Settling upon the Top 20 Best Things to do in Phuket, Thailand is a surprisingly difficult task.
With so much on offer, it’s hard to whittle down its attractions to just 20! Phuket, Thailand has it all. Stunning tropical beaches, beautiful temples, vibrant local markets, and thrilling nightlife.
Whether you are a budget traveler or enjoy luxury living. If you are a young couple on a romantic getaway or a family about to embark on an unforgettable trip.
Phuket has a wealth of exciting activities, entertainment, and locations to suit every taste and every age. Our article will help you on your way as we detail the Best Things to Do in Phuket, Thailand.
1. Visit Bang Tao Beach
We’re sure that one of your top priorities when visiting Phuket will be to enjoy the stunning beaches.
Bang Tao beach is one of the longest stretches of beach on the island. There is 8km of gorgeous white sand to stroll along as the clear blue sea laps at your feet.
The bay is also home to some great restaurants and bars, handy when you need a reprieve from the sun.
This is just one of a wealth of stunning beaches you can enjoy during your trip, making Phuket the perfect destination for sun worshippers and families alike.
2. Hop from Island to Island on a Boat Tour
Some of Thailand’s most beautiful features are the multitude of stunning islands which people the coastline.
In Phuket, you will find a wide array of island-hopping boat tours which offer speed boat, snorkeling, and beach experiences, all of which are definitely the best things to do in Phuket.
If you have the time, you can devote an entire day to exploring these beautiful pockets of paradise.
For the 007 fans, there is even a James Bond-themed trip that will take you out to the iconic limestone cliffs from the movie!
3. Meet the locals at the Green Elephant Sanctuary Park
If you are planning to see elephants, a trip to the Green Elephant Sanctuary is the safest and most ethical way.
Avoid the tourist trap elephant rides and sideshows.
Instead, head into the jungle where you will find these majestic animals being well cared for by the sanctuary staff.
The best bit is you don’t have to settle for simply looking at the elephants – you can help with the feeding, cleaning, and swimming activities!
This is a magical destination for children and adults alike.
4. Take a Trip to Old Town
To take a break from the intoxicating nightlife and busy tourist attractions, have a leisurely stroll into Phuket’s past.
In this area of the island, you can admire the stunning architecture and beautiful buildings preserving the island’s history.
You spot historical Portuguese and Chinese-influenced architecture and can visit the local museums.
When you tire of walking there is an array of cafes and restaurants for you to enjoy.
5. Make your way to Monkey Hill!
Avoid Monkey Beach and head to Toh Sae Hill in Phuket Town for a less crowded encounter with these iconic creatures.
Stroll up the hill and you are bound to run into some friendly monkeys looking for a treat or two!
Make sure to take along some fruit or nuts and you’ll be making friends in no time!
While this is a fun activity, please remember these are wild creatures, and be sensible and safe in your interactions.
But don’t be put off, a trip to Monkey Hill is a magical and wonderful experience you will always remember and easily one of the best things to do in Phuket.
6. Enjoy the stunning scenery in the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park
The beautiful, dense tropical jungle of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park envelopes Bang Pae, the largest waterfall in Phuket.
Take a trip through the park, enjoying the exotic plants and wildlife.
Then take a cooling dip in the rock pools.
And after your visit, you can pop into one of the nearby restaurants to sample the local cuisine.
Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes!
7. Dive into the most stunning seas
The coral reefs of Thailand are notorious for their beauty and an extraordinary array of wildlife.
So, we recommend not leaving Phuket before diving into the depths and seeing all this beauty up close.
This will be an exhilarating, once-in-a-lifetime experience you don’t want to miss out on.
If you’ve never dived before, you don’t need to worry.
When you arrive, you will find that there are many qualified diving and snorkeling instructors linked to local hotels and venues who will safely guide you through the experience.
8. Experience the local flavor at the Naka Weekend Market
The Naka Weekend Market is a massive weekly event in Phuket Town.
And an absolute must if you want to sample authentic food from vendors offering delicious specialties and traditional Thai fare.
Affordable food abounds, with everything on offer from spring rolls and pancakes to grilled fish and fruit salads.
This is a fantastic option if you want to sample Thai cuisine on a budget.
When you’re full, you can enjoy browsing the stalls and pick up a bargain or two to bring home!
9. Spend an evening at the Chillva Night Market
Phuket’s famous Chillva Night Market is a uniquely bohemian experience.
Here you can walk amongst the fashionable youth of Thailand and browse the stalls.
Fuel your people watching with some gorgeous local delicacies which are sure to delight the taste buds of foodies.
If you want an authentic slice of modern Thailand and youth culture, then spend a few hours in the Night Market.
10. Marvel in the shadow of the Big Buddha Statue
You can’t visit Phuket and not visit this legendary 45-meter Buddha Statue.
The mammoth marble icon can be seen from anywhere you visit in the South of the Island.
To understand the full grandeur of this world-famous marvel, you should plan a trip to Karon Hill.
