Top 20: what to see in Phuket on your own? My review

We have been to Phuket three times.
Since spending days on the beach is not our hobby, all three times we searched for routes, rented bikes, booked excursions and watched and explored the island of Phuket. In general, we did everything so that not only seascapes remained in the photo feed.

Here I will tell you: what to see in Phuket on your own, where to go - or go - with a guide, and where the most unusual places are hiding (for example, those that go under the code name "gibbon flight" or "there was Leo, who was DiCaprio") ...

Phuket landmarks

Phuket is a big island. And if you live on the main beaches (there are three of them: Patong, Karon and Kata), many attractions cannot be reached on foot, you need to rent two / four wheels. Another option is to order a taxi or a sightseeing tour.

When the sights were handed out, Phuket was clearly queuing up for nature. How else to explain that almost all interesting places here are nature reserves, parks, beaches, observation decks and nearby islands?
Phuket also begged for a generous handful of "peppery" entertainment - you've probably heard about the peculiarities of Thai nightlife.
But he came to architectural delights last - buildings worthy of attention can be found only in the capital Phuket Town (the colonial style is still alive here). Religious temples in Phuket also do not differ in variety - there seem to be only two of them.

And now about each location in more detail. Please do not take the information below as an accurate guide to where to visit the island. This is just our feedback and experience; and the vacation is yours. So plan, visit, relax!

Big Buddha (Big Buddha)

What it is?
Big Buddha is a huge statue of Buddha "sitting" on a high hill. And also - the main attraction of Phuket. Simultaneously performs several functions:

• observation deck with views of the sea and Phuket town
• location for classic photographs "I was visiting Buddha"
• Temple

It's worth visiting at least once. To concentrate impressions, in addition, you can rub the gong - right at the entrance after parking - in order, as they say, to prepare yourself and your "subtle vibrations" for the meeting. And after a photo with the Buddha and a survey of the territory at its foot - get in line to tie a rope with a monk (reward at your discretion).

There are a lot of people here during the day and in the evening, so it's better to come in the morning (I don't promise that there will be no tourists at all, but an order of magnitude less).

The complex is still under construction for a dozen years. Remember that Big Buddha loves respect and therefore requires covering the shoulders and knees of women and the torso of men. At the entrance you will be offered a free sari.

How much is?
The entrance to the territory is free, there is parking.

How to get there?
Bike / auto (it is easy to drive according to the navigator, since this path has been trodden by thousands of tourists), taxi (600 baht from Patong one way), excursion.

Wat Chalong Temple

What it is?
Another temple in Phuket, but on a larger scale. A casket with the relics of the Buddha himself adds to the seriousness of Wat Chalong - a fragment of his humerus is kept here. Tourists are always crowded on the territory, since the temple is included in the compulsory program of any excursion. The local infrastructure is also lined up for them. There are whole rows of shops where you can buy everything - from aroma sticks to live fish, which it is advisable to release into the pond and thereby clear karma.

How much is?
Wat Chalong Temple is free, but dress code must be observed - covered shoulders and knees, taking off your shoes when entering the premises.

Phuket town

What it is?
There is the island of Phuket, and its capital is Phuket Town. Located on the opposite shore from the main beaches, this is a real town with distinct streets, districts, parks and even a couple of photogenic locations.
But many holidaymakers do not come here, because there is nothing to do, especially for a novice tourist. Look at the life of the locals and understand what the capital is like? Or maybe it's better to go to the beach?

What's worthwhile in Phuket Town?

• Rang Hill view point - free observation deck
• Streets Soi Romani and Thalang road - the same colored houses from the photographs are located here.
• City markets - for example Phuket Town Central Market or Sunday Walking Street Market; the first is daily, where you can buy cheap fruits, the second is on Sunday evening, there are shops with food, clothes and other products from local craftsmen.
• Hotel The Memory at On On Hotel - if you watched the movie "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio, you will recognize the hotel from the initial shots by the signboard. Contrary to the plot, the shooting took place in Phuket Town, not Bangkok.

How to get there?
Bike / auto, taxi, there is a bus from Patong, Karon and Kata (40 baht).

