What to Do in Patong Beach?
Patong Beach is Phuket’s most popular resort town. It has a long sandy beach (about 3 km), an endless choice of hotels, restaurants, and shops, and a nightlife scene famous around the world. This is what brings millions of travellers here every year, even though some prefer to stay away from the crowds. If Bangkok is the Big Mango, Patong could be called the Big Durian: you’ll either love it or frown upon it 😀
Patong’s early success came from two things: a beautiful beach and exciting nightlife. The rest, such as shopping, dining, and massage, are just extra. The town can feel big, bright, busy, and noisy, but it has a great energy. A walk along Bangla Walking Street at night shows why Patong is so popular, with a mix of visitors from all walks of life. The nightlife has rooftop bars, beach clubs, tattoo studios, live bands, and big nightclubs. For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime party, while for others, it’s simply something fun to experience and talk about.
Patong Beach Travel Guide
Pros and Cons of Patong Beach
Pros of Patong Beach:
- Bustling nightlife hub with nightclubs, bars, and street markets.
- A wide range of accommodations from budget hostels to luxury resorts.
- Many restaurants and lively beach activities.
- Great shopping options, including malls, markets, and local shops.
- Plenty of entertainment, including Muay Thai stadiums and cabaret shows.
Cons of Patong Beach:
- Crowded and noisy, especially in peak season and along Bangla Road.
- Beach activities can be overwhelming, with frequent touts and jet skis.
- Less ideal for families or those seeking a quiet getaway.
WHAT TO DO IN PATONG BEACH?
Patong is full of action day and night, and you can make it as casual or lively as you want. After a night out, the beach is ready with loungers and umbrellas set on soft sand.
Beyond the beach and the nightlife, there is a lot to enjoy. The town has rooftop bars, night markets, street food, ziplining, cable skiing, cinemas, bowling alleys, and large shopping malls. There is always something to do, and much more fun to be had than many first-time visitors expect.
Obviously, The Beach!
If you decide to spend the day on the beach, you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, get a beach massage, try parasailing, or scare yourself by renting a jet ski. The beach is 3 kilometres long and often crowded in the middle part during the high season. Parking your car in the central part of the beach can be challenging, and even parking your motorbike can be a problem.
The northern part of the beach, not far from Novotel Phuket, Four Points by Sheraton and Graceland Resort, is more beautiful and less busy. There are fewer people in this part of Patong, more parking, and plenty of local food and fruit vendors to enjoy. Water is also clearer and bluer during the high season, and plenty of palm trees offer shade.
The water at the southern end is not always as transparent as in the north. You can rent umbrellas and beach chairs, which are available on 10% of the beach on this part of the beach (probably more now!). A long floating pontoon allows tourists to board longtail boats to take them to the beautiful and secluded Freedom Beach during the high season.
Beach Clubs in Patong
Patong Beach is home to three popular beach clubs and one seasonal floating club. Barra Cuda Beach Club, near the center, offers a lively pool party scene. Kudo Beach Club, also in the centre, is known for its beachfront pool and fun atmosphere. Fuga Beach Club, at the northern end, is more refined, with a good restaurant and relaxed vibe. Yona Beach Club, a floating club, operates offshore during high season and is popular for private parties and sunset cruises.
Surf House Phuket
Surf House Phuket Patong is a fun activity in Patong Beach with a prime location near Bangla Road and the beach nearby. It sounds like surfing, but don’t imagine a real surfboard on immense artificial waves; it’s more like a soft version of wakeboarding. Thankfully, it is also a lot easier than real surfing or even wakeboarding.
Jungceylon
Patong has become a full-scale shopping hub, and there is something for every budget and every type of shopper. Street shopping is where you’ll buy silly stuff; night markets are suitable for cheap clothing and knock-off brands. Shopping malls sell a mix of real brands, electronic goods, souvenirs and everything in between. Jungceylon is a lot more than just shopping. It’s full of restaurants and fun things to do, so whenever it rains or gets too hot, it’s a great place to spend some time.
WHERE TO STAY IN PATONG?
Patong has an incredible range of places to stay, from budget hotels on small side streets to luxury resorts right on the beach. Most visitors choose hotels near the beach or close to Bangla Walking Street to be in the centre of the action.
If you want peace and quiet, look for resorts at the northern or southern ends of the beach, which are a little more relaxed. There are also some excellent hillside hotels with great views of Patong Bay.
For those who come to enjoy the nightlife, many hotels and guesthouses sit within walking distance of the main party streets. Just keep in mind that rooms close to Bangla Walking Street can be noisy at night.
