Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and a storied crossroads of Malay, Chinese, and Portuguese traders. Tin mining riches once funded the pastel Sino-Portuguese mansions you’ll see in Phuket Old Town, while today’s draw is a blend of powdery beaches, island-hopping, and a cuisine fierce with southern spices.

Expect a rhythm of lazy mornings by the Andaman Sea, afternoons chasing viewpoints and temples, and nights grazing through markets and seafood shacks. Peak season runs November–April; May–October brings moody skies and larger swells that are great for surfers but can affect boat trips. Respect dress codes at temples, use reef-safe sunscreen, and check marine-park advisories for Maya Bay closures that protect coral and blacktip reef sharks.

This 7-day Phuket itinerary layers culture with adventure: Phuket Old Town, Big Buddha, and Wat Chalong; an ethical morning with rescued elephants; two unforgettable boat days (Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay/“James Bond”); and a Thai cooking class you’ll actually use back home. Coffee snobs, beach lovers, and foodies will all feel seen.

Phuket

Phuket is more than Patong’s neon. It’s stilted seafood restaurants over mangroves, Sino-Portuguese townhouses splashed with street art, and a coastline that swings from family-friendly Kamala to surfer-loved Kata and out-of-the-way coves like Ao Sane.

• Top sights: Phuket Old Town (Thalang, Dibuk, Soi Romanee), Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hill, Wat Chalong, Karon Viewpoint, Promthep Cape, Laem Hin and Koh Maphrao seafood rafts, and chill beaches like Nai Harn, Kata Noi, and Bang Tao.
• Dining highlights: Southern Thai standouts like crab curry (Gaeng Pu) and Moo Hong (braised pork). Don’t miss One Chun, Tu Kab Khao, Raya, and Go Benz—each beloved by locals.
• How to get there: Fly into Phuket International (HKT). Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Bangkok–Phuket: ~1h25 nonstop, often $35–$120. Singapore–Phuket: ~1h50, $80–$220. Airport–Patong taxi: 700–1,000 THB; Grab is widely used.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• High-end hideaways: Amanpuri (iconic hillside pavilions and a private bay), Trisara Phuket (all-pool-villa seclusion and standout dining), The Shore at Katathani (romantic villas above Kata Noi).
• Family favorites: Sunwing Kamala Beach (kids’ pools, beachfront), JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (Mai Khao calm, kids’ club), Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket (water park on Karon Beach).
• Social/budget: Lub d Phuket Patong (near the action, with a pool and co-work nooks).
• Browse more: Villas and condos on VRBO Phuket and hotels on Hotels.com Phuket.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Stroll, and Southern Thai Welcome

Afternoon: Land at HKT and transfer to your hotel. If arriving during a rush hour, pre-book a taxi or use Grab; Patong is ~60–75 minutes from the airport, Kata/Karon ~75–90 minutes. Drop bags, freshen up, then head to Phuket Old Town.

Evening: Start with coffee at The Shelter Coffee (careful pour-overs) or Campus Coffee Roaster (Thai beans, warehouse vibe). Wander Thalang, Dibuk, and Soi Romanee to see pastel facades, Baba-Peranakan tiles, and street art.

Night: Dinner at One Chun (Michelin Bib; order Moo Hong and crab curry), or Raya (grand old house; signature crab curry with betel leaves). For dessert, Torry’s Ice Cream serves Peranakan flavors like Bi Co Moi. If it’s Sunday, the Lard Yai Walking Street Market fills Thalang Road with snacks and crafts.

Day 2: Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Viewpoints, and Night Market

Morning: Breakfast at Bookhemian (coffee + art books) or Feelsion Café (vintage décor, hearty plates). Visit Wat Chalong—Phuket’s most revered temple—then continue up to the 45-meter Big Buddha for panoramas over Kata, Karon, and Chalong Bay.

Afternoon: Cruise the coast: stop at Karon Viewpoint for three-bay vistas, Nai Harn Beach for a dip, and Promthep Cape for windswept headlands. Casual lunch options: Rawai Seafood Market (choose-your-fish cook-ups) or Kruwit Raft’s cousins at Laem Hin Seafood (pierside; glass prawns and stir-fried clams).

