There are so many sights and excursions to visit on Phuket that you'll need weeks to really see a lot. You can explore the island by land on a scooter or from the sea by water taxi. A visit to the Big Buddha, shopping in Phuket Town and the impressive Wat Chalong temple tempt you. What are the must-see sights on Phuket? In my experience report I have listed the most important spots on the island for you.

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If you are curious, adventurous and enjoy exploring, Phuket is the right place for you. There are so many different sights to see on the island that you could basically stay busy for weeks. If you have less time because you only have a two week vacation in paradise Island you may have to select a little what you look at. After all, you also want time for that Beach plan on.

Phuket is a large, diverse and colorful island with a lot to do on it. In this post I would like to introduce you to the most beautiful sights that you definitely shouldn't miss. On my Travel Blog I would like to introduce you to many exciting things to do on your Phuket vacation.

Video – The most beautiful Phuket sights

Below I have an exciting video for you. Find out everything you can do on Phuket. Many sights are also presented there. This makes the video ideal for your travel planning.

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Map of Phuket attractions

I have created a map of the attractions on Phuket for you, where you can see the most important spots on the island that you can visit on your Travel can visit. If you feel like it, you can visit all of them. And if you don't have a lot of time, just look for the sights that interest you the most. For me, for example, these are the temples.

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The best sights in Phuket

Tips and recommendations from temples to waterfalls

Everywhere, evenly distributed, you will find the most beautiful sights on the island of Phuket. There is so much to see and discover. The numerous spots on the island have always amazed and thrilled me. Below I have listed the most important attractions of the paradisiacal island for you and show you what you absolutely have to see.

1. Big Buddha on Phuket – landmark with symbolic power

In the Big Buddha on Phuket it is a particularly large Buddha statue. The statue is made of marble and is a whopping 45 meters high. The base has a diameter of 25 meters. Next to the Big Buddha there is a smaller Buddha made of gold. At the Big Buddha you also have an excellent view over the island. Access is possible via Karon or Chalong.

Further information

• Address: Tambon Karon, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83100, Thailand
• Opening hours: 6:00 p.m. - 18:30 p.m.
• Admission: free, donations are welcome
• Note: appropriate clothing required

2. Phuket Town and Koh Sire Island - Contrast between hustle and bustle

Phuket Town is surprisingly beautiful compared to many other island capitals - which is mainly due to the old town with its partly colonial architecture. The outskirts of Phuket Town, on the other hand, are characterized by traffic and crowded streets. The place is also one big construction site.

From Phuket Town you can reach the island of Koh Sire, which can be reached via a bridge. The island is actually a sea gypsy colony. However, some really remarkable premium hotels are now being built there. The island is still an insider tip. Directly behind the bridge you are greeted by wild monkeys that live in the swamps. 

Further information

• Koh Sire and Phuket Town: Koh Sire is a small island connected to Phuket Town by a short bridge
• Attractions: Westin Siray Bay Resort, Wat Koh Sirey Temple with Golden Reclining Buddha, Sea Gypsy Village
• Note: Lots of monkeys at the bridge, local seafood available

3. Thalang Road in Phuket Town

The Phuket Town Night Market in the Thalang Rd is an experience not to be missed when in Phuket. The market takes place every Sunday on Talang Road, one of the oldest and most beautiful streets in the city. The street is lined with historic Sino-Portuguese-style buildings, reminiscent of Phuket's colonial past. The road is also largely free of the annoying power cables that can be seen everywhere else on Phuket.

4. Wat Chalong Temple - Phuket's most famous temple

The Wat Chalong is not only the largest of the 29 Buddhist temples on the island of Phuket, but rightly also the most impressive and prominent. The temple is located in the village of Chalong, southeast of Phuket Town. The pagodas of the temple are really impressive. The monks Luang Pho Chuang and Luang Pho Chaem, who lived in the temple during the tin workers' uprising, are also venerated here.

