Phuket, Thailand – Beaches, Attractions and Recommended Day Trips

Phuket is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand – every year, the island attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. We visited Phuket as part of our two-week beach holiday, combining it with Krabi, the Phi Phi Islands, and Bangkok.​

This complete Phuket travel guide covers everything you need to plan your trip: how to get to Phuket, the best beaches in Phuket (including Patong Beach, Kata Beach, and Karon Beach), top things to do in Phuket, where to stay, recommended day trips and island hopping tours, and practical tips for exploring Thailand’s most famous island destination.

Here you can find our full guide on how to organize the ultimate trip 2-week trip to Thailand.

When to Visit Phuket

The best time to travel to Phuket is from November to March, when the dry season sets in. The rest of the year is the rainy season and the weather is more unpredictable. Some people prefer to visit Thailand during the rainy season because there are fewer crowds and prices are significantly lower, but the risk of rain and storms is much higher. We traveled in February and the weather was flawless.​

Getting to Phuket

Phuket has an international airport served by most major airlines. Many travelers find connections through Doha or Istanbul convenient when flying from Europe or the Middle East. We recommend booking with a single airline so that if you miss your connection, you’ll be put on the next available flight without having to pay again.​

If you want to visit Bangkok as well, you can book your return flight from there instead of Phuket – we’ve noticed that prices to Bangkok are often slightly lower than to Phuket. As for cost, if you book tickets on sale, round-trip tickets for two can come out to around €1,500-1,800. If you see prices in this range, they’re reasonable.​

Currency and Payment in Thailand

The local currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB). Some large currency exchange chains offer to sell you this currency before departure, but the exchange rate isn’t particularly favorable. If you’re going to exchange money beforehand, exchange a small amount of baht to have some starting cash, and get US dollars for the rest.​

Important: ATMs in Thailand charge high fees, and most places work on a cash basis – prepare yourself with cash, preferably US dollars, as they exchange most easily and at the best rate.​

Where to Stay in Phuket

It’s important to know that Phuket is very chaotically developed and the resort towns aren’t clearly defined. The largest settlements are Phuket town, Patong, and Chalong, but around the famous beaches there are also distinct tourist areas with restaurants, shops, cafes, etc., for example Kamala Beach, Kata Beach, and so on.​

The key question when choosing accommodation is the purpose of your visit – partying or relaxation. If you’re visiting Phuket to party, then Patong is your place – it’s like a supercharged beach resort scene. Our goal for the holiday was more about relaxation, and the only thing we liked about Patong was the huge selection of restaurants and street food and the nice beach – everything else seemed too noisy and chaotic.​

If the purpose of your vacation is relaxation and a family holiday, then we recommend staying in the area of Kamala Beach, Karon Beach, or Kata Beach. First, the beaches themselves are fantastic and easily accessible, and second, around them are all the amenities for a peaceful holiday – hotels, villas, shops, restaurants, etc. We stayed in the Surin Beach area, which is a small beach but one of the most beautiful and peaceful on the island. The selection of restaurants and shops wasn’t huge, but it was more than sufficient and we could easily reach most places on the island.​

We advise you not to look for accommodation in Phuket town itself – although the old town center is interesting for a walk, there are no nice beaches there and you’ll have to use taxis every time. Besides, outside the center, the town is chaotic and not very clean. Also, if you’re looking for a hotel directly on the beach, keep in mind that you might be woken by the boatmen, whose traditional Thai longboats are extremely noisy.​

Hotel recommendations in Phuket

While planning our trip, we made a detailed research on the best hotels in Phuket and here are the results based on the rating and the reviews count with links to Booking.com :

Getting Around Phuket

There are two main ways to get around the island – by rented scooter or by taxi. We don’t recommend renting a scooter because the traffic is very heavy, and Thai drivers can be a bit crazy. Besides, there are constantly incidents with tourists on scooters and you risk ruining your holiday.​

If you use taxis, then definitely buy a SIM (or eSIM) card – you can do this at the airport upon arrival. Install the Grab and Bolt apps – these are equivalents to Uber that are very popular in Thailand. You can link the apps directly to your bank card, as we did, so you won’t have to pay cash. Another advantage is that you’ll know the price in advance, minimizing the chance of being scammed. Keep in mind that for the same route, the price varies depending on traffic congestion. Our most expensive trip was around €20, when we traveled from Surin Beach to the Big Buddha statue, which is almost an hour’s drive each way.​

