Phuket attractions
With nearly four million foreign visitors to Phuket annually, the island is without doubt one of Thailand’s most important attractions. So, just what brings them to this southern province?
Apart from some stunning natural beauty and an excellent hospitality industry, Phuket also has a number of attractions to fill its tourist brochure. And although it doesn’t have the cultural depth of some other destinations in Thailand, there are plenty of reasons to get off the beach and do some sightseeing.
The beaches along the west coast, with its various viewpoints, are among the most popular attractions. On daytrips, you can visit some fantastic seascapes and national parks farther a field. Phuket Town itself has a measure of historic legacy and intrigue, while the rest of the island has several pretty waterfalls and areas.
Here are the most popular attractions in Phuket; we’ve given approximate locations, but we suggest you use a free tourist map for navigation.
Phuket Beaches
This is what everyone has come to see, and there are nine pretty crescent bays along the west coast, each worth dropping in on to experience their differing characters. The viewpoint in the south above Kata Noi beach offers an excellent perspective of these tropical beauties with their calm, clear waters and white sand.
Open: always
Admission: free
Promthep Cape Phuket
A popular place at sunset for the tour buses, there are good views and an interesting landmark dedicated to a maritime-minded prince. Look out for the hundreds of small elephant statues left here.
Open: always
Admission: free
Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre Phuket
Located within the national park, this small sanctuary has been collecting and breeding gibbons for a decade, keeping them out of the markets and tourist venues. Their trademark ‘singing’ is distinctive and there are a number of volunteers on hand to give you a good introduction to these apes.
Open: daily, 10.00 to 16.00
Admission: by donation
Khao Phra Thaeo National Park
This park offers the best of Phuket’s lush landscape, a protected sanctuary with two lovely waterfalls; Bang Phae and Ton Sai, which are accessible by nature trail. Located in the far north of the island. There is a waterfall in Kathu, closer to Patong, if you would rather not pay the exorbitant park fee.
Open: daily, 08.00 to 17.00
Admission: 400 baht
Phuket Fantasea
Highly recommended for the whole family, this Vegas-style extravaganza is staged every evening in a large auditorium and theme park. It includes a menagerie of animals, circus acts, comedians and Thai cultural displays. Located in Kamala, but extensive shuttles are provided. Multiple winner of Thailand Tourism Awards Best Attraction.
Open: daily except Tues, Thur; from 17:30, show time 21:00; tel. 076 385 000
Admission: 1,200 baht at the box office
Old Phuket Town
Explore the Chinese character of Phuket that has remained unchanged for generations despite the onslaught of tourism. Experience an altogether different Phuket as you wander some of the lanes and witness a traditional Thai way of life.
Open: always
Admission: free
Talang road Phuket
This the one part of Phuket Town that really stands out and offers a glimpse of the wealthy legacy as a strategic trading port on the Andaman coast. Here you’ll find grand Sino-Portuguese styled mansions in various states of repair.
Open: limited access
Admission: free
Wat Chalong
The grandest and most visited of the Buddhist temples on the island, and although
Phuket doesn’t boast the legacy of other centres, this particular temple near Phuket Town has a soaring unconventional pagoda/chedi which offers something more cultured to the tourist trail.
Open: daily, 08.00 to 17.00
Admission: free
Phuket Orchid Garden and Thai Village
Located just outside Phuket Town, this 1,600m2 orchid garden displays the rich cultural heritage of orchid cultivation in Thailand, and also puts on regular cultural shows demonstrating traditional Thai dance and music.
Open: daily, 11.00 to 17.00; tel. 076 237 400
Admission: 300 baht
Phuket Zoo
A professionally run private zoo that is ideal for entertaining bored kids, and features shows almost every hour starring monkeys, crocodiles and elephants. There are more than 12 acres of lovely gardens full of Asian and other animals, and it includes a bird park, aquarium and orchid garden. Located south of Phuket Town.
Open: daily, 08.30 to 18.00; tel. 07638 1227
Admission: 500 baht
Phuket Shell Museum
This exemplary museum dedicated entirely to shells has a remarkable collection of rare, local and fossilised shells in a modern building. Highlights include the world’s largest golden pearl (140 carats apparently) and a 250kg shell. If you have the time, a stop here is well worth it. Located just north of Rawai.
Open: daily, 08.00 to 18.00; tel. 076 381266
Admission: 200 baht
Thalang National Museum
Part of the National Fine Arts Department collection of local museums, this under-developed museum, located near the Heroine Monument, is nonetheless fascinating for its historical reference on Phuket and a number of impressive artefacts such as the 9th century Vishnu statue discovered in the jungle here in 1900.
Open: daily except public holidays, 08.30 to 16.00; tel. 076 311025
Admission: 200 baht
Chinese temples
There are several of these around Phuket Town and they are noticeable for their colourful and detailed finery featuring dragons and mythical creatures. The best example is the Shrine of the Serene Light (off Phan Nga road), dating back 200 years.
Open: daily, all hours
Admission: free
Kao Rung hill Phuket
This is a park on a hillock overlooking Phuket Town which offers good views and is popular with locals enjoying evening exercise.
Open: always
Admission: free
Phuket Market
A quintessential Asian experience, this market is a hive of activity in the mornings and evenings as a traditional habit for locals looking to pick up fresh fish, food of all types and other knickknacks. Located in the heart of the city, it’s a cornucopia of sights and smells that most tourists never get to experience.
Open: daily, early mornings and evenings
Admission: free
Heroines Monument
You can’t miss this one when you arrive from the airport, as the main highway passes the traffic circle enclosing these statues of two sisters who saved the island from marauding Burmese by forewarning them.
Open: always
Admission: free
