My Guide to Old Phuket Town

If you think Phuket is just beaches and bars, think again! As Thailand’s largest and most popular island, Phuket has so much more to explore.

Phuket actually has a really interesting history and a unique culture which is most evident in Old Phuket Town where the streets are lined with colorful old shop houses and where Thai temples mingle with Chinese shrines.

If you’d like to explore beyond the beaches and learn about the island’s unique culture and history then I highly recommend spending some time in the city.

My Old Phuket Town Travel Guide

In this guide to Phuket Old Town I’ll explain why this place is special and give you everything you need to know to plan your own visit.

From what to do, see and eat to where to stay and when to visit – I’ve tried to make this the most comprehensive guide there is – I hope you find it helpful.

Where is Phuket Old Town?

Phuket Old Town is the historic heart of Phuket City which is located on Phuket island in southern Thailand.

Phuket Old Town is not far from Rassada Pier on the South East side of Phuket island. It’s on the other side of the island from most of the popular beaches on the western coast, but it’s quite easily accessible.

Phuket old town makes a great day trip (especially if you combine it with some other interesting cultural sights nearby) and it’s also well worth staying there a few days to soak it all in.

Map of Phuket

Is Phuket Old Town Worth Visiting?

Wondering if it’s worth a day away from the beach to visit Phuket old town?

Well, if you’re interested in history and culture visiting Phuket old town is definitely worth a visit –  there are many museums and different places of worship that give an insight into Thai culture and the unique culture of the island. I’d even say that visiting the old town is one of the best things to do in Phuket!

Even if you are not interested in history, old town Phuket is very colorful and photogenic which makes it one of the most instagrammable places in Phuket.

There’s plenty of cafes and shops to explore, including the lively Sunday market, so it offers some of the best shopping on the island. It also makes a good rainy day activity.

A Quick History of Phuket Old Town

Long before Phuket became a popular tourist destination, the island was a trading port between Arabia, India, China, and later on, Europe.

A tin mining boom in the 18th century drew more people to settle on the island and lead to the creation of Phuket Town. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized but the mix of people that the trading port and tin mining attracted created a diverse cultural melting pot.

Many of these early settlers were Chinese (mostly from Fujian province) and they married local women and formed a new culture blending Chinese traditions with local customs creating a distinctive language, clothing, cuisine, and religious ceremonies.

Their descendants are known as Baba Nyonya Peranakans (Baba for men and Nyonya for women.) Sometimes referred to as Straits Chinese, they can also be found in other historic trading ports like Penang and Malacca in Malaysia, and in Singapore.

Phuket’s Peranakan community evolved to be one of the wealthiest in Southeast Asia and shophouses, grand mansions, public buildings, and places of worship were built in a unique Sino-Portuguese style in and around Phuket Town.

In recent years, Old Phuket Town has been spruced up a bit, the distinctive Sino-Portuguese architecture has been given a colourful paint job and there are many museums, eateries and hotels making it a great place to explore the history and culture of Phuket.

Whether you come on a day trip to stay a couple of days to soak it all up – I’m sure it will be a highlight of your holiday.

How to Get to Old Phuket Town

Phuket has an international airport and plenty of bus and ferry connections with other places in Thailand. Phuket City and the old town is about 36 km from Phuket Airport and the drive takes about 45 minutes.

Once in Phuket, the easiest and quickest way to get around is by taxi but they can be expensive (by Thai standards) so download the Grab app (it’s like Uber) for cheaper prices and more convenience.

If you’re on a budget you can also try the local buses and songthaews. The Airport Bus runs between Phuket international airport and the city and takes about 90 minutes. Phuket City is only 4 km (10 mins drive) from Rassada Pier (Phuket’s main pier) so if you’re arriving by boat or ferry it makes a good first stop.

Patong beach is the closest popular beach resort to Phuket old town. It’s only 15 km (about 30 mins drive) from Patong and there are plenty of taxis. The journey time will be a bit further from other places like Kata beach, Karon beach and Kamala beach. Renting a car or motorbike is also a popular way to get around Phuket but drive carefully, wear a helmet and carry your international driving license.

If you’re short on time the best option is to join this Phuket Guided Tour – as well as visiting Phuket Town you’ll also visit some other interesting sights nearby so it makes a great cultural day out. Plus, having a knowledgeable guide brings the history to life and will help you understand more about Thai culture. If you’d prefer a private tour consider this one.

When to visit and how long to spend

As a tropical island, Phuket is warm all round with average temperatures hoovering around 30 degrees. The best time to visit Phuket Town is between December and March when the weather is dry, sunny and not too hot and humid.  This is the peak tourist season so it’s the busiest, and most expensive, time to visit Thailand, so book in advance.

