Are you planning a visit to Thailand’s largest island, Phuket? With so many amazing things to do, choosing where to start can feel overwhelming. Worry not! In this Borderline Nomad guide, we will discuss the top 15 things to do in Phuket and give you some insider tips so your trip to Phuket is as stunning as the beaches of Phuket!
Old Town Phuket
Let’s start with the classic of Old Town Phuket! Old Town Phuket is an old Sino-Portuguese area with colorful buildings, bustling marketing, and quaint aesthetic cafes. If you love exploring a city on foot or by booking a walking tour, Phuket Old Town is the place to start. If you are looking for something, be it souvenirs for your loved ones, delicious Thai food, or a soothing spa experience, you will find plenty at this location.
Old Town Phuket will teach you a lot about Thailand’s rich history as you walk through vibrant Portuguese-style buildings and pass by Chinese shrines and quintessential Thai temples. If you are still not sold, we promise you will find hundreds of spots to click perfect pictures for your Instagram!
Bangla Road
For those who love Thailand’s party culture, Bangla Road is the first spot to hit! Situated in Patong Beach, Bangla Road is known for its lively bars, restaurants, shops, and an overall fun and energetic atmosphere. If you are looking to hit the town and have a few drinks, don’t think twice and just visit Bangla Road.
Big Buddha
High up on Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata is one of Phuket’s most iconic landmarks: Big Buddha! This huge white marble statue of Buddha stands 45 meters tall and offers breathtaking views of Phuket island. The winding road up the mountain leading up to the statue offers serene views in itself but the view from the top is truly spectacular, where you can see Chalong Bay, Kata Beach, and even Phi Phi islands on clear days!
The Big Buddha is a major tourist attraction, hence we recommend visiting in the morning to avoid the crowds and the mid-day heat!
Bonus Tip: As Big Buddha is a place of worship, make sure to dress modestly and respect the etiquette guidelines.
Patong Beach
Patong Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Phuket, especially due to its proximity to the lively nightlife and restaurants. But the beach in itself is a beauty, with white sand and perfectly clear water. Patong Beach is also famous for its water sports activities like jet skis and parasailing. If this sounds exciting to you, visit Patong Beach on your trip to Phuket!
Day Trip To Similan Islands
Located off the west coast of Phuket, in the Andaman Sea, lies an underrated serene paradise called Similan Islands. Being a National Park, Similan Islands’ natural beauty and coral reefs are protected, giving you the most authentic island experience.
Similan Islands is a famous day-trip location from Phuket as staying at the islands overnight is not possible. So if you are visiting Phuket, it is worth checking Similan Islands day trips!
With turquoise water and secluded beaches, this island tour is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and simply embracing the natural beauty of the islands—making it a favorite among tourists.
Day Trip To Phi Phi Islands
If you are not able to spend a few days of your Thailand trip in Phi Phi Islands, it is worth visiting Phi Phi Islands on a day trip!
Easily accessible off the eastern coast of Phuket, Phi Phi Island offers the perfect escape for travelers seeking beautiful beaches and coral reefs with vibrant marine life. On the day trip, you can spend time swimming and snorkeling, and visit iconic locations like Maya Bay, Monkey Bay, etc. So don’t think twice before booking the Phi Phi Islands day trip!
Wat Chalong
Located in the heart of Phuket, Wat Chalong stands as the island’s largest and most revered Buddhist Temple. The temple complex features numerous buildings with beautiful golden spires, with decorated halls that are filled with murals and golden statues that represent Buddhist teachings. The main attraction, however, is the Grand Pagoda which showcases traditional Thai architectural style at its finest.
This 60-meter-tall Pagoda is decorated with glass mosaics depicting the life of Buddha, and upon climbing the Pagoda’s steps, you can witness a panoramic view of the entire temple complex!
Wat Chalong was built in the 19th Century and offers a glimpse into Phuket’s rich culture and history. We recommend booking a guided tour to make the most out of your visit to Wat Chalong.
