01/11/2023
Phuket: The Vacation Destination & Top Places to Visit
By ShareTrip
Here, you will find the best places to visit in Phuket with a complete guideline for your next Phuket, Thailand trip.
Phuket is one of the top beach locations in the world, and it's the ideal place to ride some waves and get a tan with your dear one. The island itself features a lovely historic old town, stunning views, well-known cultural attractions and top places to visit in Phuket. It's also a great starting point for seeing the adjacent islands and their must-see sights. For instance, visit Patong Beach to see the Bangla Road nightlife and shop for goods at the Phuket Walking Street night market. Then, you can drive up to the top of the Nakkerd Hills for a more cultural experience and to see the Big Buddha up close at the pinnacle and spectacular coastal views. Enjoy water sports like fishing, parasailing, and jet skiing, or relax at Kata Beach, one of the most excellent beaches in the vicinity.
As there are tons of lucrative places to explore with friends and family, tourists often get confused about selecting the right ones that match their interests. Because Phuket is such a diverse destination, there is something for everyone among the most delicate things to do in Phuket. Hence, take a peek at today's travel guide for the top 15 places to visit in Phuket below to see what piques your interest.
1. Patong Beach
Patong's 3-kilometre stretch of golden sand is one of Phuket's most popular beaches. This beautiful beach is separated from the main road by a row of coconut, palm, and tropical almond trees. During the busy season, a little sandy stream in the northern part of Patong Beach hides a small sandy creek with very shallow and clean water. Plus, you will find anchored fishing boats in a queue in the southern section of this beach.
Jet skiing and parasailing are the most popular activities on Patong Beach. Here, you will find operators every few hundred metres, especially near the end of Bangla Road. Banana boat rides, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing are also available. Patong Beach, especially the northern end, the waves are pretty fast and open to the wind, is the ideal area to surf. The rocks at Patong Beach's north end provide excellent snorkelling opportunities.
2. Kata Beach
While exploring Phuket, Thailand, Kata Beach is one of the most popular beaches, and there are tons of reasons. The beach is stunning itself and a great place to explore Phuket from. The best thing about Kata beach is the location, and you can quickly reach there through tuk-tuk or a rented bike. From north to the south of Kata beach, there are different areas to take in and explore here. A cluster of boats fills the water starting at the most northern point, with a little island off in the distance, especially at the most Northern Point. A group of food carts can be found at the beach entrance, selling everything from smoothies to Thai Pancakes and excellent beer. You can ride along the beach's entire length on the one-way road if you have a motorcycle.
The Kata Beach restaurants and bars are located at the southern point. Ska Bar is a modest pub constructed into the rocks on the corner. It's a fantastic location for any day because of its funky vibes and reggae music. Katamama Seafood and Kata BBQ are just next door and have become favourite Kata Beach restaurants among tourists. You can also participate in snorkels, kayaks, jet skis, and even paraglide from this location! While Kata Beach in Thailand is sandy and crystal clear, the southern half of the beach has a rocky coastline. You can climb and peep around the corner if you're feeling adventurous.
3. Bang Tao Beach
Bang Tao Beach (or Bangtao) is a long beach on the west coast of Phuket, halfway between Phuket Airport and Patong Beach. It is part of the Cherngtalay region. With such a magnificent stretch of sand, it's no surprise that Bangtao is home to some of the island's most top of the line resorts. Bang Tao Beach also has a variety of local restaurants and beach clubs where you may eat or even drink your favourite drink while your feet are in the sand.
The beach is one of the primary reasons people book hotels in this area. The beach is narrower, the sand is less powdery than at Patong or Kata, and the water is not as shallow, but it is still beautiful and rarely crowded. Visitors can eat at local eateries or drink at small bamboo bars directly on the beach, a unique luxury. The nightlife in Bangtao is relatively quiet but highly enjoyable. Most people prefer to drink at one of the three beach clubs along the bay or one of the small old-fashioned bamboo bars on the beach.
