Discovering the Charms of Phuket

Phuket, where the sun-kissed beaches beckon, and relaxation awaits at every turn. Read below for my journey through this tropical paradise, as I explored the main attractions, from the picturesque Old Town to the serene presence of the Big Buddha and much more! Let's dive into it ⬇️

Old Town Phuket

Old Town Phuket is a beautiful, enchanting area, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture and vibrant markets. There are cute little lanes and markets as you wander through the area, not to mention the food!

I absolutely love a market, and a night food market - I'm 100% there. The night market is held weekly, every Sunday on the beautiful Thalang Road. I caught a quick tuk-tuk from my hotel, right to the front of the markets and set off. The road is LONG, it's almost split in half with an intersection, but I'd urge you to explore all of it, little is repeated.

The mango sticky rice (one of my favs), tasty dumplings, fresh pad thai, delicious fried taro balls, fresh fruit smoothies, succulent grilled seafood and everything weird and wonderful in between meant this market was definitely one I'd recommend.

Not only was the food fresh and yummy, leaving me wanting more...the knick-knacks you can buy on the way to take home were absolutely adorable, as well as being to stop to watch some super talented street performers. You'll find hand-made artisans creating elephants from wire, graphic tees, and affordable souvenirs that are different to what you'll find in Patong...or at the airport.

If you are wanting a little more from your evening, there are plenty of bars with live music to continue your evening. But if you are like me, you'll be in complete food coma with a few bags worth of shopping.

Hot tip - you can bargain at these markets in terms of non-food products. Most products are pretty affordable, so I'd go down by not more than 15%.

Big Buddha

What an absolute treat, the Big Buddha towers over the island, a place of true peace and spirituality. And yes, the Buddha is HUGE!

You'll need to take a taxi/grab or a motorbike like we did to the summit of Nakkerd Hill, where the majestic marble statue awaits, offering panoramic views of the azure coastline below.

Let's be honest, Phuket can get HOT. I went to the Big Buddha just in time for sunset, say 1 hour or so before it closes. It wasn't planned, but was the best decision I made that day. I'd highly recommend going at this time to avoid the large crowds and tour groups and get a beautiful sunset photo as well...not to mention staying as cool as you can given the climate.

The way down was a little dark, but nothing too crazy as there are plenty of cars heading down with you - I wouldn't recommend hiking up/down if you are going at this time because it'll be pretty dark on the decline.

Phi Phi Islands - Day Tour

No trip to Phuket is complete without massages...but also a visit around the beautiful Phi Phi Islands! I booked a trip through Klook which was extremely convenient and efficient in terms of organisation. I booked a day trip including Phi Phi, Maya Area, Khai and Bamboo Island. The day was long I won't lie, and there were a lot of people so you do very much feel like you are in a tour group, but it was well organised and beautiful.

The trip booked allowed us to explore particular islands and areas at our own pace so it isn't a fully guided tour, but rather taking you from place to place. This suited me quite nicely as these islands don't need much explanation, they are picturesque enough to explore on your own.

I got picked up nice and early from my hotel and taken to the port where 200 or so others were also gathered to get onto their boat for the day. We were organised quite well in groups and set off on our boat ride, stopping at each destination for an hour or so each time. We got to snorkel and go onto a wooden boat for some Insta-worthy photos. The snorkelling was beautiful, with plenty of marine life to see. The only downside was the number of people around as well. So find a nice space before exploring the world underneath.

The day tour included some brekky snacks and lunch, and a banana somewhere in between. You then get dropped off at your hotel, by this time it's well into the evening - so make sure you don't plan anything except for a soak in the bathtub and room service in the evening.

One or two of the islands were a little average - but I have been blessed with many island trips and live close to the tropical part of the world, so could be more exciting for others. If I had any feedback, it would have been to spend more time at the more beautiful islands. That being said, if you are travelling solo or with one or two others, this is a nice way to see the islands. If you have a big group, I'd recommend getting a private boat and heading out for the day, so you can tailor the trip as you see fit.

Those are my three top highlights for Phuket! Of course there is always more to see, it depends what type of holiday you are going for. The beaches are nice, resorts are stunning and local bars and pubs bring out the evening energy. I'd recommend going to Bangla Road if you want to party and see the nightlife, getting plenty of massages in, from your local massage palour (at least one a day, let's be real!), and enjoying the freshly made street-food by the many local markets you'll bump into.

There are some beautiful temples you can explore too, my most recent trip was about unwinding, food and chilling by the pool. I'll add to this post if I do head there again and visit some temples anytime soon!

Until next time, may your travels be filled with serenity and rejuvenation. Sawasdee krub (goodbye) from the tranquil shores of Phuket!