Island attractions
The island of Phuket, small but diverse in its attractions, makes the most discerning and experienced tourists fall in love with it. For those who don’t like to hang out on the beach, we suggest you learn about interesting routes that you can travel on your own on a bike, a rented car, or with a guide on a bus tour. Unique sights are found along the way in almost every corner of this country.
Top attractions
One of the main calling cards of Phuket, which new tourist tourists should follow, is the huge statue - the Big Buddha on the hill. It can be seen from any corner of the island, since the height of the hill is at least three hundred meters and the height of the statue also reaches 45 m. You can see the attraction at any time. We know that the construction of this temple began at the beginning of our century, but is still ongoing. The statue is impressive not only in its large size, but also serves as an observation deck with sea views and Phuket Town. Experienced tourists say that if you hang leaves, make a wish and leave donations, your wishes will come true! On the way to the temple there are cafes and a place where you can take pictures or ride elephants.
The next popular place is Cape Prompthep , located at the southernmost point of the island and from where you can watch the sunrise or sunset. They are often depicted in pictures and photos.
The Karon Viewpoint offers a magnificent view of the paradise beaches of Kata, Kata Noi and Karon. Despite the fact that the view from the site has long been replicated, and the place is hackneyed, it still truly evokes indescribable delight. Next to this site is the no less famous observation deck of the Windmill.
The famous Mai Khao Beach is a real wonder. It is distinguished by its incredible proximity to the airport, where planes land and fly literally over the heads of vacationers. Sometimes it seems that you can reach them with your hand. For aviation lovers, this is just the thing! And the photos turn out incredibly impressive.
Wat Chalong Temple is one of the popular Buddhist temples, glorified by tourists for its extraordinary beauty. You don't have to include it on your tour. But if you want to visit it, it is worth noting that this is a temple complex consisting of various buildings, gazebos, a crematorium, a bell tower and a garden. It contains a casket with the relics of Buddha (a fragment of the humerus). The temple is located in the south of the island, 10 km from Phuket Town. It is a place of pilgrimage for local monks and is also visited by ordinary people to pray and honor the founding monks. And since tourists crowd every day, there are rows of shops for them where you can buy souvenirs, live fish and other goods.
In the central part of the island is one of the oldest cities, Phuket Town, which is the capital of Phuket province. The most remarkable place in this city is considered by many to be the street with Chinese-Portuguese buildings. There are many cafes, galleries, museums, and souvenir shops. However, other streets are no less remarkable in the old city, allowing you to create atmospheric photos and videos as a keepsake, or for Instagram stories. All free attractions on the island can be visited by bike or car. Also take a sightseeing tour and ride around the island. And it is advisable to take an individual excursion, such as a date or Phuket Business Cards! And we offer you to get acquainted with the best excursions in our opinion. And yes, you can simultaneously combine a sightseeing tour with a vacation on the best beaches in the country.
Not far from Patong there is one of the famous beaches - Freedom Beach , where there is very beautiful, clear water, the depth is noted even at low tide. Fans of snorkeling and kayaking will love Nui Beach in the southern part of the island. On Yanui you can see clown birds, moray eels, starfish and other marine life. And opposite it is the island of Koh Man, where you can simply sail by kayak, which you can rent right on the beach. At Cape Panwa there is an observation deck called Khao Kad, almost deserted, but no less interesting in terms of views and views compared to Kata Karon.
And in the center and northern part of the country you can admire several waterfalls. The Taoist temple of Tha Rua and the nearby monument to the Heroine Sisters are famous attractions of the island that you can visit if you wish. The classical style sanctuary attracts attention with the abundance of dragons, curved roofs, and many different deities inside the room. To the right of the temple is a statue of the goddess of mercy Guanyin, and there is also a statue of Buddha. In the center of the front terrace stands a copper incense container, guarded by dragons, imported from China. Sirinath Park is located near the airport in the north of the country, impressing with its uniquely sized trees. You can pay for entry, or take a free walk along the shores of Mai Khao Beach, through the national park.
