach, Phuket may be the right place to begin. And a stepping stone for first-time travellers wanting to explore Thailand.
Phuket is the most famous island in Thailand. Especially because of the luxury resorts, sandy beaches and tons of shopping spots and restaurants. Almost making the island city appear like a mainland city.
With azure water surrounding the island, water activities in Phuket are high in demand. There are popular spots for the perfect snorkelling activity.
But many tourists come to Phuket for activities and to get an introduction to Thai culture. Some choose this island for relaxation. In fact, Thailand is famous for its massage. And what place other than Phuket to experience the authentic Thai massage overlooking the ocean, right?
But that is not all, there are so many tourist things to do in Phuket. And we will tell you all about them in this top 10 things to do in Phuket blog. Scroll to know more:
Beaches of Phuket
Let us begin the blog by introducing the three popular beaches in Phuket that are calm, exciting, and beautiful. Although, there is no shortage of beaches in Phuket. Each offers a different vibe. For instance, Banana Beach has a secluded appeal, perfect for a getaway from the crowd.
Nai Thon Beach is lively with tourists since a lot of luxury resorts are lined throughout the beach. Mai Khao Beach is perhaps the most exciting beach since it is located right at the tail of the airport. It offers a great airport viewpoint.
Patong Beach
Clearly, it is one of the most popular beaches in Phuket, come here and you’ll know why?
This crescent beach with clear water and sandy beaches is the longest beach in Thailand. It has tons of beach activities that will keep visitors hooked for days.
Besides beach activities, the beach has a series of resorts lined alongside the beachfront. With its popularity, it may be hard to find any relaxation spot at Patong Beach. But it is easily accessible from tourist spots and an ideal beach for people-watching.
Karon Beach
A drive for 15 minutes, you’ll reach Karon Beach. The second popular beach stretches 3.5 km to the neighbouring Kata Beach.
Despite being less developed, it’s still popular among couples and families. During warmer months, families come here to spend an afternoon with activities. It is a beautiful spot for swimming during calm weather.
There are several restaurants and convenience stores spread throughout the road opposite the beach. Keeping the beach busy during evenings and weekends. Some luxury bungalows and hotels are located close to the beach.
Kata Beach
On the other side of Karon Beach is Kata Beach. Despite being within close proximity to each other, it offers a completely different vibe.
Kata Beach is surrounded by palms and casuarinas along the long stretch. On one end of the beach is a lush hillside providing a perfect place to take pictures. It is certainly more peaceful compared to Karon Beach with fewer Hawkes and beautiful with distant tiny islets.
The beach is ideal for snorkelling and other water activities. There are a series of beachfront stalls and restaurants within walking distance. Luxury resorts are also here, which may cost a little more than the ones at Karon Beach.
Places to visit and things to do in Phuket
While here, you’ll have so much to do and see. Your days will be packed with activities and places to explore. We have selected some of the best attractions in Phuket ourselves so that you do not need to scroll through other sites. Check it out below:
Phuket Town
Exploring Phuket is definitely on everyone’s bucket list. Located a few minutes from the southeastern coast of the island, the local life starts to set in.
The town is busy with heaps of hotels ranging from high to low, gastronomic Thai cuisine in high-end to hipster restaurants. Owning their famous Thai massages, there are many massage parlours offering all kinds of relaxing therapies. But still not as relaxing as playing free slot games no download on your phone.
In some places, the Thai style of architecture reflects the influence of Chinese immigrants and the Portuguese aesthetic provides a beautiful contrast.
One of the best places to explore in Phuket is the streets of Old Phuket Town. Make sure to walk through the well-preserved shops, the fringes that have a strong influence on Thai and Portuguese culture. Check out the attractions like Sino-Portuguese mansions, Phuket Trickeye Museum, and the Jui Tui Shrine, a colourful Chinese temple.
Island Boat Tour
You may want to spend a relaxing vacation in Phuket, lay on the poolside, sunbathe and rejuvenate. But if you are willing to delve into some adventure, an island boat tour in Phuket is the best thing to do.
