Phuket province is the second smallest province in Thailand, but Phuket Island is actually the country’s largest island. The province also houses 32 smaller islands in the Andaman Sea so it is the perfect location for people looking for a tropical destination.
Thanks to Phuket’s stunning beaches and unique old town, Phuket is one of our favorite vacation spots. If the mere mention of beaches isn’t enough to inspire you, take a look at these 18 pictures of Phuket to get some inspiration for your next trip.
Phi Phi Islands
One of the main reasons people visit Phuket is because it’s a great place to catch a boat to Phi Phi Islands. Phi Phi Islands are a group of limestone islands surrounded by beautiful, turquoise waters. You may recognize the islands if you’ve ever seen The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio.
There is a variety of ways to get to Phi Phi Islands, the most popular one tends to be a tour which you can usually book through your hotel. If you prefer to visit the islands on your own, there are ferries and speedboats from the main port, Rassada Pier.
Another great island to visit near Phuket is James Bond Island. It looks similar to Phi Phi Islands except for the tall limestone tower in the middle of the water. It received its name from being featured in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.
Old Phuket Town
If you love history and unique architecture, Old Phuket town is a great stop. Thailand used to be occupied by the Portuguese, so in the Old Town, there are still some beautiful, colorful Portuguese buildings that have been converted into museums, shops, hotels, and restaurants.
Take a walk through the Old Town during the day and take some beautiful pictures yourself or visit the local night market, Naka Market. Naka Market has delicious food, clothing, fun souvenirs and handmade crafts so it’s the perfect place for an evening out.
Big Buddha
One of the main symbols of Phuket is the Big Buddha statue. It is aptly named as the statue is 148 feet tall, towering over anyone who visits. To make the Big Buddha even more spectacular, it sits atop Nakkerd Hill so the view from the top is beautiful. Visiting the statue is free and should take less than an hour to walk around so it can be done in conjunction with other activities. Just make sure you cover your knees and shoulders out of respect when you visit.
Wat Chalong
Other than beautiful blue beaches, Thailand is well-known for its spectacular temples. Of the 29 Buddhist temples in Phuket, Wat Chalong is the most important one. This is because it was dedicated to two monks that led the citizens of Phuket against the Chinese rebellion in 1876.
Now, Wat Chalong is a major tourist attraction but it is important to remember that it is still a functioning temple. When you visit, cover your shoulders and knees and take off your shoes before entering the temples.
The grounds are made up of multiple buildings that you can explore. One building, the stupa, is three floors high which visitors can climb to get a bird’s eye view of the entire grounds.
There are also small shops around the temple grounds with religious items or souvenirs for tourists to enjoy.
Wat Chalong is near the Big Buddha statue, so visiting both during the day is a great way to utilize your time.
Promthep Cape
If you love watching the sunset, there’s no better place in Phuket to do it than Prompthep Cape. Promthep Cape is at the southern point of Phuket Island and is an elevated cliffside with a great few of the water and nearby islands. The sun will set over the water so grab a spot along the edge of the island to take your own stunning pictures.
While you’re waiting for the sun to go down, take a walk around the area. There is a small lighthouse museum and an elephant shrine surrounded by hundreds of elephant statues. Once the sun sets, grab a bite to eat at the nearby Bukito by Prompthep Restaurant. You will dine outdoors so you can continue to enjoy the beautiful view while eating local Thai food and seafood.
Beaches
As Phuket is on the coast of Thailand, it’s known to have beautiful white-sand beaches. Our favorite is Kata Beach as it has crystal clear water, calm waves, soft sand, and beautiful palm trees. Kata Beach is in a great location as well as it has tons of affordable beachfront hotels and restaurants with a great view.
Another great beach in Phuket is Freedom Beach. It is next to the busy Patong Beach but not as many people know about it so it is relatively quiet during the day. Similarly, you can only access Freedom Beach by boat or by climbing a steep slope to get to it. The journey is worth it as Freedom Beach is stunning.
Bangla Road
If you have ever been to Bangkok and visited Khao San Road, Bangla Road is very similar. At night, no cars are allowed on Bangla Road so pedestrians can safely stroll along the road and visit the many bars and clubs.
Adult entertainment like ping pong shows are extremely popular at Bangla Road. So, it’s safe to say that Bangla Road is not the place to bring children. If you enjoy a night out though, Bangla Road is the perfect place for you. Spend your evening bar and club hopping then enjoy a nice traditional Thai massage in the early morning to complete your trip.
Phuket is a great mix of beaches, nights out, and religious/ historical sights. If you enjoy any of these activities, you’ll love Phuket!