A Guide on Places to Visit and Things to Do in Phuket

This iconic landmark sits atop Nakkerd Hills, offering panoramic views of the island. The main attraction is, of course, the 45-meter-high statue of a sitting Buddha.

Wat Chalong is Phuket’s largest and most revered Buddhist temple. Its buildings are rich in history and artwork, and a 60-meter-tall Chedi is said to house a fragment of a Buddha bone.

The top places to visit in Phuket include its viewpoints, which offer breathtaking panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. These include Promthep Cape in Rawai, with its photogenic lighthouse, and Karon Viewpoint, which overlooks the three famous beaches of Karon and Kata. Drop by Khao Rang Hill Viewpoint for a beautiful view of the southern part of Phuket.

The oldest part of Phuket Town is the place to visit to understand the history of Phuket and its early inhabitants. Visit the Phuket Thai Hua Museum’s exhibits on Peranakan Chinese culture and Museum Phuket (Phuket Nagara), with its view of the iconic clock tower. Travel back in time with a tour of Chinpracha House, a well-preserved Sino-Portuguese mansion filled with interesting antiques.

If you’re looking for family-friendly Phuket attractions, visit Phuket FantaSea, a Thai cultural theme park. This theme park comes alive at night with Carnival Magic, which features a fun carnival-themed street fair and a spectacular light and theatrical show.

One of the most memorable things to do in Phuket is to watch the Siam Niramit Phuket, an award-winning cultural show. It offers world-class entertainment and performances portraying Thai history and legends, held in a state-of-the-art theater.

Catch lively cabaret groups such as Simon Cabaret Show and Athena Cabaret Show as they showcase song and dance performances featuring dazzling costumes and enchanting artists.

Watch exciting matches between skilled Muay Thai fighters from Thailand and across the globe at various popular Phuket boxing stadiums, such as Patong Boxing Stadium, Bangla Boxing Stadium, Rawai Boxing Stadium, and Sinbi Boxing Stadium.

Phuket has several world-class waterparks and water play areas, such as Andamanda Phuket, Splash Jungle Water Park, and Rawai Park, for hours of fun for all ages. If you’re looking for accommodation with waterpark features, Thavorn Palm Beach Resort on Karon Beach has waterpark-grade water slides and four large swimming pools!

Adventure seekers wondering what to do in Phuket can join off-road tours, ride an ATV through lush forests and untamed terrain, and see local villages, plantations, waterfalls, mangrove swamps, and other attractions on the way.

Nature lovers will enjoy the hiking trails through Khao Phrao Thaeo National Park, Phuket’s last evergreen rainforest. On your trek, you’ll see various wildlife, plants, waterfalls, and even visit a gibbon rehabilitation center.

Several organizations in Phuket are dedicated to protecting and caring for rescued elephants that were formerly used for tourism purposes. Here, visitors can observe and participate in the daily activities of these elephants, such as feeding and bathing. For many visitors, this is one of the most memorable things to do in Phuket.

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, Haruman World offers a ziplining activity that takes you zipping above forest treetops across an expansive park with 32 platforms and a skywalk. It’s located beside the stunning Kathu Waterfalls.

Kata Beach is one of the hotspots in Phuket for surf enthusiasts, offering rentals and surf schools for all levels. Phuket hosts several surfing competitions, particularly during the monsoon season when the waves are ideal for surfing. Even if you’re not participating, watching the surfers or even the competitions is an exciting experience.

Phuket serves as a gateway to various stunning islands. Island-hopping to nearby islands is one of the top things to do. Popular trips include the Phi Phi Islands, known for their crystal-clear waters and dramatic cliffs, and the Similan Islands, famed for incredible diving spots.

Yachting and boating are also prime activities, with options ranging from luxurious yacht charters to traditional long-tail boat rides, providing a unique way to explore other islands’ hidden coves and snorkeling spots and watch spectacular sunsets.

Just a short drive from Phuket, Samet Nangshe Viewpoint is one of the most scenic places to visit. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of Phang Nga Bay and its surrounding mangrove forest. It’s a perfect spot for photography, especially at sunrise.

Is trying authentic Thai food on your list of things to do in Phuket? The local markets such as Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market (Lard Yai), Naka Weekend Night Market, Chilva Market, Karon Temple Market, and Kata Night Market are some of the best places to try authentic street food such as moo hong or pork stew, popiah or Fujian-style fresh spring rolls, chicken satay, and Hokkien mee.

Phuket Old Town has several stalls and restaurants that have been serving traditional food for generations. Many Michelin-approved restaurants can also be found here, such as One Chun, Tu Kab Khao, Raya Restaurant, and The Charm.

Learning to cook your favorite Thai dishes is the best souvenir you can take home with you! If taking cooking lessons is one of the things you want to do in Phuket, various places offer Thai cooking classes, such as Thavorn Palm Beach Resort, which offers four different menus from each region in Thailand.

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event usually held in September or October. It’s marked by colorful processions, ritualistic ceremonies, and, of course, lots of vegetarian dishes. It’s a spectacular sight and offers insight into the local culture and cuisine.

Modern shopping centers such as the Jungceylon, Central Phuket, and Central Phuket Floresta offer visitors convenience with local and international brands and entertainment options in one place.

For those who want to get a glimpse of the local daily life, the markets are some of the most interesting places to visit in Phuket. Drop by Chillva Night Market, Karon Temple Market, Phuket Indy Market, Malin Plaza Patong, OTOP Night Market, and Fun Friday Avenue Market to find local handicrafts, souvenir items, street food, Thai delicacies, and more.

Patong Beach is one of the top Phuket tourist attractions for partygoers. Explore Bangla Road, famous for its electrifying atmosphere with bars, nightclubs, and live music for an unforgettable night out.

Your nightlife experience isn’t complete without visiting the beach clubs known for their vibrant party vibe and idyllic beachfront setting. Noteworthy beach clubs include Cafe del Mar and Pine on Kamala Beach, NORA, Carpe Diem and Catch on Bang Tao Beach, Tann Terrace on Karon Beach, and Paradise Beach Club.

Patong Beach is the island's busiest beach and is considered one of the top places to visit in Phuket. Patong Beach is lined with an array of water sports activities, including jet-skiing, parasailing, and surfing—especially popular during the monsoon season when the waves are higher.

One of the island’s longest beaches, Karon Beach is known for its white sand spanning 3.5 kilometers, with lots of peaceful spots for relaxing. Watersport activities available here include jet-skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The area is home to popular Phuket attractions, such as Karon Temple, Dino Park Mini Golf, and Karon Park. If you’re looking for accommodation right across from the beautiful Karon Beach, Thavorn Palm Beach Resort is an excellent place to stay, with direct beach access and unrestricted sea views.

Kamala Beach offers a relaxed atmosphere, less crowded sands, and a picturesque setting framed by forested hills. Water activities here are more laid-back, focusing on snorkeling and swimming. You can also rent a long-tail boat to explore neighboring beaches such as Laem Singh or Surin.

Kata Beach, divided into Kata Yai and Kata Noi, is known for its palm-lined beaches and great surf. During the low season, from May to October, Kata becomes a hub for surfing enthusiasts due to its excellent wave conditions. Visitors who want to know what to do in Kata, Phuket, outside of surfing can enjoy kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and other water sports.