Phuket for Everyone: Top Spots to Visit

[Lily Berns]

Many holidaymakers come to south Thailand's island in the Andaman Sea seeking R&R on tropical beaches. But there is also plenty of opportunity to explore history, ecotourism, and myriad other attractions. And the best way to get around is via motorbike (250 baht plus 100 bat for fuel), or especially if you're a family or group of friends, a rental car (about 1200 baht plus 80 baht for fuel).

Some of the top sites to visit:.

The Big Buddha

Huge Nakkerd Hill is crowned by a 45-meter Buddha statue which can be seen from practically every part of an island. There's also an observation point, and on the way you can visit an elephant farm and ride an elephant for 600 baht (getting to the hill and statue is free, but it's customary to leave gifts for the Buddhist monks who tend it).

Wat Chalong

Also on your way to the big Buddha, you should visit this atmospheric temple complex. is free for everyone as surely as taking pictures. Do not forget about dress-code: closed shoulders and knees. There is a souvenir shop to buy amulets and talismans to attract the luck. This is assign of good to give a dollar in form of donation. It would be great to explode fireworks - locals believe that fireworks send demons away.

Rawai Seafood Market

Going further from Big Buddha Statue, you arrive to the comfortable parking on a pier. There are no any signs. So, you should pass by local shops, driving straight to the market. Actually, the market is made as lots of bins with shrinks, mussels and other exotic products. The food is fresh. If you want to eat fresh seafood right here, you should pay 50-100 baht to have it well-prepared.

Bangla Road

The road looks like the red-light district in Patong Region. The local bars and restaurants are overcrowded with people. Anyway, the place is very bright and funny: lemurs, transvestites. The key point is money.

Promthep Cape

This is a main observation point of the city. Actually, it takes you no more than 10 minutes to enjoy the view of Phuket. It is recommended to come here in the evening to meet the sunset. On your way, you can visit lighthouse and elephant altar. The Promthep Cape is located just between two popular beaches: Nai Harn and Rawai - the Southern part of Phuket. Take your chance to buy more souvenirs and clothing on Sunday Market. The market starts working on the late evening on Sundays and Saturdays. You can use your phone as a calculator to trade.

Monkeys’ Mountain

This is not the end of your excursion. Go to Phuket Town to the famous mountain - Monkeys’ Mountain. This is a real mountain in the center of the city. You can get there, going up to the top on a narrow road. There is no place for parking. So, try to park your car at the bottom of the hill. The second variant is motorbike. So, take your kids, bananas and nuts with you to feed animals. The trip is going to be enjoyable for everyone.

Phuket for Kids

Of course, Phuket is mostly oriented for beach lovers. Your kids will like it too! The reason of it goes to the mass of enjoyable entertainments for little travellers. The best-visiting places of Phuket are Buggy, Elephants’ farm, Zoo, Jungles, Monkeys’ Mountain, mini-golf, Oceanariums, Butterflies Park. You are offered to go to Khaolak and Khao Sok National Parks to ride the elephants. Consider that fact that there are many elephant farm in Phuket. So, you should not go far for big money. It takes you 600 baht for 30-40 minutes of fun.

Buggy is a great thing! Of course, it is necessary to have special skills and knowledge. You may rent buggy for longer period of time to visit elephant farm or have a jungle trip. Speaking about the Phuket Zoo, the ticket costs about 500 baht and 300 baht for kids. Never miss visiting crocodile show, monkeys and elephants - the attraction are included.

The cherry on the top of a cake is the Phuket Oceanarium. It is impossible to miss it. The payment for entrance is not big - 100 baht for adults and 50 baht for kids. You can see sharks feeding on Sundays. Going to Oceanarium by car, drive carefully along the Chalong Road straight to Phuket Town. The city Oceanariums is not very far from here. The last word is about amazing Phuket beaches. You should visit at least one of them. Try to learn the information first and enjoy your rest - you have to cut loose!

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