Getting to know Phuket
What you can do for free in Phuket
- Enjoy the sunny beaches
There are many sunny beaches to enjoy on Phuket island – southern area and Patong bay are the most crowded, while the other beaches offer equally great views without the noise of other places. - Visit the Big Buddha
The Big Buddha statue stands 45 m tall. It is also a great viewing point offering great views over the island and seas & oceans around. While is free to visit, getting hre may require transportation based on where you are located. - Visit the Phuket old town
While the main island is named Phuket and it offers many towns to visit, it also hosts the old town of Phuket, offering a completely different from experience to the rest of the island. The town is a mix of European, Chinese and Thai architecture.
Top spots to visit
- Phi Phi Islands
If you have seen “The Beach” movie with Leonardo di Caprio, you surely got fascinated with the location of the filming – Phi Phi Islands. Take a day boat tour to the islands, enjoy the scenery and take some photos of this majestic location. - Phang Nga Bay
Located north of the island, the Phang Nga national park is another great tour to take for the day. Boat around sheer limestone cliffs with stops at James Bond island and Koh Panyee floating village. - Night Markets
There are a great selection of night markets to choose from on the island of Phuket. Each offers its own unique charms, with cheap souvenirs for sale along with local street food vendors, and in some locations even with performances and music. Check Phuket Walking Street or the Indy Market.
Hidden spots to visit
- Similan Islands
Koh Similan are a group of islands surrounded by clear blue of Andaman Sea and pristine white-sand beaches. It is counted as one of the top diving locations in the world. - Elephant Sanctuaries
Interact with gentle giants in these animal-friendly camps – Phuket Elephant Sanctuary was the pioneer of ethical elephant tourism, working to offer a natural and peaceful habitat to their residents. - Phuket Fantasea Show
This is the largest show on the island, featuring performing elephants and trapeze artists in a fantasy storyline. The show venue also hosts Asian buffets and plenty of shopping opportunities.
Restaurants
With multiple restaurants to choose from, tourists will find here options for all pockets and cuisines. Of course, we recommend checking the Thai food (see for the red pepper signs in the menu for spice) and why not some of the local street food vendors with some interesting choices and mixes of food. Do not be afraid to have a taste of various things as the result may surprise you. Meals go from $5 to $15-20 per person.
Recommended time for visiting
Phuket is a top destination mainly from autumn to spring, when the Nordic hemisphere is cold and wintery. The weather during this period is warm, offering temperatures between 24°-32° Celsius. While it also has many rainy days during this period, these are mostly quick showers which do not affect the opportunity to enjoy visiting the island.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg. temp. (°C) | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
Travel enthusiast, always looking forward to the next adventure. Flying around the world, enjoying mostly sunny places, learning about new captivating cultures are some the main reasons driving me to travel.
