Phuket is more than a beach escape—it’s a story of tin rush towns, Sino-Portuguese mansions, and Baba-Peranakan culture meeting the Andaman Sea. Old Phuket Town’s pastel shophouses, Chinese shrines, and creaking wooden doorways recall 19th-century trade routes, while the west coast rolls in surf and sunsets as big as the sky. Today, the island is Thailand’s gateway to coral gardens, jungle trails, and some of Southeast Asia’s most photogenic seascapes.

Fun fact: the iconic Big Buddha sits atop Nakkerd Hill, gazing over both coasts, while offshore the karst towers of Phang Nga Bay hide lagoons reached only by canoe. Food is its own adventure—Southern Thai cuisine packs heat and herbs, from crab curry to turmeric-laced stir-fries, best chased with a scoop of local ice cream in Old Town.

Practical notes: Peak season runs November–April (calm seas, best for island hopping). May–October brings monsoon swells (great for surfers; boat tours may reschedule). Carry cash for national park fees; use reef-safe sunscreen; and if you ride a scooter, wear a helmet—the hills are steep. Grab and Bolt apps work well, and card-friendly supermarkets are easy to find for snacks and SIMs.

Phuket

Welcome to Thailand’s largest island—a mosaic of beaches, jungle, and colorful quarters. Base yourself between a west-coast beach (for sand and nightlife) and Old Phuket Town (for culture and food crawls). You’ll chase sunrise in sea caves, hike to breezy viewpoints, and end days with night markets or boat parties.

Getting there: Fly into Phuket International Airport (HKT). Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical routes: Bangkok to Phuket ~1h25m ($35–$90), Singapore to Phuket ~1h50m ($90–$220). Taxis from HKT to Patong run ~60–75 minutes; to Old Town ~40–50 minutes.

Where to stay (mid-high budget friendly, plus splurges):

• JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (Mai Khao): Quiet north-coast base, big pools, great spa; good for day-trip pickups.
• Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket (Karon): A beachfront resort with a lazy river—walkable to sunset viewpoints.
• The Shore at Katathani (Kata Noi): Romantic villas and a calm bay for snorkeling at Ao Sane nearby.
• Sunwing Kamala Beach (Kamala): Family-friendly, easy access to Cafe del Mar and Kamala’s gentle surf.
• Trisara Phuket (Cherngtalay): Private-pool villas, stellar dining, and sunset perfection.
• Amanpuri (Pansea): Phuket icon for design lovers; sublime spa and a private cove.
• Stylish on a budget: Lub d Phuket Patong (Patong)—social vibe, steps to nightlife.
• Apartment/villa search: VRBO Phuket and hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting around: Grab/Bolt for point-to-point rides (Patong–Old Town ~40–60 minutes). Scooter rental ~$8–12/day (license + helmet essential). Car hire ~$25–40/day if you plan far-flung sunrise/sunset missions. Blue songthaew buses link beaches and Old Town by day.

Days 1–3: West Coast Warm-Up—Patong, Freedom Beach, and Sunset Ridges

Ease into Phuket on the sand. Start at Patong’s broad bay for a long swim and street snacks, then hike or long-tail to Freedom Beach—a half-moon of powder sand tucked behind jungle (boat from Patong ~10–15 minutes; or a steep 15–25-minute trail). Golden hour is gorgeous from Kalim’s tide pools just north of Patong.

Nightlife runs the gamut: Bangla Road’s neon clubs (Illuzion, Sugar Club) to rooftop cocktails at The Kee Sky Lounge. For a more relaxed evening, Kudo Beach Club mixes DJ sets with sea breezes.

• Breakfast/coffee: The Neighbors Cafe (fluffy pancakes, shakshuka), Campus Coffee Roaster (specialty pours, beans roasted in-house), and Feelsion Cafe (Old Town vintage vibe—save for Day 6).
• Lunch: No.9 2nd Restaurant (Patong staple for Thai/western), Kan Eang@Pier (Chalong; waterfront seafood, grilled prawns), and Thip Pla Pao carts (look for salt-crusted grilled fish).
• Dinner: La Gritta (Italian with a bay view at Amari; book sunset), Thong Dee The Kathu Brasserie (comfort classics, Thai and European), and Savoey Seafood (pick-your-catch style).

Photography: Drone-friendly vistas at Tri Trang Beach (respect rules), and early mornings on Patong Beach for mirror-like reflections.

Days 4–5: Phang Nga Bay Karsts, Sea Caves, and James Bond Island

Glide beneath limestone arches and into hidden lagoons where mangroves curl like calligraphy. This is Phuket’s most cinematic day out—great for adventurers and photographers.

Recommended tour (includes canoeing):

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

Expect an all-day outing with hotel pickup, canoe guides, and island stops. Bring a dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen, and small bills for park fees. Optional detour another morning: drive ~1.5–2 hours to Samet Nangshe viewpoint in Phang Nga for a sunrise panorama over the bay.

• Eat: Floating seafood (ko lae) at local rafts near Koh Panyee (if your tour stops), or back on Phuket: Mor Mu Dong (rustic, mangrove huts; try smoked chili fish) and One Chun (Old Town; Southern Thai dishes, Michelin Bib).

Days 6–7: Old Phuket Town—Sino-Portuguese Stories, Street Eats, and Markets

Swap beaches for balconied shophouses on Thalang, Soi Romanee, and Dibuk roads. Peek into Thai Hua Museum for tin-trade history, admire Chinese shrines like Jui Tui, and hunt murals tucked in alleyways. If you’re here on Sunday, the Lard Yai Walking Street Market fills Thalang Road with crafts and pandan-crisp snacks.

