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Phuket
Phuket, Thailand

Phuket

Thailand's largest island with world-class beaches and resorts

Listing data updated

About Phuket

Thailand's largest island has two distinct personalities. The west coast — Patong, Karon, Kata — is where the resort hotels, beach clubs, and Bangla Road nightlife concentrate. It's polished, well-connected, and unapologetically touristy. But drive 20 minutes inland or north to the Sarasin Bridge area and you'll find rubber plantations, quiet fishing villages, and some of the best local seafood on the island.

Phuket Old Town is the cultural anchor: rows of Sino-Portuguese shophouses painted in pastels, excellent street art, and restaurants serving Hokkien-influenced Phuketian cuisine like mee hokkien and oh tao. The island is also a jumping-off point for the Similan Islands (open November–May), widely considered one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.

36 beaches ranging from busy Patong to secluded Freedom Beach (boat access only)Phuket Old Town's Sino-Portuguese architecture and vibrant Sunday walking streetGateway to the Similan Islands — consistently rated among the world's top 10 dive sitesPhang Nga Bay day trips: James Bond Island, sea caves, and limestone karst kayakingBig Buddha — a 45-meter marble statue visible from much of the island's south

Visitor Information

Best time to visit

November – April

Avoid: June – September (rough seas)

Rainy season

May – October

Avg. temperature

24°C – 33°C(75°F – 91°F)

Crowds

Very High

Peak: December – January

Getting there

Phuket International Airport (HKT) receives direct international flights. Ferries connect from Krabi and Koh Phi Phi.

Getting around

  • Grab (widely available)
  • Tuk-tuks (fixed routes, negotiate)
  • Motorbike rental
  • Airport bus to Phuket Town
  • Ferry & speedboat to nearby islands

Things to Do in Phuket

Phuket offers 703 curated places to explore across 8 categories. Choose from 101 hotels and resorts for your stay. Discover 109 restaurants and dining spots. Visit 104 temples and cultural landmarks. Explore 28 beaches and islands. Book from 162 activities and tours.

Browse by category below or scroll down to see top-rated picks in each category. Every listing includes Google ratings from verified visitors, price ranges, and direct booking links where available.

Hotels & Resorts

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Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

4.7(6,312)
683 Karon Beach, ถนน ปฏัก ตำบล กะรน อำเภอเมืองภูเก็ต ภูเก็ต 83100, Thailand

Upscale beachfront resort on Karon Beach with a water park, spa, fine dining, and famously warm staff.

Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach

Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach

4.6(5,060)
99 Muen-Ngoen Road, Tambon Patong, Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand

A sprawling beachside resort in Patong with three pools, a spa, and ten dining options.

Lub d Phuket Patong

Lub d Phuket Patong

4.6(4,481)
5, 5 Thanon Sawatdirak, Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand

A social hostel in Patong with clean dorms, private rooms, a pool, and a buzzing communal atmosphere.

Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort

Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort

4.6(4,300)
44 5 Sakdidesh Rd Tambon Wichit, Muang Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

Upscale beachfront resort on Cape Panwa offering private beach access, three outdoor pools, and sweeping bay views.

Restaurants & Food

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Banzaan Fresh Market

Banzaan Fresh Market

4.3(14,782)
74 51 Nanai Rd, Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand

A two-floor Patong market where visitors choose live seafood downstairs, then have it cooked to order upstairs.

Three Monkeys Restaurant

Three Monkeys Restaurant

4.5(13,858)$$$$
อาคารทรีมังกี้ส์ 105 หมู่ที่ 4 ถนนเหมืองเจ้าฟ้า Tambon Wichit, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

A treetop jungle village restaurant and bar in Phuket's Wichit area, open daily until 1:00 AM.

Amritsr Old Town

Amritsr Old Town

4.8(7,218)
Soi Rommanee, Tambon Talat Yai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

Authentic Punjabi restaurant on Phuket Old Town's Soi Rommanee, open daily from 9am to midnight.

