Check out the best things to do in Phuket, Thailand’s biggest island, from beaches and temples to markets, jungles and a lively nightlife!
Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is a bustling tourist destination renowned for its stunning white sand beaches lined with palm trees, historic sites, vibrant nightlife, secluded lagoons, and breathtaking seascapes. People love it because it’s the party capital of Thailand, but they also appreciate its natural beauty, including its gushing waterfalls and dense rainforests with winding walking paths. Check out our list of the best things to do in Phuket if you are planning a trip to Thailand and aren’t sure if Bali should be on your list of places to visit. Join us as we walk around this beautiful island’s winding streets and check out the local markets, street food, pub culture and more.
Are you already planning a trip? Read our Phuket blog about the best time to visit Phuket and learn more about the island here.
8 Best Things to Do in Phuket
1. Take in the beautiful views.
When you’re in Phuket, go to Kata Beach at night to see a beautiful moonlight night or a beautiful sunset over the water. Promthep Cape, Black Rock Viewpoint, Windmill Viewpoint, Nai Harn Beach, and Patong Beach have some of the most beautiful views of the sea. Patong Beach is a nice place to view the sunset with a drink.
2. Visit more than one beach.
Set aside a day to go from beach to beach in Phuket. The less well-known and less crowded Kata Noi Beach, Kamala Beach, and Hua Beach are great for beach lovers. Kata, Karon, and Patong are the most well-known beaches. The beach shacks have the best seafood, and you can order creative sundowners to watch the sunset. You can also play beach sports.
3. Eat street food on Bangla Road.
Many people love Bangla Road, and it boasts some of the best food stands in Phuket. There are numerous options available, including grilled squid on a stick, mango sticky rice, century eggs, and Thai pancakes filled with grilled pork. Different kinds of meat and veggie skewers, cheesy corndogs, green papaya salad with tiny crabs, dumplings swimming in fragrant broths, and, for the perfect end-of-the-day snack, an ice cream sandwich are all on the menu.
4. Volunteer at animal shelters
For individuals who wish to spend time with rescued animals, the following organisations are outstanding choices: Phuket Elephant Care, Green Elephant Sanctuary Park, Soi Dog Foundation, and Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve. Jungle lovers can also visit Tiger Kingdom Phuket and Dolphins Bay, where daily shows, photo opportunities, and opportunities to interact with animals are available.
5. See the sights of Phuket.
A holiday to Phuket isn’t complete without seeing the sights all over the island. For a full experience, take a walk through Phuket Old Town and look at the sights. Visit places like the Phuket Town Historical Centre, the Lard Yai Market, and the Chinpracha Mansion. James Bond Island, The Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Monkey Hill Viewpoint, Khao Rang Peak, and the Phuket Indy Night Market are some of the other interesting places to visit in Phuket. You could also take a fast boat for a day trip to Phi Phi Island.
6. Do a bar crawl
Some of the best places to start your bar crawl are Patong Beach and Bangla Road. With a registered escort, you can go on a guided pub crawl, but you could also walk around the area and choose the bars you want to visit. You can find live music, karaoke nights, free welcome shots, and lots of other fun things to do at most clubs and bars in the area.
7. Check out the theme places.
Many different types of theme parks can be found on this island, from water parks like Splash Jungle Water Park and Andamanda Phuket to cultural theme parks like Phuket FantaSea and TriBhum Theme Park. If you’re travelling with kids, these are some of the best places to spend a day having fun.
8. Have fun with adventure activities.
Phuket offers a wide range of exciting activities, including scuba diving, fishing, snorkelling, and more. People who miss working out every day can hike up to Monkey Hill, and people who love the water can go wild water rafting or kayaking. Bungee jumping, paramotor flying, and zip-lining are all great sports for people who crave a rush.
The best time to go to Phuket
Between November and February, when it’s dry and nice, is the best time to go to Phuket. The normal temperature at this time of year ranges from 23°C to 30°C, making it an ideal time for sightseeing and beach hopping.
The nightlife in Phuket
Phuket island boasts some of the best nightlife in Thailand, featuring numerous clubs and pubs, vibrant night markets, street food stalls, sunset dinner cruises, and captivating cabaret shows. There are numerous ways to enjoy the nightlife here, as most marketplaces and stores remain open until the early hours of the morning.