The island's landmark in the north is the Sarasin Bridge , one of the first bridges to connect the island to the mainland. And also an excellent place to visit, according to most tourists, is the Samet observation deck on the road to Phang Nga. Samet Nangshe is a favorite observation deck for tourists, allowing you to experience all the beauty of the world, pristine nature and water surface. Bright sunsets add a special zest to Instagram photos and lasting memories. To get an unforgettable experience, you can get there by bike or rented car, or go on an organized tour. The sad thing is that you can’t get there by bus, since it simply doesn’t go to this place. The site is located far from the main highway at a distance of 20 km, from Patong Beach you will have to drive at least 76 km, and from Bang Tao about 55 km, or from Phuket you will have to travel 25 km to the mainland. The stunningly beautiful view can be seen not only at sunset, but also at dawn. And if you are near Phuket, then you can choose excursions, for example, to Phuket Town, the historical part of the capital and the heart of the island. The historical center is lined with streets and houses in the Sino-Portuguese style. In the alleys you will find stunning graffiti and, of course, colorful Chinese-style temples. The On-On Hotel, where the film "The Beach" was filmed, is also located in this part of the city. But no less colorful here is the office of the Thai bank Kaksikorn, which is more reminiscent of a museum.
And yes, in the old town it will be interesting to visit a museum, a once old hotel called the Thavorn Hotel, turned into a museum. It can be described in two terms as eccentric and eclectic in the hotel lobby. Antique objects and old photographs of the Thai-Chinese family, which owns a whole chain of hotels, make an impression. They are hung and arranged in a chaotic manner. Other items on display here include toy trains, opium beds and pillows, wedding headdresses and other interesting items.
Excursion temples
One of the oldest Chinese temples on the island with a 200-year history is Pud Jor, built in the 19th century. The shrine is dedicated to the Chinese goddess Kuan Im, or Goddess of Mercy. Parishioners within the walls of the temple ask for health, family protection and blessings for good luck. Chinese gods are also worshiped there. There is a pharmacy on site where you can buy medicines made from natural ingredients.
You can fly a kite and have a picnic next to the Thais in Sapan Hin Park, which is located next to the Saphan Hin Temple.
It is worth noting that all Chinese temples in Phuket differ significantly from Thai ones in external architecture and internal space. This is due to the fact that the island has many emigrants from China who arrived to work in the tin mines. Therefore, they brought their own religion, combining Buddhism and Taoist gods. The predominant color of the buildings' architecture is mainly red with small splashes of yellow. Mythical animals are also depicted on the temples, including dragons, a mixture of monkeys and lions, and others.
Unlike Thai shrines, you will not find Buddha statues at Chinese temples. One altar can accommodate a huge number of saints and deities. But each of them has a central Deity, such as the Goddess of Mercy. And they all have their own history. Entrance to the temples is free.
In Phuket Town you can visit one of the Chinese temples with a large number of altars on Road Street - Bang Neow Shrine. Its appeal is that you can enjoy free treats during the Vegetarian Festival.
On weekends in Phuket Town you can visit the large Sunday market, which is located on Thalang Road. Here you can buy a variety of jewelry, handmade souvenirs and, of course, food.
The observation deck on Rung Hill will help you to look at the city at night. It offers an incredibly beautiful view of the surrounding area.
Unusual sights
Do you know that there is a cute cat cafe in Phuket town? It will be very interesting for cat lovers and owners to visit this place and recharge themselves with positivity. We are sure that the smile on your face will not leave for a long time. It is home to up to 20 cats, most of which are exotic. They have an interesting eye shape and a flattened nose. But it is important to follow all the rules established in this cafe, such as not waking up animals, not touching them when they are eating, not feeding them human food, touching only with clean, washed hands. Otherwise you will have to pay a fine.
Another attraction is the old city, like the mountain of monkeys. This place is home to a huge number of monkeys that you can interact with and touch. But you can also go to the bridge on the way to the island of Koh Sir, where the sea gypsies live. In addition to monkeys, this place has shops and a couple of seafood restaurants. You can buy inexpensive pearl jewelry in the shops.
