Phuket
Temperature
29°
Time
5:54 AM
Phuket
Surrounded by clear blue water, Phuket has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable tropical vacation: its palm-fringed beaches are of soft, clean sand, it has a vibrant nightlife, and you can enjoy the most wide-ranging cuisine – you name it, you can eat it in Phuket. For several years, Phuket has topped travel charts as a holiday paradise – and not without a reason – as the island is a spectacular destination. Add to this the most welcoming people in the world and you can see why travellers love it here.Find your trip
Explore the heavenly Phi Phi archipelago, including Maya Bay from the Leonardo DiCaprio film "The Beach," on this fun speedboat trip from Phuket. Once at the archipelago, swim over the coral reefs of Pileh Lagoon, snorkel at Bamboo Island, and see the monkeys at Monkey Beach, and then visit the breathtaking Maya Bay.
Phuket is known for its breathtaking white-sand beaches, but this Thai island is also bursting with culture and history. Join this Phuket City Tour for a chance to experience the island's natural beauty and culture. See top attractions like the gigantic Big Buddha statue and the sacred Wat Chalong temple. Check out a cashew nut factory and stop for photos at Windmill Viewpoint. Plus, visit five picturesque beaches and learn all about Phuket from a knowledgeable local guide.
Take the speedboat to Phang-nga and Khai Nai islands. Discover the flora and fauna at Panak Island, and the amazing limestone mountains at Hong Island. This trip also offers you a visit to Tapu Island (James Bond Island), Talu Cave, the fishing village called Ban Tak Dad and the landscape of mangrove forests.
This is a cultural theme park with a very extravagant show. Phuket Fantasea is a stunning 140-acre theme complex, packed with activities such as carnivals and a Las Vegas-styled theatrical show. The show begins at 21.00. If you have booked for both dinner and show, then make sure to arrive before 18.30.
This tour, in Southern Thailand’s lush Phang Nga Province, takes you on an action-packed ride along mountain rivers fringed with forest. Be prepared to get wet! See website for more information and different packages for White Water Rafting Tour.
‘Have a go’ under the guidance of a PADI instructor. A day course includes simple instructions in breathing techniques, signals and safety before taking a dive into the clear waters.
This is the perfect place to let the kids, and adults, go wild. Enjoy an adventurous day filled with water slides, rides and diving at Splash Jungle Water Park. The park also offers several refreshment options, including cafes and bars.
This is the perfect place to learn how to cook Thai food. The school is located on Siray beach in a serene and beautiful environment. Enjoy your food on one of their wooden sundecks or on the beach.
Explore the heavenly Phi Phi archipelago, including Maya Bay from the Leonardo DiCaprio film "The Beach," on this fun speedboat trip from Phuket. Once at the archipelago, swim over the coral reefs of Pileh Lagoon, snorkel at Bamboo Island, and see the monkeys at Monkey Beach, and then visit the breathtaking Maya Bay.
Phuket is known for its breathtaking white-sand beaches, but this Thai island is also bursting with culture and history. Join this Phuket City Tour for a chance to experience the island's natural beauty and culture. See top attractions like the gigantic Big Buddha statue and the sacred Wat Chalong temple. Check out a cashew nut factory and stop for photos at Windmill Viewpoint. Plus, visit five picturesque beaches and learn all about Phuket from a knowledgeable local guide.
For simple, freshly cooked Thai food, a good place to go is the Night Food Market on Rat-U-Thit. It's out in the open and offers plenty of choices. Look at each menu to see what appeals to you! The "sales" team on the street will all tempt you into their restaurant, but perhaps it's best to look at each one and go back to the one you like. Fish is the main ingredient in this market.
This restaurant specializes in seafood and is located near Phuket Town at Chalang Bay. Not only is the food great but the panoramic view over the harbour is amazing.
Visiting Phuket, you will most likely stop at the famous Buddhist temple on the island, Wat Chalong. While you are there, cross the street and enjoy your lunch at Na Rimtang. They serve lovely Thai food in the middle of a tropical garden.
Even in Thailand you can get a craving for pizza. If you do, then this is the place to go to. Along with pizza, they also serve pasta, snacks and all the good Italian cuisine.
Claimed to be one of the most romantic restaurants in Patong. The restaurant at The Royal Paradise Hotel & Spa serves traditional Cantonese dishes, such as Hong Kong beef and Peking duck coupled with a breathtaking view over the bay at Patong.
With a stunning view over the Kamala Bay you can sit at Silk Restaurant & Bar and enjoy traditional Thai food in a tranquil environment. The chef’s focus is the flavours and textures of local Thai food.
It is hard to decide whether the delicious food or the amazing view is the best at Plum Prime Steakhouse. Either way, you will have a great Mediterranean dining experience here.
For simple, freshly cooked Thai food, a good place to go is the Night Food Market on Rat-U-Thit. It's out in the open and offers plenty of choices. Look at each menu to see what appeals to you! The "sales" team on the street will all tempt you into their restaurant, but perhaps it's best to look at each one and go back to the one you like. Fish is the main ingredient in this market.
