The best things to do in Phuket range from fun in the sun and sea to experiencing local wildlife, delicious food, and more.
The island, located on the Andaman Sea but connected to the mainland via the Sarasin Bridge, boasts nature, culture, plus a party vibe in a few spots, all rolled up into a single destination.
Discover iridescent seas, white powder sand, and rainforests, along with historic temples, a massive Buddha, great restaurants, and amazing excursions around the island.
Wander Through Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town
A walk around Phuket Old Town and Thalang Road will transport you to the city’s past, marked by Chinese and Portuguese culture, with lots of brightly painted buildings.
As you roam around the narrow streets, you’ll discover cute little stores, shophouses, boutiques, cafés, Chinese shrines like the Hainan Shrine, and a bustling market where fruit and spices are sold.
You’ll also come across the former red-light district, Soi Romanee, which has now been transformed into a very Instagrammable street full of pink facades.
Phuket Old Town is an ideal spot for photography, with its mix of colorful buildings and Sino-Portuguese frontages. You can also pick up some hippy-inspired trinkets, handicrafts, tasty street food, colonial-era artifacts, and more while enjoying the Old Town’s lively atmosphere.
Stand in Awe of Phuket’s Big Buddha
Big Buddha
Situated on Nakkerd Hill, Phuket’s Big Buddha is one of the island’s holiest shrines and one of the tallest statues in southern Thailand.
Measuring 148 feet in height, this white marble statue, completed in 2018, sits calmly in the hot sun, commanding panoramic views of Phuket Town, Chalong Bay, and the Andaman Sea.
As you walk to the Big Buddha, you’ll hear the sounds of temple bells chiming, and chanting monks—and maybe some local monkeys vocalizing too—getting louder with every step you take.
View from Nakkerd Hill
Hopefully, a stroll to the top of Nakkerd Hill, numbering among the best things to do in Phuket, will lift your spirits, as will this giant statue of the Maravija Buddha.
Do note that this is a working temple, so dress appropriately, which means keeping your knees and shoulders covered.
Commune with Nature in Sirinat National Park
Sirinat National Park
Sirinat National Park, located along the northwest coast, is a place of white sand, turquoise water, coral reefs, and verdant mangrove forests.
The park, while not large, packs a lot in for you to see and do. From November onwards, sea turtles come to lay their eggs here. The beaches at Hat Nai Yang are also ideal for swimming and spotting colorful fish flitting over the reefs.
Kingfisher
Sirinat National Park is also a place of true biodiversity, with more than 100 different types of bird species frequenting the area, including red-vented bulbuls, Japanese sparrowhawks, and large kingfishers, among other species.
Somewhat incongruous here is the sound of planes landing and taking off, as the park is situated close to the airport. The plus side is that you’ll also get to hang out on Mai Khao Beach’s long strip of gorgeous golden sand, which is something to behold.
Check Out Promthep Cape’s Amazing Views
Promthep Cap
If you’re always chasing magnificent views, Promthep Cape should be on your list of the best things to do in Phuket.
Promthep Cape is located on the very southern tip of the island. Come morning, noon, or dusk, this narrow and rocky cape, with its lush vegetation, will offer you a serene and picturesque overview of the Andaman Sea.
Book a Koh Phi Phi Islands Hopping Tour
Koh Phi Phi Islands
Thailand is known for its beautiful islands. An island-hopping tour of Koh Phi Phi will take you out into turquoise waters, with vertical limestone cliffs rising from the sea, and diverse marine life, making the Phi Phi Islands a paradise for snorkeling and diving.
From Phuket, a speed boat will get you to the archipelago in around an hour, where you can then swim among the multi-hued coral reefs or relax on the beaches.
Koh Phi Phi Don
An organized tour will let you check out some incredibly scenic tropical island settings like Koh Phi Phi Leh, where that iconic Leonardo DiCaprio movie was filmed. Koh Bamboo is all white-sand beaches and thick forests, and Koh Phi Phi Don is a vision of massive limestone cliffs, silky beaches, and azure waters.
Experience Thai Buddhism at Wat Chalong Temple
Wat Chalong Temple
Wat Chalong, or Wat Chaitararam, is the biggest and most revered Buddhist temple in Phuket, and probably one of the most striking temples in all of Thailand thanks in no small part to its stepped, multi-tiered roofs and dazzlingly red tiles.
The golden images of the Buddha here are cherished by the locals. The complex also showcases intricately carved white columns and statues, plus murals illustrating the life of the Buddha and Buddhism in Thailand.
Additionally, the Grand Pagoda is rumored to shrine a relic of a bone splinter from the Buddha himself. If you’d like to learn more about the spiritual traditions of Thailand, Wat Chalong, south of Phuket Town, is the perfect place.
Snorkeling at Koh Hae Island
Koh Hae Island
Koh Hae, or Coral Island, is a small piece of rocky land situated just off the southern coast of Phuket. If you love snorkeling, this is the spot.
The island is popular for snorkeling thanks to its easy access, along with the shallow, clear water and abundance of coral—not to mention thousands of fish, like pipefish, black tip reef sharks, sea moths, and more.
