Phuket City Tours

Phuket is a vibrant city with a variety of entertainment options. Guided tours allow you to get to know its gastronomy and explore the best bars. If you don't know where to start touring the island, having a guide will definitely make your visit easier.

Taking a city tour is one of the best things to do in Phuket during your stay. It allows you to get a quick glimpse of the main buildings, monuments, temples and sculptures.

Phuket is a Thai city with unique locations, so it is difficult to decide where to start your tour. A guided tour is the best way to explore with a professional guide.

These types of experiences fit tight itineraries, they are ideal if you plan to visit Phuket in three days. During these tours you will be able to visit:

• Wat Chalong Temple: it is a 19th century construction, its main attraction is the central pagoda where splinters of Buddha's bones are kept.
• Karon viewpoint: it is the most famous viewpoint of Phuket, from here you can get the best views of the coast. You cannot leave the city without making this mythical stop.
• Big Buddha of Phuket: one of the largest statues in Thailand, its imposing structure is considered a treasure of Buddhism. To reach the top, you must climb a flight of stairs of easy difficulty.

These sites are usually very crowded between December and March, but don't worry! You can plan activities to do in Phuket in November, to take advantage of the low season and good temperatures.

Details of interest

• Price: from 36 € per person.
• Duration: about five hours.
• Means of transport: usually includes round trip service, in a comfortable and equipped car.
• Advantages of this option: it is an accessible activity for people in wheelchairs and strollers.
• Disadvantages of this option: it cannot be done during the rainy season, since good weather conditions are required.

If this is your first time in the city, you can opt for an introductory tour of Phuket. It is the best way to familiarize yourself with its nooks and crannies, while enjoying a tour of iconic sites.

It is a dynamic and interactive tour, which will take a short detour to the Thai shores. All the beaches of Phuket are worthwhile, but perhaps you should start with the most mythical: Patong, Karon, Kata and Rawai.

• Patong Beach: the most visited beach by tourists, it is surrounded by markets, shopping malls, restaurants and the Kathu Waterfall. The night parties are the main attraction of this paradisiacal bay, since it connects with Bangla Road and Paradise Complex. Both areas have a variety of nightclubs and multicultural bars.
• Karon Beach: is a tourist complex where the Karon Market is held, which offers street food stalls and sales on local handicrafts. It is the best beach to relax, snorkel or run along the seashore.
• Kata Beach: located near Karon and Patong, it is a beach destination with the perfect swell for surfing.
• Rawai Beach: was the first beach of Phuket, due to its easy access from the main road. It is an area of fishermen, where you can taste the best options of Thai cuisine.

To enjoy this kind of tour and other activities offered by the island, I recommend you to take at least 5 days to visit Phuket.

Details of interest

• Price: from 32 € per person.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Means of transport: round trip transfer in an air-conditioned car.
• Advantages of this option: these are experiences that offer restrooms and child seats, so it is a great option if you are looking for activities to do with children in Phuket.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for people with serious health problems.

Phuket is a city full of culinary secrets, where spicy food is the main ingredient of most dishes. Thai food has an international reputation, thanks to its risky proposals.

A gastronomic tour is the perfect opportunity to taste about 14 Thai dishes. You can walk through the streets of Phuket, where you will find street vendors and local markets.

Aprofessional guide can take you to the best food places, while you learn their history and ways of preparation. You should know that Thai cuisine is very diverse, depending on the region you are in.

For example, Phuket is located in the northeastern region, and its gastronomy has a Malay influence. Seasonal fruits are the protagonists of the dishes. In addition, in most stalls you will find sticky rice and fermented salads.

Interesting details

• Price: from 55 € per person.
• Duration: about four hours.
• Means of transport: usually on foot.
• Advantages of this option: it is an activity for small groups, so it is completely personalized.
• Disadvantages of this option: no children's meals, plus there are few options for dietary restrictions.

As dusk falls, the city's nightclubs and bars open their doors, with fun nightlife activities. Without a doubt, taking a pub crawl is one of the best things to do in Phuket at night.

It is not for nothing that Phuket is known as the city of Thai parties, as its beaches offer live shows and traditional celebrations. You can live this experience with an expert guide, in the best nightlife areas.

The party until dawn takes place in Bangla Road, an area with great nightlife. As you walk down the street, you can enjoy music and free entry to a disco, where you can dance until you drop.

Details of interest

• Price: from 20 € per person.
• Duration: approximately seven hours.
• Means of transport: the tour is on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you can usually get free shots in each bar you visit.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for pregnant women.

In the afternoon many tourists go to their hotels to rest, so you have more chance to find the streets clear. Therefore, it is the perfect opportunity to discover Phuket at your own pace. This kind of tours take you to stroll along the best local beaches, while you explore the local gastronomy.

Additionally, you will visit the Wat Chalong temple, which was built in honor of two very important monks for the Buddhist culture. They are Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang, who led the fight against the Chinese rebellion in 1876.

