101 Best Places to Visit in Phuket and Tourist Attractions

Shot to fame with a feature in the famous 1974 James Bond movie, this island is one of the most serene places to visit in Phuket. Offering a glorious view of nature at its best, James Bond Island is known for limestone cliffs and turquoise waters. James Bond Island is covered under the group of Phang Nga Bay and is under national park protection. 

The island captivates the tourists with its brilliant flora and fauna and offers a glimpse of many exotic species like Pandanus, cycads, euphorbs etc. The scenic beauty here is unparalleled and attracts a lot of tourists who are looking for a day getaway from Phuket. 

Offering a number of activities like water sports, kayaking, diving etc, James Bond Island is one of the most fabulous tourist attractions in Phuket that you should add to your bucket list.

 Location: James Bond Island, Phang Nga Bay, Phuket

Timings: 8 am to 6 pm 

Entry Fees: Rs 3,110

Phi Phi Island is the most popular tourist attraction in Thailand, consisting of six islands. The major ones being Phi Phi Don, which hosts the bohemian town of Phi Phi Islands, and Phi Phi Leh with Maya Bay. It is amongst the famous places to see in Phuket.

Phi Phi Islands are famous for its limestone cliffs rising sheer out of the emerald green waters, white powdery beaches and its many coral reefs offering great diving and snorkeling. In your bucket list of places to visit in Thailand, Phi Phi Island should be on the top.

Highlights: This island is popular for sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. Tourists can also visit Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Cove, Viking Cave, and Monkey Beach.

Getting There: The Phi Phi islands are located about 48 Km southeast from Phuket, 42 km south from Krabi Town and 40 km from Ao Nang Beach. You can reach the island within 3 hours depending on the type of boat you choose. Boats leave from Phuket, Ao Nang and the Chao Far Pier in Krabi Town on a daily basis.

Price: Rs 3,400

Dive into a world of tropical beauty that dwells underwater with a visit to Phuket Aquarium. A great place to have an entertaining day with your friends and family, Phuket Aquarium is where you can learn a great deal about aquatic animals and their ecological environment. 

With a giant tunnel that offers a glimpse of the most varied aquatic creatures, Phuket Aquarium is one of the most fun places for wildlife lovers in Phuket. Watching the fishes like reef sharks, stingrays etc swim past through you through the tunnel at Phuket Aquarium is a surreal experience in itself. 

Phuket Aquarium is a great visit if you want to take a break from the usual activities or going with children who are too young for snorkeling. 

Timings: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Location: Phuket Aquarium, Cape Panwa, Phuket  

Entry Fees: INR 225
                    100 Baht

Escape the noise and traffic of city to enjoy a quiet day with your loved ones wrapped in the serenity of Khai Island when you are in Phuket. Located just 30 minutes away from Phuket, Khai Island is a hidden gem where you can enjoy in the beautiful beaches and indulge in swimming and snorkelling. 

The clear green waters and the shiny white sands at Khai Island will take your breath away and one can catch a glimpse of the beautiful coral reefs as well when you are there. Offering a relaxing getaway where you can sit all day sipping cocktails and witness the heavenly scenery around, Khai Island is one of the best places to visit in Phuket. 

The islands are also a delight for photography enthusiasts who want to capture the tropical fishes swimming in the beautiful turquoise waters.

Location: Koh Khai Islands is located 15 minutes away from Phuket

Timings: N/A

Entry Fees: Free of cost

Gear up for an enthralling visit as you roam around in the company of majestic tigers when you are in Phuket. Visiting the Tiger Kingdom in Phuket should be on top of your list of places to visit in Phuket if you are a wildlife lover. Offering an opportunity to get close with these magnificent creatures. 

While visiting, tourists are asked whether they want to meet the small cubs or full-grown tigers on their visit. These animals have been raised in a human company since their birth and thus one can notice a wide indifference on the part of these tigers when you visit this place. 

Tourists here can also enjoy capturing these adventurous moments with a tiger by paying some extra charge for photography at The Tiger Kingdom.

Location: 118/88 Moo 7, Kathu, Phuket, Thailand

Timings: 9 am to 6 pm

Entry Fees: INR 1,800 to INR 8,000
                     800 to 3500 Baht

Enjoy a refreshing escape at Raya Islands that is located around 12 kilometers away from Phuket. Sprinkled with white glittering sands and clear blue waters, Raya Island is a paradise for nature lovers. Known as one of the best places swimming due to its crystal-clear waters, Raya Island is a pure delight for water babies. 

