7 Days in Phuket

Transfer from the airport (Grab: 500–700 THB to Patong/Kata). Start with a self-guided walk through Old Phuket Town — Thalang Road Sino-Portuguese shophouses, Uptown Phuket street murals, and the Blue Elephant restaurant courtyard. Breakfast at Kopitiam by Wilai — kopi and dim sum.

Check in and spend the afternoon at Patong Beach. Drive to Karon Viewpoint (Three Beaches Hill) for Phuket's best vantage point over three bays simultaneously — a classic first afternoon on the island.

Experience Bangla Road at night — even if you're not a nightlife person, a one-time walk through is part of understanding Phuket. Then find a quieter seafood restaurant on the Kata or Karon beachfront for dinner.

8 am speedboat departure from Rassada Pier for the Phi Phi Islands. Begin at Maya Bay — rehabilitated and more beautiful than ever. Snorkel at Pileh Lagoon's enclosed turquoise waters before crowds arrive. Pass Viking Cave — the source of edible bird's nests harvested for bird's nest soup.

Bamboo Island (Koh Mai Phai) has excellent shallow snorkelling over hard coral in brilliant clear water. For those with energy, hike up to the Phi Phi Don Viewpoint (30–40 min return) for the iconic twin bay photograph. Lunch is served on the boat or at a Phi Phi Don beachside restaurant.

Back in Phuket by 5 pm. A Thai cooking class in the evening (e.g. Phuket Thai Cooking Academy — 1,500–2,000 THB) is a wonderful way to bring Phuket's flavours home. You'll cook and eat a full Thai meal under instruction.

Join a Phang Nga Bay tour to James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan). Depart early to arrive before the main tourist influx. The combination of vertical limestone karsts, emerald water, and scale is breathtaking and unlike anywhere else in Thailand.

Kayak through hongs — narrow sea caves that emerge into hidden enclosed lagoons, accessible only at certain tides. The experience is unique to the region. Visit Koh Panyee floating village for lunch — the famous floating football pitch here has been featured in international documentaries.

Return to Phuket by late afternoon. Surin Beach (Millionaire's Mile) is home to some of Phuket's best upscale restaurants and a genuinely stunning sunset over the Andaman. Catch Club and Bampot Kitchen & Bar are both excellent choices for a nicer evening meal.

Morning visit to the 45-metre Big Buddha on Nakkerd Hill — arrive by 9 am before the tour groups. The structure is genuinely impressive in scale, and the surrounding views across Kata, Karon, and Chalong Bay are among Phuket's best panoramas.

Wat Chalong is Phuket's most visited temple and most beautiful — the main pagoda contains a sacred relic. 30–45 minutes here is plenty, then drive to Kata Noi (Little Kata) — a small, quieter bay at the south end of Kata that retains the feel of old-school Phuket.

Patong Boxing Stadium or Bangla Boxing Stadium host fights with genuine atmosphere. Local and regional fighters across weight classes — a proper sporting event, not a tourist show. Ringside seats (1,500–2,000 THB) put you close to the action.

The Similan Islands (about 3 hours north of Phuket by speedboat) are frequently rated among the world's top 10 diving destinations. The water clarity, coral health, and marine diversity are exceptional. Day trips depart around 7–7:30 am from Thap Lamu Pier or some hotels directly.

Snorkellers swim over hard and soft coral gardens with reef sharks, turtles, and Manta rays (seasonal). The dive sites are among the best in the Indian Ocean. Island No. 4 (Koh Miang) has a beautiful beach for a relaxed lunch. Most day tours include two or three snorkel/dive stops.

Long day — arrive back in Phuket around 6–7 pm. Book a traditional Thai massage or spa treatment at one of Phuket's excellent resort spas or standalone parlours. A 2-hour massage and scrub at a reputable parlour costs 500–1,000 THB.

Several ethical sanctuaries operate in Phuket's inland areas — Phuket Elephant Care Center and Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket offer morning half-day programmes (8–12 pm, 2,500–3,500 THB per person) where you feed, bathe, and walk alongside rescued elephants in a natural setting. No riding — these are genuine rescue and rehabilitation facilities.

Bang Tao Beach is one of Phuket's longest stretches of sand — 8 km — and the northern end (Layan Beach) is beautifully undeveloped. The beachfront Catch Beach Club serves excellent Thai food and cocktails and is open for lunch. A perfect post-elephant afternoon.

The Laguna Phuket resort complex at Bang Tao has several excellent restaurants. Café del Mar or Trisara's PRU restaurant (if budget allows — Michelin-starred) make for a memorable final-night dinner. The sunset from Bang Tao's north end is one of Phuket's most underrated.

Your final Phuket morning — savour it at whichever beach you've enjoyed most. A long breakfast, one last swim, and a quiet coffee on the beachfront. The Boathouse Phuket at Kata does an excellent à la carte breakfast with a beach view.

Head back to Old Phuket Town for a final wander and souvenir shopping — the Town area has excellent Thai spice and coffee shops, local artwork, handmade soap, and textiles. Grab a bag of Phuket pineapple (the island's famous local variety) for the road.

No Phuket departure is complete without Promthep Cape. Arrive by 5:30 pm for the best spot — the Andaman Sea view with Koh Man Island silhouetted against the sun is genuinely world-class. Then direct transfer to Phuket International Airport.