After you have traveled to the apex, relax, and enjoy the view.
Here you can experience the enormous statue up close and against a jaw-dropping backdrop of the surrounding mountains and sea.
This is a lovely, tranquil trip for all the family.
And if you need a rest and some fuel for the trip back down, you can pop in at the café and gift shop when you’re done.
Phuket’s Big Buddha is certainly one of the best things to do in Phuket.
11. Become a spectator at an authentic Muay Thai Boxing Match
If you want to witness a legitimate Muay Thai fight, this is the venue to head to.
There are plenty of staged spectacles for tourists, but this is where the locals go.
Please be warned, that these fights are very violent, and the crowds are loud and rambunctious.
We would strongly advise against taking the kids.
And this is an experience to be avoided if you hate the sight of blood.
If you are a fan of the art of Muay Thai however and want to see the real thing, this is the place for you!
12. Have a drink at the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery
If you have any alcohol aficionados in your party, this is a lovely way to spend an hour or two!
This charming distillery offers tastings and tours in its eco-friendly location.
In contrast to the fierce whiskies, elsewhere on the island, you can enjoy the unique, award-winning rum.
And learn how the company produces it by harvesting local sugarcane.
The distillery’s cool, relaxing bar is the perfect place to sample a drink or two!
You can check out their website HERE.
Although slightly different, Chalong Bay Rum Distillery is for sure one of the best things to do in Phuket.
15. Watch a “Ladyboy” Cabaret Show
The Simon Cabaret is renowned in Phuket for putting on high-tech, extravaganzas three times nightly.
The high-quality production has stunning sets, beautiful and ornate costumes, and charismatic performers.
This is a unique, exhilarating form of entertainment that should definitely make its way onto your must-do list.
This is one of the top venue options if you want to see one of these famous shows on the island.
There are also plenty of other high-quality productions around the island for you to enjoy each night.
16. Take in the nightlife along the famous Bangla Road
This famous stretch of bars and clubs is the place to head to for a wild night out in Phuket.
The road had an absolute wealth of nightclubs, bars, and live music venues.
You can bar hop, watch a go-go dancer, listen to a live band, and dance the night away.
No matter how you want to spend your night you are bound to find the perfect venue on this vibrant strip.
If you’re planning an epic night out (or several!), then this road should be on your radar!
17. Catch A Taxi Boat To The Floating Restaurants At Laem Hin Pier
This is a dining experience not to be missed.
To reach these seafood restaurants you can take a free boat from Laem Hin Pier to the coast near Koh Maphrow.
This magical experience will add a whole new element of wonder to your dining.
There is a wide range of appetizing range of seafood on offer in this unique dining experience.
Once you have had your fill of prawns, oysters, and fish, you can float back to the mainland while looking up at the stars.
18. Learn about the work of the Soi Dog Foundation
Animal lovers will find this tour of Southeast Asia’s largest dog and cat rescue sanctuary both touching and educational.
The SDF has been working for 18 years to rehome street animals and reduce their suffering.
Support their valuable work and learn all about their successes by taking a tour around their dog and cat sanctuary.
You can also interact with rescued animals at certain times of the day and support their important work by a visit to the gift shop.
19. Visit the Promthep Cape and see the most stunning scenes in Phuket
Head to the south of the island and you can take in the spectacular views from the Promthep Cape.
This gorgeous panorama is stunning at any time of the day and will be crowded with tourists during the sunshine hours.
But you will be kicking yourself if you leave without witnessing this beautiful scenery in person.
To avoid the constant crowds at this famous beauty spot, you should consider traveling there in the evening.
There will be fewer people, you can take your time taking in the sights and you can stop by the nearby restaurant for a delicious meal afterward.
20. Spend some time at the Chalong Temple
This 19th-century temple is the most visited in Phuket and houses a bone fragment from the Buddha.
Inside the temple grounds, you will view the Life of Buddha told in splendid illustrations on the walls and ceilings.
You can climb the stairs to reach the terrace for a panorama of the beautiful landscape around you.
Before making your visit, remember to dress in clothes appropriate for the venue.
Avoid sleeveless shirts and shorts or skirts which fall above the knee.
This is, without doubt, one of the best things to do in Phuket and a truly spectacular place to visit; where you can enjoy the stunning surroundings while you slow down and contemplate your trip.
Summary: The 20 Best Things to do in Phuket, Thailand
So, there you have it, the top 20 Best Things to do in Phuket, Thailand.
Although truthfully, we could extend this list to at least double!
This island has such an array of activities, attractions, and entertainment, almost anyone will have a great time!
Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach break, a fun-filled excursion into the famous nightlife or the family trip of a lifetime – Phuket is a perfect destination.
Whether you have already booked your trip or just considering Phuket as a destination we hope you have found the list above inspirational and exciting.
We wish you a wonderful trip full of fun, sun, delicious food, and memories that will last you a lifetime.
If you’re looking for more travel ideas in Thailand, check out more of the Best Places To Visit In Thailand.
