Phuket is Thailand's biggest island and much more than Patong. Five days gets you the beaches, the food, a boat day and the Old Town most visitors never see.
Day 1: arrive, beach, sunset#
Check in at Kata or Karon, swim, eat on the beach. Late afternoon to Promthep Cape at the island's southern tip for the sunset everyone photographs. Grilled seafood at Rawai for dinner.
Day 2: Phuket Old Town#
Thalang, Dibuk and Krabi roads: pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, Chinese shrines, street art. Eat Hokkien mee, moo hong, dim sum at a 1950s café. If it's Sunday, the Thalang Road walking street from 4pm is the best evening on the island. Phuket beyond Patong.
Day 3: boat day#
Phang Nga Bay (limestone islands, sea caves by canoe, James Bond Island, a floating village lunch) for scenery, or Phi Phi (Maya Bay rules change, Pileh Lagoon, snorkelling) for the famous photos. Book a smaller boat and an early departure.
Day 4: temples, Buddha, Nai Harn#
Wat Chalong in the morning, the Big Buddha on its hill for the view, then Nai Harn beach, the locals' favourite in the south. Afternoon Thai massage. Dinner in Rawai or Kata.
Day 5: the quiet north, then Patong once#
Nai Yang or Mai Khao beach by Sirinat National Park: long, empty, planes landing low over the sand. Then, if you're curious, one night on Bangla Road. Phuket nightlife, honestly.
Three days#
Beach day, Old Town, boat day. Skip the north and the temples.
Seven days#
Add Khao Sok National Park (3 hours, overnight on the lake), Koh Yao Noi for a day, or just two more beach days.
Where to stay#
Where to stay in Phuket. Budget: Phuket on a budget. Weather: Phuket in November. Choosing islands? Phuket vs Koh Samui vs Krabi.
One day of it with a Phuket local#
Old Town's food, the empty northern beach, the boat operator who isn't a scam: a Phuket Local Friend knows. They set their own rates and message you before you meet.
Spend a day in Phuket with someone from the island.
Meet a Local FriendThe couple's version: Phuket for couples.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Phuket?
Five is right: beaches, Old Town, one boat day and a slow day. Three works if you skip the boat or the north. Seven lets you add Khao Sok or a second island.Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay from Phuket?
Phang Nga Bay for scenery and calmer water (limestone karsts, James Bond Island, sea canoes in caves). Phi Phi for the famous beaches, but Maya Bay is often closed or restricted and the trip is crowded. Phang Nga is the better day for most people.Where should I stay in Phuket for a first visit?
Kata or Karon for beach plus restaurants without Patong's chaos. Phuket Old Town for food and culture with the beach a 30-minute drive away. Patong only if the nightlife is the point.Is Phuket Old Town worth a day?
Yes. Sino-Portuguese shophouses, street art, Hokkien-Thai food you won't find elsewhere, and the Sunday evening walking street on Thalang Road.What is the best time to do this Phuket itinerary?
November to April: dry, calm seas, boats run reliably. May to October is monsoon with rough west-coast water and red flags on beaches.