Top 10 things to do in Phuket

Thailand's beaches can be crowded but a little extra effort had us enjoying a picnic of fresh pineapple and figs on our very own island sandbar!
Phang Nga Bay near Phuket

Phuket often gets overlooked by travellers in favour of the islands and highlands of Thailand, and many people see it just as a place for parties, huge resorts and cheap package deals. Yet there are so many things to do in Phuket, even for discerning luxury travellers.

Did you realise Phuket is actually an island? Albeit quite a large one, and certainly bigger than many of the others in the area. Located just off the southwest coast of the Thai peninsula, Phuket enjoys long sandy beaches, lush tropical forests and the glistening waters of the Andaman Sea. The island has it’s own airport which makes it easily accessible, and you can even fly there without having to stop in Bangkok if you want to maximise your time on the beach.

Whether you love lazing on the beach and trying new cocktails, or prefer checking out the culture and exploring the islands, there are plenty of things to do in Phuket to keep you busy. Here are the top 10 experiences you can have in Phuket:

1. Check out some Phuket Beaches

There’s a beach for everyone on the island, and understandably a bit of time on the sand is one of the most popular things to do in Phuket. If you enjoy lively places, you’ll love Patong with it’s nightlife and bustle. For a more relaxed experience head to Kata, Karon or Freedom Beaches, where you can enjoy a peaceful swim and read your book without interruptions. Or if you want to hang out with the locals, check out either Surin or Nai Harn.

Freedom Beach by BlueEyeTea (licensed by Creative Commons)
Freedom Beach by BlueEyeTea (licensed by Creative Commons)

2. Explore the Old Town

You’ll find bags of charm in the historical old part of town. The streets are lined with Sino-Portuguese houses dating back to the 20th Century, as well as more modern art galleries, designer boutiques, and enough bars and restaurants to keep you satisfied for weeks. Buildings of note include the Governor’s Mansion, an elegant landmark over a century old, with architecture that follows the art of feng-shui. Today it’s the home of the Blue Elephant Cooking School.

3. Barter at the Markets

You can’t leave Thailand without visiting at least one market to try out your haggling skills and to pick up a few souvenirs. The Phuket Night Market is open at weekends, selling everything from woven place mats to those all important elephant pants for wearing on the beach. Why not make an evening of it and eat at one of the many food stalls there. Trying some local Thai delicacies is all part of the adventure.

Night market
Night markets are a great way to spend an evening

4. Indulge in some Fine Dining

Speaking of dining, Phuket has a lot to offer beyond street stall deep fried crickets. For something a little more sophisticated head to one of the many rooftop bars or waterside restaurants, and don’t feel guilty if you fancy a break from Thai menus. There seems to be every cuisine under the sun available in Phuket, with many establishments offering ‘fusion’ and ‘contemporary’ dishes in keeping with the elegant surroundings.

Breakfast
Fine dining is available even at breakfast

5. Take a Thai cooking class

You’ve fallen in love with Thai food, so why not try cooking it yourself. It’s lots of fun and you can learn how to make your favourites dishes for when you return home. There are several cooking schools to choose from, including Kata Thai which isn’t far from Kata Beach, and Blue Elephant which is grandly housed in the Governor’s Mansion. Some even include a trip to the local market so you can learn about the produce and choose your own ingredients.

Lychees at Phousy Market, Tamarind Cooking School, Luang Prabang
Discover local produce at the markets

6. Have a go at Thai Boxing

If you don’t fancy spending the entire time chilling out on the beach, perhaps think about releasing all that pent up energy with a bit of Thai Boxing. There are classes and courses for beginners available in Phuket, or if that all sounds just a little too scary, you can go and watch a match instead. Boxing is incredibly popular in Thailand so it would be a shame to miss out on such a unique experience.

Bangla Stadium Kick Boxing by Kevin Tao (licensed by Creative Commons)
Bangla Stadium Kick Boxing by Kevin Tao (licensed by Creative Commons)

7. Sleep over in style

One of the best things about Phuket is the wide range of accommodation options, there really is a hotel in Phuket for everyone. In the last decade Phuket has become well known for it’s high end resorts and if you’re looking for a bit of luxury and pampering then you won’t be disappointed.