One Chun Cafe & Restaurant

One Chun Cafe & Restaurant

4.4(6,225)$$$$
48, 1 Thep Krasattri Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

Michelin Bib Gourmand Thai restaurant in Phuket's Old Town, known for traditional Southern dishes and fresh seafood.

Temples & Culture

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The Big Buddha, Phuket

The Big Buddha, Phuket

4.6(37,805)
Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand

A towering 45m marble Buddha statue crowning a Phuket hilltop, with sweeping 360-degree views across the island.

Wat Chalong

Wat Chalong

4.6(16,867)
70 หมู่ที่ 6 Thanon Chao Fah Tawan Tok, Tambon Chalong, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

Phuket's largest Buddhist temple complex, dating to the early 19th century, with golden shrines, intricate carvings, and peaceful gardens.

Siam Niramit Phuket

Siam Niramit Phuket

4.8(11,781)
55, 81 หมู่ที่ 5 Chalermprakiat Ratchakan Thi 9 Road, Tambon Ratsada, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

A spectacular evening cultural show bringing Thailand's history and traditions to life through elaborate stage performances.

Khao Rang Viewpoint

Khao Rang Viewpoint

4.5(6,804)
145/5 Thanon Patiphat, Tambon Wichit, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

A free hilltop lookout over Phuket Town with panoramic coastal views, resident wild monkeys, and a calm, unhurried atmosphere.

Beaches & Islands

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Mu Ko Similan National Park
Featured

Mu Ko Similan National Park

4.7(4,574)
MJ4X+XH2, Tambon Lam Kaen, Amphoe Thai Mueang

A remote national park archipelago off Phuket's coast, famed for turquoise waters, white sand, and world-class diving.

Ko Racha Yai
Featured

Ko Racha Yai

4.6(502)
Rawai

A car-free island near Phuket with crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and resorts for all budgets.

Ko Yao Yai
Featured

Ko Yao Yai

4.6(437)
Ko Yao District

A largely undeveloped island in Phang Nga Bay offering secluded beaches, dive sites, and peaceful rural scenery.

Patong Beach
Featured

Patong Beach

4.3(45,000)
Patong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150

Phuket's most famous 3km beach on the Andaman Sea, buzzing with water sports, dining, and nightlife.

Markets & Shopping

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Jungceylon

Jungceylon

4.3(29,641)
175,177,181,193,195,197, 201 ถนน ราษฎร์อุทิศ, Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand

Phuket's largest shopping mall in Patong, packed with international brands, dining, and family entertainment.

Central Phuket

Central Phuket

4.5(23,762)
74 75 หมู่ที่ 5 Vichitsongkram Rd, Tambon Wichit, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

Phuket's largest shopping and entertainment complex, open daily with hundreds of stores and dining.

Naka Weekend Market

Naka Weekend Market

4.4(11,512)
Thanon Wirat Hong Yok, Tambon Wichit, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

A lively weekend night market with diverse street food, live entertainment, and affordable souvenirs.

Bangla Night Market

Bangla Night Market

4.3(9,786)
DTambon Patong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand

Lively open-air night market on Bangla Road serving Thai street food, seafood, and casual shopping until 2am.

Activities & Tours

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Promthep Cape

Promthep Cape

4.7(17,797)
แหลมพรหมเทพ, Tambon Rawai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83100, Thailand

Iconic southern Phuket headland offering sweeping Andaman Sea panoramas, famous for spectacular sunset views.

Tiger Kingdom

Tiger Kingdom

3.9(15,230)
118/88 Moo 7, Kathu, Phuket, Kathu District, Phuket 83120, Thailand

Enter tiger enclosures and interact with big cats of all sizes at this popular Phuket attraction in Kathu.

Karon Viewpoint Phuket

Karon Viewpoint Phuket

4.6(14,087)
4233 Tambon Karon, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83100, Thailand

A scenic hilltop lookout offering sweeping panoramic views of three Phuket beaches in a single frame.

Phuket FantaSea

Phuket FantaSea

4.4(9,452)
99, Tambon Kamala, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand

A spectacular Thai cultural theme park featuring nightly live shows, a buffet hall, and carnival attractions in Kamala.