It has an abundance of marine life and coral reefs that look beautiful in the sea and thus a great spot for snorkeling in the Andaman Sea. Some of the popular spots to indulge in sightseeing at Raya Island are Kon Kare Bay and Ter Bay. Although Raya Island is uninhabited and doesn’t offer any accommodation facilities, it is a great spot for enjoying activities like diving in Phuket.

Location: Raya Island, Andaman Sea

Timings: N/A

Entry Fees: N/A

Enthrall yourself with a scenic cruise from Phuket to Phang Nga Islands on your vacation. While sitting on a traditional boat and enjoying the panoramic scenes, Phang Nga Islands offer a wonderful way to explore local history, catch a glimpse of the beautiful limestone caves and click some brilliant photographs to keep a memoir. 

A day cruise to Phang Nga Islands will take you to the beautiful James Bond Island, Koh Tapu, Koh Panyi Island etc. The place offers an interesting visit as you get to see the steller sea caves and their interior lagoons. The cruise is completed by a mouthwatering Thai meal which you can enjoy on board or on a local restaurant while you shop for handicrafts at the local stores.

Location: AoPhang Nga National Park, Thailand

Timings: Morning to Evening

Entry Fees: N/A

Treat yourself with the scenic vistas of Thailand from Khao Rang Hill View Point on your vacation. Offering a 360 degree view of the town of Phuket, Khao Rang Hill View Point is an ideal place to enjoy a romantic dinner at one of the restaurants or just have a laid back time sitting at the terrace. 

One of the most remarkable views from here is the Big Buddha which forms the ‘spine’ of the island. Along with the panoramic views, Khao Rang Hill View Point has numerous attractions like a landscaped park with children’s playground, three restaurants and bars, a fitness park, and a panoramic terrace. 

Being a popular picnic spot, Khao Rang Hill View Point attracts a number of tourists throughout the day and is best visited during the evenings when one can see the beautiful town all lit up from the top.

Location: 145/5 ThanonPatiphat, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

Timings: Open 24 hours

Entry Fees: N/A

Immerse in the munificence of nature and enjoy the luxuries of Asia’s largest resort complex, Laguna Phuket, in Phuket’s largest beach of Bang Tao. The beautiful stretch of land goes up to four miles and has some of the luxurious resorts with facilities like spas, pools, golf course and restaurants. It is amongst the best places to see in Phuket.

Located between the airport and Patong Beach, this beach line is one of the best places to visit in Phuket and is the largest on the island. Laguna Phuket provides the ultimate luxuries to tourists. A shuttle boat circles the 5 resorts inside the complex which you can board to move around.

The restaurants serve delicious cuisine to indulge your taste buds. Swim around in the beach, walk on the warm stretch of sand and enjoy the luxuries of the resort complex. Spend the leisure time on trendy beach clubs in the tropical backdrop, practice wakeboarding, enjoy golfing, go for horseback riding or elephant trekking or go for sea kayaking exploration. Phuket beaches will leave you with their beauty and adventure.

Location: Bang Tao Beach, Phuket

Getting There: You can reach there by bus or a taxi.

Soak in a relaxing getaway when you take a break at Karon Beach on your Phuket vacation. The beach boasts of serenity and offers a refreshing vacation for friends and family. This is the third longest beach among the Phuket beaches and has a number of restaurants and hotels where one can have all they need. 

An ideal getaway for beachgoers, Karon Beach offers multiple opportunities for those who are fond of activities like snorkeling and diving. The beach boasts of a number of places where you can enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Phuket and indulge in a mesmerizing experience for your life. 

Whether you wish to take a quiet stroll along the waters of the sea or want to have a thrilling night with some partying and music, Karon Beach will not fail to disappoint you.

Activities: Parasailing, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkeling are some of the must-do activities at Karon beach

Location: Karon Beach, Phuket

Getting There: You can reach Karon beach by a tuk-tuk or by bus.

Bring your cameras to capture some of the most serene moments of your life watching the sunset at Phrimpthep Cave. One of the popular places in Phuket that offers a glimpse of the brilliant hues of the sun at the time of dusk, Phrompthep Cape is always buzzing with crowds. 

Offering a surreal viewpoint to witness the beauty of Andaman Sea and other neighbouring islands, this place is where you can find beautiful sceneries along with a number of other things. Some of the popular attractions of Phrompthep Cape include the small and beautiful shrine on top of the hill, a lighthouse and an unwinding escape into the tranquillity of nature. 

There is a popular Promthep Restaurant here, where one can enjoy a nice dinner as one can see the sun finding its way down towards the horizon.

