Complete guide to Phuket: What to see, where to stay, and the best tips for dining
Published: 4. November 2025 • Updated: 5. November 2025 • Category: Asia

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, located in the south of the country in the Andaman Sea. It is known for its beautiful beaches, turquoise sea, rich nightlife, and excellent Thai cuisine. Every year, millions of travelers from around the world come here in search of the perfect combination of relaxation, adventure, and tropical atmosphere.

How to get to Phuket?

An advantage of this island is Phuket International Airport (HKT), located in the northern part of the island. The airport handles many domestic flights daily (e.g., from Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Koh Samui), as well as international flights from Asia and Europe. So if you are flying from Budapest or Vienna, for example, you can get here very easily and directly by plane.

However, you can also get to Phuket from the surrounding islands such as Phi Phi Islands or Krabi, from where ferries and speedboats run regularly. They usually arrive at the port of Rassada. You can book boat transfers at this link.

Where to stay in Phuket

The choice of location in Phuket can completely change your overall impression of the island. Phuket is a large island with many completely different areas. There are bustling beaches full of bars and nightlife, but also quiet coves and luxury resorts surrounded by nature. That is why choosing the right location for your accommodation is very important, as each one offers a different holiday experience.

If you are looking for entertainment and a vibrant atmosphere, you will probably love Patong or Kata. If you long for peace, beautiful sunsets, and tranquility, areas such as Nai Thon, Bang Tao, and Kamala are ideal.

From our own experience, we recommend the areas around Kata Beach or Karon Beach. Why? It is a great strategic location from which you can discover the beauty of the entire island. There are great amenities, many restaurants, and night markets. This means that in the evening, you can leave your accommodation and head out onto the streets without having to take a taxi or travel for an hour on a scooter. However, it is still a much quieter area than, for example, Patong, where there are dozens of clubs and bars. For us, it is clearly the best choice among all the areas mentioned.

What to see in Phuket

Phuket is a very diverse island where you will find not only beautiful beaches, but also viewpoints, temples, cities, promenades, and, of course, a vibrant nightlife. Another strong point of the island is its excellent cuisine and night markets, where you can enjoy the best Thai specialties for just a few euros. In this article, we bring you our favorite places that we definitely recommend to include in your itinerary.

Haad Laem Sing

The first place is a beach that not everyone knows about. And that’s why you’ll enjoy beautiful moments just for yourself here. It is a hidden beach that most tourists only admire from the viewpoint along the road. This is mainly because access to the beach is a little more complicated. But it’s nothing that can’t be handled.

There are two ways to get to the beach. The first ine is be foot through the forest, which takes about 10 minutes. The route starts on the far left side of Surin Beach, from where there are very good signs leading to the beach itself.

The second option is to take a water taxi from Surin Beach, which costs around 200 THB per person. There is one local restaurant on the beach and a few sun loungers that you can rent. For us, it is definitely the most beautiful beach in all of Phuket!

Nui Beach

A very specific beach is Nui Beach, located on the southwest coast. From Karon or Kata, you can get here by scooter in about 25 minutes. This beach is known for its stunning scenery and views, as it is located between rocks. It is a tiny beach that gives the impression of being private because there are not many people there. The main reason for this is that access to the beach is a little more complicated.

The road to the beach is not very well constructed, so we do not recommend traveling here on your own scooter unless you have sufficient experience. However, you can leave your scooter parked up there and travel here by taxi, which will cost you 200 THB for a round trip. Another option is to rent a quad bike or walk, which will take you about 30 minutes. Entrance to the beach costs 100 THB per person. There are restaurants and sun loungers on the beach, so you can easily spend the whole day here.

Phuket Old Town

During your visit to Phuket, you should definitely visit the old town, which is also known as the historic heart of Phuket. It is located inland, about a 40-minute drive from Patong and a 30-minute drive from the international airport. Tourists are particularly attracted by its beautiful combination of Chinese and Portuguese architecture, which is characterized by distinctive facades, wooden shutters, and colorful tiles on the houses. You will also find many colorful shops, temples, street art, and many small cafes and restaurants.