April and May can be ok if you don’t mind the heat and then between June and October is the rainy season with tropical downpours and cloudy and overcast skies. You’ll still get some sunny, dry days but the weather can be quite unpredictable. Whilst the rainy season might not be ideal beach weather it’s still a good time to visit the city and you can shelter from the rain (or heat) in a cafe or museum.

If you visit on a Sunday evening you’ll get to experience the Phuket old town walking street market where you can browse hundreds of stalls and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

A very special time to visit Phuket Town is in October when the unique and slightly bizarre Phuket Vegetarian Festival is held at the Chinese shrines in the city. Chinese New Year is also a popular and lively time to visit and often coincides with the Phuket Old Town Festival. It’s essential to pre book your accommodation during these times.

The old town is not a large area so you can see the main streets and highlights in a day trip. But if you have more time I’d recommend spending at least 2 days / 1 night here – there’s plenty to see and do to make it worthwhile and plenty of hidden gems and street art to discover.

Why not enjoy a night in one of the cute boutique hotels in the restored shop houses, colourful buildings and heritage mansions that make you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Where to Stay – The Best Hotels in Phuket Old Town

Phuket city has plenty of accommodation options, and at much cheaper prices than the beach resorts, which makes it one of the best places to stay in Phuket – if you’re not fussed about being on the beach. So why not stay a night here so you have more time to explore and add another dimension to your holiday in Phuket.

For the best experience I highly recommend staying in old Phuket town in one of the restored historic shop houses or mansions that have been lovingly restored into boutique hotels, small guesthouses, and backpacker hostels.

The best hotels in Phuket Old Town are:

• The Memory at On On Hotel – If you’re a fan of the movie, The Beach, then don’t miss the chance to stay in the same building that was the film set for the dingy hostel Leo stayed at when he first arrived in Bangkok! Don’t worry it’s been spruced up alot since then and now offers comfortable A/C rooms, and a great location on Phang Nga road.
• Hotel Verdigris – This timelessly stylish 4 star boutique hotel blends historic charm with contemporary design and modern comforts. If offers tropical gardens, a unique pool and free bicycles. Get the heritage suite with a private pool in the courtyard if it’s available!
• The Woo Gallery and Boutique Hotel – The most beautifully restored historic Chinese shophouse has been lovingly turned into a museum and comfortable boutique hotel with stunning historical details.

• Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel – An elegant hotel housed in a European style heritage building in the heart of the old town. I loved the cute courtyard garden, swimming pool and comfortable air conditioned rooms.
• Phuket Sunny Hostel – If you’re on a budget consider then this friendly, centrally located, hostel in a heritage building. Sunny Hostel offers both shared dorms and private rooms (all with AC) as well as sociable common areas, a cafe bar and a travel desk.
• Ratri Hotel – If you prefer something a bit more modern then the Ratri Hotel is a great pick with modern ensuite rooms and a great open air cafe and bar by the pool.

Things to do in Phuket Old Town

While the old town of Phuket is quite compact there’s still plenty to see and do and many museums, shops and eateries to explore.

The best main streets to explore are Krabi, Thalang, Dibruk and Phang Nga road where you’ll see lots of old, colourful buildings and restored, 19th century shop houses with beautiful Sino-Portuguese architecture.

Nowadays many have been turned into boutiques, cafes, and hotels so you can stroll along admiring the architecture and browsing for local snacks and souvenirs.

One of the prettiest parts of the old town is little Soi Romanee, which used to be the cities red light district and is now home to distinctive pink coloured buildings including Aungku Phuket, a pink flower covered bakery which is the most popular instagram spot in the old town.

But don’t forget to look down the back alleys and beyond the tourist attractions where you can still get a glimpse of the ‘real Phuket old town’ – fascinating hardware stores and workshops overflowing with bits and bobs. Remember to keep your eyes peeled for the street art too!

Museums

To understand more about Phuket’s history and culture there are several museums and art galleries worth visiting. If you want to step back in time there’s a couple of historic mansions that welcome visitors and offer guided tours.

Here’s some museums worth a visit:

• Phuket Thai Hua Museum – Located in a historic school house on Krabi road this is the best museum in Phuket with exhibits on the lives of the Chinese and Peranakan people. Entrance is 200 baht.
• Museum Phuket – Housed in the iconic yellow buildings of the former bank and clocktower, this free museum gives you a good introduction to Phuket’s history and the Peranakan culture.
• Chinpracha House – An Elegant 1903 Sino-colonial mansion with antique furniture that offers guided tours for 150 baht.
• Moh Seng Historic House Museum – Beautifully resorted Chinese shophouse and boutique hotels packed with antiques and offering guided tours
• Thavorn Phuket Museum – A museum with a quirky collection of 1060’s memorabilia in the Thavorn hotel
• Phuket Philatelic Museum – Small museum displaying stamps in the old post office

Temples and Shrines

For me, a highlight is the variety of different places of worship found in a relatively small area including Thai buddhist temples, Chinese shrines and even Christian churches, Muslim mosque and Hindu temples.