Night: If Thu–Sat, hit Chillva Night Market (containers, local snacks); otherwise, try Tu Kab Khao (yellow crab curry, spicy sataw beans with shrimp). Nightcap at Dibuk House (classic cocktails, speakeasy vibe) or the breezy Quip Sky Bar in Old Town.

Day 3: Phi Phi Islands by Speedboat (Snorkeling + Maya Bay)

Day tour (hotel pickup early morning; lunch included): Hop aboard a small-group speedboat for turquoise-lagoon hopping, limestone cliffs, and postcard beaches. You’ll snorkel among parrotfish and anemones, laze at Bamboo or Khai, and glide into Maya Bay (when open) under strict national-park rules that protect coral and baby sharks.

Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine

Tips: Bring a rash guard and reef-safe sunscreen; seas are choppier May–Oct. Motion-sickness tablets help on windy days.

Day 4: Ethical Elephants, Beach Time, and Sunset Views

Morning: Meet rescued elephants (no riding, no tricks) at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. Walk the forested trails with a guide as the elephants roam, mud-bathe, and forage; your visit funds veterinary care and food.

A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Afternoon: Unwind on Kamala or Bang Tao (gentle surf, family-friendly). For a quieter cove, try Ao Sane (good snorkeling on calmer days). Lunch beachside at The Boathouse (Kata; Thai-Western classics) or Arinara Beach Resort’s beachfront eateries in Bang Tao.

Night: Seafood feast at Mor Mu Dong (rustic huts over mangroves; stuffed squid, lemongrass fish) or Laem Hin Seafood (fast service, sea breezes). For an epic sunset drink, reserve Baba Nest at Sri Panwa well in advance; closer to Patong, The Surface Bar offers ocean views without the trek.

Day 5: Phang Nga Bay “James Bond” Luxury Cruise (Kayaks + Sunset Dinner)

Day tour (late-morning start; lunch + sunset dinner included): Sail Phang Nga Bay on a cushy boat with daybeds and DJ. Kayak through Hong Island’s sea caves into hidden lagoons, photograph Khao Phing Kan and Koh Tapu (the “James Bond” spire), swim off the stern, then dine as the limestone karsts turn gold at sunset.

Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner

Note: National-park fees are usually paid in cash on the day. Wear sandals you can slip on and off for kayak landings.

Day 6: Thai Cooking + Spa + Muay Thai Night

Morning: Join a hands-on cooking class—pound curry paste, balance sweet-sour-salty-heat, and master pad thai that isn’t too sweet. Opt for the market tour to decipher herbs (krachai, kafir lime) and noodles (sen lek vs. sen yai).

Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option

Afternoon: Spa time—book a 90-minute Thai massage and herbal compress at a reputable day spa, or enjoy your hotel’s wellness facilities. Beach hop to Kata Noi for a swim, then espresso and a croissant at WILD Café x CRAFT.

Night: Street-food graze at Malin Plaza (grilled squid, mango sticky rice) or a sit-down at No. 9 2nd Restaurant (Patong stalwart; Thai staples, cold beer). Catch a Muay Thai bout at Patong Boxing Stadium for a dose of Thai sporting culture.

Day 7: Last-Dip Morning and Departure

Morning: Early swim at Nai Thon or Kamala before the crowds. Brunch at China Inn Café (Old Town courtyard) or The Tent, then souvenir shop along Thalang Road (batik textiles, hand-painted porcelain).

Afternoon: Transfer to HKT for your flight. Check fares and times on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time, Central Phuket Floresta has air-conditioned browsing and good food courts.

Practical notes: Scooter rentals are common; ride only if experienced and always wear a helmet. Taxis and Grab are plentiful; agree on fares for songthaews/longtails. During monsoon, beaches can have strong rip currents—obey red flags.

In one week, Phuket reveals its layers: storied Old Town alleys, jungle-backed beaches, and cinematic limestone karsts. You’ll leave with curry skills, salt in your hair, and a camera roll full of Andaman blues.