Last summer, we spent two adventurous months in Thailand, starting with a week in Phuket. It was our first time in Southeast Asia, and we could not have picked a better introduction to this incredible region.
With pristine beaches, fresh Thai food and affordable, yet amazing massages, this trip opened my eyes to how simple, happy and beautiful life in Thailand can be. Whether you're planning a short vacation or building out a longer Thailand itinerary, Phuket is a great place to begin. From sunrise viewpoints and cultural landmarks to island hopping adventures and incredible local restaurants, there's no shortage of things to experience.
If it's your first time visiting Phuket, this guide will help you plan your trip with tips on when to visit, how to get around, the best things to do in Phuket, day trips to nearby islands and where to eat. This post contains affiliate links.
One week in Phuket
A Travel Guide to Thailand's Largest Island
When to visit Phuket
The best time to visit Phuket is from November to February, when the weather is sunny, dry and slightly cooler. These months fall within Thailand's peak tourist season, which means ideal beach weather but also higher prices and larger crowds.March to October is monsoon season, so the weather can be unpredictable, with occasional heavy rain showers. We didn't do research beforehand and traveled to Phuket in June, which is during monsoon season, as well as one of the hottest months of the year. Fortunately, although there were rainy days, the rain showers typically came in short bursts and didn't last for more than a few minutes. Because it was off-season, prices for flights and hotels were lower and there were less crowds than usual.
Since we were slow traveling in Thailand for two months, we weren't out every day and the weather didn't impact us as much. However, if you're only visiting for a few days and want to make sure you have the best conditions possible for outdoor activities, then visiting during peak season may be your safest option.
How to get around Phuket
The most convenient way to get around Phuket is by motorbike, which you can rent with an international driver's license. You'll find plenty of rental shops that allow you to rent motorbikes for various lengths of time, and daily rates are usually very affordable.For longer distances or if you prefer not to drive, Grab (Southeast Asia's version of Uber) is widely available and reliable. We used a combination of motorbike rentals for short trips and Grab rides for longer journeys across the island.
Private drivers are also easy to arrange for early morning excursions or day trips outside Phuket.
Best places to visit in Phuket
Here are some of the most memorable places we visited during our week on the island:
Samet Nangshe: This is one of the most epic sunrise spots I've been to. It's a bit far away from Phuket, so we scheduled a private car to pick us up at 4 a.m. so we could arrive before sunrise. Once we reached the base of the hill, there was a pickup
truck that offered to drive small groups up to the viewpoint for a small fee, which I recommend given how steep it is. At the top, we were met with panoramic views of Phang Nga Bay.
Big Buddha: Standing 148 feet tall and made of white Burmese marble, the Big Buddha is an impressive sight to behold. Beyond the impressive size of the statue, the atmosphere here was surprisingly peaceful. After admiring the statue from the outside, we were surprised to find out that they offered a 7-minute guided happiness meditation inside, beneath the statue. It was a serene experience and a must-visit if you're in Phuket. Like most temples in Thailand, there is a dress code, so make sure you cover your shoulders and knees.
Promthep Cape: Located at the southernmost tip of Phuket, Promthep Cape is widely considered the best sunset viewpoint on the island. It's easy to reach by motorbike or car, and once you arrive, there's plenty of space to walk around and enjoy the scenery, or you can walk down a dirt path to the edge of the cape for a panoramic view.
Old Phuket Town: With brightly painted Sino-Portuguese style architecture, Old Phuket Town is a charming, historical location that can't be missed. Spend an afternoon here on a Sunday, when the Sunday Walking Street Market takes place and the street on Thalang Road is filled with live music, street food vendors and excited crowds. Don't miss the coconut crepes cooked over charcoal stoves at A Pong Mae Sunee!
Big Buddha: Standing 148 feet tall and made of white Burmese marble, the Big Buddha is an impressive sight to behold. Beyond the impressive size of the statue, the atmosphere here was surprisingly peaceful. After admiring the statue from the outside, we were surprised to find out that they offered a 7-minute guided happiness meditation inside, beneath the statue. It was a serene experience and a must-visit if you're in Phuket. Like most temples in Thailand, there is a dress code, so make sure you cover your shoulders and knees.
Promthep Cape: Located at the southernmost tip of Phuket, Promthep Cape is widely considered the best sunset viewpoint on the island. It's easy to reach by motorbike or car, and once you arrive, there's plenty of space to walk around and enjoy the scenery, or you can walk down a dirt path to the edge of the cape for a panoramic view.
Old Phuket Town: With brightly painted Sino-Portuguese style architecture, Old Phuket Town is a charming, historical location that can't be missed. Spend an afternoon here on a Sunday, when the Sunday Walking Street Market takes place and the street on Thalang Road is filled with live music, street food vendors and excited crowds. Don't miss the coconut crepes cooked over charcoal stoves at A Pong Mae Sunee!
