Thailand is an astonishing country to travel around and Phuket is one of my highlights. The stunning white-sand beaches, rolling green hills, and clear waters have lured travelers to Phuket for centuries. It has so much on offer from its Buddhist temples and monuments to its entertainment venues and markets. You can have any type of holiday here, whether you are interested in culture, outdoor activities or just want to chill on the beach, you will easily find something that is suitable.

10. Big Buddha

 
Big Buddha

Big Buddha

 

This religious monument is located in the southern part of Phuket on Nakkerd Hill. With 360-degree views that stretch from Chalong Bay to the Andaman Sea, you'll be able to take in the beauty of Phuket below. This site is peaceful and spiritual. There's also the chance to enjoy a sunset dinner at Nakkerd Sea View restaurant.

 
 

9. Phuket Town

Surin Circle clock tower

Surin Circle clock tower

 

This historical town is a great place to walk around and admire the architecture with its blend of eastern and western styles. There is a variety of things to do here like exploring Ko Sirey Temple and the Phuket Cultural Centre. But I would recommend taking a stroll around the Sunday street market down Thalang Road. The hustle and bustle of this market offer many locally made craft items, along with clothes and good food stalls.

P.S. if you are looking for somewhere to stay in Phuket Town I would highly recommend Vitamin Sea Hostel. It's chilled out atmosphere and very helpful owner make for a memorable stay.

 
 

8. Hire a motorbike

Phuket town

Phuket town

 

This is an easy way to get around Phuket and is ideal for someone who wants to see as much as they can. By hiring a motorbike you are able to cover a lot of ground in a day and it will save you time. Also, it's cheap but during the high season (October-February) some shops increase their prices. Plus it's another good way to cool down as temperatures can rich up to 36-degrees. And if you run out of things to do then take a scenic coastal ride in the south where you will find beautiful beaches like Kata beach.

 
 

7. Monkey Hill

Looking down on phuket town

Looking down on phuket town

 

If you love monkeys then this is the place to get up close to them. This hill offers a more unusual experience, as hordes of Macaque monkeys congregate near the hilltop. Although the views from the top are impressive you are easily distracted by the monkeys. They are a lot of fun to watch but be sure to keep hold of your belongings as they may try to snatch them. Also, the hill is popular with fitness enthusiasts as its a great place for a sunset run.

P.S. IT'S FREE!!

 
 

6. Bangla Road

Bangla Road

Bangla Road

 

This street (a few minutes walk from the beach) is at the heart of Patong and is a great location to experience the nightlife. As Phuket's bar capital, Bangla Road has a wide range of places to enjoy a cold beer or cocktail. With Irish pubs, open-air beer bars, sports bars, and clubs, you are spoilt for choice. The atmosphere really comes alive at night with bright neon lights and music blaring from every direction. Also, it's a great place to do some people-watching. And if that isn't enough the streets coming off Bangla Road are home to even more bars and clubs.

 
 

5. Phromthep Cape

Phromthep Cape

Phromthep Cape

 

Phromthep Cape (only 4km away from Naiharn Beach) is a fantastic location to witness the sunset over the Andaman Sea. The views are breathtaking and it's a good place to go swimming. This was one of my favorite places in Phuket as it offered a perfect hideaway far from the tourist areas and crowds. Also, I would suggest getting up early to see the sunrise as there is no one about and it makes for a great way to start the day.

 
 

4. Patong Beach

Patong Beach

Patong Beach

 

Patong beach is Phuket's most popular tourist beach and has a wide range of attractions. The beach is full of action with a variety of water sports to choose from. So if you enjoy getting an adrenaline fix then why not try a ride on a jet ski or a banana boat. But I highly recommend doing some parasailing as its an amazing experience and you get a fantastic view of the whole bay. I enjoyed it that much I ended up taking a ride twice. Also, the bay is surrounded by endless shops, bars, restaurants, and hotels.

P.S. If it all gets a bit too much for you then head to the far north end of the beach where it is most peaceful.

 
 

3. Go to a full moon party

paradise beach

paradise beach

 

A holiday to Thailand wouldn't be complete without experiencing a full moon party. If you are a party animal or just looking for a rite of passage then this is right up your street. With entertainment like DJ sets and fire shows throughout the night you sure to have a good time. It's a great opportunity to get drunk on a beautiful beach and witness a full moon. And why not try some glow-in-the-dark face paint which adds to the whole experience.

Top tip: stay out of the sea. There is a reason why the water is warm not due to the weather in Thailand but because of everyone using the sea as a toilet.

 
 

2. Mai Khao Beach

Mai Khao Beach

Mai Khao Beach

 

As one of Phuket's natural wonders and its longest beach, Mai Khao stands out by far. With luxury resorts, only a few minutes walk away you can spend days in this gorgeous part of Phuket just chilling in the sun. It a great beach to get away from the crowds. However, this is not your usual tourist beach as its proximity is close to the airport. But it has a fantastic photo opportunity as airplanes come into land at the airport. It's a great experience to watch jumbo jets fly over your head with only meters to spare. Check out my photo on the "About" page of my website and see how low the planes were to me.

 
 

1. Khao Sok National Park

Raft houses at Khao Sok National Park

Raft houses at Khao Sok National Park

Apart from being 177km north of Phuket, this national park is an absolute gem. Nature lovers will find inspiration in the parks stunning limestone cliffs, its rough jungle trails, and its beautiful placid waterways. And animal lovers will be blown away by the exotic wildlife. There are many bird species, monkeys and tigers and a great way to see all of them is by going on a bamboo raft. I have been to a lot of beautiful places around the world and this has to be one of my favorites.

Also, I highly recommend staying at one of the raft houses on Cheow Lan Lake. It's a perfect place to chill out and relax.