For many years Phuket has broken records in popularity and demand among travelers. And not without reason, because the resorts of the island are located on excellent beaches, the sea water pleases with its cleanliness and transparency, and the prices for vacations have always been kept at an affordable level.
According to many tourists, Phuket is a solid and worthy compromise between the controversial Pattaya and places like Koh Samui, Krabi or Phi Phi. The island has heavenly views, tranquil lagoons, traditional temples, and hundreds of entertainment venues.
In the capital of the island, Phuket Town, you can wander the streets and enjoy the amazing architecture, and then rent a bike and drive to one of the many viewing platforms or any beach. Everything is close by, so the traveler does not have to overcome hundreds of kilometers of tiresome road.
The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles / day
What to see and where to go in Phuket?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Big Buddha in Phuket
The monument is 45 meters high, installed on the Nakkerd hill in the southern part of the city. The statue of Buddha is part of a large temple complex that is being built with charitable funds. The construction of the monastery began in 2002 and continues to this day. Everyone can donate money for construction. The majestic statue of the god is visible from many points in Phuket, several roads lead from the coast to the site.
Wat Chalong Temple
The temple is located in the center of the island on the way to the Big Buddha statue. The attraction is included in all Phuket sightseeing tours. Wat Chalong is the largest and most picturesque temple on the island, it is deservedly popular with tourists. In the interior, gilding predominates in the decoration of the elements, the floor is made of marble. The walls are painted with frescoes depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha.
Suwan Khiri Ket Temple
The building was built at the very end of the 19th century in the area of Karon Beach. The small building of the temple looks quite well-groomed, as it is carefully monitored. At the entrance there are emerald-colored figures of guard kites. Twice a week, there is a night market on the site near the temple, where you can buy food and clothing. Some tourists claim that it is possible to enter the territory of the monastery in a swimsuit, given its location on the beach.
Phuket old town
Phuket - town is located in the interior of the island, away from the beaten tourist paths. There are no beaches and vacation entertainment, but it has its own special atmosphere. The 19th century mansions that adorn the streets of the old city are built in the Sino-Portuguese style - a mixture of Chinese and European traditions, which indicates the times of the alternate dominance of the Portuguese and Chinese on the island.
Sarasin bridge
Bridge built in 1967, which connects Phuket with the mainland of Thailand. Over time, he ceased to cope with the increased flow of cars. In 2011, a new modern bridge was built nearby and Sarasin became a pedestrian one. A viewing platform was equipped here, which overlooks the Phang-Ga Bay and the exit to the Andaman Sea. At the foot of the bridge, there are restaurants serving fresh seafood.
Bangla Road
Walking alley on Patong Beach, the center of Phuket's nightlife. There are more than 200 bars, several large night discos, shops, shows for adults. During the day, the street is an ordinary resort alley, selling souvenirs and offering local cuisine. At night, she turns into a motley bunch of strolling tourists, local transsexuals in mind-blowing costumes and girls of easy virtue.
Night market in Phuket town
Weekend market or, more correctly, weekend evening, which is located in Phuket Town next to the Naka Temple. On weekdays, only a few outlets work here. Trading starts at 16.00 and continues until 22.00-22.30. This is a very bright and colorful place where you can try several dozen types of Thai street food, buy souvenirs, clothes, shoes and various trinkets.
Sunday street market Lard Yai
Lard Yai is considered the largest market in Phuket. Unlike many other similar places, locals shop here, so prices are lower than in tourist places. The shopping area is located in Phuket Town and is open only on Sundays from 16.00 to 22.00. The rest of the time it is a busy street with fairly heavy traffic. As in any Thai market, Lard Yai stalls are bursting with an abundance of food supplies.
Shopping center "Central Festival"
A large modern shop in Phuket Town where a tourist can spend a fair amount of money. This is the most common shopping center, of which there are many in all cities of the world. In addition to the goods of world manufacturers, Thai products are sold here, and at the local food court you can taste fast food with a national flavor. Numerous massage salons offer their services on the territory of the center.
Boxing stadium in Patong
The stadium is located in the center of Patong on Bangla Road. It is considered one of the best in Phuket. Boxing fights are held here three times a week, usually about 10 fights are held in the evening. Serious professionals often come to demonstrate their skills. The arena has 350 seats. Those who wish can attend Thai boxing trainings, which are held in the evenings, on days when there is no competition.
Phuket FantaSea
A colorful theatrical performance that tells the story of Thailand. Several dozen elephants and over 400 people are involved in the show. For one and a half hours, the viewer is immersed in the exciting world of magnificent scenery, bright costumes, acrobatic stunts, traditional dances and special effects. The show has been operating since 1998, since then it has been visited by a huge number of tourists.
Siam Niramit
The second historical performance, which opened in 2011 and competes with Phuket FantaSi. Tourists often face a dilemma, which show to attend? Many people decide to watch both. Siam Niramit is a branch of the capital's show park in Phuket. Before the show begins, viewers are encouraged to visit an impromptu Thai village and dine at a restaurant.
Simon Cabaret
A famous show featuring transsexuals and transvestites. They perform breathtaking funny tricks, dance and sing beautifully, which cause indescribable delight among the audience. Actors demonstrate all their skills on stage, and grateful spectators answer them with incessant applause. Simon Cabaret has been working since 1991 on the beach (resort village) Patong.
3D Museum - Phuket Trickeye Museum
Museum of 3D Paintings and Optical Illusions, opened in 2013. Against the background of "volumetric" images, great photographs are obtained, since the whole composition in the picture is added to the overall picture. The gallery contains reproductions of works by famous masters - Van Gogh, E. Munch, Da Vinci. Before entering the museum, you need to take off your shoes, as some parts of the 3D images are located right on the floor.
