Southern Thailand · Phuket

Phuket travel guide: Old Town, west-coast beaches and sunset capes

Phuket is Thailand's largest island and its busiest beach destination, but it has more character than its resort strip suggests. Phuket Town grew rich on tin mining, and its Old Town of Sino-Portuguese shophouses, Hokkien shrines and cafés is one of the most attractive historic quarters in the south. On the west coast, beaches and headlands face the sunset over the Andaman Sea.

AsiaVela editorial teamUpdated 1 October 20263 min read

Colourful restored Sino-Portuguese shophouses in pink, yellow and blue in Phuket Old Town — Sino-Portuguese shophouses in Phuket Old Town.

Suggested time: 4–6 nights
Where to stay: West-coast beaches (Kata, Karon) or Phuket Old Town
Season and timing: November to April is the dry season with calmer seas; May to October brings the south-west monsoon, rougher water and some park closures.

The short answer

Stay four to six nights. Spend half a day in Phuket Old Town, base yourself on a west-coast beach such as Kata or Karon, visit the Big Buddha and Wat Chalong, and catch sunset at Promthep Cape (arrive an hour early). Use Phuket as a base for day trips to Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi Islands. Phuket International Airport has direct flights from across Asia.

Phuket Old Town

Phuket Town grew from the 18th century as a hub of tin mining and trade, and the Hokkien Chinese and Portuguese influence shows in its Sino-Portuguese shophouses, as the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' directory explains. The Old Town is compact enough for a half-day walk.

Look for the Thai Hua Museum, the Jui Tui Shrine and the town's central market, and come on a Sunday for the Old Town's night market, which the directory also lists.

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Choose a stay that fits this visit

A base in Kata and Karon / Phuket Old Town should fit your arrival pier and the beaches or activities you want. Check the last boat, meal options and weather-related changes before committing.

Kata and Karon — beach resorts near the Big Buddha and Promthep.
Phuket Old Town — boutique hotels among the shophouses.

These are example bases: choose the area that fits your own route before searching.

Compare stays: Kata and Karon ↗Compare stays: Phuket Old Town ↗

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West-coast beaches

Kata Beach, between Kata Noi and Karon, has fine white sand that famously squeaks underfoot, according to the directory, with guesthouses, tour companies and shops behind it. TAT recommends Karon Viewpoint, south of Kata Noi, for a view of three bays at once.

Swim only where lifeguards are on duty and red flags are not flying. In the monsoon, currents can be dangerous.

The yellow colonial-style old police station with its clock tower in Phuket Old Town — The old police station and clock tower, Phuket Old Town.

The curve of Kata Beach with turquoise water and forested hills — Kata Beach on Phuket's west coast.

Make time for the local food

What to eat and where to look

Phuket Hokkien noodles

Mee Hokkien — thick yellow noodles stir-fried with seafood and pork — reflects the island's Hokkien heritage.

Where to look: Long-running shops in Phuket Old Town.
Fit it into your day: Lunch on the Old Town walk.

Contains pork and shellfish.

Grilled squid and coconut ice cream

The directory calls these must-tries at Promthep Cape.

Where to look: Stalls at Promthep Cape.
Fit it into your day: A snack while waiting for sunset.

Busy at sunset.

Southern Thai curries

Spicy southern curries such as kaeng som and kaeng tai pla with rice.

Where to look: Local restaurants in Phuket Town.
Fit it into your day: Dinner away from the beach strip.

Southern curries are often very hot.

Big Buddha and Wat Chalong

On the Nakkerd hills above Karon, the Big Buddha — Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol Akanakkhiri — is 45 metres high and 25.45 metres wide at the lap, faced with white Burmese jade marble, as the directory describes. It can be seen from much of the island.

Wat Chalong (Wat Chai Thararam), about 8 kilometres from town, is Phuket's most important temple, dedicated to the revered monk Luang Pho Chaem. Dress modestly at both.

The white marble Big Buddha above a white naga staircase on the Nakkerd hills — The Big Buddha on the Nakkerd hills.

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An experience to consider for this trip

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Phang Nga Bay; departs from Phuket

Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island boat day with canoeing

A full day in the limestone bay with sea-canoeing through caves. Check whether park fees are included.

Check the experience on Viator ↗

Phi Phi Islands; departs from Phuket

Phi Phi, Maya Bay and Bamboo Island speedboat tour

A full day of island hopping and snorkelling. Remember that Maya Bay closes in August and September.

Check the experience on Viator ↗

Check dates, the final price, meeting point, guide language, inclusions, accessibility and cancellation conditions on Viator. The language of this website is not the language of the guide.

Promthep Cape at sunset

At the island's southern tip, Promthep Cape is one of the most famous sunset viewpoints in Thailand. The directory advises arriving at least an hour before sunset because of traffic and limited parking; TAT notes that on clear days Ko Phi Phi and the Racha islands can be seen from the lighthouse terrace.

Nearby, the Windmill Viewpoint looks over Ya Nui and Nai Harn beaches.

Palm trees and a small island off Promthep Cape seen from the headland — The view from Promthep Cape.

Day trips by boat

Phuket is the main base for boat trips to Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi Islands. Note that Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh closes every year from 1 August to 30 September, and the Similan Islands from 15 May to 15 October.

Choose licensed operators with life jackets and fixed itineraries, and avoid tours that feed fish or stand on coral.