Thailand’s Phuket Island is one of the world’s premier holiday destinations. The island lies in the warm waters of the Andaman Sea just off Thailand’s Indian Ocean coastline, about 862 kilometres south of Bangkok, just a short one-and-a-half-hour flight away. Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, measuring 48 kilometres in length and 21 kilometres at its widest point. The island has a mountainous interior filled with lush emerald foliage and boasts some of the best beaches in the country, long white strands of sand beside sparkling azure waters. It’s no wonder the island attracts so many visitors, around 600,000 a month!
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Phuket is truly a wonder, the island offers an amazing variety of things to see and do, but first, be sure to make your reservation at one of Phuket five star hotels so you can enjoy your holiday in the kind of comfort and style the land of Smiles is famous for! Once you have settled in, it’s time to get out there and see the sights, and experience Phuket’s many charms for yourself! We have picked a few of our favourite attractions to get you started!
Nai Harn Beach
This lovely beach lies at the island’s southernmost tip and is one of the most popular with visitors and locals alike, but don’t worry, this long, pleasant coast has plenty of room to stretch out in. Explore the grassy hummocks that back the beach, lounge on the shining white sand, or dive into the inviting waters, this is the tropical beach you have always dreamed of! There are a number of excellent restaurants just a short walk away, so you can have a bite between refreshing dips in the gentle sea! It’s the perfect place to have fun and frolic in grand beachside style!
Phuket Town
This exciting island town is filled to the brim with fascinating museums, religious and cultural sites, markets, restaurants, and entertainment venues, there’s something to please every taste here! It’s a bit of a hike to reach the closest beach, but there is plenty to see and do on those days when you need a little break from all the sea and sun! Make sure to visit the bustling, vibrant Chinatown area for some of the best authentic Chinese food this side of Shanghai! Phuket Town is consistently listed as one of Thailand’s must visit destinations, so don’t miss out on any of the fun!
Wat Chalong
This is the largest of Phuket’s 29 traditional Buddhist temples and the most famous. The temple complex is quite spacious, with gorgeously landscaped gardens, intricately carved and colourful architecture, and gleaming golden statues, you will feel as if you have been transported to another, more serene age. The resident monks ask that visitors speak in quiet tones so as not to disturb anyone engaged in meditation on these sacred grounds, and to please not touch the delicate relics, statuary, and other artefacts. There is also a dress code in place for visitors, long trousers or skirts covering the knees, and shirts or blouses covering the shoulders, so please dress respectfully during your visit. When entering the temple proper, you will be asked to doff your shoes and turn your smartphone off. These rules are a small price to pay for the wonderful experience this superb temple has to offer its visitors.
Kata Noi Beach
It’s time to head down to the beach again, this lovely seaside locale is famed for its sparkling white sands and crystal clear turquoise waters. This beach is usually calm and quiet, just the kind of place to enjoy long, romantic walks in the sunset. There are restaurants and small shops nearby for snacks and shopping you can enjoy before you return to this blissful beach for more relaxation. Kata Noi is free to access and open 24 hours a day, so it’s the perfect place for moonlit strolls and swims, but skinny dipping is strictly forbidden, so please bring your swimsuit!
The Big Buddha
This enormous statue of the Buddha gains its pure white colour from the Burmese alabaster encasing it. The 45-metre tall and 25-metre wide statue shows Gautama in a sitting position towering over the island from the peak of Mount Nagakerd. The lofty location boasts a spectacular panoramic view of the island, the white sand beaches and the small islands scattered across glittering Chalong Bay viewed from this height are an unforgettable sight! Don’t forget your camera!
Have we convinced you to come experience all the beauty, luxury, and fun that Phuket has to offer yet? Be sure to check out the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket pages for even more enticing information that is sure to draw you here to this charming tropical island paradise! We recommend you plan on staying at least a week or more so you have time to do and see everything on wonderful Phuket Island, but don’t worry if you miss something, because we know you will be back for more!
