Our Phuket Travel Guide and personal blog share 30 years of passionate exploration and photography to help you plan your trip. We’ll help you prepare it, decide where to stay to fit your holiday style, pick all the best things to do, and even discover some hidden gems off the beaten track, secret beaches, and amazing islands. Try some truly local Thai food in local restaurants, explore night markets, and discover the notorious nightlife and the famous Bangla Road in Patong Beach.
What are the best party places for New Year’s Eve in Phuket? This is a big question that is coming up soon. New Year is a day like no other, and this is the place to be! Phuket is pretty much a party all year round, so you can expect some serious Read More
After 30 years here, I still find new things to do. That says a lot about this island. Yes, there are over 40 beaches, but Phuket goes far beyond sunbathing. The Big Buddha is worth the drive up the hill. Old Phuket Town is a full morning of walking, eating, and photographing old Sino-Portuguese shophouses. The temples are genuinely beautiful if you take time to explore them properly. And once you’ve seen the island, there’s Phang Nga Bay with its dramatic limestone karsts, James Bond Island, and dozens of smaller islands you can reach in under an hour by speedboat. I’ve listed everything we’ve explored over the years, from the obvious highlights to places most visitors never hear about.
Many visitors think the real Phuket is gone, lost under all the development and beach resorts. But it’s still here, just harder to spot. Old family-run restaurants still serve the same local dishes they’ve made for decades. Historic streets, Chinese shrines, Thai temples, and quiet museums still tell the story of the island’s past. You just need to know where to look. That’s what we do: help you find the places locals still love and visit every day. The real Phuket is not a show. It’s lived, it’s authentic, and it’s worth discovering.
Phuket is known today for its beach clubs, resorts, and nightlife, but beyond the modern lifestyle, there is another side that many forget — what we call the “Real Phuket.” Read More
Our list of the best local Thai restaurants in Phuket keeps growing because local food in Phuket is great, especially if you step away from Patong Beach! We chose not Read More
Our Old Phuket Town and Old Street Walking Guide will save you time and effort! The historical part of Phuket is not huge but is rich and exciting enough to Read More
Phuket’s monsoon season can be unpredictable. It doesn’t rain all day, every day, but when it does, it pours. The good news? You don’t have to waste a day hiding in your hotel. We’ve lived here long enough to know how to make the most of a rainy day, and there are actually plenty of fun things to do when the sky turns grey. From local food adventures to indoor activities you might not expect, we’ll help you turn a wet day into something worth remembering.
Our Phuket Webcam lets you see what the weather in Phuket looks like right now from a unique bird's view of Patong beach from a live cam located at the top of the Patong Tower. Read More
Phuket weather in January is usually as perfect as it gets. The sky is spotless, the sea is crystal clear and quiet, and the temperature is perfect, cooler than in other months. Read More
February is still the high season in Phuket, and the conditions are perfect. The sky is blue, the sea is calm and clear, and the temperature is still comfortable. Read More
We explored more than 40 amazing beaches to help you decide which beach you wish to stay on and which beach you want to explore during your holiday. We also remind you that the situation is very different during high season and low season.
Most of the sandy beaches are on the west coast.
The most popular beaches are in the southwest, but also the busiest: Patong, Kata, and Karon can be bustling during the high season.
The central west part of the island is getting trendy: Kamala and Bang Tao Beaches now offer many fancy restaurants, beach clubs, and a wide choice of affordable 4- and 5-star resorts.
The northwest beaches, such as Naithon, Nai Yang, and Mai Khao, are peaceful and have enough restaurants and great hotels for a great holiday.
