Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand that is renowned for its beautiful beaches and bustling tourist attractions. My boyfriend and I spent 7 days in Phuket during last Easter and here I will gather the best activities to do in Phuket.
1. Explore the different beaches of Phuket
Phuket is known for its beautiful sandy beaches that are all located on the west coast of the island. Patong beach is the most known of the beaches and the main destination for tourist. Patong is the longest stretch of beach in Phuket and known for its busy touristy and night life, so not the destination for you whose looking for relaxing and calm atmosphere.
Kata beach is the family favorite by being calmer than Patong but still close to plenty of restaurants and services. The beach is known for its beautiful white sand and crystal blue water that really screams vacation. The sea is also a bit more calmer usually which makes Kata a perfect beach for families.
Karon is the third most popular beach in Phuket nestled in between Patong and Kata beaches. Karon has the golden sandy beaches with the beautiful blue ocean where you can relax all day. There are plenty of beach restaurants and shops that keep you refreshed all day.
Looking for more secluded beaches, try visiting Paradise Beach, Nai Harn or Freedom Beach. These beaches are still a short drive away from Patong but offer much more secluded and calm beach vibe.
2. Experience the Local Night Markets
Phuket has many night markets where in the best of them, you can experience a festive feeling with performances and live music. The night markets are an experiences on their own but also a great place to find some local treats and souvenirs to take home.
Phuket Weekend market is the largest night market in Phuket. Located close to the Central Festival Mall, the market opens 4pm every Saturday and Sunday. The market is large and you can find whatever you would imagine for sale here.
Another great night market to visit is the Sunday Night Market at the Old Town. The Old Town is gorgeous part of Phuket with its colorful buildings but every Sunday the Thalang Road gets even more colorful with the night market. This night market is filled with street foods, live music, art and clothing and perfect way to spend a Sunday evening in Phuket.
3. Train with the Best
Thailand and Phuket is a travel destination for people interested in fitness and training. There are multiple location where you can train Muay Thai, MMA or Cross Training. Whether you are looking for a full active vacation and just to try a class of Thai Boxing, you can find training for every level.
Chalong’s Soi Ta-iad street is filled with different training camps and health cafes and restaurants for the fitness enthusiast. We visited the renown Tiger Muay Thai center couple of times during our vacation for private class of Thai Boxing. Also, the absolutely best smoothie bowl cafe is located along this street,
4. Visit Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town is definitely a place you should visit while in Phuket. It’s the place for the Sunday Night Market but the area has plenty of GREAT restaurants and cafes to visit as well. Thalang Road is the main street in the Old Town surrounded by colorful small buildings but do explore the other streets in the area as well to find hidden gems.
We had one of the best meals we had in Thailand in the Surf and Turf by Soul Kitchen restaurant. We tried several dishes from the menu and each where just as delicious.
Other great restaurants to try in the Old Town:
- One Chun Café & Restaurant
- Raya
- Mee Ton Poe
- Phuketique for dessert
5. See the Big Buddha
Driving around Phuket, you can’t miss the Big Buddha located on top of the Nakkered Hill between Chalong and Kata. On top of the hill, you will get a great 360 degree view of the island overlooking Phuket Town, Kata, Karon and Chalong Bay.
You can visit the Big Buddha by driving up there. The road leading up to the statue is fairly good condition and taking your own scooter is definitely a good option. However, if you want to get a little sweat on and exercise, you can also walk or run up to the Big Buddha. There’s two different trails you can take, either the main road starting from Chaofah Road (5,7 km) or the easier hillside road starting from Patak Road (2,5 km).
Tips! Some training centers organize joint runs up to the Big Buddha if your interested.
6. Spend a rainy day in the Central Festival Phuket Mall
There are a few malls in Phuket but the Central Festival Phuket Mall is one of the newest and largest one. Divided into two sections, you will find something for everyone and every budget. The mall has high-end luxury stores from Louis Vuitton to Fendi but also more high-street outlets like H&M and Zara. The mall also has plenty of restaurants, food courts, a movie theater and beauty salons.
We spent an evening at the movies and the afternoon before our flight home in the mall. It was the perfect way to spend a couple of hours we had to spend before heading to the airport. Definitely a good option for rainy day activity as well!
Sara Travels 