Cape Promthep

What it is?
For me, Promthep Cape is one of the must-see places in Phuket. This is the southernmost point of the island, a large area that turns into a narrow strip, beyond which there is only the ocean. The views here are really unique, and you want to stay and not leave as long as possible ... Despite the fact that during sunset there is no smell of solitude here.

• Another well-known location near Promthep Cape is Windmill viewpoint... Observation deck next to the windmill.
• And on the way back to the beaches, you can capture and Karon Observation Deck - another overview, from where you can see not just the sea, but also the main beaches of Phuket (Patong, Karon and Kata).

How to get there?
Both by bike and by car or taxi. There is no public transport.

Beach with planes + calmest beach

What it is?
Mai Khao Beach is the same beach with planes. "The same", that is, periodically flashing in the photo in the Instagram feed, where people catch the plane in their palm. The beach is large, but you will find the most advantageous angles with flying cars from a handful of "models" and photographers.

At the same time, Mai Khao and neighboring Nai Yang are quiet beaches without being too touristy, in case you are tired of noise, music and crowds. Mai Khao is quite rustic, with rare infrastructure found near expensive hotels. Nai Yang is located near the settlement of the same name, and there are shops, markets, cafes, massage parlors, etc. Phuket Airport is within walking distance, but there is no noise. The sea is calm, transparent, but empty. Fans of snorkeling and diving are better off heading to the south of the island.

How to get there?
Bike / auto, taxi.

Monkey Hill

Before the trip, I associated Thailand with elephants and snakes (about the latter - I don't know why). Then I realized that Ty is not about these two species at all. I have not seen crawlers at all, and the trunks live in special zones. But who is found on every corner in Phuket is ... oh-be-zyana.

What it is?
Monkey Hill, aka Monkey Hill, is a natural area where monkeys live. Arrogant, fearless and always hungry, I must say! Be careful, for them to steal a hairpin, glasses and even a phone is a sacred matter.
The access road is rather narrow, so it is more comfortable to ride the bike. Monkey food can be bought at the foot for 20 baht. At the top of the mountain there is a small observation deck overlooking the city. We did not know about it, so we did not climb above the last platform.
And remember that monkeys are wild animals that can behave aggressively. Before my eyes, one of these climbed onto the shoulders of a woman, scratching her leg, and bit her finger.

Gibbon Rehabilitation Center and Waterfall

What it is?
Founded by volunteers and funded by donations, the Rehabilitation Center rescues captive gibbons. Of course, it is forbidden to touch the animals, but visitors can observe them from special observation platforms. Google the gibbons and the decision to go or not will come by itself.

The center is one of the points on the territory of the national reserve-park. There is also Bang Pae waterfall... They say the most beautiful in Phuket. It can be reached on foot from the gibbons.

How much is?
The Center itself is free of charge, but you have to pay the cost of a ticket for entering / entering the park territory - 200 baht per person.

Night shows in Phuket

What it is?
You can paint as much as you like about natural beauty, but we all know what kind of entertainment a tourist is looking for in Phuket, right? Night shows!

With or without the participation of Thais who were Thais, there is no huge secret with secret locations in Phuket. The most primitive variations of them (and sometimes shocking, like a ping-pong show) can be easily found on Bangla Road. Here and barkers, and "live" advertising. This is not an idea for the whole family.

For more complex, "acting", with beautiful scenery - and decent, suitable for children - you need to go further than to Patong. My relatives, who love singing fountains, loud music, performances and theater, loved it.
There are three popular shows in Phuket, they cost in the range of 2000-4000 rubles per person: * not such a wasteful way to spend Thai baht, given the cost of excursions

- Tickets for the Simon Cabaret drag show

- Tickets for Siam Niramit show

- Tickets for the show Fantasy

How to get there?
You can take a ticket with a transfer to all shows.

Patong Beach and Bangla Road

What it is?
Patong is the most famous beach in Phuket. Bangla Road (Bangla Road) - a small street that turns into a pedestrian in the evenings, the center debauchery the nightlife of the whole island.

As much as I love Patong for its noise, it is still a real attraction in Phuket. There are parties, reggae, strip and alcohol bars. Life is in full swing! At night, young people gather on the beach (Bangla Road just overlooks Patong), floodlights from neighboring bars illuminate the sky, music plays loudly. After midnight, the streets are still full of people and cars. All lovers of nightlife should go here, hang out from the heart.

