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In the southern part of Thailand, you will find the island of Phuket. It is one of the largest islands in the kingdom, which is why Phuket attracts a huge number of tourists every year. The exotic climate, excellent resorts, vibrant entertainment, beach relaxation, and a multitude of unique attractions are what attract travellers from all over the world. And today, we will tell you about the best cities in Phuket that are definitely worth visiting during your vacation in Thailand.
Phuket
The capital of the eponymous island, which is a major administrative, commercial, and cultural centre of this region. Surprisingly, there are few opportunities for beach relaxation in Phuket. However, there are many other interesting places to visit here. Tourists are particularly attracted to the local open-air markets. The city is also home to several dozen Buddhist, Hindu, and Taoist temples, among which the Wat Putta Mongkon Temple stands out.
Be sure to take a stroll through the streets of Phuket Old Town: here you can see houses representing a unique Sino-Portuguese architecture style, ancient Chinese mansions, cosy souvenir shops, and family-owned local cuisine restaurants. If you are interested in museums, head to Krabi Road to find the fascinating Thai Hua Museum. Phuket’s nightlife is also vibrant – the city is filled with clubs and venues that host colourful theatrical shows.
Karon
This is one of the most popular resort cities in Phuket. Karon is located in the southwest part of the island, and among most tourists, the city is popular for its beaches and breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. The city’s largest beach stretches for 5 kilometres: along it, there are many cosy bars, restaurants with delicious dishes, and comfortable hotels. Karon’s beaches are enjoyed by those who love water sports: here, you can go diving, water skiing, or try your hand at parasailing.
Karon is perfect for a family vacation with children. In addition to safe and clean beaches, the city also has a huge park with several playgrounds. Food enthusiasts should definitely visit the Karon Temple Market, where local residents sell a variety of delicacies, from seafood and fruits to crickets and cockroaches. During your leisure time, you can also visit the city’s temples, Wat Karon and Suwan Khiri Het.
Patong
The entertainment industry is perhaps what Patong is most famous for. The city is located just 10 kilometres away from Karon, so visiting it is easy, especially if you take advantage of the convenient car rental in Phuket. Patong is highly popular among young people, as it offers numerous bars, restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs. Some even call it the “Asian party capital”!
Patong also boasts an excellent beach, making it a great destination for resort-style relaxation. Patong Beach stretches for approximately 3 kilometres, and almost the entire area is equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas, as well as plenty of cafes and bars. For those interested in active sports, there are banana boat rides, water skiing, catamarans, parasailing, and quad bike rides. One of the highlights of Patong is the stadium where weekly boxing matches take place. Additionally, you should definitely visit the atmospheric Wat Suwan Khiri Wong temple, located in the heart of Patong.
Kamala
As a rule, travellers come to Kamala with the aim of sunbathing on warm, clean sand, swimming in the sea, and enjoying the tranquillity and magnificent landscapes. It is a fairly quiet and cosy resort town on the west coast of Phuket with a nice beach, making Kamala a great choice for a family vacation. If you want even more seclusion, not far from Kamala Beach, there is another atmospheric beach called Wat Baan. The town has a well-developed infrastructure with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and spas.
Also near Kamala is the Siam National Park, which is sure to appeal to those seeking interesting locations for stunning photographs. But perhaps the most popular attraction among tourists is the Fantasea theme park. It is a Thai nighttime park that covers a vast area. Here, you can visit a street market, enjoy colourful theatrical shows, ride attractions, and try exotic dishes at a themed restaurant. Some tourists come to Kamala for the Elephant Farm at Pang Chang, located in the suburbs. Visitors can ride elephants, take photos with them, and feed the animals.
Cherng Talay
Cherng Talay is another beautiful city in the northwest of Phuket that is worth visiting during your vacation. It is located near the airport, so if you rent a car, you will quickly find yourself in this city. Cars in Phuket can be rented on the website of a local car rental service. In this case, the journey from the airport to Cherng Talay will take about 25 minutes. The city attracts many water sports enthusiasts, especially surfers, divers, and kite surfers. At the local beaches of Bang Tao and Surin, you can even take surfing lessons and enjoy snorkelling and paddleboarding.
