This Phuket travel guide covers everything you need to plan a trip to Thailand’s largest island and gateway to the Andaman Sea. It is a place where centuries-old Sino-Portuguese shophouses line the streets of Old Town, saffron-robed monks collect alms at hilltop temples, and some of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful beaches stretch along a coastline that has been drawing travellers for decades.

The west coast is where most visitors end up, a succession of bays separated by jungle-covered headlands, each with its own personality. Patong is loud and neon-lit, Kata is gentle and family-oriented, Kamala and Surin cater to those with deeper pockets and a taste for quiet, and Bang Tao offers an expansive strip anchored by integrated resorts.

Beyond the beaches, Phuket rewards those willing to explore: night markets serving charcoal-grilled satay and fresh mango sticky rice, diving day-trips to the Similan Islands, muay thai stadiums, ethically managed elephant sanctuaries, and viewpoints that turn golden every evening without fail.