Flying hanuman

What it is?
Flying Hanuman (in Russian, Flight of the Gibbon) is the most extreme entertainment in Phuket after renting a bike :) At least for me: I am afraid of any height.

It is a large complex in the rainforest with various routes. But not pedestrian, but "soaring" - you are hooked to the cable and sent flying to the next platform. Adrenalin! But by the way, there are a lot of children on the ride. I alone, an old woman, huddled against the trees. At the end, they are treated to fresh fruit. Even cowards like me are worth a try. It's safe and I liked it.

How much is?
There are three programs: for 3,490 baht (7,600 rubles), 3,250 baht (7,100 rubles) and 2,300 baht (5,000 rubles) per person. I advise you to look at tickets on Klook, promotions often happen there and even with a transfer it is cheaper. Programs differ in duration, number of platforms and included / not included lunch. We took the shortest one, as we weren't sure if I would dare to go up. Now I regret not taking more.

Thai cooking lesson

What it is?
Nothing less than a classy culinary experience with a Thai food connoisseur. But not for everyone. I love to cook, so I took a master class to find out the secrets of local cuisine. True, it was in neighboring Khao Lak.

In Phuket, I know for sure, lessons in Pum Thai Restaurant and Cooking School (Patong). The duration of the classes varies from 30 minutes to 6 hours. Bringing home the knowledge of how to cook your favorite Thai dish is - I believe - more than a simple souvenir!

It's important to know.
Training takes place in English.

How much is?
Prices for a lesson in a regular school start at 500 baht (1100 rubles). For self-confident chefs, I recommend Phuket Thai Cooking Academy (my next goal).

Where to go from Phuket?

What to see on your own in Phuket - told. Where is it better to take a tour? It is logical that beyond the limits of the island, to where great distances lie ahead.

If you buy a tour on the street, check the availability of a Russian-speaking guide, if you need one, BEFORE buying, otherwise we knew such ... 🙂

The best excursions in Phuket

But once we were on vacation with our parents, we could not help but take an excursion? And our blog obliged to try new trends and sites. So we got acquainted with the domestic service Tripster - where you can book an excursion from a local resident IN RUSSIAN LANGUAGE anywhere in the world. Moreover, individual tours are more developed, for 4-6 people (just for a family), but there are also group tours. The prices are plus or minus as on the spot, but the programs are more interesting, and the guides are more modern.

Excursions in Phuket on Tripster are also presented. Based on my experience with the service, I'm sure they are awesome. However, this can be checked by the number and content of reviews (there are many of them, and they are positive).

In addition to Tripster, I found another popular site for Southeast Asia:

• Klook - Here you can book more exotic activities in Phuket like shows, cooking classes and helicopter flights.

Similans

Just 84 kilometers northwest of Phuket, you will arrive at the Similan Islands. Nine islands are protected by a national park, tourists are allowed to travel to only two of them (fourth and eighth).

The islands are very beautiful, a real paradise with white sand and blue water, just like in the brochure! The only negative is too crowded during the season. I concluded that something similar in species can be found if you go to Surin Beach.

How much is?
From 2,000 baht (4,400 rubles). It is more profitable to take on the spot.

Phang Nga Cruise

Phang Nga is a province and bay adjacent to Phuket. It is worth seeing the emerald green waters surrounded by cliffs and water caves and the island where one of the James Bond films was filmed. I went on this excursion twice and never regretted it.

How much is?
From 2,000 baht (4,400 rubles).

I love it when you take a boat to a flooded cave! Therefore, I advise you to choose the option of an excursion with canoeing, for example, like this one:

Lake Cheo Lan

Long excursion, but very picturesque. Here and a boat trip on the lake with "avatar" landscapes, and temples, and caves, and swimming.

Therefore, more often Cheow Lan is taken for two days, so as not to spend the whole day on the road and fully experience all the beauty of the lake. For a two-day excursion, houses are rented right on the water.

How much is?
From 2500 baht (5500 rubles) for 1 day, from 4000 baht (8800 rubles) for 2 days.

