Is Phuket worth visiting? 15 Reasons why visit Phuket, Thailand!

Phuket is a true paradise with amazing beaches, delicious local Thai food and stunning scenery. To answer everyone’s question if is Phuket worth visiting, we put together this article to show you all the best reasons why visit Phuket, Thailand. We originally only planned to spend just 3 days in Phuket, but we decided to extend our stay once we arrived. 

For sure, Phuket is worth visiting for many reasons; here, you will find the top 15 reasons why you should visit Phuket now! The unique destination in Thailand offers a wide range of activities besides the classic beach hopping around the island. Like many satellites, there are world-class destinations reachable by long-tail boats that we included in this guide.

Why visit Phuket?

Things to know before visiting Phuket, Thailand

Phuket island is wide, and choosing a suitable accommodation will save you a lot of time and money. Depending on your travel lifestyle, you can either book accommodation in the Old Town and rent a scooter to move around freely. Otherwise, you can book a beach resort and stay on the coast side of Phuket. Regardless, we suggest renting a scooter because there are so many incredible activities worth doing while in Phuket.

Below you will find important information that you should know before visiting Phuket, Thailand:

• Drive on the left (Like in the UK)
• You need an International driving licence to drive around the Island. There are many police blocks at every corner, and you can get a fine of up to 1000 THB
• Download the Grab taxi app
• Have cash with you
• 7-11 will be your best friend for quick drinks and food

What is the best time to visit Phuket?

The best time to visit Phuket is between November and April when the weather is sunny and dry. During this time, visiting the Island and organising incredible outdoor activities is perfect. Although, prices might be higher than usual as it’s the high season. If you’re looking to visit Phuket in the low seasons, between May and October, remember that these are the monsoon seasons and could be dangerous due to the weather conditions, tropical storms and tsunamis.

How to get to Phuket?

FLIGHT | Phuket is well connected with other Asian destinations; in fact, there are so many flights arriving and departing from Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and many more. Depending on where you are flying from, if you book in advance, you will be able to have great deals. For example, you can check different companies flying into Phuket from London. Still, most have layovers in other destinations, although you can fly to Bangkok directly from London. 

BUS |  If you’re already in Thailand, reaching Phuket by bus is the best and most sustainable way. We were in Koh Samui and reached Phuket by taking the ferry and then the bus. The journey took 5 hours, and you can reserve your tickets here.

Thailand Travel Insurance

Don’t travel anywhere without travel insurance, no matter your journey. Travelling around Asia without travel insurance is not a good idea. You must have insurance that covers your back in any case. You never know what it can happen, from baggage loss to medical issues; having travel insurance is peace of mind.

Hey Mondo | COVID-19 coverage, medical expenses and total travel costs. A fantastic app with 24-hour medical care and no extra charges. You can save 5% on your insurance by booking through our link.

SafetyWing | COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and insurance can be purchased while travelling for digital nomads.

Is Phuket worth visiting?

Yes, yes and absolutely yes! We recommend visiting Phuket while travelling through Thailand. Even if it might be just a short visit to Phuket, you will have a pleasant vacation in Phuket, tasting the local food, relaxing on the best beaches and admiring some of the most amazing landscapes. After travelling to so many places in Thailand, Phuket is almost on top of our list.

However, Chiang Mai still got the top position. Besides that, Phuket is the perfect destination for any traveller and is worth adding to your bucket list. Below you will find all the top reasons why you should visit Phuket, Thailand. 

15 Good reasons why visit Phuket!

Best reasons why is Phuket worth visiting

Amazing and relaxing beaches

You can’t leave Phuket without visiting its amazing beaches, from the most famous beaches to the hidden ones. We absolutely loved going beach-hopping while in Phuket; it was one of the best ways to beat the heat. Beach and sunbathe in the morning and work in the late afternoon. Add the hidden Freedom Beach and the famous Karon Beach to your list. We personally love Kata Noi beach; less crowded in the morning and perfect for a swim.

