Phuket

Sights

• Phuket Town – An old town of pastel-coloured Sino-Portuguese shophouses.
• Big Buddha – A white marble statue on a hilltop with views across the island.
• Wat Chalong – The island's most important temple.
• Kata and Karon – Wide beaches, quieter than Patong.
• Patong and Bangla Road – The busiest beach and the island's party strip.
• Promthep Cape – The island's southern tip, popular at sunset.

Food & nightlife

• Seafood by the beach – Grilled fish and prawns, often picked fresh.
• Mee Hokkien – Fried yellow noodles, a legacy of Chinese immigrants.
• Old Town Sunday market – The Lard Yai market with street food and music on Thalang Road.
• Massaman curry – A mild curry with peanuts and potatoes, typical of the south.

Day trips

• Phi Phi Islands – Limestone cliffs, turquoise water and the famous Maya Bay.
• Phang Nga Bay – Kayaking among karst islands, plus «James Bond Island».
• Similan Islands – One of Thailand's best diving areas, open only in the dry season.

Good to know

When to go

November–April

Getting around

Taxis and Grab; a hire scooter is only worthwhile if you're experienced and wear a helmet; island trips by boat.

Tipping

Service is usually included – rounding up is a nice gesture.

Power

Plug type A/B/C/O, 230 V – pack an adapter for Swiss plugs.

Currency

Thai Baht (THB)

Plan your trip to Phuket together

Create a trip plan and the Travel Guide comes with it – with a map, ideas to suggest and saved for offline use.

Plan with Pickeed

More in Thailand

• Bangkok
• Chiang Mai
• Koh Samui
• Krabi