If you visit this place during the weekend, you can enjoy the weekend market. This is the largest street food market in Phuket, where you can taste many Thai specialties and buy beautiful handicrafts and souvenirs. While walking around the market, you will also come across lively street performances, which add to the great atmosphere. The best time to visit is between 6-7 p.m., when it has the best Thai atmosphere.

Bangla Road

Bangla Road, also known as Bangla Walking Street, is the main center of nightlife on the entire island. You will find a huge number of bars, clubs, and restaurants, loud music, and all kinds of street performers. All cars and motorcycles are prohibited from entering this street after 6 p.m., so you can only get here on foot.

The best time to visit is after 9 p.m., when you can enjoy the real atmosphere. The bars on this street are open until around 3 a.m. If you are traveling here from surrounding areas such as Kata Beach, Karon Beach, or Kamala Beach, we recommend arriving by taxi or tuk-tuk to avoid unnecessary complications with parking.

Karon Temple

If you are staying in the Karon or Kata Beach area, Karon Temple is also worth mentioning, where you can soak up the beauty of Thai culture. It is a beautiful Buddhist temple decorated with colorful mosaics and golden statues of Buddha. If you come here on Tuesday or Friday after 4 p.m., you can also enjoy the Karon Temple Night Market, which has a unique atmosphere.

Nai Thon Beach

Nai Thon Beach is located in the north of Phuket Island, just 15 minutes from the airport. So if you are staying in the Kata or Karon Beach area, you will need a car or scooter to get here. The journey will take approximately 60-80 minutes depending on traffic. It is a kilometer-long beach with fine golden sand, offering a relaxed atmosphere. On the far left side of the beach, there is also an iconic wooden staircase where you can take beautiful photos. Location here.

Bannana Beach

Banana Beach was declared the 2nd most beautiful beach in the world in 2025. It is located in the north of the island, just a 5-minute scooter ride from the aforementioned Nai Thon Beach. It is a tiny hidden cove shaped like a crescent moon. Park your scooter right by the road and in about 2 minutes you’ll be in paradise. You will enjoy undisturbed relaxation and an authentic atmosphere there. There is one local restaurant on the beach where you can buy cold drinks or snacks.

Freedom Beach

Freedom Beach is a great choice for those who live in busier areas such as Patong or Karon Beach, but are looking for a quieter atmosphere. This beach is located just 13 minutes from the famous Patong or Karon beaches. However, it is a much quieter beach with white sand and turquoise water. However, you will have to pay 100 THB per person to enter the beach. If you don’t have a car or scooter, you can easily get here by taxi or tuk-tuk.

Mai Khao Beach

If you want a unique experience, don’t miss Mai Khao Beach. From this beach, it is possible to watch planes landing at the nearby airport. From this perspective, you can take really beautiful photos. However, please be aware that flying drones is not permitted on the beach, as it is located in close proximity to the airport.

Karon Viewpoint

If you love sunsets, Phuket is the right place for you. Most beaches face west, so you can enjoy a truly unique atmosphere. However, if you are looking for something a little more special, Karon Viewpoint is worth mentioning, offering stunning panoramic views of the sea and surrounding beaches.

What to see around Phuket

One of Phuket’s greatest strengths is its excellent strategic location. If you are staying here for more than a week, we definitely recommend exploring the surrounding areas.

Trip to the Similan Islands

One of the most beautiful trips you can take from Phuket is definitely a full-day trip to the Similan Islands. These islands offer crystal clear waters and soft sand, and are often compared to the world-famous Seychelles. During the trip, you will also make several stops for snorkeling, and if you are lucky, you will also take home the experience of swimming with turtles. You can read all about the trip to the Similan Islands in this article.

Samet Nangshe Viewpoint

Another beautiful place worth visiting from Phuket is the Samet Nangshe viewpoint. The viewpoint is located near the village of Ban Samet, about 30 km north of Phang Nga and approximately 1.5 hours by car from Phuket. Located on a hill 200 meters above sea level, it offers a beautiful panoramic view of Phang Nga Bay that will definitely take your breath away.