Best beaches in Phuket

It’s impossible to say which is the best beach in Phuket; however, we can point you to some of the most incredible shores on the island. From hidden coves to busy shorelines surrounded by lush green hills, Phuket has it all. The perfect destination in Southern Thailand is ideal for a beach retreat. Enjoy a luxurious beach club, sipping fresh coconut, or go on an adventure hiking the trail to Freedom Beach to enjoy the pristine jungle beach atmosphere. These are the top 10 beaches in Phuket for us:

Best food to try in Thailand

• Pad Thai
• Tom Yum Goong
• Massaman Curry
• Som Tam
• Khao Pad

Island hopping opportunities

If you’re coming to Phuket, for sure you want to visit the famous Maya Bay and Phi Phi Island. It’s a must, and it’s one of the reasons why you should visit Phuket. Maya Bay, thanks to being one of the filming locations of Di Caprio’s movie “The Beach”, today is a popular attraction. In fact, to preserve nature, you are not allowed to swim in Maya Bay, although you can enjoy the soft sand and dip your toes into the water. From Phuket, there are so many tours departing to Maya Bay and Phi Phi Island; here are a few that we suggest.

Great nightlife

You can stay energised in Phuket; there is always something to do or a place to visit. Depending on where you are staying, Phuket offers fantastic nightlife. We stayed in the Old Town, and every time something was going on, from the night market to a late night in a club, we experienced the best nightlife in Phuket. Although, the best place for nightlife is Bangla walking street. It’s the Khao San Road of Phuket. In fact, during the day, it seems like a typical street with shops and bars, but during the night, it’s the place that never sleeps. You will find live music and bars open till late, which is a must-experience while in Phuket.

Incredible landscapes

If you still need to find your reason why Phuket is worth visiting, its incredible scenery may change your mind. We’re beach lovers, but we had a great mix of mountains and the sea in Phuket. Your final destination doesn’t matter; you will find amazing landscapes while strolling or driving around Phuket. In fact, one of the top things we recommend is to visit the Big Buddha Statue. Located uphill, from there, you have one of the best views of Phuket. You can either visit at sunset, or you can wake up early in the morning and enjoy the place all for yourself.

Warm weather all year round

Overall, Phuket has lovely and warm weather all year round, although check the prediction before you travel. If you visit Phuket during the wrong seasons, you will have heavy rain during your itinerary. The best time to visit Phuket is between November and April when the days are mostly sunny and dry. Although, being the best season means it’s the high season leading to more expensive accommodation and activities. We visited Phuket in January, and we found it pretty affordable. Instead of staying on the west coast, we booked accommodation 10 minutes away from the old town. 

The monsoon season is between November and April, and in fact, travelling to Phuket around this time is more affordable. However, check the weather prediction as the Island can be affected by tropical storms and tsunamis.

Sensational night markets

Night markets are life when visiting Thailand. We experienced the best food while hopping from one market to another. We previously mentioned that there are so many incredible markets worth visiting in Phuket, but our favourites are Chillva and Kata night markets. You have a great selection of local food, unique shops and live music. Chillva Market is open every day from 5 PM to 11 PM and closed on Sunday. On that day, don’t worry because the night market in the Old Town is open. 

Beautiful temples

Thailand is home to some of the most incredible temples, and during your Phuket itinerary, you will visit them. Wat Chalong temple is considered one of the most religious sites in Phuket and absolutely worth visiting. Ensure you dress up appropriately and respect other cultures. Additionally, make sure you add to your list Wat Wichit Sangkaram and Wat Mongkhon NiImit, which are located in the Old Town. If you love exploring the city by walking, the old town is the perfect place for you. We found these two temples just by roaming about, and we were so happy to visit them as they are just incredible! 

Great cabaret night shows

Our first cabaret show was in Chiang Mai, and we absolutely loved it. While in Phuket, we decided to head to Simon Cabaret Show, as it’s considered one of the most famous ones. We absolutely loved it and highly recommend purchasing your ticket here and having the best time. Pick between the different packages and plan a fun night out in Phuket.

Cute Instagram spots

Where to find the best Instagram spots in Phuket? You can read our complete guide here, but to give you a little snap, there are so many Insta-worthy locations in Phuket. From the cute colourful streets in the old town to Ma Doo Bua Cafe, you will be surprised to see the many photography locations in Phuket. Check out the Big Buddha at sunrise and Promthep Cape for sunset; these are two of our favourite spots on the Island. 

Incredible Cultural sights

One of the reasons why is Phuket worth visiting is for its outstanding cultural attractions. We already mentioned a few, like the Big Buddha Statue and Wat Chalong temple, but there is more. For example, did you know that the old town is considered one of the best cultural sights in Phuket? Well, thanks to its sino-portuguese mansions and picturesque boutiques cafe, the old town is one of the most famous sightseeing places on the Island. Additionally to these incredible cultural attractions, there is the Heroine’s Monument. Barely mentioned in any of Phuket’s guides, the statue of Lady Chan and Lady Mook represent the two women that led the battle against Burmese intruders. 

