A Rundown of Phuket Travel – Thailand

I’ve been in Phuket for quite a while—pretty much explored every nook, cranny, and island, near and far. But there are still a few spots I haven’t spilled about yet. Why? I stayed two whole months, so I spread out my adventures. Between work, I chilled at home on off days, only venturing out when the mood hit. Today, to wrap up my Phuket series, I’m summing up Phuket travel in Thailand for anyone planning a 3-4 day trip.

Where to Go in Phuket?

Beaches in Phuket

On where to hang out in Phuket, I’ve dished on some spots in past posts. This time, I’ll toss in a few more must-visits I haven’t mentioned. Phuket’s got about 24 beaches, all gorgeous. Spend a day at each, and you’d need nearly a month to soak them all in—never getting bored.

Here’s a rundown of beaches you should hit:

Patong Beach: Phuket’s most famous, but packed. Nightlife’s the draw—bars, dancing, partying—it’s a blast. Think Walking Street in Pattaya, but triple the fun. Not many swim here, though—more for evening vibes.
Layan Beach: My personal fave, off the tourist radar near Thalang by Bangtao Beach. Quiet, few visitors, long stretch, warm water. Mostly locals and expats nearby drop by. Perfect for a chill swim and real relaxation.
Kata Beach & Karon Beach: Down south, unlike Layan up north, these side-by-side beaches aren’t as wild as Patong or hushed like Layan. They’re buzzing with tourist stuff—cars, shops, souvenirs, restaurants, all that jazz.

Others worth a peek: Kamala Beach (loaded with 5-star hotels and resorts); Surin Beach (I’ve passed it heaps but never stopped—near Layan, and I vibe more with Layan). Dig around yourself—let me know how it goes! For a 3-4 day trip, the three I listed give you a solid taste of Phuket’s beaches.

Phuket Town or Phuket Old Town

Lots of folks ask me about Phuket Town or Phuket Old Town. Real talk: in my two months here, it’s a snooze. I only swung by for movies or fancy eats at Festival Phuket. If beach hotels feel too pricey, sure, crash here—it’s cheaper. But the beaches steal the show, so Phuket Town barely registers for tourists, especially me.

Forget it unless you’re staying a month.

Temples in Phuket

Skip the temples too. Phuket’s not big on standout ones. Got spare time? Maybe hit Big Buddha once—just to say you did. It’s fine, but nothing wild.

Islands Around Phuket

Oh yeah—besides beaches, hit the islands! Top pick? Koh Phi Phi. Here’s a quick scoop on islands I’ve checked out—pick what fits your Phuket stay.

Koh Phi Phi: Party and nature paradise. You won’t sleep before midnight here. Sometimes it’s the only reason folks hit Phuket. Chat up a pretty local girl—it’s instant heaven. Watch your stuff, though—pickpocketing’s a thing, even at hotels.
Koh Tao: My absolute fave—it’s far, like way far. Overnight boat from Surat Thani, past Koh Samui, to get there. Not as rowdy as Koh Phi Phi, but it draws big spenders who know how to splash cash. Pricey, but you get Thailand’s most serene island vibes and a slew of “best-ofs” worth digging into yourself. It’s low-key in travel guides, except for Koh Tao’s hotels and eateries.
Krabi: Book a tour here—you’ll see why it’s dubbed one of Earth’s top spots. Short on time (3-4 days)? Skip Koh Tao; Krabi’s your ace.
Koh Samui: Like Phuket but less hyped, in Surat Thani. Proper roads, chill nature vibes—great if Phuket’s bustle isn’t your thing.
Koh Pha Ngan: A bit past Koh Samui. Hit it on a full moon (15th lunar day) for the epic FULL MOON PARTY—you won’t forget it. Exclusive to Koh Pha Ngan (don’t mix it up with Koh Phang Nga—totally different!).

The rest? Explore yourself—I haven’t hit them all to tell you. Oh, wait—one more: Promthep Cape.

Promthep Cape – Phuket’s Best Sunset Spot

Promthep Cape’s Phuket’s most photographed spot and a total buzzword. Down south, just a hop from Kata Beach, it’s where everyone winds up a twisty hill road in the afternoon for sunset.

If you’re up for it, there’s a quieter beach below with coral—watch your step to avoid scrapes. At the cape’s tip, a Buddha statue sits, ringed by stacked stones forming mini pagodas, like tiny Buddha vibes.