Recreation and excursions with children
Traveling around the island with a child will be an incredible pleasure for adults too. We invite you to visit an interesting bird park, where children will be delighted with the bird show. You can also feed the parrots and get to know unique bird species.
The most famous water parks are located in the north of the country, among which it is worth visiting Splash Jungle, as well as Rawai Park and Blue Tree on Bang Tao Beach. In particular, the Blue Tree complex is a kind of shopping center, where there are restaurants, mobile tents and a water park with attractions.
The dolphinarium is also famous for its good reviews, from which children are indescribably delighted. You can also visit several aquariums, one of which is located at Cape Panwa. It has a lot of interesting marine life. But recently a second aquarium was opened - the largest aquarium, surpassing in the diversity and presence of fish. Note that you can take a children's tour of Phuket or visit everything on your own.
Various show programs
Tourists on the island are delighted with the impressive, varied shows, among which experts recommend visiting:
The cult show Siam Niramit offers an opportunity to learn about Thai culture and history, for which you can purchase tickets with transfer, dinner and other offers to choose from. Moreover, tickets are bought at a discount on Kluk, which is something the Thais themselves cannot offer.
The show “Fantasy” is presented by a huge entertainment complex with various thematic sections. Here you can get acquainted with the carnival village, visit a themed restaurant where you can taste the culinary delights of world and Thai cuisine. And the theatrical show, which features elephants, tigers and a huge number of artists, will be remembered for its incredible effects for many years. It should also be said that the venue has a theme park where you can spend time with your family and take part in various events. In a way, this park is considered the first in the world where Thai culture is fully represented. A sparkling highlight of the visit will be participation in the famous play “Fantasy Kingdom”, one of the longest running shows in Asia. You will certainly be impressed by the mixture of technology, Thai culture, dance, as well as stunt scenes, illusion effects and many other exciting things. It is located near Kamala Beach and is open 6 days a week, excluding Thursdays.
Let us note another equally popular ladyboy show - Simon's Cabaret. It is located on Patong Beach, one of the popular tourist spots on the island. The scale is not so majestic, but very good, spectacular productions due to the luxurious costumes and stage setting. You are allowed to take photos with the artists after the performances.
A specific part of Thai culture is Muay Thai, which is held at the Patong Stadium. Its advertising is impossible to miss on the beach, as there are posters everywhere and pickup trucks with loudspeakers drive around. And as tourists say, it’s definitely worth a visit for a number of reasons. Firstly, Thai boxing presents a vivid picture of the Thai worldview, and secondly, competitions are organized not only for tourists, but also for local fans. A fascinating spectacle is the Muay Thai rituals, where dance and ceremony take place before each battle, paying respect to teachers and one's family. These are not spectacular, but real fights, where they do not spare their opponents. They do not involve national champions, but those who can win this title in the near future. A ritual ceremony of sorts protects the ring from the influence of evil spirits, which superstitious Thais see everywhere and constantly.
Self-guided viewing areas
If you want to forget about the civilized world for a while and plunge completely into the bosom of nature, then a trip to the islands neighboring Phuket would be an excellent option. A half-hour boat ride is enough to bask on the clean beach of an uninhabited island or go diving, snorkeling or fishing.
Conventionally, islands are divided into inhabited and uninhabited. So the latter include Phi Phi Ley, Racha Noi and others. To make it easier to navigate the names and determine the scale of the island, we draw attention to the fact that the names carry dimensions. For example, large islands contain the combination Yai in their names, and small islands contain the combination Noi.
Lovers of the underwater world should go to the most beautiful Similan Islands in Thailand. Here you will see a diverse underwater world even without diving and sea turtles.
There are large islands near Phuket where you can live for years, such as Lanta, Phi Phi Don, or Racha Noi. Near the main island there are nearby islands of Coral, Racha, Coconut, where you can go and relax for one day with your family or alone. Ferries run to many islands, for which it is not difficult to buy a ticket at a convenient time. We also recommend visiting Cheow Lan Lake and Khao Sok National Park by car, as some of the most beautiful places in Thailand.
