Phuket Travel Guide
This is a guide in which you’ll find some of the best undiscovered places on the island — places I slowly explored by bicycle over three years, and I can say with confidence that you’ll be absolutely amazed by them.
Scattered map points can be obtained via the first link with recommendations; in addition, you’ll get a carefully designed 6-day itinerary with detailed timing, allowing you to see as many interesting locations as possible.
I recommend renting a motorbike or a car to minimize transportation costs and make the most of your time. In Thailand, riding a motorbike is only allowed with a Category A license; a Category M license is not sufficient. The fine for riding without a valid license ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 baht.
How can you spend your day as efficiently as possible?
You wake up at 8:00, have breakfast, and take a walk to the beach from 10:00 to 12:00. From 12:00 to 14:00, I would not recommend staying under direct sunlight, as it is very intense and you can get sunburned within minutes. Use sunscreen and wear long-sleeved clothing. You can also buy an umbrella and walk under it for sun protection.
It starts to get dark after 18:00. Phuket is an island of sun and daytime, so it’s best to enjoy its beauty from 6:00 to 19:00.
Day 1
West Coast and Getting to Know the Island
- 08:00–10:00 | Wake-up and breakfast. Start your day with a good breakfast.
- 10:00–12:00 | Beach time. Head out for a walk along the beaches of the west coast — this is the best place to begin exploring the island.
- 12:00–16:00 | Lunch and siesta. Enjoy Thai food. During this time, avoid direct sunlight.
- 16:30–18:30 | Sunset at a viewpoint. In the late afternoon, go up to Karon Viewpoint, which offers a stunning view of three beaches at once: Karon, Kata, and Kata Noi.
- 19:00–21:00 | Evening in Patong. After sunset, you can stop by Patong Beach to see its exotic nightlife offerings, though this place doesn’t impress everyone.
Day 2
Jungles, Waterfalls, and a Lake (Kathu Area — the Center of the Island)
- 09:00–11:30 | Kathu Waterfall. Start exploring the island’s center with a visit to Kathu Waterfall. Walk through the well-maintained jungle and take photos (comfortable shoes are recommended due to the steep climb).
- 11:30–16:30 | Chinese temple and shopping. Visit the authentic Chinese temple San Chao Kathu. This area is a good place to buy fruit at better prices and have lunch cheaper than at the beaches. You can also buy a SIM card here (at 7/11) at a good price.
- 17:00–18:30 | Sunset at Bang Waad Lake. The final stop of the day is the dam and Bang Waad Reservoir. Ride around the lake by bike or take a walk, stopping to enjoy the tropical nature and the mountain sunset.
Day 3
South of the Island and the Most Beautiful Beaches
- 09:00–12:00 | Nai Harn Beach. Visit one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket — Nai Harn.
- 12:00–14:00 | Lunch in Rawai. Head to the Rawai area, where you’ll find many great cafés with excellent service.
- 14:00–16:30 | Snorkeling at Ya Nui Beach. Go to Ya Nui Beach. If you bring a mask, you can snorkel here and watch the fish.
- 17:00–18:30 | Sunset at Promthep Cape. Visit the most beautiful southernmost point of the island. Be prepared for a steep descent and climb. A perfect spot for a sunset picnic.
Day 4
Chalong Area, Temples, and Elephants
- 09:00–12:00 | Elephant sanctuary. Visit an elephant sanctuary where animals are rescued and properly cared for (paid entry; the money goes to charity). Avoid regular elephant parks offering rides — in many places elephants are treated poorly.
- 12:00–13:30 | Lake and temple. Within walking distance from the sanctuary, there is a lake with a dam and the beautiful Wat Siri Srila Suparam temple.
- 13:30–15:30 | Big Buddha. Visible from many points around Phuket, the views from the top are incredible, and the scale of the statue is truly impressive.
- 16:00–17:30 | Wat Chalong. Arrive at the Wat Chalong temple complex around 16:00 to see the Buddha relics. In the main temple, you can perform a traditional fortune ritual.
Day 5
Old Town (Phuket Town)
- 10:00–13:00 | Museum and history. Start your walk through the Old Town. Visit a museum (choose the part of the complex without the clock tower) to learn about the island’s history.
- 13:00–16:00 | Walking and cafés. Wander through the streets, enjoy the architecture and coffee shops.Low-season alternative: If you want the sea without waves, you can go to Ao Yon Beach (access via the Flamingo restaurant).
- 16:00–18:00 | Weekend market. If it’s a weekend, the central streets are closed to traffic and turned into pedestrian zones. A large market with souvenirs and food opens up.
- 18:00–19:00 | Sunset at the tower. Watch the sunset not at Rang Hill (Monkey Hill), but at the Khao Khad Views Tower (“Sea View Tower”).
Day 6
North of the Island and Airplanes
- 08:00–11:00 | Airplane beach (Mai Khao). The most important time of the day! Arrive strictly in the morning, before the sun is at its peak and when planes land frequently. The best spot is near the airport fence.
- 12:00–14:30 | Ma Doo Bua Café. One of the most famous cafés in Phuket. Its highlight is the ponds with giant water lilies known as Victoria.
- 15:00–16:30 | White Temple and photoshoot. Visit a new landmark — the White Temple. You can rent a traditional costume there for a photoshoot.
- 17:00–17:30 | Reclining Buddha Temple. Another spot in the north of the island that is easy to reach.
Day 7
Patong Area — Not Only Parties, but Nature Too
- 08:00–11:00 | Freedom Beach. One of the most beautiful and hard-to-reach beaches. Access is either on foot through the jungle (challenging) or by boat from Patong (paid). White sand, just like on the islands.
- 12:00–14:00 | Lunch and shopping. Visit Jungceylon Shopping Mall in Patong.
- 14:00–16:00 | Merlin Beach. A hidden beach near the Marriott hotel (free access). Perfect for snorkeling, but swimming is only possible during high tide.
- 17:00–19:00 | Evening in Patong. Walk along Bangla Road, which is closed to traffic in the evening. Watch the sunset from Patong Beach.
Samet Nangshe Viewpoint
Sunrise Outside Phuket (Samet Nangshe)
If you have the energy, this can be done on any day.
- 03:30–04:00 | Departure. The location is about 1.5 hours from Phuket Old Town. You need to leave early (around 3:30 a.m. in summer) to catch the sunrise.
- 05:30–07:00 | Sunrise at Samet Nangshe. The views are incredible.
- How to get there: Don’t go to the glass bridge with the crowd. Drive about 150 meters further to the red Coca-Cola banner — that’s the exact turning point.
- Price: Walking up — 30 baht; by car — 100 baht (I recommend going up by car, the ascent is very steep).
Locations on the map
I’ve put together a selection of 82 verified locations on the map. If you want to create your own route, you can use them — map points Google maps