Phuket, Thailand Guide: Best Beaches, Temples, and Beach Clubs

The white sand beaches are calling your name, coconut palm trees whisper with the sea breeze, and turquoise bays of phantasmagoric rocky islands are just waiting to be discovered. Simply put, Phuket is irresistible. The island is all about escaping the mundane and embracing hassle-free beach life: long seaside walks, sipping freshly squeezed juice in a hammock, and water activities whenever you feel like diving, snorkeling or windsurfing. Thailand’s largest island offers picturesque milky stretches of sand, rich Peranakan heritage, unparalleled nightlife, and the world’s most magnetic island-hopping. Phuket is my happy place, the island where I always feel good. Here’s a coastal guide of the best things to do and experience in this paradisiacal corner of Thailand:

Phuket is always hot. The island is in a tropical monsoon climate, so no matter when you arrive, you’ll enjoy the warm days. Still, there are two distinct seasons.

You’re getting the driest weather from the end of November to March. This is officially the high season with all the caveats that go with the term. While the weather is usually sunny, and rainy days are few and far between, tourists flock to the island, and prices surge. On the other hand, it’s the best time to take advantage of the gorgeous sandy beaches and hikes.

April and June are the so-called transitional months, and Phuket’s closest equivalent to the shoulder season. Rainfall may occur, but the weather is still very sunny, while prices begin to drop.

September to November is the rainy season, when monsoons arrive. It’s going to be wet, but this season is great for delving deeper into the fascinating Peranakan history in Phuket Town, going surfing, and exploring the local food traditions. Rainfall usually arrives in short bursts throughout the day, so you still have a chance to enjoy the beaches.

Phuket is a large island with various areas to choose from. While you can easily travel around using public transport, taxis or rental cars, finding the right base is essential. Traffic has become a nuisance in recent years, and the roads may be congested during the high season. Here are the best areas to stay in Phuket according to the type of experience you’re after:

Best for Peranakan history and food exploration

One of Southeast Asia’s most important trade posts, Phuket Town is an enticing destination with colorful Sino-Portuguese architecture, lavish mansions, superb restaurants, and cozy art galleries. This vibrant port town was founded by Peranakan Chinese, who came here to trade tin and rubber. (Note that Phuket Town isn’t on the beach). Stay here for a couple of days to soak in the authentic atmosphere of Phuket without the resorts and massage parlors of the coast.

Best for the nightlife and easygoing beach leisure

When it comes to Patong, opinions differ. Some say that it’s the embodiment of what’s wrong with Phuket: a crowded, tacky, and loud resort town. Others love its never-ending energy, abundance of restaurants, and non-stop party attitude. The truth is somewhere in between. Bangla Road may well be the world’s most shocking nightlife strip, but it’s entertaining enough if you’re into this kind of leisure. Patong Beach is a charming white sand stretch with all the infrastructure and water activities on offer.

Best luxurious resorts and quiet beach life

Located north of Patong, Kamala is an oasis of quiet, hugged by the warm waters of the Andaman Sea. The central part is a classic beach town: shacks selling cocktails, hearty local street food joints, and water-sports rentals. The hills in the northern part of the beach are home to exclusive five-star resorts such as Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort and Andara. Another Kamala highlight is Phuket FantaSea, an amusement park with a traditional Thai theme and theatrical shows.

Best for families and tranquility-seeking couples

While it’s only a short drive from Patong, these two beach communities feel a world away. The beautiful white sand beaches flank both. Karon is an epic 2.5-mile open-sea strip, while Kata is a crescent-shaped beauty. These areas offer a peaceful resort retreat that will appeal to families with kids and couples seeking a quieter experience. Kata is also renowned for surfing.

Best for an untouched nature and glamorous beach bars 

Arc-shaped Bang Tao beach stretches for 4.5 miles and offers the ultimate seaside experience. Unlike most beach areas in Phuket, there’s no boardwalk here. The sprawling Laguna Phuket resort sets the scene in Bang Tao, offering 8 luxurious hotels and a golf course. Check out the hip beach bars, such as Catch, MAYA and Nomad.

Phuket Town is among the most charming in Thailand. It’s an open-air museum of Sino-Portuguese architecture, where rows of multicolored shophouses host museums, atmospheric galleries, and exceptional restaurants. The landlocked town is the center of Peranakan Chinese (or Nyonya) culture and cuisine. Walk down the central Thanon Talang road, learn more about Nyonya history at Phuket Thai Hua Museum inside the British-colonial mansion, and marvel at the elegant Chinpracha House.