Phang Nga Bay
Phang Nga Bay is a stunning attraction near Phuket and is known for its tall limestone islands that rise from the clear green waters—making it one of Thailand’s most photographed areas. Home to over 40 islands, the Phang Nga Bay offers visitors the chance to explore sea caves, hidden lagoons, lush mangrove forests, and even a floating fishing village built on stilts. The bay gained international recognition after appearing in the James Bond movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’, and the island where a scene for the film was shot has been admiringly named James Bond Island.
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary provides an ethical elephant tourism experience in Thailand, offering visitors a chance to observe and interact with rescued elephants in a natural environment. Founded as a retirement home for former trekking and logging elephants, the sanctuary provides these elephants with the freedom to roam and socialize after decades of hard labor.
Visitors can participate in half-day or full-day programs where they can prepare nutritious food for the elephants, walk alongside them through the jungle, and watch them bathe and play in the mud ponds – all of this without riding or other exploitative activities! At the sanctuary, guides will share each elephant’s personal rescue story and will explain natural elephant behaviors.
As the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary operates on a sustainable tourism model, all proceeds directly support the elephant’s care. If you want an authentic wildlife experience where you get to contribute to animal welfare as well, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a must-visit!
Karon Beach
If you love the famous Patong Beach and want the same experience in a quieter setting, then Karon Beach is your best bet! Named after the nearby town of Karon, this white sand beach spreads across 3 kilometers and is located about 45 minutes away from Phuket Town. The beach itself is peaceful and has gentle waves, making it a great spot for swimming and sunbathing.
If you are looking for The White Lotus style luxury resort experience, there are some great luxury resorts at Karon Beach that offer direct beach access! Here are our recommendations:
Freedom Beach
Hidden away in Phuket’s southwest coast, Freedom Beach offers an exceptional snorkeling experience that many tourists miss. The beach stretches 300 meters with soft white sand, with crystal clear water, perfect for snorkeling. Just a short swim from the beach, you will find colorful corals and many tropical fishes like parrotfish and angelfish, and sometimes you might even spot small reef sharks!
While the beach is hard to get to: you either need to take a boat or trek down a steep path in the jungle, the low crowd and the amazing snorkeling experience make it worth it!
For the best experience, plan your visit during the dry season between November and April, when the water is calm and the visibility is perfect. We recommend taking a Longtail boat from Patong Beach to reach Freedom Beach as the most convenient option!
Flying Hanuman
Are you dreaming of a zipline experience over Phuket’s lush rainforest? Flying Hanuman is the perfect for your adventurous soul!
This zipline stretches over 400 meters across the park, where you get to witness the nature and beauty of Phuket from above. If you want to experience this, book your Flying Hanuman experience now!
Hanuman World
Another one for the thrill-seekers visiting Phuket is Hanuman World! Hanuman World is an adventure park located in the lush rainforests of Phuket, where you will find variety of adventure activities to experience—from the classic zipline to skywalk and slingshot experience. This destination is perfect for a day out in Phuket with your friends and family!
Book your Hanuman World experience here.
Phuket Shooting Range
Phuket has tons of great spots, beach activities, and watersports, but are you wanting to do something completely different? Then, Phuket Shooting Range is perhaps one of the best places to visit.
Located a short drive away from Phuket City Centre, this indoor facility welcomes both beginners and experienced shooters, providing a wide range of pistols and rifles to choose from! Upon visiting, you will first receive a comprehensive safety briefing from trained instructors before stepping into the range and will be provided with ear protection and guidance on maintaining a proper stance. So, are you ready to test your aim?
Kata Beach
Located on the west coast of Phuket, Kata Bech is a famous laid-back alternative to Patong Beach! Spend your day chilling by the beach, dipping in the crystal-clear Andaman water and if visiting during monsoon, enjoy surfing the waves.
If the bustle of Patong Bech is not your cup of tea, definitely pay a visit to this 1.5-kilometer-long, Kata Beach located in Karon.
So this was Borderline Nomad’s travel guide to the best things to do in Phuket. While a few of these locations are well-known among seasoned Thailand travelers, locations like Similan Islands and Freedom Beach are true hidden gems in this article!
Now that you know, what are you waiting for? Book your Thailand trip today!
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