Phuket has welcomed seafarers and traders for centuries, its Old Town shaped by Hokkien Chinese merchants, Malay spice routes, and a tin-mining boom that funded today’s pastel Sino‑Portuguese shophouses. Beyond the history, this is Thailand’s largest island, a springboard to the Andaman Sea’s coral reefs, hidden lagoons, and limestone towers.

Expect warm, clear water from November to April, emerald seas year-round, and a culinary scene that earned Phuket the title of UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Southern Thai food leans bright and spicy—think turmeric curries, fresh seafood, and Hokkien noodles—balanced by tropical fruit shakes and strong local coffee.

Practical notes: fly Riyadh (RUH) to Phuket (HKT) via one stop (Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Bahrain). Modest clothing is required at temples; reef-safe sunscreen is recommended for snorkel days; and Maya Bay visits follow conservation rules (view from the beach, no swimming in the bay). Rideshare apps and metered taxis make getting around easy; confident riders can rent scooters, helmets mandatory.

Phuket

Phuket is many trips in one island: heritage-laced Old Town, family-friendly Kata and Karon, lively Patong, and relaxed Bangtao/Kamala. Mornings are for coffee and markets, afternoons for long swims and viewpoint sunsets, and nights for hawker stalls or refined tasting menus.

Use Phuket as a hub for island hopping—Phi Phi’s jade lagoons, Phang Nga’s sea caves, and beach days punctuated by roti pancakes, coconut ice cream, and just‑caught seafood. Below is a 16‑day plan grouped into easy multi‑day blocks.

Getting There from Riyadh

• Flights (RUH → HKT): 9–13 hours total with one stop via Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates/Flydubai), Abu Dhabi (Etihad), or Bahrain (Gulf Air). Typical economy fares: ~$500–900 roundtrip. Search and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• On arrival: HKT is 50–70 minutes to Kata/Karon, 40–50 minutes to Patong, and 25–40 minutes to Phuket Old Town. Prebook a hotel transfer or use airport taxis; Grab operates on the island.

Where to Stay

• Best for beaches: Kata/Karon (good swimming, family-friendly), Kamala/Bangtao (upscale, chill), Patong (nightlife, central). Examples to search: The Surin (Pansea), Kata Rocks (Kata), Amari Phuket (Patong hillside), The Slate (Nai Yang), Keemala (Kamala).
• Best for culture/food: Phuket Old Town—walk to shophouses, night markets, and cafés. Examples: Casa Blanca Boutique, The Memory at On On, Sino House.
• Book with: VRBO Phuket villas and condos and Hotels.com Phuket stays.

Days 1–3: Old Town Orientation, Temples, and Easy Beach Time

• Stroll Phuket Old Town: Thalang, Dibuk, and Soi Romanee are lined with candy-colored shophouses. Step into Thai Hua Museum for tin-mining history, then admire Chinese shrines and Portuguese moldings within a few compact blocks.
• Temples and viewpoints: Visit Wat Chalong (the island’s spiritual heart) and the hilltop Big Buddha for sweeping views over Chalong Bay. Late-afternoon light is ideal for photos.
• Beach sampler: Ease in at Kata or Karon for gentle waves and sunsets. For quieter sand, check Freedom Beach (short hike or longtail boat from Patong).
• Coffee & breakfast: Campus Coffee Roasters (serious beans), The Feelsion (vintage-bakery vibes), Roti Taew Nam (crispy roti with curry). Try Hokkien noodles at Mee Ton Poe for lunch.
• Dinner: One Chun (Bib Gourmand; Southern Thai curries), Tu Kab Khao (heritage recipes like crab curry with rice noodles), Raya Restaurant (signature moo hong pork belly). For seafood by the water, Kan Eang@Pier (Chalong) and Laem Hin Seafood (over-water).
• Evening markets: Sunday “Lard Yai” Walking Street (Old Town) or Chillva Market (boho container stalls) for snacks and souvenirs.

Days 4–6: Phi Phi Islands and Snorkeling

Wake early for glassy seas and quieter coves. This is the Andaman at its most cinematic—turquoise water, limestone walls, and white-sand islets.

• Top pick: Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip (speedboat):

  

  Book on Viator. Award‑winning crew, new snorkel mouthpieces, and guides who time stops to avoid crowds. Typical inclusions: hotel transfers, snorkel gear, soft drinks, and a seaview lunch. Expect Maya Bay (viewing from the beach per park rules), Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, and Bamboo Island. Est. 8–9 hours; ~$95–140 per person.