Excursion to the Khai Islands

Ideal for families with children. It is not far from Phuket, the child will not get tired on the road. There are a lot of fish on the islands themselves, it's not for nothing that they are also called "islands of a million fish" - the child will have something to see. White sand and many shells.

How much is?
From 1000 baht (2200 rubles).

The most daring

A radical answer to the question: where to go from Phuket - Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and even Bangkok ... Yes, if you arrived on a tour to Phuket, this does not limit your freedom of movement! :)

The island has a large international airport, and flights between the countries of Southeast Asia (and across Thailand itself) are too cheap not to be interested. We flew like this for 3 days to Singapore. Just took tickets for Aviasales, booked a hostel on Booking - and off you go! Caution: for visa-free travel to Singapore, you must fly through a third country. Easier to Malaysia or Cambodia.

What to see in Phuket with children?

Finding things to do in Phuket with kids is easy. It seems that they can tumble into the sea all day, and upon arrival at the hotel, they can dive in the pool for another hour. Energy overflows. So where else can you direct it?

• Snorkeling - everyone loves it. Put on a mask, and there is a whole underwater world in front of your eyes. In Phuket, you can see sea urchins, crab, fish. The best snorkeling on the island is Karon and Kata beaches, there are more corals.
• Oceanarium - if you are tired of looking at fish through a mask or you want to hide from the evil tropical sun in the shade, then in Phuket Town there is a small oceanarium. It is not very interesting for a sophisticated adult to visit it, but a child will definitely be surprised at something.
  Admission ticket for adults - from 180 baht, children - 100 baht
• Water Park - Just outside the north end of the airport is the Splash Jungle Water Park.The water park has 7 differently designed thematic zones, many slides suitable for children.
  Adult ticket - 1450 baht, children (5-11 years old) - 700 baht
• Kennel - The Soi Dog Foundation is a good place to visit with children. Here, like in a zoo, you can look at animals, and you can also pet and hug them. Visitors love cute kittens and puppies most of all. The shelter helps stray dogs and cats and teaches love. The sweetest place in Phuket with courteous volunteer workers who will lead you on a sightseeing tour.
• The zoo is quite small and quite old. It is worth going there if you have already tried all of the above, or if your child loves zoos. Only recommend for visiting with children.
  Adult ticket - 1500 baht, for children from 5 to 12 years old - 1200 baht

Beaches in Phuket

"Exotic" is Phuket's middle name. An idyllic island in the sea that attracts tourists from all over the world.

So far, we have detailed articles on the following popular Phuket beaches:

• Patong
• Karon

What's in the secluded corners?

- Kata Noi Beach - there are noticeably fewer people there, everything is very well-groomed and beautiful. It is considered the most expensive in Phuket.

- Nai Harn Beach - just like Kata Noi, allows you to move away from the crowds of tourists and feel the beauty of the Andaman Sea.

- Laem Ka beach is one of the southernmost beaches. On any day of the week, the few holidaymakers enjoy the tranquility. The perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle.

- Freedom Beach is the place where tourists tired from the noise of Patong run. Getting there is not easy.

- The beaches of Mai Khao and Nai Yang are my favorite calm deserted beaches in the north of the island.

Phuket Attractions Map

My review about Phuket

If the reviews about what to see in Phuket do not differ in originality (tourists travel to the same 5-7 places), then the rest in Thailand itself causes more responses.

We love Asia and the most popular resort in Thailand - Phuket. Every year there are more and more tourists here, and there are fewer authentic places, but this only gives Phuket its new unique look, which will find its lover. The only thing that deeply upsets me is the garbage, which is also becoming more and more.

Everyone comes here for something of their own. Tour all the sights of Phuket by bike or car, try your hand at Thai boxing, meditate on a deserted beach or relax in a luxury hotel and gorge on fruit ... Here you can see everything: the good and bad elements of Thai tourism - from crowded beaches and sex tourism to tiny villages no tourists and rainforests with waterfalls.

Most tourists go to the developed south of Phuket, to the beaches of Karon, Kata and Patong. If noise is not your thing, then you need to stay away from Patong. The northern part of the island is one of our favorite places to visit in all of Thailand. This is a paradise without crowds, crazy tourists and extra charges.

I suggest you continue reading with our informative and interesting article: