What To Do In Phuket In One Day
Wondering what to do in Phuket? Feeling the crunch of sand between your toes, checking out the old town awash with cute little cafes, or diving into ebullient nightlife – you could explore this popular speck in south Thailand for weeks and wouldn’t run out of things to see and do. The best way to comfortably squeeze as much as possible into a day in Phuket is to get around on a rented scooter. Here is your condensed itinerary for an exciting day on Thailand’s largest island.
Have Breakfast the Thai Way in Phuket Town
Hop on a motorbike and chase the things to do in Phuket City. You can start at Ranong Road, the local transport and commercial hub. Sweet mangos, litchi-like longan, and creamy durian await here at the public fresh market every morning. Apart from exotic fruits at the market, you can fuel up for the day at one of the street stalls dotting Ranong Road. Try the hearty khao tom, or boiled rice, followed by airy, crispy Pa Thong Go, the Thai version of Chinese donuts.
CHECK OUT THE KHAO RANG HILL VIEWPOINT
Within spitting distance of the old town is the Khao Rang Hill Viewpoint, surrounded by verdant gardens. Come here for spectacular views of the city and the island’s south, all the way to the Big Buddha sitting on the hilltop in the distance. You can also see the ocean and some of the truly wild islands off the coast of Phuket.
EAT HOKKIEN NOODLES IN PHUKET TOWN
Given the Hokkien Chinese influence in Phuket, it’s no surprise that this egg noodle dish mixed with seafood from Phuket has captured the island’s history. Order this fried noodle meal at one of the many Hokkien-style noodle joints in Phuket City – the best ones include Mee Ton Poe, Mee Gola, and Mee Ao Gae – and you’ll get a bowl of stir-fried noodles bathed in black pepper gravy. Served with clams, fish balls, shrimp, squid, pork slices and greens, this dry onion and liquid yolk-topped dish is an indulgent blend you’ve got to try.
DRIVE A GO-KART AT THE PATONG SPEEDWAY AND OFFROAD FUN PARK
Brace yourself for rip-roaring fun as you navigate sharp curves and bends at the Patong Speedway. Aside from racing to the finish line on the 750m-long track, you can also conquer the 600-metre-long off-road trail, splashing through puddles, bouncing over bumps, and travelling under and over bridges. Situated in Kathu at the feet of Patong Hill, it’s easy to find, and there’s also a cafe.
SPEND THE AFTERNOON ON KATA BEACH
HutheMeow, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Not exactly one of the unusual things to do in Phuket but worth your time, Kata Beach is the second most popular beach after Patong. Framed by tropical trees, the crescent beach has powdery sand that squeaks beneath your feet. Sun loungers and umbrellas invite you into a lazy afternoon, and massage parlours, restaurants, and family hotels are just around the corner.
WATCH THE SUNSET AT THE ROMANTIC MOON TERRACE
One of the best Phuket day activities is ringing in the evening at Moon Terrace, a lounge and restaurant at Metadee Concept Hotel. Fresh seabass filets topped with oregano taste out of this world, and the sunset deck overlooking Kata Beach is the perfect answer to What to Do in Phuket in One Day.
After sipping a cocktail in this romantic setting, it’s time to head to Patong, Phuket’s nightlife mecca, and paint the town red!
- Written by: Philipp Meier – Travel Writer Writer