It is an adventure to suit all tastes. Other sites you will be able to see are:

• The Big Buddha of Phuket
• The best bays, such as Patong, Karon and Kata.
• The Old Town of Phuket, an area with colonial buildings, from where Thalang Road and Soi Romanee are connected. There are garment workshops, Buddhist shrines and other spaces with Chinese-Portuguese influence.
• Rang Hills, a lookout surrounded by commercial life, from here you can get the best views of the Big Buddha. You can also observe the Chalong Bay while sipping a coffee. The main advantage is that it is not as well known and crowded as other viewpoints.

Details of interest

• Price: from 22 € per person.
• Duration: about six hours.
• Means of transport: the city tours are done in an air-conditioned vehicle. In addition, there is accessible public transportation in the surrounding area.
• Advantages of this option: these are personalized experiences designed for small groups of about eight people.
• Disadvantages of this option: it cannot be done during the rainy season, as good weather conditions are required.

Phuket is a big city with a lot to offer. For this reason, it is convenient to visit it by car, to get to the points of interest faster. Usually you will have a driver, who can take you to the most interesting places.

These tours are available for different lengths of time ranging from 4, 6 or 8 hours, you choose the duration depending on what you want to do. After a while, you can drive at your own pace, so I recommend planning your stops in advance. If you want to do some last minute shopping, you can also take advantage of these tours.

Keep in mind that the rainy season in Thailand runs from June to October. A driving tour is a great option if you want to plan activities to do in Phuket in October. Halloween is celebrated during this time, so you surely don't want to miss out on the fun because of bad weather.

Details of interest

• Price: from 34 € per person.
• Duration: between four and eight hours.
• Means of transportation: transfers in a comfortable air-conditioned car.
• Advantages of this option: for an extra cost you can ensure transfers between the airport and Phuket. Additionally, you can communicate with a travel consultant at no additional cost, who will guide you on the best stops.
• Disadvantages of this option: this type of tour is only available in English, however if you book at short notice, it is difficult to guarantee that the driver is fluent.

Visiting a city for the first time is a challenge. Mostly you need time to plan your itinerary and learn about the experiences available. If you plan to visit Phuket for 7 days or less, but don't know where to start, you can take a private tour for new visitors.

This type of experience concentrates on the more traditional sites, as many people aspire to see the island's most famous attractions with their own eyes. This way, you can dedicate yourself to seeing the sites that interest you most at your own pace, while learning all about the city and its culture.

Details of interest

• Price: from 53 € per person.
• Duration: about four hours.
• Means of transport: it is a private car tour with all the comforts, also includes the transfer to and from the hotel or agreed meeting point.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to tour the island with a professional English-speaking guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not include tips, this type of charge is common in Thailand, but it is not mandatory.

The Big Buddha of Phuket is a statue that measures about 34 meters, therefore it is the largest representation of Buddha in the world. To get to the site where it is located, you can climb a trail and take advantage of trekking.

From the slopes of the mountains, you can access the best views of the local beaches. You also have the option to walk through the Thai jungle, visit an organic farm and have lunch with local food.

Details of interest

• Price: from 37 € per person.
• Duration: approximately five hours.
• Means of transport: round trip transfer in a comfortable car, in the areas of Kata, Kata Noi and Karon. The other areas must pay an extra fee, check with your guide.
• Advantages of this option: includes entrance to different attractions, Thai food and vegetarian options.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for pregnant women or people with health problems.

Avoid some areas at night

Phuket is a warm city, with friendly people willing to guide you. However, some activities and times can be dangerous. For example, to explore the night bars, it is preferable to do so with a group and on a guided tour.

Patong beach is a tourist stop with the best night parties, however at night it is a red zone, as there are many drunken people around.

Respect the animals of the island

Animals are sacred in Thailand, however there are places where they are exploited. Avoid excursions to ride and bathe elephants, play with tigers or visit reptile handlers. If you are looking for an ethical environment, you can opt for the Elephant Sanctuary.

Get to know the traditions

The temples of Phuket bring together the essence of the island, to enter you must remove your shoes and maintain a respectful attitude. In addition, your trip may coincide with a holiday, as the island has different traditions.

You should know that in April the Thai New Year, known as songkran, is celebrated. Additionally, during Mother's Day festivities, the queen is honored.

Book in advance

Booking online is the best option, as it ensures your place and the possibility of having a guide who speaks fluent English.

In Phuket you can find guided tours even a few hours in advance, however you run the risk of getting a guide or driver who is not fluent in English.

Be sure to bargain

If you want to go shopping, you should know that it is important to bargain at street stalls. The culture of bargaining is part of many Asian countries, Thailand is no exception. Some things are offered at an overprice, so you can ask for a discount.

Learn basic Thai words

Learning basic Thai words allows you to get around more easily. Also, some Thais are more empathetic to those who try to speak their language.

• Hello: swasdi.
• Goodbye: la kon.
• Please: yin-dii.
• Thank you: kop khun khrap.
• I want to eat: kin koe.
• No spicy: mai pet.
• Check please? check bin.