Phuket holidays

It’s worth tearing yourself away from the beach (as hard as that might be to believe from the comfort of a sun lounger), to experience Phuket’s unique culture in historic Phuket Town. Explore its colonial architecture, mansions, museums, and impressive shrines to get an insight into the lives of the locals and the history of the island.

Another fundamental part of Phuket culture is its delicious food. Mixing traditional Thai flavours with Chinese and Malay influences, the cuisine is inventive, packed with flavour and, occasionally, eye-wateringly fiery. Local must-try dishes include mŏo hong (pork braised in pepper and garlic) and mèe gang pôo (curry with crab and noodles).

Once your stomach is full, Phuket’s nightlife awaits. The clubs in party hotspot Patong – especially full-on Bangla Road – are the island’s most famous, but for a more sedate way to pass the evening, order a sunset cocktail in a flash lounge or grab a beer from a beach bar and sit on the sand.

The hottest time to visit is April and May when temperatures can reach as high as 33C. The humidity makes it feel even hotter. If you can handle the heat, this can be another good time to pick up a cheap Phuket holiday.

Phuket boasts more than 30 beaches, with the most picturesque dotted along the 30-mile-long west coast. Choose from secluded jungle-fringed coves, busy stretches of pristine white sand, and high-end resort beaches loved by celebrities.

The clear Andaman Sea is ideal for snorkelling, and you can spot parrotfish, anemones, and colourful coral. Back on land, you’ll find activities such as beach volleyball. Or, just relax on a sun lounger in the shade of a palm tree. Passing vendors offer drinks, snacks, and massages.

Big Buddha

Sitting atop the Nakkerd Hills, the Big Buddha watches over the island. The majestic statue, clad in white Burmese jade marble, is 45m (147ft) high. It has one of the best viewpoints in Phuket, looking out across Phuket Town, verdant jungles, beaches, and the Andaman Sea.

Visit Big Buddha by tuk-tuk or taxi, or hike for an hour through the jungle to the summit. Be sure to dress respectfully – leave your beachwear at home for the day.

Phuket Town

Phuket Town offers a glimpse of traditional life on the island. Head to Soi Romanee in the old town to see Chinese lanterns strung between colourful Sino-Portuguese heritage buildings converted into cafés, accommodation, and bars that come to life as the sun goes down.

You’ll get a real sense of Phuket’s eclectic history and culture, especially if you get there in the morning when monks walk the streets collecting alms, and bustling market stalls set up for the day’s trade.

Street food

Phuket’s street food is the stuff of legend. Beachfront hawkers sell fresh fruits, salads, and sweet, made-to-order banana roti pancakes, roadside vendors grill over charcoal in converted motorbike sidecars, and traders balance rattan baskets to sell hearty dishes such as barbecue chicken, buttered corn on the cob, and garlic sausage.

One to try is pu put pong ka ri (crab curry). In just one bite, you’ll get an explosion of traditional Thai flavours combined with Chinese influences from the local Peranakan communities.

Phang Nga Bay

With 42 limestone islands jutting out of turquoise waters, Phang Nga Bay is a spectacular natural attraction. Take a boat tour between the islands and stop off at the most known: James Bond Island, where the James Bond The Man with the Golden Gun movie was filmed.

Avoid the crowds by exploring the islands early in the morning by kayak and venture into hidden caves where birds, fish, and monkeys live. Stop off at nearby fishing village Ko Panyi, built on stilts over the water.

A 35-minute drive south of Kamala, Karon is another smart choice for families. The palm tree-lined beach has numerous restaurants along its edge.

For travellers on a budget

Phuket isn’t the cheapest place in Thailand, but there are still budget areas available. Karon is a great location if you want to stretch your Thai baht a little further. You’ll find plenty of cheap hostels and boutique hotels only moments from the beach.

Further up the west coast, Patong also has lots of affordable backpacker accommodation. The nightlife is lively, and the competition means there are often cheap drink deals available. In both places, the star attraction is usually the beach, where the white sands and turquoise water don’t cost a thing.

For food and drink

Amid the preserved Sino-Portuguese buildings, galleries, and independent fashion boutiques lining the streets, Phuket Town has a wealth of local and international restaurants. The choice ranges from unpretentious establishments serving traditional Thai favourites to chic fine dining in colonial mansions.

Accommodation is just as varied, with everything including high-end chain hotels and trendy B&Bs.

For nightlife

Patong is known as one of Asia’s premier party destinations and is undoubtedly the place to stay in Phuket if you like a late night. Neon-lit Bangla Road is the nightlife hotspot, and is packed with bars, dance clubs, live music, cabaret, and exotic shows. At Bangla Boxing Stadium in the evening, you can take in a raucous Muay Thai fight, a martial art and Thailand’s national sport.

For something more sedate, try Kata. The beach town’s nightlife has a more laid-back feel in its beach bars, restaurants, and shops.

For culture

The province capital, Phuket Town is the spot for culture. Brightly coloured heritage buildings – now restaurants and shops – line its narrow streets. As you wander, take in the shrines and markets to get an insight into how locals live, and visit Wat Chalong, the largest temple in Phuket.

Pop into the museums to learn about the island’s mining history or, at the Baba Museum, explore the heritage of the local mixed-race Peranakans, ‘people born here and descended from elsewhere’.