Day trips to take from Phuket
Phuket is also an excellent base for exploring nearby islands and natural landscapes:
Phi Phi Islands: This might be one of the most famous islands in Thailand, and for good reason. The Phi Phi Islands consist of a group of stunning islands that feel unreal to see with your own eyes. We took this full-day speedboat tour, which
brought us around the islands to explore and admire the natural beauty of Bamboo Island, Monkey Beach and Maya Bay.
Khao Sok National Park: For nature lovers, I highly recommend spending time at Khao Sok National Park. While it's possible to do a day trip, we chose to spend a night at Panvaree the Greenery in a floating bungalow, surrounded by limestone mountains and a gorgeous, emerald lake. With delicious home-cooked Thai meals and a magical sunrise long-tail boat ride included with our stay, this was the perfect getaway and one of the most unique, peaceful places I've ever stayed at.
Krabi: Another nearby destination worth visiting is Krabi. We decided to spend a weekend here, and compared to Phuket, I found Krabi to be noticeably quieter and more relaxing. Krabi is known for its towering limestone cliffs, white sand beaches and crystal clear water. One highlight is Phra Nang Beach, which quickly became my favorite beach that we visited in Thailand. The beach is only accessible by long-tail boat, but is worth it for the secluded location and clear waters. For accommodation, we stayed at Ban Sainai Resort and absolutely loved the property, which included cozy cottages, lush greenery and a beautiful outdoor pool.
Khao Sok National Park: For nature lovers, I highly recommend spending time at Khao Sok National Park. While it's possible to do a day trip, we chose to spend a night at Panvaree the Greenery in a floating bungalow, surrounded by limestone mountains and a gorgeous, emerald lake. With delicious home-cooked Thai meals and a magical sunrise long-tail boat ride included with our stay, this was the perfect getaway and one of the most unique, peaceful places I've ever stayed at.
Krabi: Another nearby destination worth visiting is Krabi. We decided to spend a weekend here, and compared to Phuket, I found Krabi to be noticeably quieter and more relaxing. Krabi is known for its towering limestone cliffs, white sand beaches and crystal clear water. One highlight is Phra Nang Beach, which quickly became my favorite beach that we visited in Thailand. The beach is only accessible by long-tail boat, but is worth it for the secluded location and clear waters. For accommodation, we stayed at Ban Sainai Resort and absolutely loved the property, which included cozy cottages, lush greenery and a beautiful outdoor pool.
What to eat in Phuket
Thailand is known for its incredible cuisine, and Phuket has plenty of fantastic places to try authentic and fresh Thai dishes:
Roti Chaofa: There's nothing like a roti breakfast to start the day. Located in Old Phuket Town, this famous shop goes through more than 10kg of roti dough every day. The roti is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and
pairs perfectly with their rich goat curry.
Raya Restaurant: Another gem in Old Phuket Town is Raya Restaurant, which was one of my favorite restaurants in Phuket. The crab curry with rice noodles was incredibly fresh and flavorful, while the deep fried fish with lemongrass and tamarind sauce left us speechless.
Kodam Kitchen: While visiting Krabi, we discovered Kodam Kitchen, which became an instant favorite. The food was so delicious, we ended up coming here for dinners for two nights in a row, ordering classic Thai dishes, including pan-grilled prawn with garlic butter and pepper, pad thai and mango sticky rice.
Beach Coconuts Bowls: For a fresh and healthy breakfast, this cafe is well-known for its smoothie bowls, which come loaded with fresh fruit and toppings. The relaxed, tropical atmosphere also makes it a perfect spot to start your morning before heading out to explore the island.
If you're planning a Thailand itinerary, spending one week in Phuket is a fantastic way to begin your adventure.
For more everyday videos and clips from our trip to Phuket, check out my Instagram Story Highlights.
Raya Restaurant: Another gem in Old Phuket Town is Raya Restaurant, which was one of my favorite restaurants in Phuket. The crab curry with rice noodles was incredibly fresh and flavorful, while the deep fried fish with lemongrass and tamarind sauce left us speechless.
Kodam Kitchen: While visiting Krabi, we discovered Kodam Kitchen, which became an instant favorite. The food was so delicious, we ended up coming here for dinners for two nights in a row, ordering classic Thai dishes, including pan-grilled prawn with garlic butter and pepper, pad thai and mango sticky rice.
Beach Coconuts Bowls: For a fresh and healthy breakfast, this cafe is well-known for its smoothie bowls, which come loaded with fresh fruit and toppings. The relaxed, tropical atmosphere also makes it a perfect spot to start your morning before heading out to explore the island.
Final thoughts
Phuket is one of those destinations that offers something for every type of traveler. Whether you're exploring colorful old towns, chasing sunrise viewpoints, hopping between tropical islands or simply relaxing on the beach with delicious food, the island is full of unforgettable experiences.If you're planning a Thailand itinerary, spending one week in Phuket is a fantastic way to begin your adventure.
For more everyday videos and clips from our trip to Phuket, check out my Instagram Story Highlights.