Patong Beach is possibly the most famous beach on Phuket, with its wide variety of activities and nightlife. By night the town has a bustling nightlife, which includes hundreds of restaurants, beer bars, and discos.

Phromthep cape, set an top of a hill on the Southernmost tip of the island, is a beautiful viewpoint to watch the sunset. The orange sun falling from blue skies into blue seas is undoubtedly mesmerizing.

Kata and Karon Beaches are known as the warmest, clearest, and most family friendly locations on Phuket. These beaches are popular amongst families, who choose to enjoy their activities on the long expansive sands, under the warm island sun. Between May and October, surfers will flock to catch waves, while during November and April the beaches are alive with sun seekers.

Phuket’s Big Buddha is one of the island’s most important and revered landmarks. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and at 45 metres high it is easily seen from far away.

The lofty site offers the best 360-degree views of the island (think sweeping vistas of Phuket Town, Kata, Karon beaches, Chalong Bay and more.) Easily reachable via a six-kilometre road leading from Phuket’s main artery, it’s a must-visit island destination.

Close up to the image itself it is very peaceful and the only noises you will hear are the tinkling of small bells and the yellow Buddhist flags in the compound flapping in the wind plus soft background dharma music.

Known among Thais as the Phra Puttamingmongkol Akenakkiri Buddha in full, it is 25 meters across at the base. The whole body is layered with beautiful white Burmese marble that shines in the sun, making it a natural symbol of hope. The views, and the actual image itself are all breathtaking.

Phuket Old Town is the historical centre of Phuket Town. Established during the peak of tin mining industry at the end of the 19th Century and beginning of 20th century, this district hosts superb mansions and beautifully preserved ‘shop-houses’ built in a Sino-colonial architecture. Phuket Old Town is in constant evolution with the opening of many restaurants, coffee-shops, boutiques and bars, making it a lively place to hang around after sunset; during daytime, it remains an important commercial hub with the two markets held on Ranong Road; and every Sundays, Phuket Walking Street is an extremely popular event held on Thalang Road that attracts thousands of visitors.

There is a saying among Thai tourists that if you are visiting Phuket but have not yet set foot in Wat Chalong, then you have not really arrived on the island. 95% of Thais are Buddhist, and there are 29 temples, or ‘wats’, on the island of Phuket alone. Definitely its most famous, Phuket’s Chalong Temple is also its largest and has been welcoming visitors since the beginning of the 19thcentury. As such, it is a popular spot for tourists, so those seeking something serene might do well to look elsewhere for that.