Phuket Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Go, and How Not to Lose Your Flip-Flops

You’re eyeing a trip to paradise and wondering, “Is a Phuket travel guide going to solve my what-the-heck-do-I-do-there problem?”
Yes, darling. It absolutely shall.

No one tells you this, but planning a holiday in Phuket isn’t just about booking flights and picking a hotel with a pool.
It’s about weaving through street food chaos, choosing between cocktails at YONA Floating Beach Club or Café Del Mar, deciding which beach has fewer tourists and more palm trees, and wondering if renting a scooter will end in glory or gravel rash.

Let me take you through the bits that matter. Without fluff. With real stories. And all the Phuket travel guide essentials you’ll want in your pocket.

Explore Phuket Old Town – Culture, Colour, and Coconut Ice Cream

Start where no one expects you to: Phuket Old Town.
Far from Bangla Road’s neon madness, this pastel-hued dreamland is all Sino-Portuguese facades and Sunday night markets.

Wander down Thalang Road, try not to buy another handmade soap, and don’t skip the Coming Home Café—quiet, breezy, and serving flat whites better than Melbourne.
If you’ve only got one cultural day in your Phuket travel guide, make it this.

Island-Hopping Like You’re Filming The Beach

No joke, Maya Bay is where Leonardo DiCaprio’s famous movie was filmed.
You’ve seen the photos. Turquoise sea. Limestone cliffs. Crowds of lifejacket-wearing tourists taking selfies.

But do it differently:

  • Book an early tour to skip the chaos
  • Bring cash (400 THB for the National Park Fee)
  • Don’t wear white if you’re eating mango sticky rice

Tack on Phi Phi Islands and James Bond Island (yes, the one with the weird rock in The Man with the Golden Gun) if you fancy a longtail boat cruise.

Find tours through GetYourGuide and go for options that include lunch and pickup.

The Best Beaches in Phuket That Don’t Suck

You’re not just here to look at water. You’re here for Banana Beach that makes you cry a little because it’s too beautiful to be real.

Here’s how to beach like a local:

  • Freedom Beach: Hidden, harder to reach, totally worth the trek
  • Kata Beach: Soft sand, beginner surfers, close to smoothie bowls
  • Surin Beach: Classy vibes, a bit quieter, easy to fall in love with
  • Nai Harn: Postcard-perfect and uncrowded—bring a picnic

Each one brings something different. And your Phuket travel guide needs at least two beach days. Minimum.

Where to Stay in Phuket (So You Don’t Regret It)

Let’s break it down:

  • Patong = nightlife, chaos, great if you want clubs and markets
  • Kata = couples, kids, chilled mornings with coconut pancakes
  • Kamala = honeymooners, peace, luxury (Keemala Resort is wild—think treehouse villas and jungle spas)
  • Old Town = cultural types, foodies, budget-friendly boutiques like Hotel Verdigris

Don’t stick to one place—split your stay. Do beachside for a few nights, then head inland to eat your weight in Thai food.

Eat Like You Mean It: Best Restaurants in Phuket

Thai food in Phuket hits different.

  • Three Monkeys: Jungle treehouse vibe, dreamy cocktails, sit outside after dark
  • Mom Tri’s Kitchen: Seaside dining with Mediterranean flair
  • Mor Mu Dong: Local spot by the mangroves, don’t wear nice shoes
  • Su Va Na: Fusion dishes served underwater—yes, actual fish outside your window

Street food? Head to Naka Weekend Market.
Look for stalls with long queues and no English. That’s where the magic is.

And yes, weird snacks are fair game. Fried scorpion? Add it to the list.

Drink Up: The Phuket Beach Bar Crawl You Didn’t Know You Needed

Forget bucket bars. Phuket has levelled up.

  • YONA Floating Beach Club: Yes, it’s literally floating. Boujee. Boozy. Unmissable.
  • Flamingo: Think bean bags in sand and sunset DJs
  • Café Del Mar: Day club turned golden hour epicentre on Kamala Beach
  • Pine Beach Bar: Laid-back, lush cocktails, fewer influencers

Pro tip? Bring a fan and don’t forget mosquito spray. You’re welcome.

More bars listed here: Best Craft Beer and Cocktail Bars in Phuket

Stuff to Actually Do in Phuket (Besides Nap and Eat)

When you’re full of pad thai and need to feel alive:

  • Muay Thai at Patong Stadium: Loud, sweaty, electric. Don’t skip the Wai Khru Ram Muay—the fighters’ ritual.
  • Zipline at Hanuman World: Scream your way across jungle treetops.
  • Chillva Market: Vintage finds, snacks, and live bands.
  • Big Buddha: 45-metre statue with killer views of the island. Take your shoes off, yeah?
  • Bang Pae Waterfall: Perfect for a hike and post-hike sit-down with a coconut.

Need more ideas? Top Day Trips from Phuket has you sorted.

Cafes in Phuket That Feel Like Pinterest Boards

You won’t just find flat whites in Melbourne.

  • The Cozy Café Phuket: Chill, minimal, nice carrot cake
  • A Blanket & A Pillow: Dreamy name, dreamier lattes
  • The Reef: By the sea, great for a post-swim cold brew
  • Cafe Viewpoint: Order something green and stare at the sea

Try one, try five. Just don’t expect them open past 7PM.

Find them all here: Best Cafes in Phuket

Get Around Without Losing Your Mind (or Wallet)

Phuket is bigger than you think.

  • Rent a scooter if you’re confident and have travel insurance
  • Use Grab for short rides (don’t haggle with taxis, it’s exhausting)
  • Songthaews are cheap but slow—fun for people-watching though

And always carry cash. Especially for markets, taxis, or emergency snacks.

Bonus: Quick FAQs People Google (so you don’t have to)

When’s the best time to visit Phuket?
 November to April. Dry, sunny, very much not monsoon.

Do I need a visa for Thailand?
 Most Western countries get 30 days visa-free. Always check latest entry rules.

Is Phuket good for families?
 Totally. Kata Beach, Aquariums, Trickeye Museum, and all the Thai food a toddler can fling.

Is tap water safe to drink?
 Nope. Stick to bottled or refill at water stations.

Where do I change money in Phuket?
 Currency exchange booths are everywhere. Airport ones have bad rates.

Is Phuket expensive?
 Can be. But you can live off 100 baht pad Thai and still be full and happy. Mix street food with fancy dinners.

This Phuket travel guide is your shortcut to all the island’s secrets.
Don’t just visit—dive into its beaches, bars, temples, and markets.