Patong is also very convenient for first-time visitors to Phuket, thanks to its many shopping centres, street food, massage shops, and travel agents. You can easily arrange island tours, boat trips, or transport to other parts of the island.
Hotels Near The Beach in Patong
Four Points by Sheraton
| 4 Stars – Facing The Beach |
Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort is a recent resort located near the bustling area of Patong Beach. Its prime location is one of the resort’s major attractions, as it is situated just across the street from the beach. The resort’s proximity to the famous Bangla Walking Street is another feature that makes it stand out, as it is a short distance from the heart of Patong nightlife. Read more
Range: 4-star
Swimming pools: 3
Restaurants and bars: 5
Distance to the beach: across the street
Distance to Bangla Road: 1.2 km
Check the rates
Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort
| 4 Stars – Facing The Beach |
Located along the beach road of Patong Beach, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort is a popular hotel with an excellent location, with the beach just across the street. The vibrant nightlife of Bangla Road is just a short tuk-tuk ride away. You can even walk there if you don’t mind a casual walk, as there are many restaurants, bars and shops to enjoy on the way. The hotel is big but spacious, with large rooms and vast swimming pools in large central areas, so it is not crowded. Read more
Range: 4-star
Swimming pools: 5
Restaurants and bars: 9
Distance to the beach: across the street
Distance to Bangla Road: 1.5 km
Check the rates
Hotel Clover Patong
| 4 Stars – Great Value – Near The Beach |
Hotel Clover Patong Phuket is a 4-star lifestyle hotel located in the heart of Patong Beach, the most popular tourist destination in Phuket. The hotel is just a short walk from the famous Bangla Road and all the excitement that Patong has to offer, yet it is on a quiet street near the beautiful beach, which offers travellers the most strategic location if they want to benefit from both. read more
Range: 4-star
Swimming pools: 1 on the rooftop
Restaurants and bars: 2
Distance to the closest beach: 100 m
Distance to Bangla Road: 200 m
Check the rates
Other Popular Hotels in Patong
WHERE TO EAT IN PATONG?
Restaurants are everywhere in Patong, serving anything from Japanese to Russian, but real Thai food is difficult to find. You’ll get some Thai restaurants serving decent Thai food, but you would hardly see a Thai person eating there, which should give you a clue. For instance, in Soi Post Office, roughly around the middle of the beach, is Sabai Sabai, a Thai restaurant popular among tourists. You will find little places to eat around these small streets, but the taste of the Thai food served is often adjusted and toned down to fit tourists’ palates.
Best Restaurants in Patong
L’arome by the Sea 
| Michelin Restaurant |
L’Arôme by the Sea is a contemporary French restaurant serving modern cuisine over Kalim Beach, with amazing views of the Andaman Sea. Chef Adrien Delcourt shares his passion with sophisticated dishes and surprising compositions in a perfectly balanced menu. Read more
Tambu
| Michelin Restaurant |
Tambu is a delicious Indian Restaurant located on the rooftop of Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong, perched on a hill 2 km south of Patong Beach. The restaurant is set in an immense and luxurious tent with a high ceiling and a chandelier, inspired by the tented Palaces in the era of the Mughal Emperors in India.
Acqua
| Michelin Restaurant |
Acqua is an award-winning Italian restaurant by Chef Alessandro Frau, located near Kalim Beach, just outside Patong. It has earned a Michelin Plate and is known for its creative, high-quality cuisine. The elegant, roadside venue features a large, cosy dining space. Chef Alessandro uses only the freshest ingredients, and his beautifully presented dishes always impress. The menu is vast, though many prefer the chef’s suggested tasting courses. Prices are high, but perfect for a special occasion or a true fine-dining experience.
Popular Local restaurants
No.6 Restaurant
No.6 Restaurant in Patong Beach has been a local favourite for over 30 years now. Located on Ratuthit Road, not far from Bangla Road, No.6 is known for its long queues and busy dining room. The restaurant has a vast choice of Thai dishes, including, of course, the popular Pad Thai and fried yellow noodles, all at reasonable prices. While the food is good, it’s the restaurant’s convenient location and word-of-mouth popularity that draw crowds. Be prepared for a lively dining experience, as seating is close and the environment is busy!
Kaab Gluay
Kaab Gluay is a small Thai restaurant on the edge of Patong Beach, open for more than 20 years. They serve a wide choice of real Thai dishes at low prices, with most plates around 100 to 120 baht. The menu comes with photos and simple English. Many locals and regular travellers know this place well, so it often fills up, but we always found a table. The team is friendly, and the food comes out fast. Their southern-style curries can be very spicy, so order with care. Kaab Gluay restaurant is easy to spot on the main road and offers a simple, honest dining experience at reasonable prices for Patong.