Local tour companies offer interesting excursions, such as to the picturesque and secluded Phang Nga Bay or a hiking trip through the jungles. You should also visit the local water park, Blue Tree Phuket, which offers plenty of entertainment that both children and adults will enjoy. The city has many fitness centres, including those for practising Thai boxing. Shopping enthusiasts should definitely visit the night market in Bang Tao and the street market on Boat Avenue. If you are travelling with children, make sure to visit Adventure Village, a wonderful amusement park for kids. Fishing enthusiasts will be delighted with Phuket’s fishing park, which provides everything needed for a relaxing day of fishing and a great catch.
Phuket is truly a vibrant Thai island. Its cities are unique and different from one another: some are cosy and peaceful, while others never cease to buzz day and night. That is why you should visit all the best cities in Phuket to experience the special atmosphere of each one.
How to find the time to see all the cities in Phuket
In every city on the island, there are a lot of interesting locations, entertainment options, and places to relax. That is why visiting all the cities of Phuket can seem like a challenging task, especially if your vacation time is limited. However, some tips can help you save time and get the most enjoyment out of your trip to this paradise island.
1.Create a detailed travel plan. Determine in advance which cities in Phuket you definitely want to visit. Find them on the map to plan an optimal route and not miss any interesting city during your trip. Don’t forget to consider travel time, snacks, beach relaxation, and sightseeing.
2. Use car rental in Phuket. This will help you save a lot of time and add comfort to your trip. There are no regular buses or trains on the island, and local tuk-tuks are quite inconvenient, especially if you’re not travelling alone. Cars in Phuket can be rented on the website of https://localcarrents.com/. In this case, you can pre-book a car online and pick it up upon arrival from a location convenient for you. Such cars are provided with a full tank, and the service on Phuket is very well-developed. This way, you can move quickly around the island and visit more cities, enjoying the beautiful landscapes during the trip.
3. Avoid peak season. Most tourists arrive in Phuket from December to April. Therefore, it’s best to visit the island in November or May when there are fewer vacationers. Firstly, this will make your stay more comfortable as you won’t waste time in queues for attractions or searching for a place to relax on the beach. Secondly, during this time, prices for accommodation, food, car rental, and entertainment are relatively lower than in the peak season. So, you’ll save not only time but also money.
4. Consult local guides. There are many guides on the island who know Phuket well, its most interesting attractions, and picturesque locations. Seek help from a local guide who will suggest optimal routes to visit all the cities in Phuket and get the most out of your experience. Moreover, such guides will tell you a lot of interesting information about Thai history and culture, which will help you immerse yourself even more in the island’s amazing atmosphere.
5. Travel light. Try to do without excess baggage and only take the essentials on your journey to make your vacation easy and carefree. This will save you time on packing and unpacking. Besides, you won’t have to pay extra for luggage storage services in hotels and train stations.
6. Explore the local culture. Thailand is a very vibrant country with a rich culture and numerous interesting traditions. Make sure to visit at least a few local attractions, temples, museums, and galleries—there, you’ll learn more about the history of Phuket, religion, daily life, and crafts of the ancient peoples who inhabited the island. Don’t forget about culinary experiments—the local cuisine of Phuket may seem unusual, but you won’t regret trying local dishes. Therefore, during breaks between beach relaxation and entertainment, be sure to take the time to delve into the local culture.
In Phuket, every vacationer will find something to their liking, whether it’s unforgettable nightlife parties, entertainment for the whole family, interesting attractions, or water sports activities. However, it’s not worth spending your entire vacation in one city if you want to get the most out of your trip and maximise unforgettable experiences.
To have time to see all the cities on the island, plan your itinerary in advance, make use of car rental in Phuket, choose the optimal season for visiting, and seek assistance from guides. And most importantly, try to enjoy every moment of your stay on this enchanting Thai island.
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