Phuket, Thailand's largest island, sits in the Andaman Sea and impresses with striking variety. Here you'll find dreamy beaches, lush rainforest and spectacular limestone formations, a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Phuket is especially popular for its lively west coast, with beaches like Patong, Karon and Kata inviting you to unwind with white sand and turquoise water. But there's plenty to discover away from the coast too: green hills, cultural sights and local markets.
The old town with its colorful Sino-Portuguese houses is worth half a day – best visited early because of the heat.
With Andaman Wave Master (booked via 12go.asia), around €16.50 per person, roughly 2 hours. Easy and pleasant, a fast and comfortable connection to the island. Tip: especially in high season, it's worth booking the ticket in advance, as the ferries are often fully booked. After arriving we took a Grab taxi to our hotel in Patong.
Central in Patong, perfect for anyone who wants restaurants, bars and the beach within easy walking distance. €81 per night, great value for money. Great location, friendly and attentive staff, a varied breakfast buffet with daily-changing vegetarian options, a modern gym area and a dreamy infinity pool, stylish, uniquely designed rooms.
Verdict: Our absolute favorite hotel in Thailand. Comfort, design and service won us over completely, we'd book it again anytime.
Quiet but central area, Phuket's old town is within easy walking distance, perfect for exploring on foot. €50 per night, very good value for money. Central yet quiet location near the old town, modern and stylish interior, friendly and helpful hosts, charming atmosphere with lovely little details.
Verdict: A great choice for travelers looking for a stylish place with personal charm and a perfect location. Highly recommended.
A real insider tip in Patong with authentic Thai dishes, made with fresh ingredients and great care. A wide selection from spicy curries to aromatic wok dishes to fresh-caught fish, vegetarians are well looked after too. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff.
A lively market with a wide variety of street food, from spicy curries to grilled skewers to sweet desserts. Colorful stalls and the scent of fresh ingredients make it a real treat to visit. Open daily 3pm to midnight.
Unfortunately our visit was anything but pleasant, the vendors were extremely pushy, we were grabbed by the arm and practically forced to take menus. We didn't experience such aggressive touting anywhere else on our entire Thailand trip. Definitely not recommended, there are much more pleasant markets in Patong.
A real highlight for pizza lovers, crispy crust, high-quality ingredients, genuine Italian flavor, freshly made in a stone oven. Relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff.
A charming café with stylish design, friendly service and excellent coffee. The delicious French toast creations are especially popular, plus tasty snacks and breakfast options.
A real insider tip for anyone who loves vegan sweets, crispy, freshly made sesame balls with sweet bean paste or other traditional fillings. Friendly service, authentic street food vibe.
A real paradise for dessert lovers, the creamy, homemade puddings are a particular highlight, plus aromatic coffee and tea. Relaxed atmosphere, stylish interior.
The perfect place for a relaxed break, refreshing, fruity shakes made from high-quality ingredients. Stylish interior, calm atmosphere.
Cost between €25 and €167 per person depending on the program, open daily 7am to 5pm. A special kind of elephant experience, depending on the program you can feed them, bathe with them or spend a whole day in the jungle. A guide accompanies every tour with interesting information about rescuing and caring for the animals. We chose the "Feed and Shower Program" (€55 adults, €41 children, including feeding, showering, guide, drinks and snacks) and can highly recommend it.
Verdict: A beautiful experience for animal lovers who want to get up close to elephants in a respectful setting.
Cost around €70 per person. White sand beaches, crystal-clear water and an impressive underwater world, the Similan Islands are among Thailand's best diving and snorkeling spots. The protected coral reefs are home to colorful schools of fish, manta rays and, with a bit of luck, even whale sharks. Plus dreamy viewpoints and hiking trails with breathtaking panoramic views.
Verdict: An absolute highlight for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of the Andaman Sea above and below the water.
Delights with colorful buildings, cozy cafés and small boutiques. A walk through the historic lanes is worth it to soak up the charming atmosphere. For shopping we'd recommend markets or malls instead, since old town prices are often aimed at tourists.
Via Klook, around €50 per person, including lunch on Panyee Island. James Bond Island is one of Thailand's best-known landmarks, known from "The Man with the Golden Gun," despite impressive rock formations it's very touristy and often crowded. A steep, slippery staircase leads up into a dark cave with impressive rock formations. Panyee Island is built on stilts over the water, fascinating architecture, though very touristy with countless souvenir stalls. At Panak Island you paddle by canoe through narrow cave entrances and lagoons, an impressive ride, even if shared with plenty of other canoes along the way. Panya Beach is a quiet beach surrounded by green forest with a few small restaurants.
Tip: Jet skis are frequently offered here, our guide advised against them due to accident reports.