Phuket Old Town: Best Things to Do and See in the Historic Quarter
All you need to know, from the most picturesque streets to the historic landmarks | Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here. |
Where history meets colourful streets
Phuket is best known for its beaches and party scene, but just 30 minutes from the coastline, you’ll find a whole different side of the island in Phuket Old Town.
Here, colourful Sino-Portuguese townhouses line the streets and house a fascinating blend of art galleries, great coffee shops, Chinese antiques and independent designer boutiques.
We spent a lovely afternoon strolling through the charming streets and soaking in the atmosphere, and we can easily recommend that you do the same.
In this travel guide to Phuket Old Town, we highlight the most beautiful streets and interesting buildings, provide details on (night) markets, share more of our personal experiences and share pictures to inspire your visit.
Our recommendations: Where to stay in Phuket Old Town?
- Budget: The Besavana Phuket – Budget-friendly hotel with a pool within walking distance to everything in Phuket’s charming old town.
- Value for money: The Memory at On On Hotel – Stay in a historic setting in the middle of the Old Town.
- Luxury: Six Senses – Not exactly in Old Town, but just 45 minutes by speedboat from Phuket – yet a world away.
Search for the cheapest and best hotels in Phuket Old Town.
Table of contents
What is Phuket Old Town?
Phuket Old Town is (as the name suggests) the island’s historic quarter, best known for its colourful Sino-Portuguese houses.
We’ve seen this architectural style before in Singapore (and other parts of the Malay Peninsula), where it’s often referred to as Chinese Baroque or Peranakan architecture.
It’s a unique hybrid style that combines Chinese and Portuguese influences.
The buildings follow a typically European structure, while the colours and decorative details are more Chinese. Most have a shop on the ground floor, with living spaces on the upper levels.
The history of Phuket Old Town dates back several hundred years and is closely tied to the tin mining industry. Many of its most beautiful buildings were constructed during the industry’s peak.
Today, the old town is one of Phuket’s top attractions!
If you avoid the more touristy spots, you’ll find plenty of charming shops, cafés and restaurants in an authentic setting. Perfect for a few hours of exploring.
Where is Phuket Old Town?
Phuket Old Town is a district within Phuket Town, situated in the southeastern part of the island of Phuket.
The old town itself covers a relatively small area, spanning just a few streets.
Here is a map of Phuket Old Town:
Guided tour of Phuket Old Town
If you’d rather not arrange transport to and from Phuket Old Town yourself, you can easily join a guided tour of Phuket that includes a stop in the old town.
Here are a few tour options available through GetYourGuide:
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What to do in Phuket Old Town?
The most beautiful streets in Phuket’s old town
The best way to experience Phuket Old Town is undoubtedly by wandering through its charming streets on foot.
We recommend exploring at least Phangnga Road, Thalang Road and Soi Romanee.
Dibuk Road is often mentioned as well, but it tends to be busier with traffic and less enjoyable to walk along. The same goes for Yaowarad Road.
Interesting buildings in Phuket Old Town
- Wat Mongkol Nimit is the temple visible at the end of Soi Romanee. We visited just before closing time, so we didn’t get to explore the entire complex, but it’s certainly on our list for next time.
- Two striking yellow buildings stand at the corner of Phangnga Road and Phuket Road – the one with the clock tower is a museum, while the other houses a bank.
- The Memory at On On Hotel (adlink) is known from the film The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio. In the movie, it represents a cheap hostel in Bangkok, but today, it’s a charming mid-range hotel with a fantastic location in the middle of Phangnga Road.
- At the Phuket Thai Hua Museum, you can learn more about the history of the Chinese community in Phuket. The museum is housed in a beautiful school building that is worth a visit in its own right.
- The Shrine of the Serene Light was unfortunately closed when we passed by, but the Taoist temple still seems well worth a visit.
Shopping in Phuket Old Town
We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of goods in many of the shops in Phuket Old Town.
If you’re not into generic brands and malls (or knockoffs), this is probably the best place to shop in Phuket.
Here, you’ll find independent designers, vintage clothes and charming shops with all kinds of unique items.
We generally found the best shops along Phangnga Road.
Markets in Phuket Old Town
Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market
Every Sunday evening, the Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market takes place in Phuket Old Town on Thalang Road.
The market, also known as Lard Yai Market, usually runs from the afternoon until late in the evening, typically from around 16:00 to 21:00.
At the market, you can shop for clothes and souvenirs and, of course, enjoy a wide variety of snacks and drinks, all in true street market style.
