Phuket holidays

With its dazzling shoreline and hedonistic nightlife, Thailand’s biggest island can sometimes be confused as a party zone for tourists. But holidays to Phuket promise more than sun lotion and loud music. Get off the beaten path to explore its ancient temples, jungle hikes and buzzing night markets. And if your muscles tense up after a day on the move, treat yourself to one of Phuket’s most enduring traditions — the beachside massage.

Phuket holiday highlights

Phuket Big Buddha

Big Buddha

A huge marble Buddha statue sits atop Nakkerd Hill, and you’ll catch glimpses of it often on your holiday to Phuket. It’s free to see the statue up close. Get a tuk-tuk to the bottom of the steps, then walk the rest of the way. Remember that it’s a religious site, so cover exposed shoulders and legs. Shawls and sarongs can be purchased outside the temple if you need extra clothing.

Elephant sanctuary

The elephant is the national animal of Thailand. A symbol of strength and intelligence, these fascinating creatures have been used for centuries across Thailand to work the land. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a home for sick, injured and old elephants, and you can ethically view them from suspended footbridges that weave in and out of the jungle.

Island temples

Thailand is graced by more than 40,000 Buddhist temples, and there are many beautiful examples you can visit on your holiday to Phuket. Just remember to remove shoes and hats before you enter, and dress modestly. Chalong Temple is one of the largest on the island. Karon Temple is a tiny but colourful temple next to Karon Beach, where there are markets twice a week.

Phuket: Know before you go

Language

Thai

Currency

Thai baht (฿)

Time zone

UTC+7 (ICT)

High season

November – March

Low season

May – October

Find the best time to go to Phuket

Weather in Phuket

April – May: Temperatures soar and the leaves turn dry in these transitional months. Make sure you book accommodation with air conditioning.

June – November: Mid-year sees the arrival of the wet season, with frequently heavy downpours. The seas also churn and can become unsafe to swim in, so book a hotel with a pool. On the plus side, traffic in the cities is lighter, and the attractions are uncrowded.

December – March: The dry season is the high season in Phuket. Temperatures are nearly perfect, there’s little chance of rain, and the waters are calm and inviting. Keep your eyes peeled for orchids, which start to bloom in March.

Events in Phuket

Phuket Old Town Festival (February): The locals know how to throw a street party. Families and friends flock to this popular festival with traditional dance, art and food.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival (September or October): This Chinese–Thai tradition of prayers, parades and vegetarian feasts dates back to the early 1800s. Phuket Town is the centre of the action, with processions, firewalking and drum troupes.

Loy Krathong (November): This festival of light honouring the water goddess is celebrated nationwide. But it’s truly spectacular in Phuket. The island’s rivers, lakes and beaches glow with thousands of mini rafts lit by candles.

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The best neighbourhoods in Phuket

Patong Beach

Phuket’s liveliest area, Patong Beach, is the best neighbourhood to stay in Phuket if you want to be near both nightlife and the beach. Bangla Road is the place to be at night for the bright lights and live music in the many clubs and bars. There are plenty of restaurants here too, but head to the food court in the Banzaan Fresh Market for a relaxed, cheap meal.

Good for: Nightlife, restaurants, beach

Old Phuket Town

You’ll find an interesting mix of cultures in Old Phuket Town. Chinese and Portuguese traders settled here, and you’ll see these influences in the Chinese shrines and Portuguese architecture. There are plenty of tucked-away restaurants and cafes ideal for dining or people-watching with a drink. Try the China Inn for a delicious meal in an impeccably restored Chinese storefront and garden.

Good for: Restaurants, shopping, culture

Kata Beach

Kata Beach is where to stay in Phuket if beach life is your priority. It offers everything you’d want in a day at the beach — beautiful sand, great restaurants, beach chairs to rent and a cadre of masseurs ready to give you a famous Thai massage. If the real waves are intimidating, try the artificial wave machine at Super Surf Kata.

Good for: Beach, restaurants, shopping

Things to do in Phuket

Ao Sane

Family friendly things to do

A day at the beach is always great with kids, but they might also enjoy Phuket FantaSea theme park and theatrical show. For younger kids, Carnival Magic on Kamala is the place to be — it has a funfair and a parade of colourful floats. Phuket is also home to plenty of water parks and the Baan Teelanka Upside Down House.