This restaurant specializes in seafood and is located near Phuket Town at Chalang Bay. Not only is the food great but the panoramic view over the harbour is amazing.
For designer ceramics the Ceramics of Phuket company uses the local clay for their work and produces some very fine pieces. You can find them at Baan Kathu, on the outskirts of Phuket Town.
For quality textiles and Thai Silk go to Ban Boran Textiles. The prices are slightly higher than in Bangkok but the quality is very good, you can choose between different kinds of clothes and textiles, all rigorously handmade.
When in Phuket, get some jewellery for yourself or the loved one. Cultured pearls are produced locally at Naka Noi Island which are also a good buy. Many local shops in Phuket City are specialist in jewellery. If you want to know the trade of pearlmaking, tours leave daily to Naka Noi Island and include a pearl demonstration and the opportunity to buy at discounted prices.
Central Festival Phuket is an air conditioned, fully equipped three-storey shopping mall just outside of Phuket Town. Here you can easily spend a day strolling around in different shops, visiting restaurants or even catch a movie.
Diagonally opposite Bangla Road, the Jungceylon Shopping Complex, has radically changed the face of shopping in Patong. The two main stores in the complex are Robinson - a gleaming well-lit upper end department store comprising 200-plus stores, and Carrefour - a large French-based supermarket.
For designer ceramics the Ceramics of Phuket company uses the local clay for their work and produces some very fine pieces. You can find them at Baan Kathu, on the outskirts of Phuket Town.
For quality textiles and Thai Silk go to Ban Boran Textiles. The prices are slightly higher than in Bangkok but the quality is very good, you can choose between different kinds of clothes and textiles, all rigorously handmade.
Visitors to Thailand need a valid passport and in some cases a visa to enter the country. Nationals of 57 countries are allowed a permanence from 14 to 90 days without a visa. Nationals of other 21 countries including China, India and Saudi Arabia are granted a visa on arrival, while the remaining need a visa in advance. Check the website below for further information: www.thaiembassy.com/visa/thailand-visa.php
Phuket is one of the major tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, attracting tourists from all over the world. The various hotels and resorts get very busy during the high season, which coincides with the dry season, from December to April, and the weather is warm and dry, with long sunny days and a clear sky. During this period, in mid-April, the famous Songkran, the Thai New Year, takes place and the whole country celebrates on the streets. The monsoon arrives in May bringing heavy rainfall until November, making this the low season for tourism. This is by far the cheapest period to visit Phuket, and also the most peaceful, as the island is not as crowded as during the high season.
Phuket International Airport is situated north of the island, away from the luxury hotels and resorts. By taxi the trip to Surin will take about 30 minutes, to Patong about 40 min, Karon and Kata beaches around 50 minutes. The bus to Phuket Town takes one hour. Metered taxis are available, but there are not too many of them around. They are to the right as you come out of the arrivals building, at the far end. To the left as you come out of arrivals, there are 8 seated mini vans which will take you to your hotel, but of course you have to stop at everyone else’s hotel as well. There is also an Airport Bus but it only goes to Phuket Town Bus Terminal. It does stop on the way but not at any of the coastal resorts. Journey time is one hour from the airport to Phuket Town.
There are several public buses in Phuket, which are bright blue, with open sides. There aren’t any real schedules, but if you see one and want to get on, just wave – there are no official bus stops. The local bus station is located on Ranong Road in Phuket Town.
The most widely used ‘taxis’ are bright red tuk tuks. These are not the 4 seated variety as in Bangkok but hold about 6-8 people. Unlike the metred taxi, arrange a price before getting in. You can also find traditional taxis outside the airport terminal and around town, which either have fixed fares or a meter.
Traffic in Thailand is on the left side and all the major car rental companies have offices at the airport. An international driving license is required. There are enterprising companies immediately outside the arrivals hall with cards offering cars at cheaper rates. Jeeps are also available, make sure you see the car before paying, some have been around for a while. When driving in Thailand, beware of motorbikes overtaking on the inside and /or on bends. Drive a little slower and keep an eye on the wing mirrors.
Visitors to Thailand need a valid passport and in some cases a visa to enter the country. Nationals of 57 countries are allowed a permanence from 14 to 90 days without a visa. Nationals of other 21 countries including China, India and Saudi Arabia are granted a visa on arrival, while the remaining need a visa in advance. Check the website below for further information: www.thaiembassy.com/visa/thailand-visa.php
Phuket is one of the major tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, attracting tourists from all over the world. The various hotels and resorts get very busy during the high season, which coincides with the dry season, from December to April, and the weather is warm and dry, with long sunny days and a clear sky. During this period, in mid-April, the famous Songkran, the Thai New Year, takes place and the whole country celebrates on the streets. The monsoon arrives in May bringing heavy rainfall until November, making this the low season for tourism. This is by far the cheapest period to visit Phuket, and also the most peaceful, as the island is not as crowded as during the high season.