Location: Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand

Timings: Open 24 hours

Entry Fees: N/A

Nestled blissfully between the verdant hills and tiny islands of Phuket, Nai Harn Beach is a great place to enjoy a refreshing getaway. Flanked with white sands touching the azure blue waters, Nai Harn Beach is a popular attraction in Phuket to enjoy an ideal beach holiday. 

The place isn’t very crowded and has a good number of restaurants, shops, and hotels to keep you entertained throughout the holiday. The secluded beach is a great place to enjoy swimming in the sea and indulge in activities like surfing and kiteboarding when the weather is suitable. There is also the NaiHarn Temple which is a popular landmark on this beach and visited by a number of tourists.

Activities: Beach Volleyball, Kayaking, Snorkeling are very famous at Nai Harn Beach

Location: Nai Harn Beach, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Getting There: Located in Karon, the beach is 18 km from Phuket and is well accessible via all means of local transportation.

It is the oldest temple in Phuket, and the exact age of the temple is not known. However, it is built for more than 500 years, and it has been attracting the attention of tourists. Currently, a whole new complex behind the old temple is constructed. The grounds are large, and visitors can walk through the ground complex to explore different things.

In fact, the temple is associated with lots of stories and there are plenty of things to see. The historical temple involves the legend of Phra Nang leud Khao, who was a lady with white blood. She was the wife of the ruler of the city, a devotee of Buddha.

Location: The temple is present about 20 km from the main town of Thalang district on Thepkasattri Road.

Highlights: The walls of the temple are covered with stories of Lord Buddha. There is even a white temple and a mummified Abbot. There are three large images of Lord Buddha in different buildings.

Timings: Opens daily from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM

This place is popularly known as Wat Lipon by the locals. The sleeping Buddha on top of the main building is a major attraction here. In fact, the statue is so large that it is easily recognizable from the road. Apart from this image, nine other images face the entrance, in a way to welcome people. It is a symbolic reminder to people to be kind towards others.

Location: It is nestled in Thalang, north of Phuket town and about 5 km north of the Heroine’s monument.

Highlights: The sleeping position represents Lord Buddha in a dreaming state. There are some non-Buddha images here including lions and a giant and they act as the guards of the temple. There is even a small bell tower for people to have a closer look.

Timings: Opens daily from 7:00 AM to 5.30 PM

Price: Entry is Free

This place is mainly visited to witness the half-buried temple of Golden Buddha. Only the head and shoulder of Buddha is visible, and it is not possible to excavate the image. Legend says that those trying to excavate the image have either met with serious accidents or have become ill.

It is believed that the image hails from China. It is also considered as one of the oldest temples of the island. It is not a very big temple but comprises of several colorful features, which is another Phuket attraction.

Location: It is located in the Thalang district of Thailand off Highway 402.

Highlights: During the Chinese New Year, Chinese pilgrims come here from different corners and especially from Takua Pa, Phang-Nga, and Krabi. The temple is even associated with a historical museum and a crematorium.

Timings: Opens daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry Fees: Free

This is a popular Chinese temple, which is a must-see for all newcomers here. The grounds display photos of the temple that dates back to 1911. It was then a single and standalone construction. The principal deity of the temple is Tean Hu Huan Soy.

The shrine attracts people who want to improve their physical health through prayers

Location: It is situated on Soi Phuthorn, Ranong Road. This is not very far from the main market.

Highlights: The main building has been renovated several times, and the exterior is highly attractive and appealing. The interior comprises of three statues of Chinese Gods. Fortune sticks are key highlights here. The papers are however written in Thai and Chinese.

Timings: Opens daily from 8:00 AM  to 8.30 PM

Entry Fees: Free

Soak in the peaceful vibes of Phuket with a visit to the statue of Big Buddha when you are there. In the company of surreal sounds of small bells,fluttering of yellow Buddhist flags amalgamating with the background of dharma music, Phuket Big Buddha is a must visit for anyone looking for some tranquillity. 

The impressive statue attracts a number of tourists in Phuket and the sight is enough to take your breath away when you are there. After climbing to the top of the hill, one can be prepared to witness some of the most fascinating sights of the bay and the beach along with a panoramic view of the town located beneath. 

A soothing place to visit, Phuket Big Buddha is easily reachable by a six kilometre road leading from Phuket's Chaofa road West.

Location: Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Timings: 6 am to 7:30 pm

Entry Fees: Free

One of the must see places to visit in Phuket, Wat Chalong is the largest, most revered and most visited Buddhist temple in Phuket. Associated with a number of myths and legends, Wat Chalong houses the sacred relic of a bone splinter of Buddha. 