Shopping

For a small island, Phuket has a surprising variety of shopping options. Central Phuket is a mall with big name global fashion brands, while Premium Outlet is a large, open-air mall with discounts on lots of well-known brands. Phuket also has many night markets. The Sunday market in Phuket Old Town is a local favourite.

Take in the culture

With the temples, theatres, art galleries and museums in Phuket, there’s plenty of culture to enjoy during your vacation here. Housed in a Sino-Portuguese mansion, the Thai Hua Museum has interesting displays about local history. Phuket Art Village is the place to go for art lovers, while the Junkyard Theatre has regular plays and comedy shows.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Phuket varies from chill beach bars to busy nightclubs. Bangla Road is the centre of nightlife on the island, and huge clubs like Illuzion Phuket regularly host internationally famous DJs. On the other end of the spectrum, the beach bars have a more relaxed vibe. Try Cafe del Mar or Catch Beach Club for a night under the stars.

Places to eat

Taste the zing of ‘tom yum goong’ (hot and sour prawn) soup or the sweet goodness of mango sticky rice. Phuket’s culinary landscape is diverse and flavourful. Sample street food at Chuan Chim, one of the oldest eateries on the island. You’ll find locals eating mostly in food stalls at the night markets. For dessert, try ‘o-eaw’, a gelled dessert made from the seed of the o-aew plant.

Beaches

There are an abundance of choices for beaches in Phuket. Kata Beach is one of the best beaches for families, with a playground for kids and family-friendly water sports like the banana boat ride. Patong Beach has a party vibe and lots of restaurants and bars, while neighbouring Freedom Beach is much quieter, as you can only get to it by boat or by taking a steep hike down a hill.

Plan your holiday to Phuket

Budget

Though the island can be pricier than some Thai locations, it’s still very possible to enjoy a cheap holiday to Phuket. The key is to do your research. You can usually find a delicious, low-cost meal for around 175 Thai baht (฿). A cold, local beer will cost you roughly ฿90. And a short taxi ride runs around ฿175.

Day trips from Phuket

This region is spoilt with rocky bays, coral reefs and paradise beaches. Book a boat tour to some of the best neighbouring islands, like Racha Yai, Naka and Phi Phi. If you’re an experienced diver, head to the Similan Islands. The crystal-clear waters will reward you with sightings of manta rays and whale sharks.

Getting around Phuket

Part of the fun of getting around Old Phuket Town is riding a tuk-tuk, the small motorised vehicles that dominate the streets here. Hail one and agree on a price before you go. To see the island at large, consider hiring a car for a day or two. There’s also the Phuket Smart Bus, which takes you to various beaches on the island.

FAQs about Phuket holidays

With temperatures peaking at 32ºC (90ºF), March is the hottest month in Phuket.
Three days in Phuket is enough to see some of the main landmarks and enjoy a few evenings out. To have a little more relaxation time during your holiday, stay for at least a week.
Phuket is one of the more expensive cities in Thailand, but there are still good deals to be found and bargaining for items in the street markets is always expected.
The Thai baht (THB) is the official currency. From tipping to shopping at local markets, having a small amount of cash during your trip to Phuket can be useful.
The locals primarily speak Thai here. Every city has its own distinct lingo, so it's worth picking up some common expressions to use during your city break in Phuket.
While this city is generally seen as safe, the best way to have a worry-free holiday to Phuket is to follow a few simple precautions. Before heading out, plan your journey so you can feel more confident about where you're headed. Be alert to your surroundings as you explore, and share your travel plans with a friend or family member.
Book your Phuket flights and hotels for May, the most affordable time to visit based on ticket prices. With the cash you save, consider upgrading your room or treating yourself to perks like extra legroom and baggage.
Organise your Phuket trip for January and you'll be there when conditions are at their coolest. 24ºC (75ºF) is as cold as the city gets.
With an average rainfall of 39 cm, September is the rainiest month to go on a Phuket holiday. When the drizzle sets in, venture indoors and make the most of the city's galleries, shops, museums and more.
Whether it's your first visit or your tenth, no trip to this city is ever the same. If sightseeing is on your list of things to do in Phuket, be sure to include Pum's Cooking School, Patong Beach and V.MarineTour- Phi Phi Islands Day Trip - Private Boat Charters.
The flight from Bangkok to Phuket takes 1 hr 30 min, making it very convenient to visit both places. If you’re looking for a cheap holiday to Phuket and Bangkok, doing a two-centre trip like this will save you money too, as the flights between the two places are relatively cheap.