Best Thai massages

Thailand is known for its amazing Thai massages. Well, we can’t say no to a well-deserved massage. You can get a massage in many places, even on the beach. However, we suggest you go outside the touristy area, the prices are slightly expensive but still affordable. You won’t be paying a massage more than £10, of course, it depends on which one you’re going for. 

Exciting outdoor activities

There are so many incredible activities that you can do whilst in Phuket. From snorkelling, Island hopping and elephant sanctuary, Phuket is a great place to do so many things. You can spend a month in Phuket and still find amazing activities to do. We loved exploring the nearby Island, and there are so many tours that you can choose from. Below are our recommendations.

Natural wonders and amazing waterfalls

Phuket is full of natural beauty, from the waterfalls to the sensational hikes. You will have the best time exploring Phuket if you love nature. You can plan an amazing day with a morning hike and an afternoon cool down in one of Phuket’s best waterfalls. Bang Pae, Kathu and Ton Sai are considered the most famous waterfalls in Phuket, but if you’re looking for hidden places on the east coast, you will find Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, a great place to spend your day out. Also, add to your Phuket itinerary Sirinat National Park, which offers incredible wildlife!

Great place for digital nomads

After falling in love with Chiang Mai as the perfect place for digital nomads, we were surprised to see Phuket as another great location to base yourself in. You have everything. From beaches, nightlife, an international airport, great places to work from and good internet, Phuket is a fantastic place for digital nomads. We originally planned to spend 3 days in Phuket, but we decided to spend 2 weeks catching up with some work. So in the morning, we were working and heading toward the beach for lunchtime to enjoy some sunshine. It was a pretty cool balance, and we absolutely loved it. 

10 Best things to do in Phuket

Q&A Is Phuket worth visiting?

Is Phuket Safe?

Yes! Generally speaking, Phuket is safe for tourists; however, depending on when you visit the Island, be aware of tropical storms and natural disasters. Overall, while roaming around Phuket, you will feel safe; locals are super friendly and ready to help you, although always be careful when going around. 

Bad things can happen anywhere, so having travel insurance is essential. 

How many days in Phuket is enough?

There are so many things to do in Phuket, we recommend from 3 days in Phuket to a week. Having enough time to explore the Island will allow you to experience all the fantastic things Phuket offers. Spend 7 days in Phuket, and add all the activities to your bucket list.

Is Phuket worth visiting now?

Yes! Phuket is worth visiting, and it’s a great holiday destination with amazing beaches, tasty food and affordable accommodations. There are so many things to do in Phuket that you can’t get bored. So book your Island hopping tour and visit the nearby islands from Phuket. 

What is so special about Phuket?

Phuket is the largest Island in Thailand and is the best place to spend a couple of weeks and escape winter in Europe. There are lovely accommodations, tasty food and incredible natural sights worth visiting. When you arrive in Phuket, you will entirely fall in love. 

What is the best month to visit Phuket?

November to February are the best months to visit Phuket. It’s considered the high season, as the days are mostly sunny and dry. Although, you have great weather all year round thanks to its tropical position. 

Is a week long enough in Phuket?

Yes! A week in Phuket is perfect for exploring the Island’s best places. You can freely explore around, from north to south, and you will have enough time to explore Phuket. Although, if you have only 3 days in Phuket, you can visit all the most important sights. Check our Phuket 3 days itinerary here.

Is Phuket expensive? 

Compared to other destinations in Thailand, Phuket is slightly expensive. For example, a scooter in Chiang Mai would cost 200 baht per day (£4.80); in Phuket, you won’t find less than 300 baht (£7.20).

Depending on where you are staying, you can find better rates for accommodation, eating out and shopping. For example, we stayed 10 minutes away from the Old Town and saved a lot of money.

WHERE TO GO NEXT?

Every time is good to travel and make new experiences. Thailand is amazing, and there are so many incredible places worth visiting. Here you will find more inspiration about Thailand:

EXPLORE THAILAND

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Most instagrammable places in Phuket
How to spend one day in Bangkok
The best Instagram Spots in Bangkok
Chiang Mai Travel Guide
Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai
Is Chiang Mai worth visiting?
Chiang Mai 3 days itinerary

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