Patong Beach is Phuket's busiest beach and the island's main tourist hub. The beach stretches 3 kilometres along the west coast, with soft sand, warm water, and rows of umbrellas and loungers for rent. Read More
Kata Beach, on the west coast of Phuket island, is one of the most visited beaches after Patong Beach. Kata enjoys a lovely sandy bay with an incredibly blue sea and an iconic island standing in the middle of the ocean. Read More
Karon is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, ranking 3rd on our beach popularity page. It enjoys a 3 kilometres stretch of white sand, a decent choice of dining and nightlife, and never seems to draw crowds of tourists. Read More
Kamala Beach is a very nice beach with a tranquil atmosphere on the west coast of Phuket, popular with families and travellers who prefer a quiet holiday. Read More
Bang Tao Beach is one of the longest beaches in Phuket, halfway between Phuket airport and Patong Beach on the island's west coast and part of the Cherngtalay area. Read More
Nai Harn is a superb beach with soft, smooth white sand tucked between green hills and a couple of tiny islands in the south of Phuket. Nai Harn has enough restaurants, hotels, and shops near the beach for a great day. Read More
Mai Khao Beach is 11 kilometres long, the longest beach in Phuket, and because it is part of the Sirinat National Park, it still looks in some parts as deserted as when we first visited it in 1990. Read More
The Phi Phi islands are blessed with beaches and nearby islands that are more beautiful than ever. So many travellers wonder what the islands look like, how to get there, and how long they should stay. Read More
With your precious holiday time after you have finally dropped your suitcase in the perfect hotel! We help you with each of these steps… and more!
There is a vast range of hotels for all budgets, and it can be challenging to pick the right beach and hotel in Phuket. We found most hotels on the island’s main beaches: Patong, Kata, Karon, Kamala, Bang Tao, Maikhao, and Old Town. Before diving into this section of our travel guide, it is good to consider what you want for your holiday.
Finding the right family resort in Phuket is as challenging as it is important. Phuket has a great range of hotels that appeal to families, from cosy guesthouses with local charm to sprawling luxury resorts. Read More
Staying in a true beachfront resort in Phuket is the obvious dream of most people travelling to a tropical island. The beaches of Phuket can be pretty amazing, and there are thousands of hotels here now, but those right on the sand are minimal, not to mention costly too. Read More
Picking the right beach to book your hotel can and will significantly impact your holiday. There are 44 beaches in Phuket, and they can be divided into four categories, plus Phuket Town. The beaches where most people book their hotels are Patong Beach, Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Bang Tao, and Kamala. Read More
Staying in one of the amazing pool villas of Phuket, overlooking the Andaman Sea is, without a doubt, the most fantastic way to enjoy a holiday on the island. If you can afford such luxury, of course. Read More
Here are some of the best hotels in Phuket that we personally enjoyed the most. We stayed in these hotels without informing them in advance, so our experience was exactly like any other guest, and we can recommend each one without hesitation. Read More
Patong Beach hotels come at many prices, sizes, and locations, so finding a hotel in Phuket that will please your budget and all your needs can be tricky. Many readers ask for our suggestions, but no hotel in Patong fits all. Read More
Every time I fly into Phuket, I look out the window and count the islands below. There are so many. Phi Phi gets all the attention, and it deserves it, but the islands around Phuket go far beyond that one famous destination. Racha Island has some of the clearest water I’ve seen anywhere. Coral Island is close enough for a half-day trip. Koh Yao Noi feels like stepping back 20 years, quiet and unhurried. And Phang Nga Bay, with its hundreds of karst islands rising from the water, never gets old no matter how many times I go. If you have time, don’t just stay on Phuket. Get on a boat.
There are so many big and small islands around Phuket; it would take forever to visit them all. Most are not far, and you should consider island hopping for your trip or even a private cruise. These are just a few islands near Phuket... Read More
Thai food is an endless discovery, and if food is as important to you as it is to us, Phuket will surprise you! Experience true local food with us, as there is much to enjoy in southern Thailand, from the cheapest street food to Michelin restaurants and everything in between.
Our list of the best local Thai restaurants in Phuket keeps growing because local food in Phuket is great, especially if you step away from Patong Beach! We chose not to list any places and no trendy venues here; our blog is about local Read More
Having Michelin Restaurants in Phuket since 2019 proves that Phuket has reached a new level on the international culinary stage. The island is evolving fast and in many directions Read More
The list of the Best Restaurants in Phuket is growing fast, especially since the Michelin Guide has arrived on the island. Phuket's culinary scene has evolved a lot in recent years, and the choice of restaurants has grown tremendously. Read More
Phuket is genuinely easy to travel with children. The beaches are safe (during high season) and shallow in the right spots, there’s always something to do when kids get restless, and Thai people are incredibly welcoming to families. Beyond the usual beach days, you’ll find water parks, aquariums, elephant sanctuaries (the ethical ones), and enough night markets to keep everyone happy. Most family-friendly resorts have kids’ clubs and pools with slides, so parents can actually relax. The main thing to know: pick the right beach (Kata and Bang Tao work well for families) and book a hotel with decent facilities, and you’re set.