4. Kamala Beach
Kamala Beach is a peaceful beach on Phuket's west coast, popular with families and those seeking a relaxing vacation. The beach is expansive, with several good Thai and international restaurants located directly on the sand, a rare privilege in Phuket. From November to April (peak season), the waters of Kamala Beach are clear and tranquil, but huge waves caused by ocean swells are typical between May and October. While swimming on Kamala Beach is usually fairly safe, it's best to leave the sea to the surfers while red flags fly. The northern end of the beach has several beach activities and is an ideal area for sunbathing. Kamala is a favourite destination for retirees and long-term tourists to Phuket because of its slower pace. Small hotels, villas, and apartments with amazing views of Kamala Bay line a winding road leading to the beach.
5. Freedom Beach
Freedom Beach is a small piece of paradise in Phuket, accessible by longtail boat from Patong Beach. You can get there by vehicle, but the path down to the shore is rather steep and challenging to access, especially with children or heavy luggage. With crystal clear water, white sands, and palm trees with food and drink kiosks, Freedom beach is exceptionally stunning. Explore the pristine white sand, the clear jade waters, with the backdrop of palms and forest with your friends and family. By taking a long tail boat from Patong Beach and stepping off on this beautiful beach is a beautiful paradise that will surely enchant anyone travelling for the first time here.
6. Monkey Hills
Monkey Hill, also known as Khao To Sae by the locals, is a short distance off Toe Sae Road. Thepkasattri Road is the most popular route to the Hill. Turn left after Phuket Prison if travelling up Theapkasattri Road. But you can consider walking up Monkey Hill in Phuket to get the most out of your visit. From the bottom to the summit is around 3.5 kilometres, making it a moderate trek. As a result, it will be one of the top sunset viewing spots in the Phuket area. Furthermore, walking to the top allows you to walk shoulder to shoulder with the monkeys but maintain a tight grip on your cash (and especially your food), as monkeys are known for theft.
7. Big Buddha
The Big Buddha on Phuket is one of the island's most essential and cherished sights. This massive statue stands 45 meters tall on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata. And this vast statue can be seen as far away as Phuket Town and Karon Beach. With sweeping views over Phuket Town, Kata, Karon, Chalong Bay, and more, the elevated position gives the best 360-degree views of the island. It's a must-see island attraction, accessible through a winding 6-kilometre road from Phuket's main streets.
The ambience is tranquil next to the Phuket Big Buddha. The sound of soul sounds, with soothing background dharma music, the tinkling of little bells and the flying of yellow Buddhist flags in the compound. A lesser Buddha statue, next to the giant Phuket Big Buddha, is gold in colour but is made of 20 tons of brass. There are also several miniature Buddha and revered monk statues.
8. Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong is the largest, most visited, and most beautiful of Phuket's 29 temples. It honours two revered monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, with their life-size wax models. Plus, there are other characters which you can find on display in the exhibition home.
Inside the Grand Pagoda, you will find a portion of Lord Buddha's bone and some murals depicting scenes in his life. Moreover, you will find many golden buddhas in various poses everywhere. While visiting this temple, proper attire is mandatory among tourists. Men need to keep their shoes outside the temple, and ladies must cover their shoulders and knees.
9. Wat Phra Thong at Thalang
Wat Phra Thong at Thalang is steeped in local legend, and it includes a half-broken Buddha figure which got shattered during the Burmese invasion. A small kid was in charge of a water buffalo through the legends. The youngster died suddenly, but he appeared to his father in a dream and told him about the metal piece. The father began digging and found a flawless gold Buddha statue with that dream. However, the Buddha was never fully excavated. Hence, people built a temple in 1785 on the site. A second attempt was made when the Burmese captured Thalang. However, the attempt failed, and it was split in half. On that occasion, One side of the temple vanished, but the other remained. The temple buildings' roofs and windows have exquisite carvings ever since Wat Phra Thong at Thalang has become an attractive tourist attraction in Phuket.
10. Jui Tui Chinese Temple
The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival is held at the Jui Tui Shrine, a prominent Chinese shrine. It's a must-see attraction for all new travellers to Phuket, as it's one of the oldest and most respected spiritual centres around. It's located on Soi Phuthorn, off Ranong Road and not far from Phuket's primary market. Inside the main building of Jui Tui Shrine, you will see several renovations, resulting in a beautiful appearance and an interior with three big altars containing statues of Chinese gods.