Street Food
Like everywhere in Thailand, street food is omnipresent in Patong, from noodle soup to fried chicken, fish, and rice. It’s cleaner than most newcomers think, very cheap and surprisingly good. You will often see carts along the beach with a little smoking barbecue attached to them. The fruit vendors and banana pancakes are the most popular!
WHAT TO DO AT NIGHT IN PATONG? 🍺
After a day on the beach or exploring Phuket, many people head to Soi Bangla, the heart of Patong’s nightlife. Here you’ll find bars, nightclubs, live music, cannabis shops, and of course, the famous Go-Go bars. Bangla Road really comes alive after 9 p.m., and just watching the crowd is quite entertaining. You’ll see tourists, vendors selling toys and flowers, ladies inviting you for a drink (at regular beer bars), touts flashing cards for go-go bar shows (avoid these — they often charge extra), street dancers, nightclub staff trying to get you in, and ladyboys offering photo ops (note: it’s not free!).
Patong Beach nightlife has changed a lot from the old days when it was mostly low-rise beer bars, go-go bars, and a few small discos. Today, you’ll also find great live music venues, beer bars, massive international nightclubs, beach clubs, and even rooftop bars — though the classic Go-Go bars are still around. You can also check out our list of fun things to do at night in Patong.
Bangla Walking Street
Patong nightlife happens mostly around Bangla Walking Street, all the way to Rat-U-Thit Road (the second road parallel to the beach). Every evening from 6 pm, this road closes to traffic and turns into a bustling walking street. Many entertainment battles to grab your attention, senses, and money on each side!
Night Clubs
Nightclubs in Patong Beach have reached an international level with a vibrant and lively party atmosphere. Expect great music and sound systems, high-tech, colourful lights, and enthusiastic crowds. The venues are now mostly on Bangla Road and often offer free entry, as well as feature international DJs.
Live Music Bars
Live bands are very popular in Phuket, and Patong features a few excellent bars with a stage equipped with good lighting and sound systems. The quality varies with the day and the hour, but the bands in Bangla Road are generally pretty good, and it only costs you one drink to enjoy any of them.
WHERE TO SHOP IN PATONG? 🛍️
Jungceylon is a popular shopping and dining complex near Bangla Road, perfect for when it rains or when the heat gets too much. Patong also has a growing number of night markets, full of fun street food that everyone seems to enjoy. While you’ll find plenty of goods on sale too, the dining areas are always the busiest. Shopping at bazaars and markets usually means picking up knockoff items like T-shirts, bags, sunglasses, and the ever-popular super-comfy ‘elephant pants,’ which typically cost just 100 to 150 baht.
You could say there’s something for everyone in Patong Beach, but it is very tourist-oriented. As you wander the streets, you’ll spot plenty of souvenir shops, Thai massage, foot massage, suitcase shops, art galleries, and tailor shops.
Night markets have become hugely popular in Patong, with at least four to explore — OTOP Market and Malin Plaza are the most famous. You’ll also find two modern shopping malls: Jungceylon and Central Patong, both offering a more polished shopping experience, plenty of restaurants, and a great escape from the heat. If you’d like to explore further, read our guide to Jungceylon Shopping Centre — and don’t miss Banzaan Fresh Market just behind it, a great spot to see local fruits, spices, and fresh products!
Jungceylon Shopping Mall
Jungceylon is a massive shopping and dining complex that occupies a strategic location in Patong near the famous Bangla Walking Street. Here you will find a department store, a huge supermarket, a cinema, and many restaurants serving all kinds of cuisines. Travellers often spend time here before the party, when it rains or even when it’s too hot.
Banzaan Fresh Market
Banzaan started as a fresh market on the lower level, a bazaar selling cheap clothing on the second floor, and a modest food court. Its popularity grew when it opened the night market, where visitors can buy mostly seafood and have it cooked on the spot. It is just a little cheaper than in a restaurant, but it’s more fun, typical of Southeast Asia.
Malin Plaza
Malin Plaza is a night market near the southern end of Patong Beach. They often visit in the evening for street food and drinks, but it also has clothes, souvenirs, and a few stalls selling spa products. It is not very big, but the choice of seafood and Thai snacks is good, and prices are fair. The market is open daily from late morning to midnight and is an easy stop when staying in Patong.