On occasion, whale sharks even pass by the island. But even if you don’t catch sight of one of these gentle giants, jumping into the water at Koh Hae is rewarding.
Water Sports and Parties at Patong Beach
Patong Beach
If you enjoy a lively beach scene, Phuket’s Patong Beach should certainly top your itinerary of best things to do in Phuket. The main beach in this party town runs for almost two miles. The soft sand and translucent waves make it one of the best beaches in Phuket.
And if you’re not content to simply bask in the sun, you can hit the water, with activities ranging from jet skiing and parasailing to banana boat rides, kayaking, stand-up paddling, and of course, swimming.
Patong Beach
With plenty of Thai food, beachside bars, and shops selling all sorts of merchandise, Patong Beach will also ensure that you enjoy your day with lots of tasty food, drinks, and revelry.
Enjoy the Views at Monkey Hill Viewpoint
Monkey Hill
Climb Monkey Hill, or Toh Sae Hill, the highest hill in Phuket Old Town, for some lovely views from the trail of Phuket Town below, as well as from the platform at the summit.
As you ascend, you’ll quickly understand where this hill got its nickname; monkeys, or more specifically, macaques, will come out to “greet” you during your hike.
Watch your valuables around these crafty little critters, as these monkeys are famous for snatching whatever they can from you, including hats, sunglasses, bottles of water, and even cell phones.
Zip Through Hanuman World
Hanuman World
A fun eco-adventure hub in Phuket worth trying out is Hanuman World, offering ziplining and other adventure activities in a verdant tropical forest.
The park has several zipline routes and even “roller” zipping, with sharp turns, running through the treetops, a rappelling section, plus all of the heart-pumping aerial views of the canopy you could ever desire.
If you’d like to experience a thrilling rainforest eco-adventure, this is the place, with well-qualified instructors guiding you along the way.
Learn About the Hokkien Chinese Community at the Thai Hua Museum
Thai Hua Museum
The Phuket Thai Hua Museum is an ideal stop for history buffs. Housed in an exquisitely restored Sino-Portuguese building, the museum embodies the contributions of the Hokkien Chinese population living in Phuket to the island’s identity over the years.
Phuket has a large Hokkien Chinese population who came over in waves between the 19th and early 20th century.
Well-integrated into local Thai society, this community has made its mark on Phuket’s architectural styles, culture, and cuisine, which can all still be seen to this day.
During your visit, you will learn about the Hokkien Chinese through exhibits, photographs, films, and relics. The outside of this British colonial building, which is also the island’s first Chinese language school, is a piece of history in itself, as are the Sino-Portuguese interiors.
Book a Phang Nga Bay Boat Tour
Phang Nga Bay
For dramatic coastal landscapes, Phang Nga Bay has got to be one of the most fascinating places in this region.
Situated northeast of Phuket, Phang Nga Bay features hundreds of dramatic limestone karsts rising vertically from emerald-green waters like skyscrapers or stony “kaiju” monsters.
A boat tour through this karst archipelago is a wonderful way to spend part of your day. You’ll also visit the iconic James Bond Island, famously blown up in an epic Bond film.
Other attractions include hidden lagoons and beaches, which you’ll get to wander around once you hop off your boat, as well as a floating village inhabited by sea gypsies.
Travel to Ko Panyi Village
Ko Panyi Village
Phang Nga Province is also home to Ko Panyi, near the mainland. One of the things that sets Ko Panyi apart is the fact that many of the locals here live on the water.
The village is a community of Thai Muslims of Javanese descent, who settled on a narrow strip of land on the edge of the ocean in the 19th century. To this day, they continue to work and live out of houses set on stilts.
After you arrive, you can spend hours exploring the miniature walkways that connect these floating homes. It’s incredible how a small village built on the water has survived over the years and how it has now managed to become a tourist destination in its own right, even with its own floating soccer pitch.
Learn About Rubber Tapping
Rubber tapping in Phuket
Old Phuket Farm is a fascinating glimpse into some of Phuket’s most important trades. This farm, in the interior of Phuket, provides visitors with insights into one of Thailand’s most historic industries.
You will discover how the rubber production process works, how to tap trees for rubber, and how rubber is transformed into latex sheets. You’ll also get to try your hand at planting rice and panning for tin and even get to see some hard-working buffalos.
Encounter Elephants at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
A visit to the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a moving experience, while also simultaneously revealing some of the darker aspects of animal-based tourism in other parts of the country.
The sanctuary was established as an ethical haven for elephants. Unlike elephant shows, elephant-based trekking adventures, and elephants forced to work in the logging industry, the sanctuary offers these majestic animals plenty of space to roam. They have food and resources, mahouts, or elephant tenders, and plenty of affection.
Because the sanctuary does not support elephant-based tourism, which often involves poor treatment, a stop here is an important addition to your list of the best things to do in Phuket.
While you won’t get to ride or bathe the elephants, you will get to feed and interact with them while contributing to a worthy cause, adding to the overall happiness of these mighty pachyderms, who have earned their rest.
Read: Best Places to Visit in Asia
Phuket
Book a cruise to Phuket with Celebrity Cruises to enjoy all of the natural beauty, adventure, culture, and amazing food that Phuket has to offer.