In addition to the shopping, there’s a lively atmosphere with plenty of people and street performances such as dancing and live music.
Phuket Indy Market
If you’re visiting Phuket Old Town on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday (instead of on a Sunday), you can check out the Phuket Indy Market, located on Dibuk Road right next to Limelight Phuket.
The market is open from the afternoon until late evening.
Our experience in Phuket Old Town
We visited Phuket Old Town from Karon, where we stayed at the start of our time in Phuket.
Our day began with a drive straight to The Vegan Table for lunch. The food was good but nothing particularly memorable.
From there, we headed up to Phangnga Road, where we strolled east for a bit before following the street to its western end at Yaowarad Road.
We then turned right and walked down Thalang Road, following it until we reached Soi Romanee.
On Soi Romanee, we enjoyed wonderful coffee at Dou Brew Coffee & Craft. Besides the caffeine, the air conditioning was much appreciated.
At the end of Soi Romanee, we visited Wat Mongkol Nimit just before it closed at 19:00. After a fantastic day exploring Phuket Old Town, we headed back home.
Where to stay in Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town is the perfect place to stay on the island if you don’t mind being away from the beaches.
You can easily explore the streets on foot, taking in the many beautiful buildings. It’s also conveniently located for those wanting to explore more of Phuket or use the town as a base for boat trips to nearby islands.
For more options, you can also check out our guide on where to stay in Phuket here.
The best hotels in Old Town
- Budget: The Besavana Phuket – Budget-friendly hotel with a pool within walking distance to everything in Phuket’s charming old town.
- Value for money: The Memory at On On Hotel – Stay in a historic setting in the middle of the Old Town.
- Luxury: Six Senses – Not exactly in Old Town, but just 45 minutes by speedboat from Phuket – yet a world away.
Search for the cheapest and best hotels in Phuket Old Town here (adlink).
Our best tips for visiting Phuket Old Town
- Take your time. Phuket Old Town is best enjoyed without strict plans or time constraints.
- Visit a night market. If you’re in the old town on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or especially Sunday, be sure to check out the vibrant night markets.
- Come early or late in the day to capture the best light for photos, avoid the harsh midday sun and meet fewer tourists.
- Eat locally. Phuket Old Town has an abundance of fantastic food. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to try delicious southern Thai, Chinese or Malaysian dishes.
- Make sure to bring a good camera! Here’s our guide to lightweight photography gear for high-quality travel content.
- Check out Phuket Old Town’s street art. Many walls and gables are decorated with creative messages and works of art.
- Transportation with Grab or Bolt is often cheaper than local taxis. They work similarly to Uber. Download both apps and compare prices for a ride to Phuket Old Town – just make sure you have data on your phone.
- Bring cash. Not all shops and stalls in Phuket Old Town accept credit cards.
- The sun is strong. Remember your sun protection!
- Bring your own water bottle and drink plenty of water. You can quickly get thirsty from wandering around the old town.
- Remember travel insurance! We compare the best travel insurance for digital nomads and long-term travellers here.
The best things to do and see in Phuket
On Thailand’s largest island, there’s plenty to do (beyond relaxing on its stunning beaches).
We’ve created a comprehensive travel guide to Phuket, covering the best things to do and see.
Read the entire guide here or click directly to the experiences below:
- Big Buddha – Great view from Phuket’s largest statue
- Wat Chalong – The largest and most stunning Buddhist temple on the island
- Phuket Old Town – Colourful Sino-Portuguese houses
- Karon Temple – Pretty Buddhist temple in Karon
- Karon Temple Market – Classic market in a sacred setting
- Boat trips from Phuket – Island hopping to Thailand’s most beautiful islands
- Water activities – Try everything from snorkelling to jet skiing
- Trekking in the jungle – See waterfalls in the rainforest
- Active experiences – Get moving and connect with nature
- Samet Nangshe Viewpoint – Day trip to an epic panoramic view
- Nightlife – Party in Thai style
- Massage – Relax and unwind
- Shopping – Buy unique souvenirs
Thank you for reading along
Thank you for reading our travel guide to Phuket Old Town. We hope it has been useful!
What do you think of the historic old quarter?
Don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments if you haven’t been to Phuket Old Town yet. We are happy to help.
If you’ve already been there, it would be great to hear your best tips and tricks.
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for cheap hotels.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like World Nomads and True Traveller. All three compared here.
Our camera gear:
- Panasonic GH5. Used for all of our photos and videos.
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro. Best drone out there!
- Sirui Tripod. Lightweight and strong.
- See all of our camera gear here.
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