When I was planning for my trip to Thailand, I had planned to completely skip Phuket based on things I had heard and read. I am now glad I spent a few days here.
I fell in love with the charming colorful architecture of old town and the beaches on the west coast. If you are a solo female traveler with intentions on skipping Phuket, read on to hear my take.
The areas I explored include Old Phuket Town, Naiyang, Patong, Karon and Kata Beach. I enjoyed most of these areas; however, if you are looking to skip the touristy areas, you should skip Patong and possibly Old Phuket Town.
If you are worried about safety, I generally felt safe walking around. As with anywhere, use common sense while traveling solo.
Old Town Phuket
Four main streets make up the majority of central areas for shopping, dining, and walking. These streets are Thalang, Phangnga, Krabi, and Dibuk with a few side streets connecting them which include Soi Rommari.
Thalang Road
This is the main road where you will find most of the shops, along with the Sunday Night Walking Street. Come Sunday night, the street will fill up with people, food and art/gift stalls, and local musicians performing.
On an ordinary day, there are many shops and restaurants along the road. You will also see countless people taking photos, as this is a very “instagrammable” street. Admire the colorful townhome style buildings, shop for handmade gifts and clothing, or simply grab an espresso from the numerous coffee shops and watch as the people walk by.
Multiple guest houses and hostels line this road as well.
Phangnga Road
Phangnga Road runs parallel to Thalang Road and is a bit less known, but still full of local shops and restaurants, and beautiful architecture.
Dibuk Road
Dibuk Road also runs parallel to Thalang Road and is home to some nice cafes, restaurants and shops. Also along this road you will find Soi Romanee, another great photo-op destination.
NaiYang Beach
I personally loved NaiYang Beach. Numerous small restaurants with seating directly on the beach, nothing could beat having some authentic thai food and a cocktail, with your toes in the sand. Naiyang beach is very close to the airport as well, making it a great first or last stop if you are flying in or out of Phuket.
NaiYang is also home to Sirinat National Park, which occupies a 22 km area of beach, and 2 km of beach forest land. The entrance fee to the park is 200 baht for adults, and 100 baht for children 3-14 years. Enjoy the less crowded and cleaner beach here, while watching for nearby airplanes leaving the airport.
Patong Beach
Patong beach is good if you want to be around many other tourists, go parasailing or jet skiing, or shop for souvenirs. You can rent a chair with a beach umbrella here for 100 baht per day. Be prepared for people constantly walking by you trying to sell you something.
If you are in the mood for some great nightlife, Patong is the place to be. Just walk along the famous Bangla Walking Street, and you will find something for everyone. From nightclubs, to rooftop bars, Patong has it all. But if you are looking for a more peaceful, serene beach, you will probably not find it here.
Karon & Kata Beach
If you are looking for a bit more of a laid back beach, check out Karon. Less touristy than Patong, but still possessing restaurants, bars, and hotels Karon is a very long stip of beach.
For an even more laid back serene beach, Kata is a great place to visit. Sometimes called the surfing capital of Phuket, you will find the biggest numbers of surfers here. The consistent waves make it a great place for established surfers, or a great place to learn. Multiple surf schools with lessons available line the beach.
You can rent a beach chair and umbrella here for 100 baht per day, and relax while you watch the surfers nearby. If you get hungry, there are many food stalls on the road right off the beach, or walk a bit further to find a restaurant.
The sunsets on the west coast are absolutely spectacular, with many great places to watch them. Kata Rocks, a luxury hotel with a rooftop infinity pool, is a great place to start if you are willing to pay the price for a cocktail. The views are worth it. If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, head up to the Karon Viewpoint lookout. There are multiple restaurants and bars along the mountainside. Take your pick here. Of course, you could always catch the sunset by simply lounging on the beach. Arguably the best place anyway.