Your guide to Phuket
Phuket highlights
Big Buddha
A huge marble Buddha statue sits atop Nakkerd Hill, and you’ll catch glimpses of it often on your stay in Phuket. It’s free to see the statue up close. Get a tuk-tuk to the bottom of the steps, then walk the rest of the way. Remember that it’s a religious site, so cover exposed shoulders and legs. Shawls and sarongs can be purchased outside the temple if you need extra clothing.
Elephant sanctuary
The elephant is the national animal of Thailand. A symbol of strength and intelligence, these fascinating creatures have been used for centuries across Thailand to work the land. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a home for sick, injured and old elephants, and you can ethically view them from suspended footbridges that weave in and out of the jungle.
Island temples
Thailand is graced by more than 40,000 Buddhist temples, and there are many beautiful examples you can visit. Just remember to remove shoes and hats before you enter, and dress modestly. Chalong Temple is one of the largest on the island. Karon Temple is a tiny but colourful temple next to Karon Beach, where there are markets twice a week.
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Phuket: Know before you go
| Language | Thai |
|---|---|
| Currency | Thai baht (฿) |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| High season | November - March |
| Low season | May - October |
Find the best time to go to Phuket
Weather in Phuket
April – May: Temperatures soar and the leaves turn dry in these transitional months. Make sure you book accommodation with air conditioning.
June – November: Mid-year sees the arrival of the wet season, with frequently heavy downpours. The seas also churn and can become unsafe to swim in, so book a hotel with a pool. On the plus side, traffic in the cities is lighter, and the attractions are uncrowded.
December – March: The dry season is the high season in Phuket. Temperatures are nearly perfect, there’s little chance of rain, and the waters are calm and inviting. Keep your eyes peeled for orchids, which start to bloom in March.
Events in Phuket
Phuket Old Town Festival (February): The locals know how to throw a street party. Families and friends flock to this popular festival with traditional dance, art and food.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival (September or October): This Chinese–Thai tradition of prayers, parades and vegetarian feasts dates back to the early 1800s. Phuket Town is the centre of the action, with processions, firewalking and drum troupes.
Loy Krathong (November): This festival of light honouring the water goddess is celebrated nationwide. But it’s truly spectacular in Phuket. The island’s rivers, lakes and beaches glow with thousands of mini rafts lit by candles.
The best neighbourhoods in Phuket
Patong Beach
Phuket’s liveliest area, Patong Beach, is the best neighbourhood to stay in Phuket if you want to be near both nightlife and the beach. Bangla Road is the place to be at night for the bright lights and live music in the many clubs and bars. There are plenty of restaurants here too, but head to the food court in the Banzaan Fresh Market for a relaxed, cheap meal.
Good for: Nightlife, restaurants, beach
Old Phuket Town
You’ll find an interesting mix of cultures in Old Phuket Town. Chinese and Portuguese traders settled here, and you’ll see these influences in the Chinese shrines and Portuguese architecture. There are plenty of tucked-away restaurants and cafes ideal for dining or people-watching with a drink. Try the China Inn for a delicious meal in an impeccably restored Chinese storefront and garden.
Good for: Restaurants, shopping, culture
Kata Beach
Kata Beach is where to stay in Phuket if beach life is your priority. It offers everything you’d want in a day at the beach — beautiful sand, great restaurants, beach chairs to rent and a cadre of masseurs ready to give you a famous Thai massage. If the real waves are intimidating, try the artificial wave machine at Super Surf Kata.
Good for: Beach, restaurants, shopping
Things to do in Phuket
Family friendly things to do
A day at the beach is always great with kids, but they might also enjoy Phuket FantaSea theme park and theatrical show. For younger kids, Carnival Magic on Kamala is the place to be — it has a funfair and a parade of colourful floats. Phuket is also home to plenty of water parks and the Baan Teelanka Upside Down House.
Shopping
For a small island, Phuket has a surprising variety of shopping options. Central Phuket is a mall with big name global fashion brands, while Premium Outlet is a large, open-air mall with discounts on lots of well-known brands. Phuket also has many night markets. The Sunday market in Phuket Old Town is a local favourite.
Take in the culture
With the temples, theatres, art galleries and museums in Phuket, there’s plenty of culture to enjoy during your vacation here. Housed in a Sino-Portuguese mansion, the Thai Hua Museum has interesting displays about local history. Phuket Art Village is the place to go for art lovers, while the Junkyard Theatre has regular plays and comedy shows.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Phuket varies from chill beach bars to busy nightclubs. Bangla Road is the centre of nightlife on the island, and huge clubs like Illuzion Phuket regularly host internationally famous DJs. On the other end of the spectrum, the beach bars have a more relaxed vibe. Try Cafe del Mar or Catch Beach Club for a night under the stars.
Places to eat
Taste the zing of ‘tom yum goong’ (hot and sour prawn) soup or the sweet goodness of mango sticky rice. Phuket’s culinary landscape is diverse and flavourful. Sample street food at Chuan Chim, one of the oldest eateries on the island. You’ll find locals eating mostly in food stalls at the night markets. For dessert, try ‘o-eaw’, a gelled dessert made from the seed of the o-aew plant.
Beaches
There are an abundance of choices for beaches in Phuket. Kata Beach is one of the best beaches for families, with a playground for kids and family-friendly water sports like the banana boat ride. Patong Beach has a party vibe and lots of restaurants and bars, while neighbouring Freedom Beach is much quieter, as you can only get to it by boat or by taking a steep hike down a hill.
Get ready for Phuket
Budget
Though the island can be pricier than some Thai locations, it’s still very possible to explore Phuket on a budget. The key is to do your research. You can usually find a delicious, low-cost meal for around 175 Thai baht (฿). A cold, local beer will cost you roughly ฿90. And a short taxi ride runs around ฿175.
Day trips from Phuket
This region is spoilt with rocky bays, coral reefs and paradise beaches. Book a boat tour to some of the best neighbouring islands, like Racha Yai, Naka and Phi Phi. If you’re an experienced diver, head to the Similan Islands. The crystal-clear waters will reward you with sightings of manta rays and whale sharks.
Getting around Phuket
Part of the fun of getting around Old Phuket Town is riding a tuk-tuk, the small motorised vehicles that dominate the streets here. Hail one and agree on a price before you go. To see the island at large, consider hiring a car for a day or two. There’s also the Phuket Smart Bus, which takes you to various beaches on the island.