• Breakfast/coffee: Feelsion Cafe (retro Thai-bakery plates), The Shelter Coffee (pour-overs), and Ryn Authentic Tea & Slowdrop for tea geeks.
• Lunch: Lock Tien Food Court (Hokkien noodles, satay), Go Benz (late-night pork rice with peppery broth), and Mee Ton Poe (Hokkien mee since the 1940s).
• Dinner: Tu Kab Khao (Southern Thai classics; crab curry), Blue Elephant Phuket (royal Thai in a blue mansion), and Raya (grandma-style crab curry on rice).
• Dessert: Torry’s Ice Cream (local flavors like coconut-milk khanom and durian—very photogenic interiors).
• Drinks: Dibuk House (craft cocktails with Thai botanicals) and Timber Hut (live music institution).

Local tip: Shop for hand-painted batik, natural soaps, and Peranakan-style jewelry—compact souvenirs with a story.

Days 8–9: Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay Vistas, and Snorkel Time

These two days focus on the waters off Phuket: turquoise channels, coral shallows, and those scalloped cliffs that made Maya Bay famous. Access to Maya Bay is regulated (no swimming; time-limited landings), but the views and nearby reefs are superb.

Recommended tour (snorkeling + lunch):

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

Snorkel stops often include Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo or Khai Island, with clear water and plenty of fish. Bring a rash guard, motion bands if needed, and a camera leash.

• Bonus beach time: Closer to base, swim Kata Noi or snorkel at Ao Sane and Ya Nui. Sunset viewpoints: Karon, Windmill, and Promthep Cape (arrive 45 minutes before sundown).
• Dinner: Samut (modern seafood tasting, focus on local catch) or The Boathouse (Kata Beach; wine-forward dining).

Days 10–11: Jungle Hikes, Waterfalls, and Big Buddha Trail

Trade fins for hiking shoes. In Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, follow forest trails to Ton Sai and Bang Pae waterfalls (bring swimwear for a dip). Nearby, the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project offers insight into wildlife rescue—observe, don’t touch.

Hike to Big Buddha via Karon: a steady 1.5–2-hour ascent through shaded paths to Nakkerd Hill’s breezy summit. For adventurous sunset seekers, Black Rock viewpoint (near Nui Beach road) rewards with sweeping Andaman views—bring a headlamp for the descent.

• Recovery & spa: Oasis Spa (lush garden pavilions), Let’s Relax (good value Thai massage), or PRU’s garden at Trisara for a slow lunch after treatments.
• Eat: Kan Eang@Pier (easy post-hike seafood), and WeCafe (salads, cold-pressed juices by the organic farm).
• Optional ethical encounter: A morning at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary (observe rescued elephants roaming; fantastic for photography). Book early; spots are limited.

Days 12–13: Unique Nights on the Water—Bioluminescence and a Floating Beach Club

Cap your adventure with night-time magic and a daytime party at sea. One evening, speed across Phang Nga Bay for canoeing and a glow-in-the-dark surprise as plankton sparkles beneath your paddle.

Recommended tour (evening bioluminescence):

Phuket: Phang Nga Bay Bioluminescent Plankton and Sea Canoes tour

By day, switch gears to the island’s most unusual “beach club”—a floating oasis with pool, bars, and DJs.

YONA Beach Club: Phuket's Most Incredible Boat Experience

• Alternatives: Daybed reservations at Cafe del Mar (Kamala) or Catch Beach Club (Bang Tao) for sunset sets. Late-night bite: Go Benz (pork rice) or Roti Chaofa (crispy roti with condensed milk).

Day 14: A Slow Finale—Brunch, Shopping, and a Last Swim

Sleep in, then brunch at The Feelsion or The Tent. Pick up last souvenirs at Central Phuket Floresta (Thai snacks, boutique crafts), or head to Nai Harn for a final mellow swim.

Book a final Thai massage foot session before the airport. If you’re tight on time, consider a guided airport fast-track service to breeze through immigration. Allow 2.5–3 hours pre-flight in peak season; airport to Patong can be 60–90 minutes with traffic.

Don’t-miss boat adventures (align with your adventurous vibe)

• Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island by Big Boat — epic karst scenery and cave lagoons; full day; ~$65–$95.

  

• Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine — snorkeling, Maya Bay views, island-hop bliss; ~$95–$135.

  

• Phuket: Phang Nga Bay Bioluminescent Plankton and Sea Canoes tour — rare night glow, perfect for photos; ~$85–$120.

  

• YONA Beach Club: Phuket's Most Incredible Boat Experience — floating pool club with DJs and sunsets; from ~$70 depending on daybed options.

  

Budget guidance (score 71): Mid-range hotels $90–$200/night; boutique luxury $250–$600+. Island tours $65–$140 per person; Thai meals $3–$12 at local eateries, $25–$60 at upscale spots; massage $10–$25/hour (higher at resort spas).

Booking notes: For peak months (Dec–Feb), reserve boats and top restaurants (Blue Elephant, Samut, PRU) at least a week out. Maya Bay access is regulated—follow ranger guidance. Weather can affect sea conditions; operators will offer date changes if needed.

Flight searches: start with Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. For stays, compare on Hotels.com Phuket and VRBO Phuket.

Two weeks in Phuket gives you room to roam—sea caves at dawn, Old Town by lantern-light, reef colors at noon, and rooftops at dusk. With hikes, unique night tours, and boat days threaded between bowls of spicy Southern Thai comfort, this is the kind of itinerary you’ll keep open on your phone all trip long.