You have one week in Phuket, the largest island in Thailand. You also have a never-ending selection of brochures, a checklist full of iconic temples, and a suitcase overflowing with a mixture of beach, nightlife and rainforest attire. Ensuring you pack enough in on your paradise holidays in Phuket is simple thanks to our guide on how to see this spectacular island in 7 days.

Fancy exploring other far flung destinations? Browse our top ten long haul holidays for inspiration.

 

FIVE THINGS TO DO IN PHUKET

 

IT'S EASY TO ISLAND-HOP

Phuket is a great base destination if you want to explore some of Thailand’s best beach resorts and neighbouring islands. Travelling to each destination is easy, and you can book transportation for fantastic prices too.

Phuket – Koh Phi Phi (approx. 2hrs)

There is a regular ferry service from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, which you can book for less than £10. While you’re here visit famous Maya Bay and go scuba diving.

Phuket – Krabi (approx. 8hrs 30mins)

You can travel into Krabi for roughly £15, with its Klong Jilad ferry terminal located 5 minutes from the famous Thara Park.

Phuket – Koh Samui (approx. 6hrs 45mins)

Sail to the gorgeous beach resort of Koh Samui for less than £25, or if you want to club two island visits together, you can catch a ferry from Krabi for less than £10 and shave off a couple of hours, too.

Phuket to Koh Phangan (approx. 8hrs)

You can reach party-central Koh Phanghan via bus service and high-speed ferry for less than £20 depending on which terminal/pier you’re departing from. Be sure to pack your party outfit, as the famous Full Moon Party is in full swing every month.

PHUKET IN SEVEN DAYS

Located off the southwest coast of the country, Phuket Island is best known for its spectacular mountainous scenery, fantastic beaches, vibrant culture and nightlife. This destination is budget-friendly too, so booking a holiday there won’t break the bank. 

DAY 1

Once you’ve checked into one of our great-value Phuket hotels, a great way to start your trip is to visit one of the island’s famous viewpoints. Two of the top viewpoints in Phuket are Karon Viewpoint, where you can see several stunning bays in the distance, and Rang Hill, which has sweeping views of Phuket town below. And apart from a fantastic photo opportunity, it's a great way to get a feel of the vibrant landscape. In the afternoon, head to Patong Beach and spend time lazing on the sand before sticking around to experience the bustling nightlife and excellent eateries once the sun sets. 

DAY 2

Get to know your surroundings better by exploring some of the resort’s fascinating culture. Ditch your beach towel and head to the east coast where Phuket Town will wow you with hidden shrines, museums, Sino-Portuguese buildings and awe-inspiring temples – 20 minutes from the Town is Wat Chalong temple, one of the resort’s most important and historical. 

In the evening, stay in the area and head to Phuket Walking Street on Thalang Road, an atmospheric street dotted with local boutique shops, markets, handicraft businesses and weaving tuk-tuks. 

DAY 3

If you’re feeling active, why not combine the cultural sites with a spot of natural beauty on a sightseeing tour? There are plenty of excursions to choose from, including transfers to and from your hotel, lunch and a guided tour of the resort’s famous landmarks, viewpoints, architecture and more. You can book a city tours for approximately £50, or if you’re travelling with kids opt for a boat cruise, zipline or Jungle water park activity.

In the evening, head to Kata Beach for a line-up of sophisticated restaurants and bars including fine-dining spot Mom Tri’s Kitchen, located on multi-level terraces surrounded by the tranquil Andaman Sea and white-sand stretch Kata Noi. After dinner, head to one of the laid-back beach bars.

DAY 4

Mix it up mid-week with a day trip to one of the gorgeous neighbouring islands. There is a regular ferry service running from Phuket terminal, which will take you to some of Thailand’s most picturesque resorts. Spend a full day exploring Koh Samui or Krabi, or book a shorter boat trip to explore destinations including idyllic Raya Island, Coral Island and Phang Nga Bay.

After a laid-back day, liven things up with a colourful show. Phuket Fantasea is the biggest and most vibrant, with trapeze artists, animals and music – plus a fanatastic buffet. Equally, you can catch one of the Phuket’s Las Vegas style Simon Cabaret shows, with performances across the resort. 

DAY 5

After a busy day previously exploring the neighbouring islands, plan a relaxing day flitting between your Phuket hotel or one of the islands gorgeous beaches. Luckily for you, the shoreline is dotted with 40km of sand, with each beach boasting a mixture of upbeat or laid-back vibes. Patong beach is great for lively couples, groups and families, with watersports and a bustling street full of restaurants and bars – which is closed to vehicles in the evening. Or head to Kamala Beach, a quieter stretch with a nearby village offering traditional Thai massage parlours, eateries and cooking classes.

In the evening head to one of the nearby restaurants or beach bars for a relaxing night spent dining near the sand. 

DAY 6

You can’t come all of this way and not experience Thailand’s animals. You’ll find a few ethical animal sanctuaries in Thailand that will make you feel warm and fuzzy when visiting - The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project requests volunteers to help with feeding, monitoring and allows you to spend time with the islands gibbons with the aim to rehabilitate and release them back into the jungle.  The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is also an inspiring place to visit, where you are educated about the elephants, before interacting and socialising with them on daytime tours.  Lunch is provided and can be enjoyed among fantastic surroundings.

Afterwards, head nearby for something to eat with restaurants including The Monkeypod Cofeehouse, Silk Restaurant & Bar, Black Cat Bar and more for family-friendly food and drinks.

DAY 7

Planning your final day can be difficult, do you want to take it slow and soak up the atmosphere before you leave this paradise island? Or, do you cram as much sightseeing in as possible before you head back to the UK? The choice is yours, and since your itinerary has been pretty packed up until now, we’re sure you’ll have an idea of what’s left to see and do.

A fantastic way to round off the holiday in the evening though, is to head to a viewpoint such as Rang Hill for dinner. You’ll find restaurants and bars such as Khao Rang Breeze, Tunk Ka Café and Phuket View Restaurant offering gorgeous views of the island below as the sun sets – a picture-perfect way to end a week in Thailand’s most popular island.