You can travel to the viewpoint directly from Phuket. However, you should be prepared for a journey of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic. Another option is to find accommodation in Phang Nga, which is only a 30-minute drive or motorbike ride away.

The third option is to stay at the Samet Nangshe Goodview Hotel or the Samenangshe Boutique, which are located right next to the viewpoint and offer equally beautiful views of the bay from the hotels themselves. However, these hotels are usually booked several months in advance and you should also be prepared for high prices.

Trip to Phang Nga Bay – James Bond Island

A beautiful place that we recommend visiting during your stay in Phuket is Phang Nga Bay. This bay is located 30 km northeast of Phuket (approximately 1-1.5 hours by car) and is known for its emerald green waters surrounded by limestone cliffs and beautiful nature.

The easiest way to explore the beauty of this national park is by boat. You can book a group or individual trip at this link.

Looking for the best contacts for trips? In our ebook, you will find direct contacts for private tour operators in Phuket, Koh Yao Yai, and Krabi who will organize the best private tours for you at a fraction of the price. You can find more information about our ebook on this page.

Koh Yao Yai

If you are looking for an island to combine with your vacation in Phuket, but don’t want to travel too far, Koh Yao Yai is a great alternative. It is a tiny local island, only 30 minutes by boat from the famous Phuket. You won’t find crowds of people, nightlife, or many luxury restaurants here. However, you will enjoy undisturbed peace, beautiful beaches, and the local atmosphere. You can read more about Koh Yao Yai in this article.

Cuisine in Phuket

Phuket has dozens of highly rated restaurants and cafés. In addition to local specialties, you will also find international restaurants and establishments offering vegan cuisine. Just open Google and look at the reviews, we guarantee that it will be difficult to choose from such a wide range of restaurants. However, we have been to Phuket several times and have our favorite places that we definitely recommend you visit.

Number 6 – Patong

Our first recommendation is Number 6 in Patong. This is a local restaurant where you will probably have to wait in line for a table. You will then be seated at a table with other people and given a menu featuring local specialties. Even though demand for this restaurant is really high, prices remain low.

One Chun Cafe & Restaurant

If you want to try Pad Thai recommended by the Michelin Guide, you must visit One Chun Restaurant. This restaurant is located in Phuket’s old town. Pad Thai costs around €4 here, but it tastes really great!

Kata Night Market

If you are staying near Kata Beach or Karon Beach, Kata Walking Street is a must-see. This market is open every day from 4 p.m. You can enjoy great street food here for just a few euros.

Soul Vegan

If you are vegan or looking for a place to have breakfast, brunch, or great coffee, we recommend visiting Soul Vegan. The restaurant is located just a few minutes from the famous Karon Beach, and in addition to its excellent food and drink offerings, you will also be enchanted by its beautiful surroundings.

E-Book Thailand

Phuket is an island full of contrasts, experiences, and colors. A place where you can spend one day discovering hidden beaches, diving among coral reefs, strolling through night markets, and enjoying the sunset over the sea in the evening. These tips are just a small taste of what this island has to offer – and perhaps it is in those unexpected moments that you will find your most beautiful memories.

If you are looking for more inspiration on Phuket or other areas in Thailand, we recommend checking out our e-book, where you will find practical tips, proven itineraries, recommendations for food, accommodation, and lots of other useful advice from our own travels. It will help you plan your trip so that you can experience the best and completely stress-free. The e-book can be found here.

In our e-book you will find everything in one place:

Tips and tricks to enjoy your holiday in Thailand to the fullest and save money
Over 440 places to visit (including Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Samui, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Khao Sok, Khao Lak, Similan Islands and Bangkok)
Tips on restaurants, hotels and excursions in each area
Direct contacts to tour operators from Phuket or Krabi
11 perfect itineraries for different lengths of stay
Google map with all locations