Street Shopping
Street shopping is fun and convenient, mostly because it is entertaining as you walk around. Usually, people are not here to shop, but something grabs their attention as they walk. It can be something they need but didn’t think about, but it’s usually just for the fun of buying. The demanded price always starts higher than expected, so bargaining is necessary. That starting price changes with seasonalities, central location (near Bangla), and crowd density: you should bargain harder during the high season, especially if the town is busy. With Covid, people are desperate to sell, so it’s better not to negotiate much.
WHAT TO DO NEARBY
Tiger Kingdom Phuket
Distance from Patong Beach: 5 km east of Patong
The Tiger Kingdom Phuket might not be to everyone’s taste and opinions. While it aims to educate and raise awareness about these magnificent creatures, concerns have been raised about the ethics of such interactions and the impact on tiger welfare. We went to see for ourselves if the animals were well treated. The place is surprisingly large, clean and very well organised and as soon as you enter, you’ll see the several options offered to the visitors.
While Patong Beach has a lot of casual things to do, there are a lot of activities to enjoy nearby, such as Surfing, Go-Kart, Tiger Kingdom, Ziplining, and waterfalls.
More Beaches near Patong
Freedom Beach
Distance from Patong Beach: 5 km south of Patong
Freedom Beach is one of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches, but not the easiest to reach. It sits just south of Patong, hidden by hills and forest. The beach is a 300-metre strip of soft white sand, with clear water that’s great for swimming. I usually get there by longtail boat from Patong or walk down the steep path from the car park. There are a couple of small restaurants on the beach, but it stays pretty quiet most of the time. If you want a peaceful day by the sea, away from the crowds, this is still one of the best spots.
Tri Trang Beach
Distance from Patong Beach: 4.8 km south of Patong
Tri Trang Beach is just a few kilometres south of Patong, but it feels like a different world. The beach is long and often very quiet, with soft sand and clear shallow water at low tide. I like to stop here on my way to Freedom Beach. You won’t find many vendors or beach clubs, but a few small panoramic restaurants on the roadside. The sea is not always great for swimming because of the rocks, but it is perfect for a walk or relaxing by the water. A good spot if you want some peace.
Paradise Beach
Distance from Patong Beach: 7 km south of Patong
Paradise Beach is a small private beach just a short drive from Patong, with soft sand and clear blue water. There is a 200 baht entrance fee, but in return, you get a clean beach with facilities, sun loungers, and a restaurant. I usually go there on a quiet morning, as it can get busy with day-trippers and party boats later in the day. The beach is good for swimming at high tide, and there’s even a spot for snorkelling near the rocks. It’s a fun place if you don’t mind the fee and a bit of a ‘managed’ beach experience.
PATONG BEACH INFORMATION
Getting around Patong
Getting around Patong and beyond is very easy and stress-free. Tuk Tuks are the most obvious way to go anywhere and can be fun, but the price varies depending on each driver, so always agree on the price before stepping in. Motorbike taxis are cheap, fast and a casual way to cover short distances.
Exchanging Money
While you can easily exchange money in your hotel, exchanging money in street booths always offers a better value. Some are official banks, and some are unbranded booths, but they are always safe to use. Just double-check the amount before leaving, but we haven’t heard any complaints. ATMs are also everywhere, convenient and safe to use.
Is Patong Beach safe?
Patong Beach is very safe, considering the massive number of tourists visiting it yearly. Of course, just like in any city, there are a few incidents and occasional tourist scams, but if you use your common sense, you will never feel threatened or worried, even very late at night. Patong Beach is very much alive until 4 a.m., and finding a tuk-tuk to return to your hotel is always easy, and it’s a lot safer than driving your motorbike if you have a few drinks!
Day Trips and Excursions from Patong
There are dozens of day trips, cruises, and excursions available around Phuket Island and beyond, and all can be booked on the street, at your hotel, or even online. What’s great is that all tours include pick-up at your hotel and transfer to the pier when your boat departs. It is easygoing and stress-free!
Fast Facts about Patong Beach
| ⛱️ Beach condition: | Good but busy |
| ⛱️ Other beach nearby: | Freedom Beach |
| 📷 Thing to do: | Bangla Walking Street |
| 🍴 Best restaurant nearby: | L'Arome by the Sea |
| 🍹 Best Sunset Bar: | Wassa Homemade Bar |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Rosewood Phuket |
| 🧳 Best mid range hotel: | Baan Laimai |
| 🛌 Best budget hotel: | The Bloc Hotel |
| 🚙 Distance to Kata Beach: | 10 km |
| 🚙 Distance to Phuket Town: | 14 km |
| ✈️ Distance from Phuket International Airport: | 37 km |
PATONG BEACH PHOTOS