Further information

• Address: 70 Chao Fah Tawan Tok Rd, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000, Thailand
• Opening hours: 7:00 p.m. - 17:00 p.m.
• Admission: free, donations requested
• Note: appropriate clothing required

Overview map of the temples on Phuket

Temples on Phuket at a glance

1. Wat Khao Rang Temple Phuket: Wat Khao Rang Temple in Phuket is a small temple that sits on a hill and offers breathtaking views of the city. Entry is free and the temple is open daily from 08 a.m. to 00 p.m.
2. Jui Tui Shrine Temple Phuket: The Jui Tui Shrine Temple in Phuket is a Chinese temple known for its colorful statues and shrines. Entry is free and the temple is open daily from 07 a.m. to 00 p.m.
3. Wat Phra Thong Phuket: Phuket's Wat Phra Thong temple is known for its golden Buddha statue half-buried in the ground. Entry is free and the temple is open daily from 08 a.m. to 00 p.m.
4. Wat Phra Nang Sang Phuket: Wat Phra Nang Sang Temple in Phuket is a small temple known for its beautiful murals and statues. Entry is free and the temple is open daily from 08 a.m. to 00 p.m.
5. Wat Sri Sunthon Phuket (Wat Lipon): Wat Sri Sunthon Temple in Phuket is a small temple known for its beautiful murals and statues. Entry is free and the temple is open daily from 08 a.m. to 00 p.m.
6. Wat Baan Kamala Phuket: Wat Baan Kamala Temple in Phuket is a small temple known for its beautiful murals and statues. Entry is free and the temple is open daily from 08 a.m. to 00 p.m.
7. Wat Suwan Khuha (outside Phuket): Wat Suwan Khuha Temple is located outside Phuket and is known for its huge reclining Buddha statue. Entry is free and the temple is open daily from 08 a.m. to 00 p.m.

You can find more information about the temples on Phuket here.

5. Laem Promthep (Promthep Cape) - Temple and panorama at the southern tip

Laem Promthep – also known as Promthep Cape – is located at the very southern tip of Phuket. This is a vantage point that overlooks the entire stretch of coastline and extends to Ya Nui Beach, the islands of Koh Man, Koh Kaeo Yai and Koh Kaeo Noi and overlooks Krating Cape.

Especially at sunset there is an incredibly beautiful view at Laem Promthep (Promthep Ch). There is also a lighthouse and a small Buddhist temple there. To be honest, I thought the lighthouse was part of the temple when I was there.

Further information

• Address: Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand
• Opening hours: open 24hrs
• Admission: Free of charge

6. Koh Lon off Rawai - Natural paradise just off the coast

The small, idyllic island of Koh Von is located directly in front of Rawai. It is only a few hundred meters from Phuket. You can easily travel to the island with a kayak or a stand-up paddling board.

Of course there is also the option of taking a taxi boat. There are a few wonderful, secluded sandy beaches on Koh Lon. The island is uninhabited.

Further information

• Reachability: Via Rawai Beach by boat (approx. 2.000 baht for a boat including driver)
• Note: Best time to visit is morning, overnight accommodations available

7. Visit the food market in Phuket

No visit to Southeast Asia, Thailand or Phuket is complete without taking a trip to a food market. There is everything your heart desires to eat there. Vegetables, meat and fish are freshly prepared. There is also ice cream and delicious smoothies prepared on site. 

The most important food markets on Phuket

1. Phuket Sunday Street Market: The Phuket Sunday Street Market is a night market that takes place every Sunday in Phuket Town. Here you will find a wide range of Thai dishes and snacks as well as clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. The market is open from 17:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m.
2. Chillva Night Market: Chillva Night Market is a young night market in Phuket Town, housed in old shipping containers. Here you will find a large selection of street food, clothing, accessories and handicrafts. The market is open Thursday to Saturday from 17:00 p.m. to 23:00 p.m.
3. Phuket Weekend Night Market: Phuket Weekend Night Market, also known as Naka Market, is a large night market in Phuket Town. Here you will find a wide range of Thai dishes and snacks as well as clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. The market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 16:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m.
4. Malin plaza patong: Malin Plaza is a night market at the southern end of Patong Beach. Here you will find a wide range of Thai dishes and snacks as well as clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. The market is open daily from 14 p.m. to midnight.
5. OTOP Night Market: The OTOP Night Market is a local market specializing in handicrafts and local products. Here you will find a wide range of handmade products, clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. The market is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 16:00 p.m. to 21:00 p.m.

