Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and the gateway to the Andaman Sea—where limestone karsts rise from emerald water and longtail boats skim between sugar-white beaches. Once a tin-mining hub, the island carries Sino‑Portuguese heritage in its pastel shop-houses, layered with Thai‑Chinese culinary traditions and a laid-back coastal rhythm.

Today, travelers come for world-class island-hopping (Phi Phi, Maya Bay), dramatic bays like Phang Nga, and a dining scene that ranges from simple crab curry shacks to historic mansions serving royal recipes. Phuket’s beaches each have a personality—calm Kata Noi, family-friendly Kamala, energetic Patong—so you can tune the week to your vibe.

Practical notes: dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered), swim only where lifeguards flag conditions, and avoid animal shows; ethical sanctuaries are the way to go. Peak season runs November–April with clear seas; May–October brings monsoon swells (great sunsets, but choppier water). ATMs are widespread and rideshares are reliable.

Phuket

Phuket blends postcard beaches with an atmospheric old town and a thriving street food culture. Start days with a coconut pancake (kanom krok), chase sea breezes along Nai Harn, and end at a glowing viewpoint like Promthep Cape.

Top sights include Wat Chalong, the 45‑meter Big Buddha, Portuguese‑influenced shop-houses on Thalang Road, and viewpoints over Kata and Karon. Offshore, coral gardens invite snorkeling, while mangrove-tucked bays hide sea caves and bioluminescent surprises.

Where to stay

• Search stays across budgets: VRBO Phuket | Hotels.com Phuket
• Splurge sanctuaries: Amanpuri (private peninsula, iconic steps to Pansea Beach), Trisara Phuket (pool villas, standout dining).
• Romantic: The Shore at Katathani (adults-only pool villas above Kata Noi; serene sunsets).
• Family favorites: Sunwing Kamala Beach (kids’ clubs, kitchenettes), Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket (beachfront water slides at Karon).
• Relaxed luxury in the north: JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (Mai Khao’s quieter sands, bikes, kids’ activities).
• Budget/social: Lub d Phuket Patong (modern, pool, short stroll to Patong Beach).

Getting there

Fly into Phuket International (HKT). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

• Bangkok–Phuket: ~1h25m nonstop; typical one‑way $25–$90.
• Singapore–Phuket: ~2h; typical one‑way $80–$190.
• Kuala Lumpur–Phuket: ~1h25m; typical one‑way $50–$140.

Getting around

• Rideshare (Grab/Bolt) and metered taxis for cross‑island trips (Patong–Old Town ~35–50 min, $12–$22).
• Hotel shuttles and licensed minivans for day tours (most include pickup).
• Scooters only if experienced; always wear a helmet and carry an international permit.

Day 1: Arrival, Soft Sand, and Old Town Flavors

Afternoon: Land at HKT and check into your hotel. Shake off the flight with an easy beach walk—Kata Noi for a calm cove, Karon for a long sandy stride, or Patong for people-watching. Order your first fresh coconut or a mango shake from a beach vendor.

Evening: Head to Old Phuket Town for dinner. Try One Chun (southern Thai; turmeric crab curry and moo hong pork belly), Tu Kab Khao (gaeng som sour curry and Phuket-style stir-fries), or Raya (a heritage mansion famed for crabmeat curry with rice noodles). For dessert, swing by Torry’s Ice Cream for Phuket-inspired scoops like bi-co-moi with coconut milk.

Night: Sip a craft cocktail at Zimplex Mixology Laboratory (playful molecular sips) or Dibuk House (speakeasy vibe). If it’s Sunday, wander the Lard Yai Walking Street market on Thalang Road—street eats, buskers, and local crafts under lantern light.

Day 2: Old Phuket Town Heritage, Temples, and Viewpoints

Morning: Coffee at Campus Coffee Roaster (house-roasted beans) or Feelsion Café (vintage setting, excellent Thai tea cake). Stroll Thalang, Soi Romanee, and Dibuk roads for pastel Sino‑Portuguese façades, street art, and quirky boutiques. Pop into the Thai Hua Museum for a concise history of Chinese immigration and tin mining.

Afternoon: Visit Wat Chalong (respectful dress required) to see the Grand Pagoda’s relics and muraled halls. Continue to the Big Buddha; the 360° view sweeps over Chalong Bay and the west-coast beaches—ideal for orienting yourself.

Evening: Sunset at Karon Viewpoint (Kata Noi–Kata–Karon stacked bays) or Promthep Cape when skies flare pink. Dine at Kan Eang@Pier (grilled river prawns, fresh oysters) or Mor Mu Dong (seafood in over-water salas; try yellow curry with fish and local greens). Nightcap on the sand at a beach bar—pineapple mojito recommended.