• Beach day buffer: Slot a relaxed recovery day between boat trips. Head to Nai Harn or Bangtao for long swims and shaded loungers. Sunset at Promthep Cape, then dinner at seafood grills along Rawai.
• Food notes: Lunch near the pier (Royal Marina or Seastar cafés) pre- or post-boat. In the evening, try Mor Mu Dong (rustic, stilted huts; grilled fish and turmeric soups) or Kopitiam by Wilai (classic Phuket canteen dishes).

Days 7–9: Elephants, City Sights, and Beach Clubs

• Ethical elephants (morning):

  

  A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the island’s first truly ethical reserve, set on 30 acres near Khao Phra Thaeo. Walk elevated boardwalks to observe rescued elephants foraging and bathing. No riding, no tricks—just meaningful wildlife time. ~4–5 hours; ~$95–130.

• Half-day city highlights: After lunch, circle back to Old Town for Sino‑Portuguese doorways and street murals, or book a mini city tour for viewpoints like Karon Viewpoint and Windmill Point. Grab coffee at The Neighbors Café, then cool off with coconut ice cream along Thalang Road.
• Beach clubs: Choose your mood—Catch Beach Club (Bangtao; chic loungers and a DJ), Café del Mar (Kamala; Ibiza pedigree), or Patong’s Kudo Beach Club (lively pool scene). For a showstopper sunset, reserve Baba Nest (Sri Panwa; limited spots).
• Dining: For a splurge, PRU at Trisara (Thailand’s first Michelin Green Star; farm‑driven tasting menu). For something atmospheric, Black Ginger at The Slate (arrive by raft across a torchlit lagoon). Book ahead for both.

Days 10–12: Phang Nga Bay, Caves, and James Bond Island

• Sea caves & lagoons by escort boat:

  

  Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island (Big Boat) blends scenic cruising with guided canoeing into hidden “hongs” (collapsed cave lagoons). Visit Ko Tapu (the “James Bond” needle rock), Panak and Hong islands, with a Thai buffet on board. ~8–9 hours; ~$60–95.

• Optional night glow: If conditions are right, consider an evening bioluminescence outing in Phang Nga Bay to watch plankton sparkle with each paddle stroke—utterly memorable on moonless nights.
• Buffer day: Massage and spa (consider Oasis Spa’s branches), a lazy lunch in Boat Avenue (The Pint Factory for craft brews; modern Thai spots nearby), then sunset at Laem Singh Viewpoint. Keep dinner light: noodle soups or satay at Lock Tien food court.

Days 13–16: Cook Thai Like a Local, Free Days for Diving or Hiking

• Thai cooking class:

  

  Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option is hands‑on and fun—shop for herbs, then cook classics like tom yum, pad thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice. Recipes are emailed so you can recreate dinner back home. ~3–5 hours; ~$45–65.

• Dive/snorkel day: Certified divers can head for Racha Yai/Noi (clear water, easy reefs) or, in season (usually Oct–May windows), the Similan Islands. Snorkelers will love Coral Island (Koh Hey) for a half day.
• Hike & viewpoints: Trek short jungle paths in Khao Phra Thaeo, or climb to Khao Rang Hill for a breezy café with island views. Cap a final sunset at Windmill Viewpoint over Nai Harn.
• Final feasts: Southern crab curry at Tu Kab Khao; moo hong and blue crab fried rice at Raya; grilled prawns at Laem Hin; dessert roti at Roti Chaofa. For a celebratory last night, choose Black Ginger or PRU.

Featured Tours at a Glance (Book Ahead)

• Phiphi Day Trip (speedboat):

  

  Reserve on Viator
• Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing:

  

  Reserve on Viator
• Ethical Elephant Morning:

  

  Reserve on Viator
• Thai Cooking Class (market option):

  

  Reserve on Viator

Logistics & Tips

• Seasonality: Best sea conditions Nov–Apr. May–Oct brings brief tropical showers; seas can be choppier—pick bigger boats on windy days.
• Money & SIM: THB cash for markets; ATMs are widespread. Buy a local eSIM/airport SIM for cheap data.
• Transport: Grab works across the island; for day rentals, choose reputable scooter shops, photograph existing scratches, wear helmets.
• Temple etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered; remove shoes at shrines; speak softly.

Across 16 days you’ll taste Phuket’s heritage, swim its clearest lagoons, and learn to cook the flavors you’ve fallen for. From Riyadh’s desert skies to Andaman sunsets, this itinerary balances high‑energy island hopping with slow mornings, soulful food, and time to simply breathe by the sea.