Things to do for fun in Phuket
There are a lot of adventurous activities to do in Phuket, such as watersports, trekking, and adventure parks, where you can do crazy stunts that get your heart racing. This island is a great place for folks who love adventure. It has something for everyone. Kids can snorkel and paraglide, while adults can scuba dive, kayak, and paramotor.
Top cafes and eateries
Phuket boasts numerous restaurants with ocean views and rooftop cafes offering stunning mountain views. These restaurants offer the finest Thai and international cuisine, stunning views, and a variety of entertainment options. The Phuket Town Central Market sells snails, fish, chicken feet, and fried noodles.
Blue Elephant, Mom Tri’s Kitchen, The Tree House Restaurant & Beach Club, Blue Elephant, and Mor Mu Dong Seafood Restaurant are some of the greatest places to eat in town. Crabs, prawns, mussels, and shrimps feature in every third dish, but Massaman Curry, roasted pork salad with red grapes, and Chicken Galangal Soup are also must-haves.
Things to do at the airport in Phuket
Don’t worry if you have a layover at Phuket International Airport or get there too early for your trip. You can rest in the airport lounges, clean up in the showers, or walk to Nai Yang Beach or Mai Khao Beach. Birdwatching and environmental walks are available in Sirinat National Park and Splash Jungle Water Park. You can also stay at the airport and purchase local and duty-free goods, or dine at one of the many cafes and restaurants located there.
Things you shouldn’t do
- Avoid swimming on beaches with riptides and heavy waves.
- Don’t use PDAs in places where tourists aren’t.
- Dress for temples, covering shoulders and knees.
- Don’t wear shoes into someone’s house or a temple.
- You shouldn’t hire or ride a motorcycle if you don’t have a valid driver’s license.
- Don’t stand on coral or feed the fish.
- Don’t carry coral or shells home with you.
Shopping
Shopaholics will love this place, with high-end malls, street markets, and night and weekend markets. Naka Market on Chao Fa West Road is famous in Phuket. Chillva Market, with its shipping containers turned into souvenir shops and eccentric cafes, and Phuket Walking Street, where you can get casual clothes and swimsuits, are great places to shop.
For souvenirs, visit Central Festival Phuket Shopping Mall, Jungceylon Shopping Mall, and Luxury Outlet Phuket, where you can find luxury brands, electronics, fridge magnets, and other home decor items.
Insider advice
- Don’t overpack. You will likely purchase more than you can return.
- Make sure the taxi you’re in is metered.
- Visit Rawai Seafood Market for a genuine dining experience, where you can purchase fresh seafood and have it prepared on-site.
- Always drink bottled water and apply sunblock.
- To get by, learn a few Thai phrases.
- Vegetarian cuisine is widely accessible. Just remember to let the restaurant workers know that they shouldn’t use fish sauce, oil, or other similar condiments.
FAQS for the Top things to do in Phuket
Some of the best free things to do in Phuket are to go to the beaches, see the Big Buddha Statue, take in the beautiful views from different vantage points, and stroll around the local markets.
The Promthep Cape Viewpoint and the Laem Krating Viewpoint are two of the most stunning spots in Phuket, offering breathtaking views.
Some of the best day trips from Phuket are to Phi Phi Island, Phang Nga Bay, and the Khai Islands.
Thailand’s most romantic spots include long walks on the beautiful beaches, dinner cruises at dusk, scuba diving, theme parks, and day trips to nearby islands.
Some of Phuket’s most well-known historical sites are Phuket Old Town, the Peranakan Phuket Museum, and Wat Mai Luang Pu Supha.
Phuket island boasts many beautiful places. Some of them are Promthep Cape, Karon Beach, Laem Krating Viewpoint, and James Bond Island.
You should plan to stay in Phuket for at least three days, if not longer.
Phuket offers various options for transportation. Cabs, cars, motorcycles, and individual or shared tuk-tuks are available.
Some of the finest things to do in Phuket Thailand holidays when travelling alone include taking in the nightlife on Bangla Road, touring Old Phuket Town, unwinding on the lesser-known beaches, and exploring the local cuisine.