Tean Hu Huan Soy, the god of performers and dancers, is its most crucial divinity (The Chinese opera regards him as their patron). His image stands in the centre and highest place on the main altar, flanked on each side by a dog and a chicken statue. Since childhood, they are reported to have been his favourite pets. Inside the hall, photography is permitted. Jui Tui Shrine is also a popular destination for individuals who seek fortune-telling. Hold and shake a bamboo cup with fortune sticks in the prayer hall. Each stick is assigned a unique number. When one stick has fallen to the ground, come to a halt (repeat if more than one stick falls out). You can then go to a neighbouring red cabinet and get a fortune paper that matches the number. The articles are written in Thai and Chinese, but you should be able to find a monk who can tell you your fate in either of those languages.
11. Karon View Point
Karon View Point is a well-known vantage point located just south of Kata Noi Beach. Here, you will find a stunning view of three of Phuket's most beautiful beaches: Kata Noi, Kata Yai, and Karon Beach. From this viewpoint, you can look north over one of the island's most iconic views, including everything making Karon beach so beautiful: verdant slopes, azure waters, white surf etc. Karon View Point is one of the most photographed views on Phuket island. Head southwesterly along the branch road in front of Kata Noi Beach toward the island's southern tip and reach this viewpoint easily.
12. Phuket Town
Phuket Town is located on the island's southeastern shore, in a beautiful bay. Ever since Patong Beach was permitted to be constructed in 1980, restaurants, massage parlours, tourist attractions etc., popped up and made this island metropolis a hive of activities. You will find buildings influenced by Chinese immigration and even a Portuguese aesthetic here. And this design stands out against the more traditional Thai forms found elsewhere. Take a walk through Old Phuket Town's streets with your dear ones, lined with well-preserved shophouses, Sino-Portuguese homes, temples, and shrines. Plus, you can visit the Phuket Trickeye Museum, an interactive 3D art gallery, and pay your respects at the Jui Tui Shrine, a beautiful Chinese temple, and so on.
13. Bangla Road
Any visitor to Phuket should go to Bangla Road, Patong's famous nightlife district. There's something for everyone along the strip, with bars, clubs, and restaurants. Bangla Road is where to go if you want to party till the early morning hours or unwind with a few drinks.
14. Sunday Walking Street Market
The Sunday Walking Street Market is an excellent place to start your market trip. It is one of Phuket's most popular attractions, located in the centre of the historic district. However, this is a Sunday-only market that runs from 4 to 9 p.m. It's lively, full of lights, bustling, and loud — the ideal way to end the week, surrounded by gorgeous ancient buildings, stalls offering arts and crafts, and plenty of excellent mouth-watering food.
15. Banzaan Fresh Market & Phuket Weekend Night Market
Next, the well-designed indoor Banzaan Fresh Market, located on Sai Kor Road, is an excellent spot to learn about exotic fruits, pick up some veggies or fruits, or have refreshing coconut water or sugarcane juice. On your walk to the large food court upstairs, don't forget to stop by the gift and accessory kiosks.
And finally, the Phuket Weekend Night Market is the place to go if you're looking for more traditional Thai handicrafts, trinkets, or cheap T-shirts. This market is located just outside of Phuket Town and is an excellent place to look for secondhand products, grab some random items, and sample foods you have never tasted before.
Plan your Phuket Vacation with ShareTrip
So that’s our today’s travel guide in which we have explored the top 15 places to visit in Phuket. Through this travel guide, you can make a list of places that matches your interests and plan accordingly. We believe, these places will definitely be an excellent option which you can enjoy with your friends and family. At ShareTrip, we ensure the lowest flight price on Dhaka to Phuket route. Plus, you can explore available hotels and find exclusive hotel deals on ShareTrip. Moreover, at ShareTrip, you will get the lowest airfare to travel at any convenient time to Phuket through various available airlines.
