Things to do in Phuket: 6 fun activities
- Jul 17
- 5 min read
Phuket is a lively island destination in Southern Thailand. There is plenty to see and do across the island, so you can easily spend several days here. Although some places can be explored on foot, most of the Phuket attractions mentioned below are spread across the island. Taking a taxi is often the easiest way to get around. You can travel by regular car, but exploring Thailand in a colourful tuk-tuk is much more fun.
Visit Phuket’s Big Buddha
Phuket’s Big Buddha is one of the island’s most recognisable landmarks. The enormous white statue stands 45 metres tall and can be seen from several places across southern Phuket.The statue sits high on Nakkerd Hill, where you can also enjoy sweeping views of the island and coastline. As at other Buddhist sites in Thailand, visitors should dress respectfully. Make sure your shoulders and knees are covered. Bringing a sarong is useful, although coverings may also be available near the entrance. The temple complex includes more than the main white Buddha. As you climb the steps and explore the grounds, you will see several smaller statues, many of them decorated in gold.
Access to the Big Buddha has changed in recent years following safety concerns and temporary closures. Check the current opening status before travelling there.
Explore Wat Chalong and Phuket’s temples
Wat Chalong, officially known as Wat Chaiyathararam, is one of the best-known temples in Phuket. The colourful complex consists of several buildings, each with different details, decorations and statues. You can walk around the temple grounds and enter the buildings that are open to visitors. Entry is generally free, although donations are appreciated. As this is an active Buddhist temple, remember to cover your shoulders and knees, remove your shoes before entering temple buildings and behave respectfully.
There is a large parking area where your taxi or tuk-tuk driver can wait. You will also find stalls selling cold drinks and snacks nearby. There is relatively little shade around parts of the complex, and it can become extremely hot during the day. Bringing water, sunscreen and a hat is therefore a good idea.
Take a boat trip to James Bond Island
One of the best things to do in Phuket is take a boat trip to the islands and limestone formations of Phang Nga Bay. A popular stop is James Bond Island, which was used as a filming location for the movie The Man with the Golden Gun. The island is famous for the tall limestone rock rising vertically from the water. The journey through Phang Nga Bay is an experience in itself. The area is filled with steep limestone karsts, hidden lagoons and small islands, creating beautiful views throughout the trip. We booked our tour through GetYourGuide and had a really enjoyable day.
Many tours include a traditional Thai lunch and stops at several places. Depending on the itinerary and weather conditions, you may also have an opportunity to kayak between the limestone cliffs or explore caves and lagoons.
Watch the Sunset at Promthep Cape
Promthep Cape is one of Phuket’s most famous viewpoints. It is located near the southern tip of the island and is especially popular around sunset. From the main viewpoint, you can look out across the Andaman Sea and the surrounding coastline. You can also walk farther along part of the cape for a different perspective, although the path can be uneven and steep. Bring something to drink, find a comfortable place and enjoy the view. The sky can look spectacular as the sun disappears below the horizon. Promthep Cape becomes very busy around sunset, so arrive early when you want a good viewing spot. Visiting earlier in the day offers a quieter experience, although you will miss the famous sunset.
Relax on Phuket’s best beaches
Phuket has a wide selection of beautiful beaches. Patong Beach is probably the most famous, but Kata Beach and Karon Beach are also popular. Each area offers a slightly different atmosphere. Patong is lively and surrounded by restaurants, shops, nightlife and water activities. Kata has a somewhat more relaxed feel, while Karon is known for its long and spacious beach.
Phuket’s beaches are generally wide and sandy, making them ideal for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing. At several beaches, you can also book activities such as jet skiing or parasailing. You will usually find stalls, restaurants or beach bars nearby where you can buy cold drinks and something to eat.
Experience Phuket’s nightlife
Phuket has a lively and varied nightlife scene, particularly in Patong and Phuket Old Town.
Patong is the place to go for busy bars, nightclubs and large entertainment venues. Bangla Road is at the heart of the action and becomes especially energetic after dark. Phuket Old Town offers a different type of evening. Here, you will find colourful streets, cocktail bars, restaurants, cafés, live music and evening markets. There are also plenty of rooftop venues across Phuket where you can have a drink while enjoying views of the sea or city.
The island’s restaurants cater to almost every taste, with options ranging from vegan and health-focused cafés to seafood restaurants, Thai cuisine and international grills. After dinner, you can visit one of the many bars and take in the atmosphere. Some nightlife areas are loud, crowded and slightly overwhelming, but that is also what makes them such a memorable experience.
How many days do you need in Phuket?
You do not need to spend several weeks in Phuket to see the main highlights. For most travellers, three to five days is a good amount of time. With three full days, you can visit several temples and viewpoints, relax on the beach and experience some of the nightlife.
An additional day or two gives you more time to take a boat trip, visit different parts of the island or simply explore at a slower pace.
Best time to visit Phuket
The best time to visit Phuket is generally between November and April. During these months, the weather is usually drier and the sea tends to be calmer, making this a good period for beaches and boat trips. The wetter monsoon season normally falls between May and October. During this period, Phuket is often quieter and greener, but rain can be heavier and the sea may become rough.
We have only visited Phuket in July and August. Although these months fall within the wetter season, we personally had very little trouble with rain and still found it a good time to visit.
Where to stay in Phuket
The best area to stay in Phuket depends on the kind of trip you are looking for. Choose Patong if you want to be close to restaurants, bars, nightlife and plenty of entertainment. It is the island’s liveliest tourist area and can become very busy.
Choose Kata Beach if you prefer a more relaxed beach atmosphere while still having restaurants and facilities within easy reach.
Choose Karon Beach for a long, spacious beach and a generally quieter setting than Patong.
Phuket Old Town can also be a good option when you are more interested in local food, colourful architecture and culture than spending every day at the beach.
