Things to do in Phuket

More about Phuket

Phuket as the largest island in Thailand becomes a top list tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists because of its natural beauty. Phuket is known as the Pearl of the Andaman Sea because of its breathtaking landscapes. You can discover a pristine beach with white sand. Some famous beaches in Phuket, namely Kata Beach, Patong Beach, Karon Beach, and so on.

Apart from the natural attractions, Phuket also has other activities that will bring new experiences to you. You can challenge yourself in the forest by visiting Hanuman World, join a muay thai class from Phuket King Muay Thai, or pamper your body and mind in Oasis Sky Breeze Spa. So, what're you waiting for? Prepare your best trip in Phuket and enjoy numerous adventures.

Best Things to Do in Phuket

If you’re looking for a stunning beach or place to get away from Bangkok’s hustle and bustle, Phuket is the must-visit destination. The following is a summary of several tourist attractions in Phuket that you can enjoy with your loved ones.

Challenge Yourself at Hanuman World

For those who love forests and thrilling activities, Hanuman World will be a great destination. You can experience the fun of ziplining in Phuket. This activity is perfect for adventurers of every level of skill. You will be able to climb the tree, glide over the hillside, and participate in plenty of enjoyable activities. Pick from a variety of fun-packed options that fit your spare time and power.

Enjoy Fun Attractions with iVenture Card

If you’re confused about where to explore and how to buy the ticket in Phuket, you can simply purchase an iVenture card which is a premium attraction pass. You can save money on the entrance tickets to 1 or 2 premium landmarks as well as 3 or 5 regular locations and activities in Phuket. You can take a tour in Phang Nga Bay, visit Phi Phi Island, see Phuket Fantasea's underwater world, and many more. Dolphin watching, local fish market shopping, and bird watching are also included.

Join Phuket King Muay Thai Class

If you want to learn about self-defense or sport in Phuket, you can go to Phuket King Muay Thai class. Phuket King Muay Thai offers excellent training in a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. The gym and quality of exercise are the best you can find in Phuket. You can select a 1.5-hour regular session or a one-hour private class. The regular classes can be attended once or twice depending on what package you choose.

Try a Island-Hopping Tour

Prepare a day to explore Andaman Sea’s Islands by a speedboat since Phuket is famous for its natural attractions. In the island-hopping tour, you'll see the dazzling beauty of the renowned Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Khai Nok, and Bamboo Islands. Don't forget to go diving and swimming through the crystal-clear waters and play with the colorful fish. You can enjoy these fun activities while surrounded by breathtaking views, including a lunch buffet at a seaside restaurant.

Relax at Oasis Sky Breeze Spa

After you visit many destinations in Phuket, treat your body and mind to a special spa treatment at Oasis Sky Breeze Spa. While having your preferred spa or therapy, you will be welcomed to some of Phuket's most magnificent views, like the beautiful ocean, mountain topography, and the well-known Big Buddha. The nine spa rooms, herbal steam room, and rooftop pool offer exclusive chances to reconnect with nature's splendor and discover inner peace. Also, free round-trip travel is provided for the Patong and Kata area.

Phuket Transportations

Due to its hilly terrain, high cliffs and narrow roads with sharp turns, most locals have private cars or motorbikes. Unlike Bangkok or Chiang Mai, riding a bicycle in Phuket can be a bit dangerous. Apart from renting a car, there are several ways to explore Phuket with ease. For getting around Phuket, you can check the transportation options below.

Car Rental.

Phuket has no trains or MRT, so an option to get around the city is to rent a car. You can rent a car for the duration and the type of car that suits your needs. Renting a car in Phuket will make your holiday easier since you can freely go to many destinations without having to wait for public transportation. You can book a car starting from RM 70/day.

Taxi.

Taxi is another alternative to get around Phuket. Although a taxi is more expensive than a bus, you can travel comfortably without having to share space with other people. Besides, sometimes you can also ask for the taxi driver's contact number so he can pick you up next time. The taxi fare starts from RM 7 for the first 2 kilometers so it’s quite affordable to ride.

Smart Bus.

Smart Bus is a transfer service from the airport to popular areas or beaches in Phuket. Smart Bus is the right choice if you just arrive and your accommodation is located in the area around Laguna, Kata, Karon, Patong, and Rawai. Usually, they don't provide change, so try to prepare exact money. You can also buy a rabbit card, a card that can be used on the BTS Skytrain Bangkok as well. You can ride this transportation starting from RM 12.

Tuk Tuk

Tuk Tuk is a bright red four-wheeled taxi that you can find in Phuket. In Bangkok and Chiang Mai, tuk tuk commonly has three wheels. Make sure to ask how much it costs to your destination beforehand. Usually, they will try to haggle the price and the rate goes up at night. With a tuk tuk, you can go straight to your destination without having to worry about transit. It commonly costs starting from RM 25 for any destination.

