The 15 things to do in Phuket

Visit Phuket: what are the best things to do and see in the southern islands of Thailand?

The largest island in Thailand stretched into the Andaman Sea in the southwest of the country, visit Phuket offers to see a tropical paradise and probably the most visited site in Thailand.

Between the dream beaches, the gustative pleasures of Thai cuisine, grandiose excursions, underwater activities, the great Buddha or the nearby islands, you will surely want to go back there. To help you organize your stay more easily, we listed the 15 best things to do in Phuket and its surroundings.

1. The old town of Phuket

City of 80,000 inhabitants, Phuket is a seaside resort located on the southeast coast of the island. Founded by Chinese and Malaysian merchants in the 19th century, we still see Chinese-style homes in the streets of the old town of Phuket. Don't miss: the Thai Hua Museum, the Hai Leng Ong Statue (the golden dragon monument) and Soi Rommanee.

2. Patong

This is where the fans of the party come, typical of Thailand. Patong nightlife is unbridled, but be careful: it is also the paradise of debauchery and sex tourism. A little glaucous if you are alone, it’s better to come with you to party. If you come to visit Phuket to see picturesque and authentic Thailand however, do not go to Patong.

3. Traditional Thai shows and cabarets

What else to do in Phuket, otherwise see at least a traditional cabaret? Thailand is known for its ladyboys who were once... boys. Why don't you go see a dance at Phuket's cabaret? To reassure more than one, it’s a show rather frequented by families.

4. Thai cuisine

We could describe Thai cuisine as succulent, refined, exotic, tasty, sometimes surprising. In the street – even at Bangkok -, we eat for 2 € to 3 € of very good dishes – including the famous Thai Pad. Going to the restaurant is almost useless. But be careful, the dishes will be very often very spicy.

5. The statue of the Great Buddha

High 25 meters on the top of Nakkerd Hill, this huge statue overlooks everything. If you come to visit Phuket, you can't miss the Great Buddha: you can see it everywhere! Its marble comes from Burma, but to penetrate the site, it will be necessary to cover legs and shoulders in accordance with Buddhist codes.

6. The Wat Chalong temple

Wat Chalong is the largest and most frequented of 29 open temples to visit Phuket. Composed of three floors of 60 meters high, it was erected in the early 19th century. To stroll after the visit, a huge garden belts the buildings. Thought to cover the legs, shoulders and to decorate while penetrating in the temple.

7. Muay Thai fight (Thai box)

Coming to Thailand, visiting Phuket without seeing a Thai boxing fight would be like visiting New York without seeing the Statue of Liberty! Every Friday evening at the Boxing stadium in Phuket City, come to attend this Thai national sport and watch the swelling that takes place during the paris of the avant-match. For the first time, the fighting will be really impressive.

8. Freedom Beach and Karon Beachs

Phuket is known for its dream beaches, and it is not a myth. You come there to stroll, cook on the sand – all precautions of use kept of course -, admire the landscape, make snorkeling, swim or stroll. The most pleasant and prettiest beaches are on the west coast:

• Freedom Beach
• Karon Beach

9. Kata Beach and Kata Noi

These two beaches unveil the paradise corners of the southwest coast of Phuket.

• Kata Beach
• Nai Han Beach

10. The Sirinat National Park

Built on 90 km2, the Park is 30 kilometres northwest of Phuket, and has a 13-kilometre band of beaches. Hat Nai Thon, Hat Nai Yang, Hat Mai Khao and Hat Sai Kaeo, to name just a few.

11. Phang Nga Bay

Large bay located in the Andaman Sea with an area of 400 m2, the bay extends south, between Phuket to the west and the province of Krabi to the east. A postcard decor by going to visit Phuket. For travellers and locals, it is a wonder that we never get tired of. By boat, the traditional Phang-Nga circuit will take 3 hours. You will then explore a landscape for the least chaotic in the middle of the sea: a hundred karst pitons, some of which are 100 meters high. Just beautiful.

To be seen in the bay of Phang Nga is Khao Phing Kan, a pair of famous islands to have appeared in Man with gold gun , one of James Bond’s films. Since then he has been called "James Bond Island".

12. Ko Sire Island

At the east end of Phuket City, this tiny island separated by a river is a small refuge away from mass tourism. Starting to visit Phuket, it can do good...

You will find superb views devoid of amusement parks and much less Western tourists – the famous "pharangs" in Thai. The fishing port offers a different, authentic look of Phuket.

13. Phuket Aquariumin Cap Phanwa

South of Ko Sire, there is a course where you can visit the Marine Biology Research Centre and the Phuket Aquarium, and see several hundred of the exotic marine species that are coloured.

Swipe through the glass tunnel 10 meters long and watch all kinds of fish. Continue the visit by the turtle hatchery at the back of the building, where they are raised in large tanks before being released.

The Marine Biology Research Centre also conducts numerous studies on tropical reef ecosystems and the development of a reasonable and responsible commercial fisheries.

14. Koh Phi Phi

A boat will be needed, but we can't visit Phuket and go back to Bangkok without passing through the Ko Phi Phi Islands. These are two islands – Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Ley – including Maya Bay, the world famous beach thanks to the film La Plage with G. Canet, V. Ledoyen and L. Di Caprio. A heavenly setting, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

15. Rent a scooter to visit Phuket

What better than feeling free to visit Phuket without relying on buses and tuk-tuks? Renting a scooter will allow you to go wherever you want, depending on the wind and the desires. But station at the station Thai tatoo , famous expression denoting those who scratched or injured after a fall by scooter. Drive gently, protect yourself and take your eyes full.

How to get to Phuket?

Phuket being the most touristic place in Thailand after Bangkok, you will find quite easily direct flights from Paris to Phuket. But if you stay in Bangkok, there are several ways to go to Phuket. By plane always, but also by bus (there are daily departures from the train station Hua Lamphong ). To find cheap flights to Phuket, you can search our partner's website Skyscanner .

Where to stay in Phuket?

If you stay for a week or more the location of your hotel is very important. We are tempted to stay in Patong or not far, because this is where the animation is located, but it is not the best place to decompress and enjoy nature. For this, it will be necessary rather favour Kamala or Karon . Note that it is even possible to stay on Koh Phi Phi. You can find a cheap hotel in Phuket and its surroundings by doing a search on this Compare hotels .