Seashell Museum
The museum exhibits the Patamakantin Travel Brothers collection. For 40 years, they have traveled countless countries and collected many artifacts around the world. The collection contains more than 2000 exhibits, many of them are quite rare and valuable. For example, the museum contains a 140-carat pearl and a huge shell weighing 250 kilograms.Some shell fossils are several hundred million years old.
Phuket Aquarium
Oceanarium, which was opened in 1983. The aquarium features a rich fauna and flora of the ocean and freshwater bodies. Moray eels, catfish, huge perches, bright tropical fish, sharks, rays, seahorses and other inhabitants of the depths (about 160 species in total) live here. Some of the aquarium's most interesting creations are the catfish, boxfish, clownfish and leopard shark.
Bird Park in Phuket
The park is located in the central part of the island, about 8 km. from Phuket Town, it has been operating since 2013. The territory is home to more than 300 species of birds brought from all over the world (about 1000 individuals in total). The creators of the park have worked on the landscape design. Gazebos, wooden figurines, sculptures are scattered everywhere, there are even several artificial reservoirs. The main attraction is the bird show, which takes place three times a day.
Botanical Garden
A small picturesque park located on the territory of 1 hectare. It opened quite recently, but already claims to be a popular attraction on the island. The park is divided into zones. There is a Japanese garden, a palm grove, a prairie with cactuses, a Balinese corner, a European park, a traditional house of the Thai province. There is an artificial waterfall in the Botanical Garden, where a tunnel entwined with greenery leads.
Tiger kingdom
A small "branch" of a Buddhist monastery, where there is a long tradition of keeping tigers and teaching them to interact with people. Several animals live on the territory, the tourist can choose which of them he wants to enter the cage. The cost of the visit depends on this. It is believed that these tamed tigers are not aggressive and do not attack people, so they can be stroked. But before entering, each visitor is given a paper for signature, according to which he agrees with all the consequences of visiting a dangerous predator.
Monkey mountain
A hill located near Phuket Town, which is home to a colony of monkeys. There are a lot of animals there, they are not at all afraid of people - they calmly walk along the road, hang in the trees, happily eat delicacies from the hands of tourists. Sometimes a whole flock of monkeys can be tied to a car or a moped, this is a very funny sight. There is an observation deck at the top of the hill that offers views of Phuket Town.
Bang Pae waterfall
One of the largest and most picturesque waterfalls in Phuket. Jets of water fall from a height of 15 meters, you can swim in a small lake at the foot if you wish. The place became famous due to the fact that on its territory there is a nursery for orphans. Here cubs of gibbons, left without care for any reason, are nursed. You cannot enter the nursery, but you can make a donation.
Sirinath National Park
The reserve was founded in 1981. Its territory stretches along the northwestern coast of the island. Within the national park there are wild beaches of Bangtao, Nai Thon, Nai Yang, Mai Khao, where giant turtles nest. The reserve is home to a unique mangrove grove, where various species of this tree are represented, and mangrove snakes and monitor lizards live. The total area of Sirinat is about 90 km².
Karon Observation Deck
The point is located between Nai Harn Beach and Kata Beach. From the top of the hill, views of the coast and the beaches of Karon, Kata Yai, Nai Harn open, as well as the Big Buddha statue. The observation deck is popular with tourists, and many people come here to admire the surroundings. There are a couple of cafes nearby for snacks. There is a large gazebo on the site.
Rank Hill Observation Deck
Rank Hill is located within Phuket Town, overlooking Chalong and the emerald Andaman Sea. At the top of the hill, where the observation deck is located, there is a monument to P. Ratsadanupradit, one of the respected governors of Phuket province. Wild monkeys live on the slopes, which sometimes beg for food from visitors. Near the observation deck there is a restaurant and a small park for sports.
Observation deck "Windmill"
Less popular and famous viewpoint in Phuket. It offers views of the beaches of Nai Harn, Ya Nui and a small uninhabited island near Prom Thep Cape. The site is equipped with a gazebo and several tents with food and drinks. There are not many people here, as the well-trodden tourist routes run away from this picturesque place. But this is perhaps for the best.
Cape Prom Thep
The cape is the southernmost point of the island. From the local observation deck, you can watch the stunning sunsets. Travel agencies even organize special evening excursions so people can see the magical colors of the sun setting in the waters of the Andaman Sea and painting the entire horizon in all shades of pink. In clear weather, you can even see the distant shores of India from the observation deck.
Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn is located in the southwestern part of Phuket. On both sides, it is surrounded by low mountains, which are covered with palm groves. The beach is small - only 1 km. in length and up to 50 meters in width. It is suitable for a relaxing family vacation with children, as the descent into the water is smooth and gentle. Thanks to the warm currents, the water temperature is kept within a comfortable range of 27-30 ° C throughout the year.
Karon Beach
A member of the three most popular and popular beaches of the island, which, in addition to him, also include Kata and Patong. It stretches along the coast for several kilometers. There are many hotels and tourists here, but still, not as crowded as in Patong due to the greater length of the coastline. There are fewer people on the outskirts of Karon, so lovers of solitude are advised to go there immediately, and not look for a place in the central part.
Bang Tao Beach
A large beach with golden sand and a shallow entry into the sea with a length of more than 7 km. It is located next to Patong. The southern part of the beach is more inhabited, there are restaurants, cafes, points of sale and other infrastructure. The northern part is less popular due to its inaccessibility. In the central part of Bang Tao, there are several natural lakes that are connected to the sea through a narrow channel.
Kata beach
The coastline of the beach stretches along the coral reef. According to some tourists, this is the cleanest water in Phuket. Winds blow here from May to October, so the place is becoming in demand among surfers. Many local hotels are located in close proximity to the beach and offer excellent views of the azure Andaman Sea. Kata is suitable for both family holidays and active pastime.
