Phuket, Thailand - top beaches and places to visit
- Tania Andreea
- May 2
- 8 min read
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO VISIT AND ACTIVITIES IN PHUKET
If I had to name just one travel destination, among those I've visited so far, that is easily accessible, has gorgeous beaches with fine sand, crystal clear water and paradisiacal landscapes, the answer would definitely be Phuket. It's one of those places that fully deserves its popularity.
If you are thinking of visiting this Thai island, then this post is for you. Here you will find useful information about the places to visit in Phuket, the most beautiful beaches, but also about the most popular activities. I have written separate articles, which develop topics such as:
things to know before visiting Phuket (transportation on the island, accommodation, health and safety risks, etc.);
WHERE ARE YOU ACCOMMODATING IN PHUKET?
One of the most recommended accommodation locations, where there are both taxi and public transport connections, is Patong. Phuket Town can also be a pretty good option, but there are slightly more complicated connections to the airport and certain beaches.
Here are the options that caught my attention:
Courtyard by Marriott - accommodation unit located in Patong, which has twin or double rooms. It is equipped with 4 outdoor swimming pools, two restaurants, bar, fitness room and parking;
Novotel Phuket Resort - accommodation unit located in Patong, which has twin, double rooms, or suites for families. It is equipped with an outdoor pool, bar, fitness room and parking;
Eden Resort - 4-star accommodation unit, located in Patong, which has suites or family rooms that can accommodate up to 4 people. It is equipped with an outdoor pool, restaurant, bar, fitness room and parking;
If you are looking for a slightly more special location, then you can consider Sinae Phuket - SHA Extra Plus. The location is rated 5 stars and has rooms with or without a private pool.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES ON PHUKET ISLAND, THAILAND:
Freedom Beach is definitely one of the most beautiful on the island, with very fine sand that has a flour-like texture and stunning turquoise water. It is shaded by tall trees and can get very crowded during the day. Unfortunately, there are no facilities on the beach such as showers or toilets, but there are places to eat and there is the option to rent a sunbed/plastic chair.
Also, for snorkeling lovers, I have bad news. It is not a suitable place for this activity, both because of the water, which is not crystal clear, and because of the almost non-existent marine life.
Freedom Beach is just a 30-minute walk from Patong. You can choose to reach this beach either by walking, taking a Bolt ride, or taking a taxi. A trip costs around 200 THB.
It is good to know that there are 2 entrances to this beach, one of them is free, and one that costs 100 THB/person. The free one is near the souvenir shop. It is a slightly hidden path. In fact, if you choose the paid path, you can enjoy the viewpoint over the beach.
Naithon Beach is a very long beach and in some areas quite wide. It is shaded by the trees that border it, and the water has an absolutely stunning color. In some areas there are waves, while in other areas the water is calm, perfect for snorkeling. The sand is fine, and the entrance to the water is very smooth.
Although the beach was not crowded at all when we visited, the area is quite lively. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and places selling food and drinks nearby.
There is no public transportation to get to this beach, so the only options are taxi, Bolt rides, rental car, or scooter.
Banana Beach is a beach with golden sand and crystal clear water. It is located in a bay, so it is protected from the wind and there are no waves. It is not as big as Naithon, but it is quite spacious.
As for the location, it is a 30-minute walk from Naithon. Although the beach itself can get quite crowded during the day, the area where it is located is not very lively, so I recommend having food and water supplies, especially if you choose to spend a whole day there.
If you come here to enjoy the sunset, like we did, make sure you have transportation back to the hotel as it is very hard to find a taxi or a Bolt ride from there.
Mai Khao Beach is a very long beach, with many green areas and shaded paths for walking. The sand is fine and has a golden color. The entrance to the water is smooth in some areas, and in other areas, towards the northern side it gets deeper very close to the entrance.
It is a beach that has become famous due to the airplane landing strip, which is in its immediate vicinity. If you choose this beach, it is good to know that in the area of the airport viewpoint it is more crowded and dirty, compared to the northern part, which is quieter and cleaner.
There is no public transportation to get to this beach, so the only options are taxi, ride sharing, rental car or scooter.
Surin Beach is a very long beach, with crystal clear water and very fine sand. There are both towel areas and sun loungers and umbrella areas. The most interesting and beautiful part of this beach is the corner at the northern end.
Unlike the beaches previously presented, this one is accessible by public transport, from Patong, or from other areas on the west coast, there is the Smart bus that runs quite often. The ticket has a single price of 100 THB/person, regardless of the station you get off at.
Laem Singh Beach is a small beach, but quite empty because it is very difficult to access. You can get there either on foot, from Surin or Kamala beaches, if there is low tide, or by boat. I recommend the second option, it is much more accessible.