Sunset by Dennis Wong (licensed by Creative Commons)
Sunset by Dennis Wong (licensed by Creative Commons)

8. Pay your respects to the Big Buddha

Sitting on top of a hill overlooking the rainforest and the ocean, the 45 metre high Big Buddha is one of Phuket’s most iconic attractions. Dedicated to the Thai king, the monument has wonderful views of Phuket, and if the weather is good, you can even make out the famous island of Phi Phi.

Big Buddha Phuket by Eirien (licensed by Creative Commons)
Big Buddha Phuket by Eirien (licensed by Creative Commons)

9. Take a boat trip around Phang Nga Bay

One of the most popular things to do in Phuket is explore Phang Nga Bay on a boat tour. You’ll stop at some of the smaller islands, including Ko Tapu, the famous ‘James Bond island’ which featured in the Man with the Golden Gun movie back in the 1970s. Some tours take in Maya Bay, as seen in ‘The Beach’ film with Leonardo DiCaprio. If you’re feeling energetic there are options to go kayaking too.

Thailand's beaches can be crowded but a little extra effort had us enjoying a picnic of fresh pineapple and figs on our very own island sandbar!
Phang Nga Bay in all it’s glory

10. Visit Wat Chalong

There are 29 Buddhist temples in Phuket, and you’ll stumble upon many of them accidentally as you explore the area. The one you shouldn’t miss however is Wat Chalong, the largest and most lavish of them all.

Wat Chalong temple by Nicolas Lannuzel (licensed by Creative Commons)
Wat Chalong temple by Nicolas Lannuzel (licensed by Creative Commons)

Whether you’re just stopping in Phuket for a couple of days before heading down to the islands, or whether you’re here for a week, there’s plenty to do no matter how energetic or lethargic you like to be. Don’t make the mistake of thinking Phuket is simply a crowded party island. There are also several tropical pockets of peace if you just go and look for them.

Phuket has something for everyone and should definitely make it onto your next Thailand itinerary.

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  1. says: Sonali Chauhan

    Wow… It’s so amazing. I never been at beaches but I like beach. I do hear many times about Phuket & their beaches that are too amazing to enjoy vacation & summer time. Again I found a coolest beach “Phang Nga Bay” while searching thing to do in Phuket 🙂 that’s amazing.

  2. says: Elina

    I’ve been to Thailand one too many time, but I haven’t been to Phuket. Somehow most of my friends advised me against going there, but since on of my friend’s lives there now I am going to visit her in October. Is there any particular restaurant you would recommend? As I understand old town is not very old?

  3. says: Frank

    Nah, they were just naked 🙂 But the drinks were Viking themed, I remember something about a Thor Hammer cocktail.
    Anyway, very long time ago, sure Phuket has changed a lot since then.

    1. says: Heather Cole

      Even better! Sounds like a classy joint. I’ll have to report back (we’re probably going to be out there next year).

  4. says: Carlie

    I feel like I learned so much! Thanks for sharing. I hear mixed reviews about Thailand, but I still think I want to visit. I love markets, so it seems like this would be a great place to check out.

    1. says: Heather Cole

      Thailand is a great place, no matter whether you’re a backpacker doing it on the cheap or a luxury traveller searching for that something a bit different. I’m sure you’d love it!

    1. says: Heather Cole

      That’s what I thought first time we visited Thailand, but there’s so much more to Phuket than what you hear in the media.

  5. says: Frank

    You know Heather, I’ve been to Phuket many times and I don’t think I did any of the above except for the Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). I did however once go to a Viking-themed strip joint (the building looked like a huge Viking ship) where I ate some fried crickets with my beer while watching the show (this was obviously in the old days when I was single).

    I also went hiking in the National park near the airport where I got lost. Ended up following the river downstream and slipped and fell, spraining my wrist. Funny thing was the planes were coming in for landing not far above and I kept thinking “I’m fucken lost in the jungle right next to the damn airport”. I was that dense. Found my way out just as the sun was setting.

    Anyway, your list sounds much more refined than mine.

    Frank (bbqboy)

    1. says: Heather Cole

      Wow, that sounds like quite an adventure considering how close to the airport you were! So were the strippers dressed up as Vikings then? That’s gotta be a bit of a niche! Just goes to show there’s a lot to do in and around Phuket!