Wat Chalong features an impressive building and has the walls of the temples decorated with remarkable paintings depicting different stages in the life of Lord Buddha. Built on three floors, Wat Chalong has many interesting sights to offer for the tourists everywhere. 

One of the most striking features of Wat Chalong is the bird’s eye view of the beautiful landscape surrounding the temple and a wonderful glimpse of Phuket Big Buddha.

 Location: 6 70 Chao Fah Tawan Tok Rd, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Timings: 7 am to 5 pm

Entry Fees: Free

Revisit the history of the beautiful town with a visit to Old Phuket town when you are there. A place where you can witness the brilliant heritage of this old city, Old Phuket Town is a booming getaway storing history in all the spectacular ways. 

One can witness the breathtaking architecture of Phuket and witness how it has transpired over the years. Best explored on foot, Old Phuket Town is a cultural powerhouse with shrines, temples (Buddhist and Chinese), baroque and beautifully well-maintained 'shophouses', picturesque cafés, small printing shops, spontaneous private and public museums and even a mini ex-red light district.

Offering an interesting visit with a lot to keep you enticed, Old Phuket Town is one of the best tourist attractions in Phuket. 

Location: Old Phuket Town, Phuket, Thailand

Timings: N/A

Entry Fees: N/A 

Witness the most incredible views of Phuket town by visiting Monkey Hill, also known as Toh Sae Hill. Named Monkey Hill because of the presence of a number of macaques here on the hill, this place is a popular vantage point to soak in some mesmerising vistas of Phuket. 

In the company of these playful macaques who are always looking for a fruit to munch to be given away by the tourists, this place couldn’t be named more appropriately. An awesome place to go with your friends for a picnic or just enjoy a wonderful climb for some great views, Monkey Hill is one of the most idyllic tourist attractions of Phuket. 

It is the highest hill in Phuket and has many TV and radio stations.

Location: 34133 SoiMuensri, TambonRatsada, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

Timings: Sunset and sunrise is the best time to visit Monkey Hill.

Entry Fees: Free

Home to more than 2000 species of shells, Phuket Seashell Museum is a place where you will be fascinated by Phuket’s most offbeat tourist attraction. Displaying a variety of seashells and fossils, Phuket Seashell Museum is a repository of rare exhibits ranging from noble volute, tiger cowries and stout-spine murex in its collection. 

An ideal tourist attraction for tourists visiting Phuket with family and kids, this place offers an interesting insight into the beauty of underwater life. The popular museum in Phuket is a delight for history and archaeology lovers as one can see rare collections of seashells. 

There is also a gift shop at the museum where one can find a number of souvenirs of shells like seashell carving for indoor decoration, seashell jewelry, key chains, shell mobiles, and many more shell crafts and arts. 

Location: Viset Road Rawai Beach, Rawai, Phuket 83100, Thailand

Timings: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Entry Fees: INR 450
                    200 Baht

All shopping lovers can gear up for a delightful visit at Karon Temple Market. One of the most recommended places to visit in Phuket to take back home some amazing souvenirs, Karon Temple Market is a popular shopping place. One can find a number of amazing goodies here ranging from t-shirts, bags, watches, cheap jewellery etc. 

Offering a glimpse of the splendid local culture, Karon Temple Market is a place where you can put your bargaining skills to test and buy a number of things from Phuket. 

The popular market is a fun getaway when you are tired of sightseeing and looking forward to enjoying some refreshing time while sampling some delectable street food of Phuket.

Location: Patak Rd, Tambon Karon, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83100, Thailand

Timings: 4 to 10 pm every Tuesday and Saturday

Entry Fees: N/A

One of the most sought-after happening destinations of Phuket is the thrilling Bangla Road. It is the lifeline for the nightlife of Phuket where crowds enjoy fascinating clubs and bars, sizzling dancing numbers performed by young girls, silky smooth drinks, live music, mouth-melting dishes and fabulous entertainment of all means.

The traffic remains closed from the evening on the road and buzzing loud sounds of music, flashy lighting all mix together creating a mess of sounds on the road. Beer bars, Go Go bars, restaurants, disco, shops all are present in the venue attracting almost 90 % of the visiting crowd of Phuket.

Highlights: Fascinating street performances also catches the eye here specially during the late hours of the night. Soi Bangla, the small lanes across the Bangla Road are the popular landmarks of reputed bars and pubs here.