Day 3: Phi Phi Islands Adventure by Speedboat

Full day tour: Hotel pickup early morning; return late afternoon. Snorkel clear lagoons, swim over coral gardens, and step onto powdery beaches around the Phi Phi archipelago. Guides time stops to dodge crowds when possible.

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

Notes: Maya Bay occasionally restricts swimming to protect reefs and may close seasonally—boats still visit for views. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rashguard, and motion tablets if you get seasick.

Evening: Recover poolside, then keep dinner simple: No.9 2nd Restaurant (Thai staples, quick service) or Go Benz (legendary pork rice soup and crispy pork with peppery broth). If energy returns, a relaxed stroll down Patong’s beach road offers people-watching without committing to the neon.

Day 4: Ethical Elephant Morning, Nai Harn Beach, and Rawai Seafood

Morning: Meet rescued elephants at a forested sanctuary where animals roam, bathe, and socialize freely. You’ll learn their stories, prepare snacks, and observe from respectful distances—no riding.

A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Afternoon: Picnic at Nai Harn Beach, a local favorite with clear water and gentle slope; rent loungers and grab grilled chicken and som tam from vendors. For a quieter cove, hop to Ya Nui for snorkeling among rocks.

Evening: Browse Rawai Seafood Market: choose your fish, prawns, or squid and have nearby kitchens cook it your way (garlic pepper, chili-lime, or tamarind sauce). End at Windmill Viewpoint or Promthep Cape for a second sunset—each looks different nightly.

Day 5: Phang Nga Bay Caves and a Sunset Cruise

Late morning to night: Board a stylish boat with day beds and a DJ, then glide past karst towers to James Bond Island. Kayak sea caves at Hong Island and laze on deck between swims. Golden-hour light paints the bay; dinner is served at sunset as the water turns to liquid copper.

Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner

What to bring: dry bag, sandals that handle water, light layer for the evening breeze. Expect hotel transfers; pier rides can take 30–60 minutes depending on where you stay.

Day 6: Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, and Thai Cooking Class

Morning: If you skipped the temples earlier, start now to beat heat. Stop for a chilled coconut along Chalong Bay. On the way back, grab brunch at The Neighbors Café (soft scrambled eggs, pancakes) or The Shelter Coffee (serious pour-overs).

Afternoon: Roll up sleeves in a Thai cooking studio. Market tours add context—herbs like lemongrass, kaffir lime, and fingerroot. Dishes often include pad thai, green curry, tom yum, and mango sticky rice; you’ll cook each course hands-on, then feast.

Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option

Evening: Dress up for dinner at Blue Elephant (royal Thai in the Governor’s Mansion; order massaman lamb, miang kham starters). For a breezier night, consider a floating beach-club vibe off Patong or a casual sunset bar at Kamala—music low, waves close.

Day 7: Easy Morning, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: One last swim or a beachside jog, then coffee and a pastry at Bake or Feelsion. Pick up gifts in Old Town: locally made coconut oil, batik scarves, and Phuket pineapple cookies.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to HKT for your flight. Compare same-day options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have hours to spare, a beachfront lunch near Nai Yang keeps you close to the airport.

Where to Eat and Drink (Save These)

• Old Town Thai classics: One Chun (southern curries), Tu Kab Khao (gaeng som), Raya (crab curry with rice noodles).
• Seafood: Mor Mu Dong (stilted salas, yellow curry with fish), Kan Eang@Pier (grilled seafood towers), Rawai Seafood Market (choose-then-cook).
• Cafés: Campus Coffee Roaster (espresso and filter), Feelsion Café (desserts, Thai tea cake), Bookhemian (artsy nook).
• Sweet stops: Torry’s Ice Cream (local-flavor scoops), roti stalls for banana roti with condensed milk.
• Bars: Zimplex and Dibuk House (Old Town), low-key beach bars along Kata/Karon for sunset mojitos.

Practical Tips

• Cash for markets and small eateries; cards widely accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants.
• Temple etiquette: shoulders and knees covered; remove shoes before entering halls.
• Sea safety: obey flags; jellyfish can appear seasonally—ask lifeguards.
• Transport: Grab/Bolt are convenient; confirm fares with tuk-tuks before riding.
• Tours: Most include round-trip hotel transfers; pack reef-safe sunscreen and a hat.

Optional Tours You Can Swap In (if you prefer different pacing): Replace Day 5 with a cave-focused big-boat day, or swap a beach afternoon for a high-adrenaline ATV/zipline session. Two strong alternates are below.

• Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island by Big Boat

  

With beaches for every mood, storied streets in Old Phuket Town, and day trips to the Andaman’s headline islands, Phuket rewards both planners and wanderers. This 7-day itinerary balances adventure and downtime so you leave with salt on your skin, new recipes in your pocket, and a favorite sunset viewpoint to dream about.