Kamala Beach is a very long beach with fine sand and areas for towels, sunbeds and umbrellas. Unfortunately, the water here is not as beautiful a color as on other beaches and is also not as clear, due to a stream that flows here. However, it was one of my favorites.
To reach this beach, there is the option of public transportation, with the Smart bus from Patong, or other areas on the west coast.
Yanui Beach is the beach that has become my absolute favorite for snorkeling. There are lots of corals and fish in the water. If you also like this activity, don't miss it.
The sand is fine, but you will need water shoes to get into the water as there are sharp rocks and corals at almost every step. It can also get quite crowded during the day and shade is limited. The good thing is that you can rent umbrellas for 100THB/day.
To get to this beach, there is the Smart Bus from Patong, or the local bus from Phuket Town, both going to Rawai. From Rawai it is about a 30 minute walk. A Bolt ride can also be a good option if you don't have a rental car or scooter.
If you want to avoid the hassle of public transportation and at the same time visit several beaches, including Yanui, you can opt for a boat tour, details here.
Patong Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Phuket Island. Although it wasn't one of my favorites, I still decided to include it here. It's a very long beach with fine sand, very bumpy due to the tide. In my opinion, the beach looks much nicer when there is a tide. The water doesn't have a nice color, it's quite sandy and brown. I noticed that the northern part of the beach looks nicer, so I recommend that area more than the rest.
The sun loungers are plastic and the price (in 2025) is 200THB/ 2 pcs. Renting a jetski for 30 minutes costs 1500 THB.
TOP NIGHT MARKETS IN PHUKET
Night markets are deeply rooted in Thai culture and customs, so you shouldn't miss a visit to at least one of them. Below is a list of the most popular ones:
Bang Tao Beach night market - open Friday evening
Karon Temple Market - open Tuesday and Friday
Patong Otop - open daily
Kata Night Market - open daily
Phuket Indie Market - open from Wednesday to Friday starting at 4:00 PM
Malin Plaza Patong - open daily from 14:00
Chillva Night Market - a more exotic market, open daily starting at 5:00 PM
Naka Market Phuket Town - open on weekends
Lard Yai Phuket - open on Sunday
Banzaan Patong - open daily
PLACES TO VISIT IN PHUKET THAT ARE NOT BEACHES
Big Buddha, as its name suggests, it is a giant Buddha, or rather a giant temple statue. It is located on top of a hill, and the location offers panoramic views over the island. Admission is free, but visitors must be dressed decently, with knees and shoulders covered.
How do you get there?
As for the location on the island, the temple is located in the Kata - Karon area. The easiest way to get to this location is with a Bolt ride, taxi, rented car, or rented scooter. Public transport is not very well developed in this area and it is necessary to either change several buses or walk a lot, regardless of the location you are coming from.
Wat Chalong (Chaithararam Temple) is the largest temple in Phuket and also the most visited, both by locals who come to pray and by tourists. In addition to the paintings representative of the Buddhist religion, which can be admired inside, the temple also houses several golden statues.
How do you get there?
To get to this temple, either choose public transportation, combined with walking, a Bolt/Grab ride, or a taxi.
Phuket Old town is one of the most interesting places to visit on the island. It is a location with a long history, being the perfect mix of Chinese and Portuguese, which I don't know if you can see it anywhere else. In the 16th century, Europeans were involved in tin mining, and in the 18th century, the extraction was taken over by the Chinese. In the 20th century, Europeans returned to Phuket, building roads, canals, and houses in the Sino-Portuguese style. The buildings still exist today, contributing to much of the charm of the town.
The main streets that you should not miss are: Thalang Road, Soi Romanee, Phangnga Road and Dibuk Road. Near the city you can visit Khao Rang Viewpoint, Chaithararam Temple, Monkey Hill.
How do you get there?
To get to Phuket, from Patong I used local transport. I went with a tuk tuk bus, and the ticket cost 40THB/person. The station is near Patong Beach and you have to wave to the driver to stop.
Ma Doo Bua Cafe is one of the most interesting cafes I've visited so far. What's so special about this place? The lake with giant water lilies, which creates a very pleasant atmosphere.
Many tourists come here, both to enjoy the location and to take photos. You can take photos on your own, on the pontoon, or on the edge of the lake, but also professional photo sessions on boats, with photographers provided by the cafe. The price of a photo session starts from 500 THB and can go up to 2400 THB. To get a place at the professional photo sessions, you must reserve your place as soon as you arrive at the location, because the waiting time can be quite long.
How do you get there?
From Patong, there is a public transport option to Ma Doo Bua. The bus has a stop located near Patong Beach, right in front of Bangla Road. The ticket costs 100THB/person, and the stop where you get off is Baan Khian.
CONCLUSIONS
Phuket is a fairly large and complex island, but I think the beaches and night markets are the most interesting places to enjoy here. It is definitely a destination worth considering and one that I recommend, although in recent years it has become very touristy and popular.
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