Further information about the food markets on Phuket here and here.

8. For animal lovers - Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Elephants are often treated poorly in Southeast Asia - tortured in shows or trained to amuse visitors. The animals are often mistreated and tortured for this. Not so at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. The facility, modeled on the rescue center in Chiang Mai, buys mistreated animals from zoos and organizers and houses them in an area in the north of Phuket.

The park is open to visitors, who can learn a lot about elephants and get up close and personal access to the wild animals. The entrance fee isn't cheap - 92 euros per person - but it's worth it: the club uses it to buy more elephants and offer them a better home. 

Further information

• Address: 100, Moo 2, Paklok, Thalang, Phuket, Thailand
• Contact: Tel: +66 76 529 099, +66 62 767 7111, Email: info@phuketpes.org, website phuketelephantsanctuary.org
• Opening hours: 8:30 p.m. - 17:30 p.m.

9. Monkey Conservation Project - The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP)

Very close to the Bang Phae Waterfall in Khao Pra Theaw National Park is the rescue station of The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP) in the middle of the jungle. Many visitors come across the facility by chance while on their way to the waterfall. There, white-handed gibbons are prepared with a lot of commitment and effort for release into their original habitat. Very worth seeing and absolutely inspiring.

Further information

• Address: 104/3 Moo 3, Paklock, Talang, Phuket 83100 
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 16:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 15:00 p.m 
• Admission: Eintritt frei

10. A waterfall on Phuket always works

Phuket has numerous waterfalls in the interior of the island. Particularly well-known are the Kathu Waterfalls in the center of the island, the Tonsai Waterfalls and the Bang Phae Waterfalls. The latter are very close to the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project and can easily be combined in one visit. 

The most beautiful waterfalls on Phuket

1. Bang Pae waterfall: The Bang Pae Waterfall on Phuket is located in the eastern part of the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park and can be reached on your own by scooter or with an organized bike tour. The highest part of the waterfall is about 10 meters high, making it the largest on Phuket.
2. Tonsai waterfall: The Tonsai Waterfall is significantly smaller than the Bangpae Waterfall and is also located in the national park. Access is from Thalang via an approximately 3 km long road lined with dense rubber plantations.
3. Kathu waterfall: Kathu Waterfall is another popular waterfall in Phuket.
4. Bang Wan waterfall: Bang Wan Waterfall is another beautiful waterfall in Phuket.
5. Ton Ao Yon waterfall: Ton Ao Yon Waterfall is another waterfall worth seeing in Phuket.

11. Sirinat National Park - untouched nature right at the airport

Basically, the area around the airport is surprisingly beautiful and seems to me to be quite underrated overall. There are still significantly fewer holidaymakers there than on the rest of the island. For example, there is the Sirinat National Park, which is astonishingly beautiful.

There are white sandy beaches and some forests and mangroves that extend directly to the water. Much of Sirinat National Park is waterfront and offers some of the region's most beautiful coral reefs for diving and snorkeling.

Further information

Address: 89 Sakhu, Thalang District, Phuket 83140, Thailand

Surface: 90 km²

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 06:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m

12. The beach at the airport

The beach in front of Phuket airport is a real sight - definitely for plane spotters and anyone fascinated by airplanes. You've probably wondered what it's like to lie on a beach while planes land or take off right above your head. You can experience this at Phuket airport. The beach is called Mai Khao Beach and is located just a few meters from the runway. The planes are almost within reach here.

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Sights on Phuket – enjoy the island to the fullest

My conclusion

I was almost a bit overwhelmed with the sights on Phuket because I didn't know what to see first. Phuket has an endless variety of attractions to visit during your stay. If you don't have an endless amount of time, you should select the attractions according to your preferences and visit the spots that appeal to you most. In this post about Phuket's sights, I've given you a selection of my favorites that I've visited - and that I can recommend to you.

Of course, there are numerous other places on Phuket that you can visit during your stay. I can guarantee you one thing: your visit to the island will definitely not be boring if you look at these special places on Phuket.

Have you already been to Phuket or are you currently planning your first trip to the adventurous island? What other sights can you recommend? Share your experiences in the comments.