Nightlife & Bars

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Café del Mar Phuket Beach Club

Café del Mar Phuket Beach Club

4.3(7,891)$$$$
118, 19, Tambon Kamala, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand

Stylish beach club on Kamala's shoreline, pairing sunset views with DJ nights and quality food.

Illuzion Phuket

Illuzion Phuket

4.4(7,884)$$$$
31 Bangla Rd, Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83150, Thailand

A large-scale nightclub on Bangla Road bringing high-production DJ nights to the heart of Patong.

Nomad Beach Club Phuket

Nomad Beach Club Phuket

4.9(6,737)
323/13 moo 2 bang tao tombon changthalang, ตำบลเชิงทะเล phuket, ภูเก็ต 83110, Thailand

Full-day beach club on Bang Tao with sunbeds, cocktails, sunset dining, and an evening fire show.

MAYA BEACH CLUB PHUKET

MAYA BEACH CLUB PHUKET

4.8(4,991)
323 27, Tambon Choeng Thale, Amphoe Thalang, Chang Wat Phuket 83110, Thailand

Beachside bar and dining venue on Phuket's northern coast, running from lazy afternoons to fire show evenings.

Wellness & Spas

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Sansabai Massage 2

Sansabai Massage 2

4.9(8,436)
ตําบล ตลาดใหญ่ 21 Thanon Talang, Tambon Talat Yai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

Skilled traditional Thai massage spa in Phuket Town, praised for expert therapists and a clean, spacious setting.

SAii Laguna Phuket

SAii Laguna Phuket

4.7(4,897)
323, Moo 2, Srisoonthorn Road Bangtao Beach Cherngtalay, ตำบลเชิงทะเล อำเภอถลาง ภูเก็ต 83110, Thailand

A beachfront resort on Bang Tao Beach offering a relaxed lagoon setting within the Laguna Phuket complex.

NARA MASSAGE & SPA PHUKET (Chalong, Patak Rd.)

NARA MASSAGE & SPA PHUKET (Chalong, Patak Rd.)

4.8(3,840)
75, 159 Patak Rd, Tambon Chalong, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83130, Thailand

A highly regarded day spa in Chalong offering Thai massage, facials, and beauty treatments daily until 10:30 PM.

Ton Mai Spa & Massage Rawai Phuket

Ton Mai Spa & Massage Rawai Phuket

4.8(2,974)
6 11 Wiset Rd, Tambon Rawai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83130, Thailand

A full-facility spa in Rawai combining Thai massage, sauna, steam room, ice bath, and pool.

Frequently Asked Questions about Phuket

Is Phuket worth visiting or is it too touristy?

It depends where you go. Patong is heavily developed and packed in high season, but Rawai, Nai Harn, and the east coast around Cape Panwa feel much more local. Phuket Old Town is genuinely charming. The island works well as a base for island-hopping to the Similans, Phi Phi, and Phang Nga Bay.

Which beach should I stay at in Phuket?

Patong for nightlife and convenience, Kata for a good mix of restaurants and calmer waves, Nai Harn for a more local feel, and Bang Tao/Laguna for luxury resorts. Families often prefer Kata Noi or Surin. Rawai is popular with long-stay expats and has the island's best seafood market.

Can you swim year-round in Phuket?

The west coast beaches have strong riptides and red-flag days from June through October. Some beaches ban swimming entirely during monsoon season. The east coast is calmer but has muddier water. Always check flag warnings — lifeguards are posted at major beaches.

How far is Phuket from Krabi and Phi Phi?

Ferries to Koh Phi Phi take about 2 hours from Rassada Pier. Krabi is roughly 3 hours by road via the Sarasin Bridge, or 2 hours by ferry. Speedboats to Phi Phi cut the journey to 45 minutes but cost more (฿1,200–1,800 vs ฿400 for the ferry).

What is Phuket's Vegetarian Festival?

Held in late September or October (dates follow the lunar calendar), the Nine Emperor Gods Festival features nine days of strict vegetarianism, elaborate street processions, and firewalking ceremonies in Phuket Old Town. It's one of Thailand's most intense and photogenic festivals.