Best Beaches in Phuket

Phuket is a true paradise for beach lovers – the island has huge stretches of beach for every taste: sheltered coves, beaches with turquoise-blue waters, wavy beaches suitable for water sports, and more.​

Karon Beach

A long sandy beach with a calmer atmosphere compared to Patong. The water is clean, and the waves make it popular with surfers. Suitable for families and those who want a balance between amenities and tranquility.​

Surin Beach

This was the beach right next to our hotel and, in our opinion, the best on the island. The beach strip isn’t as long as Kamala and Karon, but that’s part of its charm – Surin is located in a small bay, the sea is calm, the water is turquoise-blue, and the overall setting is perfect for relaxation. It’s also one of the best beaches for snorkeling in Phuket. Plus, on the beach itself there are small bars, little restaurants, and stalls, allowing you to spend a whole peaceful day there.​

Kamala Beach

A quiet and peaceful beach, perfect for relaxation away from the island’s hustle and bustle. Less developed than the southern beaches but with sufficient amenities. Suitable for families with children as well as couples seeking privacy.​

Kata Beach

Divided into Kata Noi (small) and Kata Yai (large), this beach is a favorite of surfers and young people. It offers excellent infrastructure with many restaurants and bars. Ideal for water sports and swimming.​

Patong Beach

The most famous and lively beach in Phuket, about 3 km long. It offers countless restaurants, bars, shops, and nightlife. Ideal for those seeking entertainment and activity, but it can be noisy and overcrowded.​

Banana Beach

A small hidden beach near Coral Bay, accessible by a steep path or by boat. Surrounded by rocks and lush vegetation, it offers tranquility and beautiful nature. Infrastructure is minimal – usually just one beach bar, making it perfect for those who want to escape the crowds.​

Attractions and Activities in Phuket

Being the largest Thai island, Phuket offers many interesting places and attractions beyond the beaches. Here are our recommendations:​

The Big Buddha Statue

This is a huge white marble Buddha statue located on a high hill with incredible panoramic views. Its base is also home to numerous monkeys who are used to tourists and often appear in their photos. If you visit Big Buddha at sunset, keep in mind that it may be harder to catch a taxi on the way back. Arm yourself with patience and haggle.

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Visiting an Elephant Sanctuary

Unfortunately, for many years elephants in the country have been exploited, mainly for transporting goods or for tourist entertainment. We strongly recommend avoiding elephant rides – first, it can be dangerous, and second, to train elephants, they go through incredible suffering from when they’re babies. Nowadays, more and more tourists know about these terrible practices and seek more ethical ways to interact with Thai elephants – rescued elephant sanctuaries. This was one of the most interesting activities we did on the island – we bought a ticket online for Green Elephant Sanctuary Park for a specific day and time, they picked us up from the hotel at the scheduled time in a small bus and took us to the elephant park. There we had the opportunity to feed the elephants various fruits, participate in bathing them, and learn more about the problem of elephant exploitation in the country. We also saw a baby elephant. At the end of the program there was quite a delicious and generous buffet. The experience was very interesting and we’re glad that with our money we helped care for rescued elephants – we highly recommend it to everyone, especially animal lovers and children !​

If you prefer to book your Elephant Santuary visit directly from GetYourGuide, here are some recommendations:

Evening Walk in Phuket Old Town

The capital of Phuket island is the town of the same name. We recommend visiting in the evening, as temperatures are more comfortable then and more conducive to walking. In addition to the beautiful architecture in the old town, there’s also a large selection of great restaurants where you can try exotic local dishes. The town also has night markets where you’ll have the opportunity to try incredibly delicious street food at good prices.​

Wat Chalong Buddhist Temple

Thailand is unique with its numerous and incredibly beautiful Buddhist temples. Throughout the country there are about 43,000 temples, and of course Phuket is no exception. One of the largest and most beautiful temples on the island is Wat Chalong, which is a whole complex of temples. It’s very important to dress modestly – shoulders and knees must be covered. If you don’t have appropriate clothing, at the entrance there are usually shawls and trousers that you can borrow. Shoes are removed before entering the temple buildings. It’s also good to maintain silence and behave respectfully.​

Best Day Trips from Phuket

Phuket is surrounded by a huge number of islands in the Andaman Sea, and it would be a huge mistake not to visit at least some of them. Here are the ones we find most interesting. The easiest way to book a day trip is through one of the hundreds of offices/stalls with intermediaries. Since the choice of such intermediaries is huge, we advise you to search on Google Maps for who has the best reviews and head there. Wherever you’re staying on the island, you can’t help but have such a place nearby. Many day trips depart from different places on the island.​

