I’ve warmed up a lot to Phuket since I first started visiting Thailand almost 20 years ago. Back then, I didn’t get the hype: Phuket seemed like a too-big, too-crowded island that wasn’t home to nearby enough great (let alone good) beaches to justify how many people flocked there.
Now, I want to be clear: All of these things remain true, to a certain extent. And Phuket, for as much as I’ve come to appreciate it for what it is, is still not my favorite Thai island.
At the same time, as I hope you’ll see reading through my Phuket itinerary, there is something here for every kind of traveler. And for certain visitors, Phuket really does make the most sense as a base of operations in Thailand’s Andaman Sea.
Where to Stay in Phuket
When it comes to Phuket hotels, location is obviously the most important factor—do you want (or need) to be close to the beach or not? And which beach? If you don’t need to be close to the beach, then I recommend staying either in Phuket Town (I love Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel, which sits amid Sino-Portuguese shophouses) or somewhere like Layantara Villas in inland Thalang, which feels delightfully local and off-the-beaten-path.
On the beach front (and, perhaps, on the beachfront), you have a few questions to answer. Are you willing to stay on a “better” beach if it means more crowds, or is seclusion your priority? If it’s the former, The Shore at Katathani in Kata Noi in Phuket’s southwest might be a good option. If it’s the former, you’ll find more serenity at Le Meridien Phuket on Mai Khao Beach near the airport, even if the beach itself isn’t my favorite in one Phuket.
How to Structure Your Phuket Itinerary
Start in Phuket Town
Whether or not you stay there, I do like to begin my exploration of Phuket in Phuket Town, in the southeast corner of the island. I absolutely love its Sino-Portuguese shophouses, which evoke Malaysia’s Penang, among other old towns in Asia. Plus, if you happen to be in Phuket over the weekend, you can come here on Sunday night, when the weekly Phuket Sunday Walking Street spotlights local food, drink and trinkets.
Explore the west coast’s beaches
Don’t get me wrong: Phuket is home to some amazing beaches, though they don’t always top my list of things to do in Phuket. When it comes to how to tackle these, decide what’s most important to you. If it’s peace and quiet, then more secluded spots like Freedom Beach or Mai Khao Beach might be the best choice, regardless of how intrinsically “good” these beaches are. By contrast, if you can tune out crowds, choose Kata Noi or Rawai.
Resist the urge to prioritize Patong
One place I definitely don’t recommend? Patong, at least not as a place to stay, and definitely not for the quality of its beach. Patong, of course, can be valuable—there are lots of restaurants here; the Central Patong shopping center really does have everything you need. However, Patong very much lives up to its seedy reputation, particularly if you come here at night, and especially on the weekends.
Find a spot for sunset
No matter how many days in Phuket you decide to spend, you will definitely want to watch at least one sunset. The most popular place to do this, as you may have seen elsewhere online, is Promthep Cape in the south near Rawai Beach. This is a fantastic vantage point, and even has a bar where you can get a cocktail to toast the day. But basically anywhere along Phuket’s west coast (including atop the Big Buddha statue) is a great choice for sunset.
Pick a day trip, any day trip
Many of Thailand’s most stunning destinations are reachable within day trip-distance of Phuket. Koh Racha, for example, is just off the southern coast—you can go here for a morning or afternoon. Conversely, you’ll need longer to visit the so-called James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay in the north, and also if you want to watch sunrise at Samet Nangshe viewpoint, which overlooks said bay. The Similan Islands, meanwhile, are a full-day trip—and they’re worth it, by the way.
How Many Days Do You Need in Phuket?
Phuket is Thailand’s largest island—and it feels like, particularly if you plan to explore it extensively and especially if you won’t have your own vehicle. Even if you simply want to spend a full day at the beach, an afternoon exploring the island’s interior and an evening in Phuket Town, you’re looking at a minimum of two days needed in Phuket. Many travelers will spend longer than this, with some staying as much as a week in Phuket.
The other matter to consider, when pondering how long in Phuket you might spend, is where you want to go afterwards. For example, if you plan to head to Koh Yao, Railay or Koh Lanta and begin island-hopping through the Andaman Sea from one of those places, you might necessarily spend fewer days in Phuket. This is because you’ll need at least a week or two to visit the other islands, all of which (in my opinion) are superior to Phuket.
Other FAQ About Visiting Phuket
What is the best month to visit Phuket?
As is the case in most of Thailand, months like December and January tend to be the best ones for visiting Phuket. The monsoon will be finished, which practically guarantees clear skies; however, it’ll still be relatively cool compared to how it is in March, April and May. While these months can also be crowded, booking accommodation early will ensure you avoid the highest prices.
Is Phuket worth visiting?
Phuket is definitely worth visiting for certain types of travelers—families; and people who want to enjoy an eclectic range of “island” experiences (i.e. not just beaches), but don’t want to have to hop around in order to do it. By contrast, if it’s amazing beaches or a relaxed vibe you’re after, Phuket might not be the best place in Thailand for you.
What are the best beaches in Phuket?
Objectively speaking, most of Phuket’s best beaches are in the southwest. These range from very popular beaches like Kata Noi, to moderately busy ones like Rawai, to Freedom Beach, which occupies a cove so close to seedy Patong you almost can’t believe it. With this being said, the very best beaches near Phuket are located on other islands, such as Koh Racha just to the south, or the Similan Islands far off to the northwest.
The Bottom Line
I hope my Phuket itinerary helps you put your trip together, no matter why you’re coming to Thailand’s largest island. Some travelers will merely use Phuket as a base of operations, whether to gather themselves before hopping over to the Yao islands or Railay Beach, or for day trips to Koh Racha or the Similan Islands. Others will lean more into what Phuket itself has to offer, be that the Sino-Portuguese shophouses of Phuket Town, the beaches of the west coast or even adventures in Phuket’s underrated interior. Need personalized help incorporating Phuket into your Thailand beach adventure? Commission a custom Thailand itinerary today!