Phuket is the Orlando of Thailand: a capital of amusement parks. Families will have a great choice of entertainment here. Thai-themed Andamanda is a large (about 100,000 square meters) water park with 12 water slides and dedicated kid-friendly zones. Previously mentioned Phuket FantaSea is fantastic for a theatrics-filled day trip. Jungle Xtrem Adventure is for thrilling ziplining through the dense forest.

Thailand’s most popular depiction in tourist brochures is that of the turquoise island paradise. Phuket is where you start your boat trips to the paradise-looking Andaman Islands. From the divine sandy bays of Phi Phi Islands (Maya Bay is the beach from “The Beach” movie with Leonardo DiCaprio) to the incredible sunset sails through Phang Nga Bay (recently featured in Season 3 of The White Lotus), the crystal-clear waters of Racha Noi, and fantastic snorkeling at Koh Hey.

While in Phuket, don’t miss the Sunday night market in the Old Town. It takes place on Thalang Road between 4 pm and 10 pm, gathering many street food vendors. The experience is unforgettable—the buzz, the variety of Thai foods, the crowded walking street. You will be tempted to try everything, so come on an empty stomach.

Golden tiers of the rooftops, multiple tall stupas (bell-shaped towers), elephant statues, and manicured gardens greet you at Wat Chalong, the most spectacular Buddhist temple in Phuket. Located among the hilly jungle scenery, it’s a must-visit for immersing yourself in Thai spirituality and discovering local Buddhist traditions.

Phuket cuisine is a melting pot of influences. Peranakan, Malay, and Thai flavors blend here, creating a very distinct and delicious mix. Phuket is also a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, reflecting the multicultural heritage of this island. Eating out is always a culinary adventure on this island. 

The best way to enjoy the diversity of Phuket cuisine is by trying something new every time you go out. Mee Hokkien—egg-based noodles with pork—is a Peranakan staple. Taste the sour Tom Som Pla, a Thai curry soup with fish. Kiean (Phuket-style deep-fried pork sausage), Lo Ba (deep-fried appetizer made of giblets), and Por Pia (fresh spring rolls with pork) are favorite local street foods. O-aew is a must-have dessert from shaved ice, banana jelly, and syrup. 

Kopitiam in Phuket Old Town is where you get introduced to Phuket-style cuisine. Located in the old mansion, Raya is a perfect place for sampling the Thai-Sino dishes. Another fantastic local spot is One Chun Cafe & Restaurant. Lock Tien and Pun Te are two great “food centers” with plenty of street food vendors.

Phuket nightlife exists in different variations. Bangla Road in Patong is where you find numerous nightclubs, bars, karaoke spots, street food joints, and chain restaurants. For many visitors, it’s the ultimate party street of Southeast Asia. For others, it’s the worst strip in Thailand (if not the world). In any case, visiting Bangla is quite a nightlife experience. Just be cautious of your surroundings. Don’t fall for the scams and don’t drink too much.

While there are many clubs on Bangla, one stands out. Illuzion Phuket is among Asia’s top nightlife establishments, where top DJs regularly play. Such dance music stars as Tiesto, Hardwell, Marshmello, and Martin Garrix all came to perform at Illuzion, so keep an eye out on the line-up. Another glitzy Bangla nightclub is Armania. You can skip others, really.

It’s not only loud and tacky nightlife on Phuket. There’s a nice beach club scene on the island, too. This includes day parties, sunset DJ sets, and laid-back seaside discoteques. Bang Tao Beach is where you should be for the beach clubs. Café Del Mar, Carpe Diem, and Maya are the most popular places to chill in beautiful surroundings.

Phuket has always been at the cultural crossroads. A vital Andaman port, a center of colonial trade competition, and a newfound home of the Peranakan Chinese. Its culture is fascinating, and Phuket Town is the best place to get a better look at the island’s diverse heritage. 

Late September sees the Old Town come alive with movement when the Nine Emperor Gods Festival is celebrated. Also known as the Vegetarian Festival, the nine-day event features parades through the town’s center, vegan food markets, and shocking rituals of self-mutilation. 

Another prominent local festival is Songkran. Taking place on April 13th, it’s the Thai New Year. The main attribute of the holiday is water splashing, which symbolizes the act of self-purification.