The Phi Phi Islands

If there’s one place that’s the epitome of Thailand’s incredible nature, it’s the Phi Phi Islands – turquoise crystal-blue waters beneath towering massive limestone cliffs with dense jungle between them. These are exactly the views that await you on the Phi Phi Islands, which are only about an hour or two by boat from Phuket and Krabi. Transport is constantly available.​

From Phuket there are day trips, with boats usually departing from the most popular points in Phuket – Patong, Phuket town, etc. Day trips usually include a short stop in the only town on Phi Phi, the famous Maya Bay beach, the neighboring Pi-Leh lagoon, and Bamboo Island. The program is quite intensive and not for everyone’s taste; moreover, these places are quite crowded during the day. We decided instead of a day trip to stay on Phi Phi for 3 nights, and we’ll always be grateful for that decision – those 3 days were some of the most interesting and exciting of our trip to Thailand, so we recommend you consider staying overnight there – it’s more expensive than Phuket, but the experience is worth it. While we were there, we visited Maya Bay and the Pi-Leh lagoon very early in the morning, which allowed us to enjoy them without crowds.​

The Similan Islands

Similan Islands are an archipelago of 11 islands, part of a national park, located about 84 km from Phuket. They’re considered one of the best places for diving and snorkeling in Thailand thanks to the crystal-clear water, rich underwater life, and impressive coral reefs. The islands are famous for their white beaches and characteristic huge granite rocks that resemble the Seychelles. Most tours are day trips and depart very early in the morning (around 6-7 AM) with hotel pickup. The journey by speedboat takes about 1.5 hours, and by slower ferry – about 3 hours. Prices vary but are around €100 per person, depending on the type of boat and included services. Tours usually include 2-3 snorkeling stops, lunch, equipment, and park entrance fee. Be prepared that the journey can be rough and if you’re prone to seasickness, think carefully before booking the excursion.​

Visit to Samet Nangshe

Samet Nangshe offers a stunning panoramic view of Phang Nga Bay with its limestone cliffs rising from the water. This is one of the most photographed spots in the region, especially at sunrise when mist envelops the rocks and creates a mystical atmosphere. The viewpoint is located about 80-90 km from Phuket (about 1.5-2 hours by car).​

Most tourists reach it with organized excursions from Phuket, which usually include transport, a guide, and visits to other attractions in Phang Nga Bay. Alternatively, you can rent a car or book private transport. The viewpoint itself requires climbing about 15-20 minutes up wooden stairs, but the view is definitely worth the effort. At the viewpoint there’s also a nice cafe.​

Recommended Phuket day trips in GetYourGuide

The Thai Cuisine

This topic deserves a separate article. We can confidently say that Thailand is one of the most incredible destinations for culinary tourism in the world, and in terms of value for money, it’s number one for us. Not only is the local cuisine incredibly delicious (and spicy), but in tourist areas there’s also a rich selection of all kinds of cuisines, especially from Asia. Many people are afraid to try street food; we’re not among them. We bought street food almost daily and never once had problems. Of course, this doesn’t mean we recommend eating from anywhere, but we do advise you to be open-minded. The biggest risk of stomach problems comes from consuming non-bottled water, so be very careful with water and ice. We advise you to dive in with both hands, try different local dishes – you won’t regret it. Phuket has incredible restaurants and night markets !​

Other Tips for Thailand

• Always carry cash – although cards are accepted in many places, cash opens more doors and secures better prices.​
• Consume only bottled water – water is the most common cause of food poisoning. Fortunately, we had no problems, but we were extremely careful.​
• If your budget allows, avoid the crowded shared boats for short excursions and book private longboats. The price is slightly higher but totally reasonable, and the experience is much more pleasant and you don’t have to coordinate with other people.​
• Restaurant prices are low enough, but if you want to maximize your budget, 7-Eleven stores are your choice.​
• If you want to rent a car or scooter, keep in mind that driving in Thailand is on the left side and can be dangerous and difficult, especially in places like Phuket. In these places we recommend taxis.​
• Don’t miss out on the fruit – everywhere there’s a huge selection of fruits and all kinds of shake combinations at good prices. We consumed several a day and they never got enough of them!​
• Even if you’re not a massage fan, go at least once for a Thai massage – the experience is unique !​
• Definitely visit at least one night market – there you have the opportunity to try incredible food at incredible prices.​

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