Top 5 Things to do in Phuket
Lined with white sandy beaches and surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, Phuket is a true island paradise. As the largest island in Thailand, and the country’s most popular holiday destination by far, there are plenty of things to see and do in Phuket. Tropical beaches, historic temples, bustling local markets, exquisite cuisine, world-class nightlife… Phuket has it all.
If you’re planning your Phuket itinerary and looking for the best things to do, you’ve come to the right place. Continue reading to discover our top five favourite things to do in Phuket!
Spend a Day Beach Hopping
Visitors from across the globe flock to Phuket to spend their days lazing on a shimmering stretch of beach with a drink in hand. Phuket is an absolute paradise for beach lovers, with over 30 to explore across the island. From small, secluded coves to popular party beaches with plenty of action and everything in between, Phuket has a beach for everyone.
Of course, the most popular beach in Phuket is Patong Beach. Although it can be crowded, you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere in Phuket with a livelier atmosphere. From indulging in a beachside massage to trying water sports like parasailing, jet skiing and banana boating, there is so much to enjoy on Patong Beach. Meanwhile, the streets behind the beach are overflowing with bars and restaurants, so you’ll never be short of somewhere to eat and drink.
If you’d prefer a quieter stretch of sand, there are plenty of other Phuket beaches to choose from. We recommend heading south of Patong to the beaches of Karon and Kata – you’ll always have plenty of space to lay down your towels here!
Visitors from across the globe flock to Phuket to spend their days lazing on a shimmering stretch of beach with a drink in hand.
Wander Phuket Old Town
While Phuket may be best known for its golden beaches, no visit to the island is complete without exploring the streets of Phuket Old Town. In this historically rich part of town, you’ll find Sino-Portuguese shophouses, charming cafes and restaurants, and an abundance of Chinese and Buddhist temples.
Phuket Old Town is perhaps most famous for the Sunday Walking Street Market, where the colourful Thalang Road comes alive with market vendors every (you guessed it) Sunday night. Discover a seemingly endless stretch of stalls serving almost every kind of street food imaginable, as well as some selling art, clothing and other handmade wares.
If you have an interest in street art, you’ll love Phuket Old Town. Hidden amongst the side streets of Old Town, you’ll find some truly incredible murals – some political, some satirical and some simply detailing the culture and history of Phuket in vibrant colour. These fascinating murals first began popping up around the Thalang Road area a few years ago and are painted by both local and international artists.
While Phuket may be best known for its golden beaches, no visit to the island is complete without exploring the streets of Phuket Old Town.
Cruise to the Phi Phi Islands
Did you know that the breathtaking Phi Phi Islands can be reached in just a 50-minute speedboat ride from Phuket? Located within the crystalline Andaman Sea, the Phi Phi Islands are made up of a collection of limestone rocks and islets – trust us when we say that the natural scenery here is postcard-perfect.
An island hopping tour to Phi Phi is simply one of the best things you can do while visiting Phuket. Choose from one of many tour operators on the island (or simply select one of our holiday packages with this exclusive inclusion) and spend a day cruising across the Andaman Sea, visiting some of the world’s most idyllic beaches and vibrant snorkelling spots along the way.
Some must-visit locations on any Phi Phi Islands tour include Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach and Bamboo Island. However, the most iconic attraction of all is Maya Bay, made famous by ‘The Beach’, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Having recently reopened after over three years of closure, Maya Bay is simply astonishing – just be sure to respect the rules implemented to ensure its protection.
Did you know that the breathtaking Phi Phi Islands can be reached in just a 50-minute speedboat ride from Phuket?
Explore Buddhist Temples
If you’re looking for things to do in Phuket beyond the beach, definitely add some temple hopping to your itinerary. Boasting some of the most impressive Buddhist temples in Thailand, a visit to one of Phuket’s ‘Wats’ offers a fascinating insight into local culture.
The largest and most visited temple in Phuket is Wat Chalong. Built at the beginning of the 19th century, this gilded temple houses numerous golden Buddha statues, while the walls and ceilings are beautifully decorated with paintings that showcase the story of Buddha. The highlight of Wat Chalong is the 60-metre Grand Pagoda, believed to contain a splinter of Buddha’s bone.
Another temple well worth a visit is Phuket Big Buddha, the tallest and highest statue of Buddha in southern Thailand. Enshrined at the top of Nakkerd Hill, this mammoth white marble temple stands 45 metres high and offers panoramic views over Phuket Town, Chalong Bay and the surrounding islands.
If you’re looking for things to do in Phuket beyond the beach, definitely add some temple hopping to your itinerary.
Visit Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
As the national symbol of Thailand, you simply cannot visit Phuket without getting up close with an elephant. However, if you are considering visiting an elephant sanctuary during your holiday, be sure to take caution when choosing where to go – sadly, not all elephant encounters offered to tourists are ethical.
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the first and most ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket. With 12 elephants in its care, this sanctuary focuses on rescuing sick, injured and old elephants who have spent their lives working in the logging and tourism industries. Bordering the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary offers these rescued elephants the freedom to roam, bathe, forage and socialise freely.
At Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, guests can observe the elephants at a safe distance from a 600-metre-long canopy walkway or whilst hiking through the sanctuary as part of a guided tour. Unlike other elephant encounters in Phuket, you’ll leave with memories to last a lifetime and the knowledge that you’ve done your part to prevent further exploitation of these magnificent creatures.
As the national symbol of Thailand, you simply cannot visit Phuket without getting up close with an elephant.
Thai Paradise is Waiting
From golden beaches and electric nightlife to exceptional cuisine and fascinating Buddhist temples, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy in Phuket. There’s a reason the island is Thailand’s most popular holiday destination, after all.
Want to experience this island paradise for yourself? My Thailand offers a range of perfectly packaged Phuket holidays, complete with exclusive bonus extras, like flights, room upgrades, resort credits, dining experiences and so much more. It’s all part of the My Thailand difference, which simply can’t be found anywhere else.
You can explore My Thailand’s collection of sun-drenched Phuket holiday packages here.
