Phuket Travelers Recommend

Phuket is Thailand’s flagship beach destination, benefiting from year-round sun, sandy beaches, and lush jungle. With two days to explore, there’s time to cruise the coast, explore the islands, and take in the highlights of the mainland. Here’s how to spend two days in Phuket.

Day 1: Sunbathing and Sightseeing

Morning: Start early to avoid crowds and watch the sunrise from Promthep Cape on the island’s south coast. Continue to two of Phuket’s most popular attractions—the hilltop Big Buddha and temple of Wat Chalong—either independently or on a tour with the ease of a guide to lead the way.

Afternoon: Kata Beach and Karon Beach are two of the best beaches on Phuket. Grab lunch and cocktails at a beachfront restaurant; take part in water sports such as surfing, snorkeling, or stand-up paddleboarding (prebook for a seamless experience); or relax on the beach.

Night: Continue sightseeing into the evening on a sunset cruise around Phang Nga Bay, which typically includes dinner as you sail around islands off the coast of Phuket. Alternatively, head to Naka Night Market, held on weekend evenings in Phuket Town, where you can dine on Thai street food and shop for souvenirs.

Day 2: Island-hopping in Phang Nga Bay

Morning: Set sail on a day trip to Phang Nga Bay by speedboat and discover some of Thailand’s most beautiful islands. Depending on the tour itinerary, visit the Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay, where Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach was filmed; cruise to James Bond Island; or swim and snorkel around Racha Yai and Racha Noi islands.

Afternoon: After a day at sea, head to Patong Beach to browse the shops along Bangla Road or relax with a cocktail at a beachfront bar. The beach town is also home to numerous spas, where you can get a traditional Thai massage or reflexology foot massage.

Night: Spend your final night in Phuket watching a show or cabaret. The Siam Niramit show tells Thailand’s history through a music, dance, and theater production. Alternatively, the Simon Cabaret is one of Thailand’s most popular and longest-running cabarets, with transgender performers taking to the stage for a Las Vegas-style extravaganza.

Dubbed the Pearl of the South, Phuket is one of the world's most famous beach destinations.Thailand's largest and most visited island, the hot spot revolves around and thrives on tourism yet retains a spark of the real Thailand. Here are some of the best ways to spend three days in Phuket.

Day 1: Exploring the Island The best way to get an introduction to the island and check out the downtown scene is by taking a morning tour with an English-speaking guide who can tell you all you need to know about your new surroundings. In the evening, be dazzled by the Las Vegas-style Simon Cabaret Show, or combine dinner and a Thai cultural show at FantaSea, where the whirling, swirling, vivid display of Thailand's exotic heritage delight viewers.

Day 2: Get Active

After your introductory day out on the island, it’s time to get out there and get moving. A vacation in Phuket definitely means dipping your toes in the gorgeous blue water, but you can also opt to take the plunge on a rafting adventure. Go for a rain forest canoe ride down the Sok River in the island's interior, or explore the mysterious tidal caves of Phang Nga Bay by canoe.

Day 3: The Surrounding Waters If yesterday's activities didn't include enough water-fueled action for you, you're in luck. Phuket is surrounded by exquisite groups of islands, all easily seen on a day trip. Ride a speedboat to Krabi, famous for its snorkeler's wonderland of limestone caves and white-sand beaches, or see Koh Phi Phi for yourself—some say its the region's most beautiful island group. If you'd rather sail more leisurely, ride a ferry to the nearby islands for some free time to swim, snorkel, and soak up the sunshine.

Thailand’s largest island is renowned for its white sand beaches, lively beach towns, and eclectic nightlife. Water sports, shopping, and the city’s famous shows are just a few of the ways to experience Phuket.  With just one day, it’s best to stick to focus on the highlights—here are some ideas.

Morning: Sunrise Sightseeing

Phuket’s large size and notorious traffic means that exploring with a guide is a good idea, especially when time is of the essence. Booking a private tour offers the greatest flexibility, while a bike tour is a scenic and practical way to explore the coast.

Make an early start and head down to Promthep Cape on the southern coast of Phuket, a spectacular viewpoint from which to watch the sunrise. Continue to the nearby Big Buddha and Wat Chalong, two of Phuket’s most photographed attractions—with a bit of luck you’ll arrive before the crowds and enjoy unobstructed views. 

Afternoon: Hit the Beach

Phuket’s most popular beaches—Kata, Karon, and Patong—lie along the west coast and offer plenty of opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports. Enjoy activities such as kayaking, surfing, and stand-up paddleboarding; tuck into fresh seafood at a beachfront restaurant; or relax with a traditional Thai foot massage at one of the many area spas. 

At Patong Beach, be sure to visit Bangla Road, one of Phuket busiest streets, lined with cocktail bars, restaurants, shops, and market stalls. For more shopping, pay a visit to nearby Jungceylon shopping center, before strolling down to the seafront to watch the sunset. 

Night: Attend a Show

Bangla Road is the place to party until the early morning, but for a truly unforgettable night out, plan to attend one of Phuket’s shows. The Siam Niramit show tells the story of Thailand’s history, cultural heritage, and spiritual traditions through an 80-minute performance of music, dance, and theater. Alternatively, visit the Phuket FantaSea theme park for an evening show that includes traditional dance, acrobatics, pyrotechnics, and even elephants. For the best value, book a package that includes hotel pickup, round-trip transfers, and a pre-show dinner.

Phuket’s nightlife is electric, and attending a theater show is a fun option for a night out. Whether you want to immerse yourself in Thai culture and traditions, enjoy an evening of family-friendly entertainment, or be dazzled by cabaret performers, here are some of our favorite Phuket theater shows.

Simon

The Phuket Simon Cabaret is one of Thailand’s most iconic cabaret evenings. It’s a spectacular show, with transgender performers in glittering costumes, singing and dancing to pop hits. Though the show’s provocative nature is not suitable for younger children, it may be appropriate for older children and teenagers.

Siam Niramit

Another hugely popular show is Siam Niramit, a dramatic stage show telling the story of Thailand’s history, culture, and religious beliefs. With state-of-the-art light and sound effects, dazzling costumes, and a cast of more than 100 performers, this kid-friendly show is performed in three acts, totaling 80 minutes. For the full experience, upgrade to enjoy a traditional Thai buffet dinner, where you can sample dishes like spicy papaya salad and Thai green curry.

FantaSea

Another family-friendly option, Phuket FantaSea, is part of a larger heritage theme park, complete with carnival games and a shopping village. The star attraction is the evening show, performed in the Palace of the Elephants and including a preshow buffet dinner. The Vegas-style extravaganza entitled “Fantasy of a Kingdom” displays Thailand’s cultural heritage through ballet, acrobatics, magical illusions, and pyrotechnics.