Old Town, Big Buddha, Patong Beach & Night Market
Theme: Culture, Landmarks & Beach Life
Morning
Breakfast in Old Town Phuket
Start your day in Old Town with a traditional southern Thai breakfast. Head to Kopitiam by Wilai on Thalang Road for "dim sum" style morning bites — steamed buns, pork congee, and strong local coffee — or try the legendary roti and curry at a street stall on Dibuk Road. Old Town is quiet and atmospheric at this hour, with morning light painting the pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses in soft gold. Take your time and soak in the heritage neighbourhood before the heat builds.
Tips
- Old Town is on the eastern side of the island — if your hotel is in Patong, allow 30-40 minutes by Grab.
- The Sunday Walking Street market on Thalang Road only runs in the evening, but the architecture is beautiful any day of the week.
Sino-Portuguese Architecture Walk
Stroll along Thalang Road, Soi Romanee, Phang Nga Road, and Dibuk Road — the photogenic heart of Old Town Phuket. These streets are lined with beautifully restored 19th-century shophouses built by Chinese tin miners, featuring ornate facades, louvred shutters, and colourful doorways. Stop at the Phuket Thai Hua Museum (200 THB) for a quick overview of the island's immigrant heritage, or simply wander and photograph the vibrant street art murals that decorate walls and alleyways throughout the neighbourhood.
Tips
- The best street art is on Phang Nga Road and the alleys branching off it.
- Soi Romanee was once the island's red-light district — now it's the most Instagram-worthy lane in Phuket.
Drive to Big Buddha
Grab a taxi or Grab car from Old Town to Big Buddha. The drive takes about 25-30 minutes, winding up through rubber plantations and lush hillside. The final stretch up Nakkerd Hill is steep and scenic — you'll start catching glimpses of the massive white marble statue through the trees as you approach.
Big Buddha (Phra Phutthamingmongkol Akenakkiri)
The 45-metre-tall white marble Buddha sits atop Nakkerd Hill at 400 metres elevation and is visible from much of southern Phuket. The terrace at the base offers sweeping 360-degree views — Chalong Bay to the east, Kata and Karon beaches to the west, and on clear days, the Phi Phi Islands shimmering on the southern horizon. The site is an active place of worship with monks in residence, so dress respectfully. Sarongs are available to borrow at the entrance if needed. Ring the brass bells along the walkway for good luck and listen to them echo across the valley.
Tips
- The white marble platform gets extremely hot in the midday sun — wear shoes you can easily remove.
- Cover your shoulders and knees. Sarongs are provided free at the entrance but bringing your own avoids queuing.
Afternoon
Drive to Patong Beach
Head from Big Buddha down to Patong Beach on the west coast, about 20-25 minutes by car. The route passes through the hills that divide the island, offering glimpses of the Andaman Sea as you descend toward the coast. Patong is the busiest beach on the island and the social centre of tourist Phuket.
Lunch at Jungceylon Food Court
Jungceylon is Patong's biggest shopping mall, located just five minutes' walk from the beach. The basement food court serves excellent Thai food at local prices — pad thai, green curry with rice, som tum (papaya salad), and khao man gai (chicken rice) for 60-90 THB per dish. It's air-conditioned, clean, and the perfect place to refuel before an afternoon on the sand. The food court uses a prepaid card system — load 200 THB and get any unused balance refunded.
Tips
- The mango sticky rice stall in the food court is excellent — grab one for dessert.
- There's a Boots pharmacy and Tops supermarket here if you need sunscreen or supplies.
Patong Beach Swimming & Sunbathing
Patong Beach stretches 3.5 kilometres of golden sand along the central Andaman coast. Rent a beach lounger and umbrella (200 THB for the day) and settle in for a couple of hours of swimming, sunbathing, and people-watching. During the dry season (November-April) the sea is calm with green safety flags — perfect for swimming. The southern end near the Amari Phuket resort is less crowded and has better sand. Beach vendors patrol regularly selling fresh pineapple, coconut water, and corn on the cob.
Tips
- Reef-safe sunscreen is a must — reapply every 90 minutes. The equatorial sun burns fast.
- Secure your valuables when swimming. Most beach chair vendors will watch your bag but don't leave anything irreplaceable.
Fresh Coconut & Beach Walk
Buy a chilled coconut (40-60 THB) from one of the beach vendors and take a long walk along the shoreline toward the northern end of Patong Beach. The wet sand is firm and perfect for walking, and the afternoon light on the water is beautiful for photos. If you're feeling active, you can rent a jet ski (1,500 THB for 30 min) or try parasailing (1,200 THB) from the operators along the beach, though simply walking and enjoying the scenery is equally rewarding.
Evening
Sunset from Patong Beach
Patong Beach faces due west, making it one of the best spots on the island for sunset viewing. Find a spot on the sand or grab a drink at one of the beachfront bars. As the sun drops toward the Andaman Sea, the sky cycles through shades of orange, pink, and purple that seem too vivid to be real. This is the signature Phuket moment — warm sand, cold drink, and a tropical sunset that burns itself into your memory.
Tips
- Sunset is typically around 6:15-6:30 PM — arrive by 5:30 PM for the best light.
- The bars at the southern end of the beach have slightly better views and less hawker pressure.
Transfer to Chillva Market or Naka Weekend Market
Head to one of Phuket's best night markets for your final Phuket experience. If it's a weekday, Chillva Market (open Thursday-Saturday, 5-11 PM) in Phuket Town is a hip container market popular with locals, featuring creative street food, vintage clothing, and live music. On weekends, the Naka Weekend Market (Talad Tai Rod) near Central Festival is massive and packed with food stalls, clothing, and souvenirs. Both are about 30-40 minutes from Patong by Grab.
Tips
- If neither market is running, the OTOP Night Market in Patong (open nightly) is a solid alternative right on the beach road.
Night Market Feast
Night markets are where Phuket's food scene truly shines. Graze your way through stall after stall: grilled satay skewers (10 THB each), crispy roti with banana and condensed milk (40 THB), boat noodle soup (35 THB), deep-fried insects for the adventurous (50 THB), Thai-style crepes, fresh mango sticky rice, and coconut ice cream in a shell. Wash it all down with a fresh fruit smoothie or Thai iced tea. The atmosphere is electric — sizzling woks, fragrant smoke, colourful lights, and the happy buzz of locals and tourists eating together.
Tips
- Try "moo ping" (grilled pork skewers with sticky rice) — a ubiquitous Thai street snack that's always delicious.
- Bring small bills (20s and 50s) — many stalls don't carry change for 1,000 THB notes.
Night
Bangla Road Evening Stroll (Optional)
If you have energy left, no visit to Phuket is complete without at least a walk down Bangla Road — Patong's famous 400-metre nightlife strip. After dark, the street closes to traffic and transforms into a neon-lit carnival of music, performers, and bars. You don't need to go inside anywhere — just walking the length of the street is an experience in itself. For a nightcap with a view, try KEE Sky Lounge on the rooftop of the KEE Resort for cocktails overlooking the chaos below.
Tips
- Stay aware of your belongings in the crowd. Bangla Road is safe but pickpockets do operate in peak season.
- Most bars have no cover charge — you pay per drink. Cocktails average 250-350 THB.