These places show the diversity of cultures and beliefs and most welcome visitors free of charge. Just be mindful to remove shoes, dress appropriately covering shoulders and knees, and respect the local culture when visiting.

Some places of worship to visit include:

• Jui Tui Shrine – An impressive Chinese temple dating back to 1911 on the outskirts of the old town where the vegetarian festival is held. Also check out the Kuan im Teng shrine next door.
• Mongkhon Nimit Temple – Stunning Golden Thai Buddhist Temple in the heart of the old town on Dibuk road.
• Hainan Shrine – An atmospheric small Chinese shrine in the middle of Thalang road.

• Sang tham Shrine (or Shrine of the Serene Light) – A interesting Chinese temple hidden down an alley off Phang Nga road.
• Thandayudapani Murugan Temple – A small simple Hindu temple on the outskirts of the old town opposite Wichit Sangkaram Temple
• Masjid Jamek (Yameay) Phuket Mosque – An elegant mosque to the south of the old town near to
• Our Lady of The Assumption Catholic Church – A historic pretty white and turquoise church.

Shopping and Massage

The old town is a great place to shop for arts and crafts, souvenirs, and quirky gifts with plenty of boutique shops and lively street markets to explore.

On Sundays, Thalang Road is pedestrianized and hosts the Sunday walking street market (also known as the Lard Yai market) where hundreds of stalls sell clothing, jewellery, arts and crafts, and souvenirs. There’s also live music, a festive atmosphere and of course plenty of yummy street food snacks to try!

If it’s not a Sunday don’t worry, there’s still plenty of boutiques, souvenir shops, and night markets to explore – try the Phuket Indy night market on Dibuk road and the Phuket Naka weekend market which is a little further out and less touristy.

And if all that walking around has got you in need of a foot massage there’s plenty of massage parlors but one that stands out is the Raintree Spa. This is located in a heritage house slightly away from the hustle and bustle and offers a wide range of treatments as well as the traditional Thai massage.

Viewpoints

It’s also worth going up to one of the viewpoints located just outside the old town, especially at sunset time. Both Monkey Hill Viewpoint and Khao Rang Hill offer amazing views over the old town, the island and out to the Andaman sea.

If you go to Monkey Hill viewpoint don’t take any food or drinks and be careful with the monkeys. I preferred Khao Rang as it also had an interesting, colourful Buddhist temple.

Where to Eat in Old Phuket Town

Phuket’s mix of cultural influences is also evident in it’s diverse culinary scene that earned it a place as one of UNESCO’s ‘World’s Leading Cities of Gastronomy.’

So, as well as southern Thai dishes and seafood, you’ll also find dishes from China, Malaysia, India, Myanmar and Europe. There’s also plenty of cold, sweet, treats and artisanal gelato to help you cool down on a hot day.

One of the best ways to explore the history, culture and varied cuisines of Phuket City with your tastebuds is by joining a Phuket Old Town Food Tour  like this one which takes you on a journey through food and includes over 15 tastings.

There’s also plenty of excellent restaurants, cute cafes, bars, and of course delicious street food! Here’s some suggestions on the best places to eat and drink in Phuket Old Town:

Cafes

If you want to chill out with a coffee and have a break from the heat there’s plenty of air conditioned cafes and coffee shops to choose from.

Some of my favorites include:

• Campus Coffee Roasters – Classy modern and centrally located cafe on Yaowarat road offering great coffee, cakes and a relaxing atmosphere. It’s also a good place for digital nomads wanting to get some work done.
• Bookhemian: Relaxed, retro style cafe with cold brews
• The Neighbors Cafe: Popular cafe for international breakfast and coffee in a cosy atmosphere.
• Drawing Room Coffee and Gallery: Quirky bohemian coffee shop in an art gallery full of kitsch and antiques.

Restaurants

There’s plenty of excellent restaurants offering delicious Thai food but why not be more try some uniquely Phuketian or Penerakan food when in Phuket old town!

