When it comes to holidays, finding things to do is one of the most exciting parts, especially when it comes to finding things to see in Phuket.
Located in the Andaman Sea in the south of Thailand, Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, and as a result, there are an abundance of things across the island to choose from if you’re looking for ways to spend time outside of your villa.
Whether your interests lie in shopping, lazing by the beach of checking out some of Thailand’s cultural hot spots, we’ve broken down our favourite things to see in Phuket.
Buddhism is practised by the majority of Thailand’s population, and as a result, there are numerous temples and statues which demonstrate their faith all over the country. But none are quite as impressive as Phuket’s Big Buddha! Costing 30 million baht to construct and standing at a whopping 45-meters tall, the white marble statue sits atop the Nakkerd Hills offering glorious panoramic views across Chalong, Rawai and Kata in Phuket.
Known as Naka Market, Phuket’s Night Market is located just outside of Phuket Town and offers an experience like no other. Featuring clothes, perfumes, handmade crafts and an array of Thai food, it’s an incredibly popular market. Which means it’s best to get there early to ensure you can take a proper look around before it gets too busy!
When it comes to beautiful beaches, Phuket has plenty to offer. First and foremost, is Freedom Beach, one of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches, It’s a little more difficult to access than some of the others, but the pristine and secluded nature of the beach means it’s well worth the effort! Surrounded by trees, soft sands and clear blue seas it makes for an incredible day out.
Next up is Karon beach - a long stretch of powdery-soft sand that ends as it meets the inviting warm seas. But sunbathing and swimming aren’t all you can do on this beach! The nearby town of Karon has the beautiful Wat Suwan Khirikhet temple and numerous restaurants and bars to sit back and enjoy the sweeping views from!
And last, but certainly not least, is Surin Beach. It only takes a quick glance at the crystal clear water and incredible sand to see why this beach is so popular. But in addition to the picturesque surrounds that lay in front of you at this beach, there are also several bars, restaurants and high-end resorts in the area to enjoy.
Perhaps the biggest show on Phuket, Fantasea is a great place for a family day out. Offering entertainment on such a huge scale that it wouldn’t look out of place in Las Vegas, Fantasea has a theme park, restaurants and plenty of shows to keep you occupied throughout your time there. Featuring trapeze artists, pyrotechnics, and an enchanting mix of Thai traditional myths and a loose plotline, it provides a mix of humour, fun and fantasy throughout.
Housing a 60-meter-tall chedi that has a splinter from the bones of Buddha himself, is Wat Chalong. A particularly revered temple due to its contents, Wat Chalong was established in the early 29th century yet is still immaculate to this day, with a pristine exterior and an interior which houses paintings on the wall depicting the life of Buddha.
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One of the most popular viewpoints in Phuket, and arguably the best for sunset, is Promthep Cape. A viewpoint which offers views spanning across the bay and out to sea. It’s beautiful and offers every bit of serenity and romance that you can imagine.
Taking care of abused animals is the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. There are over 3,000 gibbons killed each year by hunters—a figure that’s on the rise. Because of this, the project is dedicated to rescuing the sick and injured animals, helping them to recover and rehabilitating them before releasing them back into the wild.
The project is free to visit and they’re always looking for volunteers to help fix fences, feed the animals and help run the souvenir shop—making it the perfect choice for those who are looking to see these animals ethically and educationally.
Due to its location in the Andaman Sea, Phuket has an abundance of beautiful islands to explore. There are numerous boat tours which operate around Phuket, taking guests to see the beautiful neighbouring islands—such as the famous Phang Nga (James Bond Island), Phi Phi and the Similans. But there are also many popular choices much closer by to Phuket that offer incredible opportunities for snorkelling, diving and swimming in the beautiful waters.
Phuket isn’t just beautiful on land. Whether you prefer to dive or snorkel, Phuket is home to some of the greatest dive sites thanks to its incredible underwater visibility. With bright blue azure waters, there are a number of great dive sites to choose from, from coral reefs to wreck-dives—ensuring those who like to blow bubbles have plenty to keep them occupied down under!
If you like rum, then you’ll want to whet your appetite with a trip to the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery. Producing high-end white rum, the distillery offers tours where you can learn all about how the rum is produced, and the techniques and work which goes on behind the scenes. After that, it’s cocktail time! Where you can learn to make various cocktails using the very rum you just learnt about!
Housing street after street of townhouses, cute eateries and colonial-style mansions, Phuket’s Old Town is a welcome respite from some of the more lively areas in Phuket. And if you’re visiting, don’t forget to take your camera! The Sino-Portuguese splendour combined with funky shops in unassumed places will both surprise and delight you. Offering a fascinating way to spend an afternoon!
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