Picture this: you’re sipping a cold Chang beer as the sun melts into the Andaman Sea, the sky turning shades of orange and pink you’ve never quite seen before. That’s Phuket doing what it does best. Whether you’re after white-sand beaches, cultural temples, island-hopping adventures, or some of the best street food in Southeast Asia, the things to do in Phuket will keep you genuinely busy for days. This island isn’t just a beach destination — it’s a full experience, and it suits solo travellers, couples, and families equally well.

The Beaches Everyone Talks About (And the Ones They Don’t)

Patong Beach is the one that gets all the headlines, and honestly, it delivers on the energy. It’s lively, packed with water sports vendors, and the strip behind it comes alive at night. But if you’re after something a little more relaxed, you’ll want to look elsewhere. Kata Beach, just 20 minutes south, has a much calmer vibe and is brilliant for beginner surfers between May and October when the waves pick up.

One thing most visitors miss is Freedom Beach. It’s technically only accessible by longtail boat from Patong — a 10-minute ride costing around 300 to 500 Thai Baht (roughly 8 to 14 USD) — and the lack of road access keeps it beautifully quiet. The water is crystal clear and there are a couple of small food stalls selling pad thai and fresh coconuts. It feels like a secret, even though it isn’t.

Nai Harn in the south is another gem. It’s where a lot of long-term expats and locals head on weekends, which tells you everything you need to know. The surrounding area has good coffee shops and yoga studios, so it suits a slower travel pace really well. Don’t overlook Surin Beach either — it has a more upscale feel with beach clubs and excellent seafood restaurants right on the sand.

Cultural Experiences That Go Beyond the Beach

Phuket’s Old Town is one of those places that genuinely surprises people. The Sino-Portuguese architecture along Thalang Road and Soi Romanee is striking, and the streets are lined with independent cafes, street art, and small galleries. It’s walkable, colourful, and a world away from the beach clubs. Go on a Sunday evening and you’ll stumble into the Phuket Walking Street market, which runs from around 4pm to 10pm.

Wat Chalong is the island’s most important Buddhist temple and absolutely worth a visit. It’s free to enter, though modest dress is required — shoulders and knees covered. The temple complex is large and beautifully maintained, with a pagoda that reportedly contains a fragment of the Buddha’s bone. Go in the morning to avoid the midday heat and the larger tour groups.

The Big Buddha, perched on Nakkerd Hill, is visible from much of the southern island and offers panoramic views that are genuinely spectacular. It’s a 45-metre white marble statue, and the atmosphere up there is peaceful and respectful. Sunrise visits are increasingly popular, and for good reason — the light is soft and the crowds are thin.

Island Hopping and Water Adventures You Can’t Skip

Phang Nga Bay is one of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Thailand, and it’s just a short boat ride from Phuket. The iconic limestone karsts rising from emerald green water, made famous by the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun, are best explored on a full-day tour. Prices typically range from 1,200 to 2,500 Baht depending on whether you go by speedboat or traditional longtail.

The Phi Phi Islands are a must-do. Maya Bay, where The Beach was filmed, reopened after an environmental restoration closure in 2022 and visitor numbers are now managed carefully to protect the coral. Go early on a speedboat tour and you’ll get there before the day-trippers pile in. The water is that impossible shade of turquoise that makes photos look like they’ve been edited — they haven’t.

Snorkelling and scuba diving are outstanding around the Similan Islands, though you’ll need to join a liveaboard or full-day trip from Phuket. Coral reefs here are among the healthiest in the region. Closer to shore, Racha Island offers excellent visibility and is great for beginners or anyone who just wants to float around and look at fish.

Practical Tips for Visiting Phuket

Here’s what you actually need to know before you go:

Getting there from Dubai: It’s about a 6-hour flight from Dubai. Emirates flies direct to Phuket (HKT), and Thai Airways and AirAsia also operate routes with short layovers. Fares from Dubai range from 1,200 to 2,500 AED return depending on the season.
Visa requirements: UAE passport holders currently receive a 30-day visa exemption for Thailand. Always check the Thai embassy website before travelling as policies can change.
Best time to visit: November to April is peak season with dry, sunny weather. May to October is the low season — cheaper rates and fewer crowds, but expect some rain. From a UAE traveller’s perspective, November to February is ideal to escape the summer heat back home.
Getting around: Grab (the regional equivalent of Uber) works well in Phuket and is far more transparent on pricing than negotiating with tuk-tuks. Renting a scooter is popular but comes with risks — make sure you’re covered by your travel insurance.
Currency: Thai Baht (THB). 1 USD is approximately 35 Baht. ATMs are widely available but charge around 220 Baht per withdrawal.
Budget range: Mid-range travellers can expect to spend around 2,500 to 4,500 Baht (70 to 130 USD) per day including accommodation, food, and one activity.

Where to Eat and What to Order

The food scene in Phuket is seriously good. You’ll find everything from sophisticated beach club restaurants to street stalls selling plates of pad kra pao (stir-fried basil and chilli) for 60 Baht. Phuket also has its own regional dishes worth seeking out — Moo Hong is a slow-braised pork dish that you’ll find in the Old Town, and Por Pia is a local spring roll that’s lighter and crispier than the Chinese version.

For seafood, head to Rawai seafood market where you pick your fish, crab, or prawns directly from the stall and pay to have it cooked at an adjacent restaurant. It’s a brilliant system and the quality is excellent. Budget around 400 to 800 Baht for two people including drinks. The night markets at Chillva Market and Malin Plaza Patong are also worth an evening of grazing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Phuket

How many days do you need in Phuket?

Most travellers find that 5 to 7 days gives you enough time to cover the main beaches, do at least one island-hopping day trip, explore the Old Town, and still have a couple of days to slow down. If you’re planning liveaboard diving trips or want to explore further into southern Thailand, give yourself 10 days or more.

Is Phuket safe for solo travellers?

Yes, Phuket is generally safe for solo travellers, including solo female travellers. The main things to watch are road safety (scooter accidents are the most common issue), swimming in the sea during monsoon season when red flags are displayed, and the usual caution around crowded areas like Bangla Road at night. Use Grab instead of unmarked taxis and keep an eye on your belongings in busy markets.

What are the things to do in Phuket for families with kids?

Families are very well catered for. Elephant sanctuaries (choose ethical ones where elephants roam freely — Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is well-regarded), the AquaStar waterpark, cooking classes, sea kayaking in calm bays, and Kata Beach’s gentler waves are all excellent choices. Most tour operators are experienced with young children and offer family-friendly packages.

Phuket genuinely has something for everyone, and the more you explore beyond the obvious spots, the more rewarding it becomes. Whether you’re planning your first visit or you’ve been before and want to see it differently, start mapping out your trip today. Head over to nextdestinationai.com for more tailored travel guides, packing lists, and destination deep-dives to help you plan smarter and travel better.