Phuket is a great destination for families, as there are many fun things to do in Phuket with kids and the whole family. Of course, you could spend your entire holiday on the beach and in the sea with your children, but it would be a waste not to add some activities to your stay. Read More
Patong Beach nightlife has always been legendary; it’s pretty unique and as fun and wild as you want it to be. Bangla Walking Street, also known as Bangla Road, is where you will find clubs with famous international DJs, excellent live music bands that won’t cost you more than a drink to enjoy, dozens of easy-going beer bars, and, of course, the go-go bars that always trigger curiosity.
Reviews of all the beach clubs I've visited around Phuket. From relaxing hideaways with your feet in the sand to late party clubs, there's one for everyone! Read More
I love shopping in Phuket, and there’s no shortage of places to do it. The night markets are where I spend most of my time. The Sunday Walking Street in Old Town is the most popular, and it’s worth going for the food alone, but the stalls selling local crafts and clothes are just as good. Chillva Market has a younger vibe on weekday evenings. Naka Weekend Market is huge and chaotic, which is part of the fun. For air-conditioned shopping, Jungceylon in Patong has everything you’d expect from a big mall, plus it’s a good escape when it rains. Central Phuket, near the town, is even bigger and has become my go-to for serious shopping. But honestly, the real finds are still at the markets, not the malls.
Night markets in Phuket are always fun; from the new Chillva Market to the giant Naka Weekend Market or the Sunday Walking Market in Phuket Town, almost everyone loves to browse the incredible array of things you don't need. Read More
Jungceylon Phuket, located in the heart of Patong Beach, just a few minutes' walk from Bangla Road, is still the largest mall on the island at over 200,000 square meters Read More
Central Phuket is one of the biggest malls on the island, split into two massive wings on either side of a wide road: Festival and Floresta. If you're just exploring, it can feel like two different malls, but it’s actually one big complex. Read More
This section of our travel guide covers all the aspects and elements you need to plan your first time in Phuket or next trip, from the correct Phuket pronunciation to weather information, when is the best time to come, weather information month by month (even with a live webcam!), where to exchange money at the best rates as there are many options for getting Thai Baht, but the best rate is in the street and at the many ATMs around the island. We also share some information on driving, car rentals, and scooter rentals, but remember that driving here can be challenging for beginners!
Our Phuket Webcam lets you see what the weather in Phuket looks like right now from a unique bird's view of Patong beach from a live cam located at the top of the Patong Tower. Read More
Phuket Taxis, Tuk Tuks or Buses? What is the best way to get around Phuket? Finding the right transportation can be a worry as Phuket doesn't have a good public transport system, but it is very easy to go around Read More
Phuket Weather can and will impact your holiday, so deciding the best month to visit Phuket is key and also depends on what you like to do during your holiday. Read More
The Phuket 101 Directory is a fast-growing resource for anyone planning a trip to Phuket. Joining the directory is free, and it continues to expand, so you’re sure to find the latest local updates. Travellers can easily search for restaurants, shops, attractions, and nightlife venues close to their hotels or favourite beaches. With options sorted by type, location, and popularity, the directory helps make every trip simple and organised. Add your own business for FREE to the directory here.
The Phuket Event Calendar helps travellers discover what’s happening across the island. Submitting your event is completely free, and the calendar continues to grow with fresh updates every week. Travellers can browse festivals, dining promotions, sports events, concerts, and special celebrations happening near their hotels or favourite areas. Events are sorted by date, type, and location, so planning becomes simple and organised. From major island-wide festivals to intimate hotel gatherings, the calendar connects visitors with Phuket’s vibrant lifestyle. To add your events, click here.
Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025 transforms the island into a living gallery from 29 November 2025 to 30 April 2026. The fourth edition of this roving contemporary art exhibition features over 60 artists across historic, natural, and civic spaces. Read More
What are the best party places for New Year’s Eve in Phuket? This is a big question that is coming up soon. New Year is a day like no other, and this is the place to be! Phuket is pretty much a party all year round, so you can expect some serious happening all around the island. Read More
EDC Thailand 2026 runs 16–18 January 2026 at the new Rhythm Park venue in Bang Tao Beach, Phuket, with three nights of large-scale stages, art, and performers under the Electric Sky. Read More
