Phuket holiday guide: what to see
They call it ‘The Pearl of the Andaman’, and Phuket certainly is one of Asia’s loveliest holiday destinations. With it’s stunning west coast beaches, lovely tropical hinterland and excellent tourist infrastructure Phuket takes prime place in the guide books of Thailand. There are plenty of great natural and man-made attractions to see, both on the island in the adjacent coastal area.
As a guide, Phuket comprises of a series of beach resort areas, each enjoying it’s own sweeping bay, well developed tourist centre and great holiday environs. The island is just the right size; small enough to tour in a day, but big enough to give everyone a little space, even those preferring to escape the tourists.
On Phuket a guide will help with your sightseeing, but mostly you can enjoy it on your own by renting a scooter or car, or joining one of the many Phuket tours that come with their own guide. In this section you’ll find details on all the sights Phuket has to offer.
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AttractionsThere’s plenty of family-friendly and other sights to see on Phuket, here’s the full list with opening times and entrance fees...more |
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Touring PhuketSpend a day exploring the island, from the deserted beaches in the North to Promthep Cape in the south and plenty inbetween...more |
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Phuket TownDelve into the cultural side of the island with a legacy of Sino-Portuguese architecture and traditional Thai character island’s town...more |
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Day tripsAway from the beaches there’s some fantastic day trips, don’t miss Pha Nga Bay, Phi Phi and some national parks inland...more |
Sightseeing highlights
Phuket is known best for its great beaches and hospitality, but you simply must get off your beach towel and witness some of this island’s unique character. Away from the resorts and water there are some great sights a local Phuket guide will show you. Pick up a freely distributed map and explore.
Highlights on the island include Phuket Town, with its old traditional Thai character that reveal a lifestyle untouched by tourism. You might be fascinated by the old mansions and their Sino-Portuguese architecture or quiet lanes with century-old Chinese herbalists shops. Then there are the great viewpoints above Kata Bay and at Promthep cape, from which to see the sun set. Or how about the soaring chedi at Wat Chalong.
Perhaps most rewarding of all are the beaches, each nicely viewed from the hilly capes that separate them. Patong might be the most central and busy, along with Karon, but head north to the sweeping Kamala or small and quiet Surin beach, or marvel at the pretty lagoons behind Bang Tao Beach. Perhaps the nicest of the beaches are Kata and Kata Noi, while Rawai and Nai Harn are delightfully unspoilt by over development. Then there are the remote and uncrowded North beaches of Nai Yang and Mai Khao, use your Phuket map as a guide. Get your bearings on our Phuket map.
Beyond Phuket are many more great sightseeing opportunities to which tours with a guide run daily, and spending a day on one of this is recommended. You’ll not want to miss out on a trip to the famous Phi Phi Islands southwest of Phuket, or the remarakable karst pillars of Pha Nga Bay. Then there’s the national parks with more than half a dozen within a two hour drive, it’s all described in this section.
