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A guide to Phuket

Travel Guide to Phuket > What to do in Phuket

Phuket Travel Guide

Wanting to travel to Phuket and looking for places that you need to add to your bucket list? Well you have come to the right place, we recently did this trip and these are our favourite things. Your travel guide to Phuket Thailand!

Best time to visit: November to April
Language: Thai
Currency: Thai Baht
Powerpoint voltage: 220v
(Foreign visitors are advised to bring along travel adaptors to fit the outlets in the country.)

Things to do in Phuket

Explore the caves by canoe in Phang Nga Bay

Visit the Naka Market on a weekend (Clothing and Food)

Visit a floating restaurant ie Black Crab

Day trip out to Phi Phi Island

Take a cooking class

1. Day trip to Phi Phi Island

A trip to Phuket is not complete without exploring Phi Phi Island.
You can also choose to stay over on the island at one of their hotels.

How to get there?
Purchase a Day trip with Seanery or a similar company.

2. Explore the Naka Market

Rated as Phuket’s largest night Market with a variety of stalls on offer from clothing, and souvenirs to food.

How to get there?
The easiest way is to hire a Tuk Tuk to drive you there.

Opening times:
Open on Friday to Sunday from 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm.

3. Big Buddha

One of the most iconic and famous statues in Phuket.
Tip: Girls you will need to cover up to visit this statue.

How to get there?
The easiest way is to hire a Tuk Tuk to drive you there or even hire a driver for the day to see a few things at once.

4. Try a floating restaurant 

A unique experience while in Thailand! We ate at the Black Crab restaurant and they served up a delicious feast for us all.

How to get there?
The easiest way is to hire a Tuk Tuk to drive you there to meet the water taxi that will take you across to the restaurants.

Travel guide to Phuket > Try a floating restaurant

5. Kayak through Phang Nga Bay

Explore the many caves throughout Phang Nga Bay.

How to get there?
Book a day trip with Seanery or a similar company.

6. Explore Old Phuket Town

Plenty of cafes and shops to explore along with the unique buildings along the main streets.

How to get there?
The easiest way is to hire a Tuk Tuk to drive you there or stop in as a part of a bigger day trip around.

Highly recommend: If you’re a Harry Potter fan, a visit to Hog’s Head Pub is a must while in Old Phuket Town.

7. Try the iconic 7-Eleven toasted cheese sandwich

This is just a right of passage for any Aussie, Kiwi, and others alike! Taste great and they’re cheap! Great if you need a snack on a budget!

How to get there?
Walk from your hotel, usually one every hundred meters or more in Patong Beach.

8. Explore the Chillva Night Market

Boho-styled market with a selection of clothing and food stalls to pique your interest.

How to get there?
The easiest way is to hire a Tuk Tuk to drive you there.

Opening times:
Open on Monday to Saturday from 5.00 pm to 11.00 pm.

Travel guide to Phuket > Entry to chillva market in phuket
Travel guide to Phuket > Best market to visit > Chillva Market Phuket

Family Favourites:

Andamanda Phuket (Waterpark)
– Splash Jungle Waterpark
– Blue Tree Waterpark
– Nai Yang/Mai Khao Beach Plane Spotting
– Mini Golf at Dino Park
The Phuket Trickeye Museum
– The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary – is Phuket’s first and most ethical elephant sanctuary. A canopy walkway offers a chance to observe rescued elephants rehabilitating into forest life.

Tours & Tickets

Things to see in Phuket

Big Buddah / Gold Buddah

Kata Beach

Karon Beach

Wat Chalong Temple

Prompthep Cape Viewpoint

Karon Viewpoint

Khao Rang Viewpoint

Freedom Beach

Monkey Hill Viewpoint

Koh Similan Island

Maya Bay

Things to see and do along the Great Ocean Road

Savoey Thai:
A popular seafood restaurant in a central location on the corners of Soi Bangla and Beach Road. This restaurant gets quite busy in the evening.

Orchard Garden:
A big family friendly restaurant with something for everyone. Serving an array of foods such as seafood, curries and Western Food.

Where to eat in Phuket

Wai Thai No 6:
A friendly place with a large menu of popular Thai dishes, pizza, pasta and burgers. Nothing fancy here with plastic chairs and tablecloths but the portion sizes are big and the sea breeze is refreshing.

Sea Hag:
A long running favourite that is found just a few steps back from Beach Road. Food is predominately Thai (try the wingbean salad) and the service is excellent.

Harry’s:
Describes themselves as an American Steakhouse but it’s a lot more than that with pizzas, fajitas, Scandinavian dishes, Thai food and a kids menu.

Swenson’s:
An amazing ice cream and waffle place at the Jungeceylon Mall.

Ma Doo Bua Cafe:
is a cafe whose sole purpose is to provide an irresistible background with a lake full of floating Victoria Amazonica leaves.

Where to drink in Phuket

Aussie Bar:
Great to go to if you would like to watch a game of AFL, NRL or Soccer.

Banjla Road:
In general have a variety of themed bars and nightclubs.

Where to shop in Phuket

Jungceylon Shopping Mall:
Diagonally opposite Bangla Road. With over 200 stores, a cinema and a bowling alley, Jungceylon is a great escape from the heat and rainy days.

Banzaan Market:
A modern looking Thai fresh market on Sai Kor Road, right behind Jungeylon Mall. Basically you can expect anything one would expect from a market but in a much more pleasant environment.

OTOP Market:
At the OTOP Market you can expect to see traditional handicrafts, silk garments, cotton products, pottery, fashion accessories, household items and food.

Where to stay in Phuket

PATONG: Banthai Beach Resort

KATA: Katathani Phuket Beach Resort

KARON: Paradox Resort Phuket

Special Events in Phuket

Songkran Festival (April 13 – 15)

Loy Krathong Festival (Nov)

Need data while travelling?: Connect fuss-free as soon as you land with prepaid travel SIM cards with Sims Direct. – Use “PENNY5” for a discount on your order.

Travel Insurance: Protect your holiday with Covermore.

This is our personal guide only, we just love to share our favourite things!

(Post updated June 2023)

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Travel Guide to Phuket > what to do and see in phuket
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