Here’s some of the best restaurants and places to eat in Phuket old town:

• Boomrat Dim Sum – If you’d like to try something different for breakfast why not join the locals for dim sum! Boomrat is an authentic, affordable, and popular local dim sum restaurant with a variety of dishes and helpful staff. Get there early because it’s only open until 10.30am.
• Kopitiam by Wilai: An traditional style old Chinese style Kopitiam serving a fusion of Peranakan, Thai, Malay and Hoikken dishes. It’s a small and popular family run place so you may have to wait a while but it’s worth it and prices are very affordable.
• One Chun Cafe and Restaurant: My favorite restaurant in old Phuket town because I’m addicted to the crab curry! This Michelin starred restaurant specializes in southern Thai food and is located in an old shophouse with an authentic, vintage atmosphere. I highly recommend trying the crab yellow curry.

• Tu Kab Khao: The massive lobster on the wall outside makes this popular restaurant easy to spot. Housed in a classy Sino-Portuguese building in the heart of the old town the menu offers Royal Thai cuisine and modern Southern Thai food in a charming vintage setting.
• 1000009 Thai Noodle Restaurant: Great value, affordable, friendly, family run Thai restaurant. They specialize in noodle dishes prepared with love and super fresh ingredients.
• The Blue Elephant: One of the finest restaurants in old town Phuket offering royal Thai cuisine in surroundings fit for a king. The restaurant is housed in an elegant heritage mansion so it feels like dinning in a museum. Try the tasting menu or the Thai cooking classes.

You can also visit the markets and hawker food centers to try affordable street food dishes. Lock Tien local food center is a small traditional hawker style food court in the heart of the old town, or head slightly out to the Phuket Indy night market which has more variety and a livelier atmosphere.

Nightlife

Phuket town’s nightlife is more low key than you’ll find on the beaches but offers a more local experience. A good place to start is at the night market, where you can find cheap snacks and souvenirs along with live music, then move on to a bar.

There’s also some nice cocktail bars, karaoke bars and retro style speakeasy bars.

• Day & Night of Phuket is a good option for anytime of the day. It’s a large European bistro style restaurant, bar and all day cafe offering a wide variety of international and local dishes and good cocktails.
• The Fool Speakeasy: A classy speakeasy style cocktail bar with a unique twist where tarot cards help you to choose your drinks
• The Library – A popular late night cocktail bar and night club with live DJ’s that looks like an old library
• Papazula – Fun international pub with live music, food from around the world, and a friendly atmosphere.

Other Cultural Places to Visit Near Phuket Old Town

As you’ve made it off the beach, why not explore some more! There are some other interesting cultural sights not far away that you should combine with visiting Phuket old town. Here’s two must visits:

Wat Chalong

Also known as Wat Chaiyathararam, this 150 year old Thai Buddhist temple is Phuket’s biggest and most important temple and it’s popular with both locals and tourists.

Wat Chalong is an impressive, glittering, lively temple with a unique three story salmon pink coloured chedi that contains bone fragments of the Buddha and offers great views.

Not only is it very beautiful but it’s also very interesting to see locals worshiping and learn about Thai culture and Buddhism.

Tourists are welcome and entry is free but make sure you dress appropriately (both men and women should be covered between shoulders and knees) and respect local customs.

You’ll witness monks working and local people coming to worship at this revered temple and setting off firecrackers in a special kiln to show gratitude for their good fortune.

Big Buddha

Another must visit is Phuket’s Big Buddha – an iconic landmark of Phuket island.

Perched on top of the highest hill in the middle of the island, this 45 meter tall white marble Buddha statue was completed in 2014 and is one of the most famous sights of Phuket.

This awe-inspiring sight offers amazing views over the island and can be seen from all over Phuket. Again, entry is free and tourists are welcome but should cover up and be respectful and be careful with the monkeys!

If you rent a car or motorbike you can easily visit Old Phuket Town, Wat Chalong, and the Big Buddha in one day.

Taxis are expensive here (by Thai standards) so, if you’d prefer to have someone else do the driving, then joining a tour of Phuket is a good idea. Not only will it save you time and money, having a local guide will allow you to learn much more about Thai culture, history and religion.

I think this is an essential day trip for every visitor to Phuket but sadly most tourists don’t explore beyond their beach resort and think that Phuket doesn’t have any culture – well it does – you just won’t find it on the beach!

Ready to Explore Phuket’s Culture and History?

I hope this blog has given you plenty of inspiration to explore the cultural and historical part of Phuket – not just the beaches and bars!

Whether you visit on a day trip, or spend a couple of days soaking up the old world charm and discovering all the hidden gems, I’m sure it will be a highlight of your trip to Phuket and well worth skipping the beaches for a few days.

I’ve tried to make this blog the most comprehensive and informative guide to old Phuket town – if I’ve missed anything out and you have any questions leave a comment below and I’ll try and help you out.

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