There are many islands surrounding Phuket that provides the needed seascape from the island. Some of the famous islands that surround the main island are as follows.
Maphrao, Nakha Yai, and Nakha Noi are located on the east coast. Koh Kaeo, Racha Noi, and Racha Yai are on the southern tip, and little Koh Poo is located on the west coast.
There are many local companies that organise tours, but you can also choose Phuket tours from us while booking your flights to Phuket. Some of the other highlights include a visit to James Bond Island, Phuket to Phi Phi Islands and the famous Maya Bay beach.
Snorkelling and Scuba Diving
One of the fun activities to do in Phuket is Snorkelling. The best part is, there’s no training needed. Due to the pristine water around Phuket, the visibility is good making it ideal for snorkelling.
Snorkelling in Thailand is a fun activity and the temperature ranges from 26 to 30 degrees Celsius. You can see a wide range of fishes, manta rays, seahorses, sea turtles and even whale sharks.
Most travellers come to complete scuba diving courses in Thailand since it is affordable. There are many scuba dive operators that will take you to Koh Phi Phi island for scuba diving. It is one of the most stunning islands in the whole of Thailand.
You can also consider Similan Islands National Park after clearing the scuba diving certification. This national park consists of eleven uninhabited islands that are famous for diving.
Phuket Big Buddha
An iconic attraction that is a must-visit in Phuket is the Big Buddha. Located at the top of Nakkerd hills, this place provides a beautiful view of the island.
This distinctive landmark of Phuket was constructed in 2004. It sits 45-meter-high adorned with white jade marble. It is a calming spot to soak in the vistas and enjoy the scenery, breathe in the breeze and take snaps with prayer flags as a backdrop.
On a windy day, you can hear the tinkling of small bells, it is calming to the soul. Make sure to visit during the morning for sunrise since it is less crowded during that time of the day.
Evenings are a great time to see the sunset but it can be very crowded. So plan accordingly.
Karon Viewpoint
Other than the Big Buddha, Karon Viewpoint is an absolute must-do activity in Phuket. It is a famous vantage point that will give you a view of three beaches. Hence, the other name of the viewpoint is ‘Three Beaches Hill.’
Karon Viewpoint has been dubbed as the island’s most popular place to photograph vistas, emerald hillsides, white surf, expansive ocean and golden sunsets.
The best way to get here is by either two-wheeler or four along the branch road in front of Kata Noi Beach. Turn in a southwesterly direction onward to the southern tip of the island.
Wat Chalong
In the Thai language ‘Wat’ means ‘temple’ followed by the name. So, Wat Chalong or Temple Chalong is one of the popular temples in Phuket and is considered the most beautiful temple on the island.
The temple is dedicated to two highly respected monks named Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang. Here, you can see a life seized wax models of the monks along with other figures installed in the exhibition home.
At Wat Chalong, the pagoda displays images from the life story of Buddha. You can also see a series of miniature golden buddhas in different poses.
The visitors are not allowed to wear shoes while entering the temple and women need to cover their shoulders and knees.
Phuket Markets
The ultimate thing to do in Phuket is to explore the markets. The island has many marketplaces that sell local fruits and vegetables, souvenirs and snacks.
A good place to begin your market exploration is on a Sunday Walking Street Market. It is one of the city’s largest markets that sells almost everything. The market runs from 4 PM to 9 PM and it is bustling with food and music.
You can also check out Banzaan Fresh Market located on Sai Kor Road. They sell exotic fruits and vegetables. It is a great place to savour delicious food and buy souvenirs like arts and crafts.
Phuket Weekend Night Market is also a good destination where you can find a lot of second-hand goods and unique foods to try like deep-fried insects or fishcakes.
FAQ
What is Phuket best known for?
Phuket is famous for a lot of things, starting from its beaches to vibrant nightlife, local markets and white marble Big Buddha. It is also well-known for its activities like scuba diving and snorkelling.
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
Cooler months from November to February are considered the best time to visit Phuket. However, the months of March through October can also be a good time to visit. Monsoon season is considered off-season and most budget travellers choose this time of the year to visit Phuket.