Recommended Phuket Food

As you travel in Phuket, you should try the local dishes that have a rich flavor and mouth watering appearance. Here are several recommended eateries to consider.

Raya Restaurant at Old Town

Address: 48/1 Dibuk Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Operational Hours: 10.00 AM - 10.00 PM Daily

Raya Restaurant is widely regarded as one of Phuket's greatest restaurants. It’s well-known for serving traditional Phuket cuisine, moo hong (slow-cooked pork belly stew). Moo hong is prepared by cooking pork belly in a sweet marinade with garlic and other seasonings. It's stewed for more than an hour, yielding the very soft slices of pork belly that tastes sweet and garlicky, along with a great peppery touch.

One Chun Cafe & Restaurant

Address: 48 1 Thep Krasattri Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Operational Hours: 10.00 AM - 10.00 PM Daily

One Chun Cafe & Restaurant is run by the same family as Raya so it also offers delicious cuisine and lovely decor. Its menu features a variety of appealing southern Thai delicacies, including the gorgeous khanom jeen kang poo, or crab yellow curry with fresh veggies and khanom jeen noodles. This dish is one of the restaurant's favorites. Spoon portions of crab curry over the sticky noodle balls and serve with lots of crisp fresh veggies. 

Lock Tien Food Court

Address: 173 Yaowarad Rd, Tambon Talat Nuea, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Operational Hours: 09.00 AM - 05.00 PM Daily

Lock Tien is known as one of Phuket's oldest food courts. It’s famous for serving traditional Phuket cuisine. You should visit Lock Tien and taste the por pia, a kind of fresh spring roll common in Southeast Asia. The booth at Lock Tien coats them in a sweet or sweet-spicy sauce. If you want to get a fresh drink, you should try oh eaw. It's a typical Thai shaved ice dessert with plenty of toppings, including syrup, red bean, grass jelly, and oh aew (a jelly created from banana and Chinese herbs).

Sugar & Spice Restaurant

Address: 98/70 Kata Rd, Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Operational Hours: 08.30 AM - 11.00 PM Daily

If you enjoy authentic Thai cuisine with a mild flavor, Sugar & Spice Restaurant is a perfect choice. They serve an array of western and Thai meals, including pineapple fried rice, som tam, pad Thai, pandan leaf chicken, and satay. So, people who are unfamiliar with deep-flavored food will like eating here.

Kwong Shop Seafood Restaurant

Address: 67 Taina Rd, Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Operational Hours: 10.00 AM - 11.00 PM Daily

If you want tasty and affordable seafood, Kwong Seafood Shop is the right place to visit. It serves crab curry, hotpot, and entire fish. The restaurant's highlights include the most succulent steamed squid cooked with garlic, chili, and  a mild lemon sauce, a juicy crab in yellow curry, and a whole fish in red curry.

Shopping Places in Phuket

Don’t miss the fun satisfaction of shopping in Phuket. During your vacation on the island, you can purchase everything from beautiful pearls to antiques. Here are some recommendations for shopping in Phuket.

Chillva Market

If you want to explore Phuket markets that open until late, Chillva Market is the right place to go. It offers a boho ambience and impeccable selection of clothes, accessories, and many more. It’s truly a shopping paradise for locals and tourists. Aside from the products for sale, the bright boxes that serve as shop fronts are also eye-catching.

Jungceylon Shopping Mall

Located directly across from Bangla Road, Jungceylon Shopping Mall is one of the top Phuket shopping malls. It provides a wide range of merchandise. Robinson and Big C are two of the most popular among more than 200 stores. Clothing, eyewear, fragrances, purses, and accessories are some of the high-end labels available for purchase.

Phuket Old Town Handicraft Shops

The vibrant ancient paths of Phuket Old Town are full with distinctive stores. It offers various items ranging from trendy apparel to handicrafts. There are only specialized retail stores so your shopping experience is truly special. Top handicraft stores in Phuket include China Inn, Ban Boran Textiles, Think Positive, Siam Indigo, etc.

Best Time to Visit Phuket

Phuket gets year-round high temperatures like other tropical locations. The coldest and nicest time to go to Phuket is around November and February. The temperature ranges from 23°C to 30°C so it's a perfect time to lay on the beach and do some water activities. In contrast, summer times, which last from March to mid-May, can be highly hot. Avoid visiting Phuket during those months. Then, the rainy season in Phuket, which lasts from May to October, is also a great chance to come if you're prepared to deal with some rain. These times can spend lower prices and less crowd.