Phuket in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

If you are planning a short stay in Phuket you should bear in mind that, due to the large number of attractions the island has to offer, you will have to put together an itinerary and try to make the most of your time on the island. The key to this is to optimise the transfers between each of the activities and opt for a scheme that brings together each site according to a pattern, preferably by geographical proximity.

If your total time on the island is 3 days, some of the best things to do in Phuket include exploring the old town on a guided tour, visiting Patong beach, touring the Phi Phi islands, visiting the Big Buddha, exploring the Kamala coast and discovering the shows at Simon Cabaret.

For the first day of your tour I suggest a tour of Phuket's old town to see the main sites of the city, visit Patong Beach, which offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the region, and discover the city's nightlife on the busy Bangla Road, which will give you the opportunity to take part in a pub crawl.

Explore Phuket Old Town

Exploring the old town is one of the best things to do in Phuket. Phuket is one of the most traditional places in Thailand and in its historical perimeter you will be able to see some of the typical buildings of the local architecture and also discover the customs of the region.

In the old town, also known as Phuket Town, you can discover the colonial charm of the city and its rich history. If you wish, you can explore this place on your own, as you can get there by intercity transport or the Phuket sightseeing bus.

However, if you are looking for an alternative that allows you to optimise your time in the city, you can opt for a guided tour. During the tour you will be accompanied by an expert guide who will share with you fascinating knowledge and anecdotes about the historic buildings and ancient temples you will encounter along the way, making this one of the best tours in Phuket.

In addition, a guided tour will allow you to discover landmarks such as Jui Tui Chinese Temple and Wat Mongkol Nimit Temple. You will be able to appreciate the tranquillity of these sacred sites and learn about the religious and spiritual practices of Thai culture.

Visit Patong Beach

Phuket, like much of southern Thailand, is known for its beaches, so the next step on the tour is to visit Patong. Located on the west coast of the island, Patong Beach is known for its vibrant atmosphere and long white sands lapped by turquoise waters. From Phuket Town you can get there by local bus, a journey of about half an hour.

Patong Beach is a lively and bustling scene. One of the great features here is the wide range of water activities, such as surfing, kayaking and snorkelling, which allow you to explore the underwater world of the region. Plus, if you plan to visit Phuket in November you can join in the Patong Carnival.

If you need a break from the beach, you can also explore the surrounding area. You will find shops, markets and malls where you can buy souvenirs, beachwear and local handicrafts. There you can also go on food tours and take cooking classes.

Enjoy the nightlife on Bangla Road

No tour of Phuket is complete until you get a taste of Phuket's nightlife, and for that there's nothing better than a visit to Bangla Road. This lively street, located in the heart of Patong, is known as the epicentre of the island's nightlife and is located just a few streets away from the main beaches here, so you can walk to it.

Bangla Road transforms when the sun goes down, offering a spectacle of lights, music and entertainment. The bars, clubs and discos along the road offer live music, international DJs and live shows that will keep you dancing until the early hours of the morning and offer one of the best things to do at night in Phuket.

The list of options is varied, from open-air bars where you can enjoy a cold beer while people-watching to nightclubs with energetic dance floors and vibrant music, there is something for everyone. In addition, you can also enjoy restaurants serving local and international cuisine.

Take a pub crawl around town

To round off the first day's tour, I suggest a bar crawl in Phuket, which is one of the city's most popular activities. Starting in Patong by private transport, this experience will take you to different bars and establishments, allowing you to explore a variety of atmospheres and enjoy exotic drinks and delicious cocktails on one of the city's best tours.

From beach bars overlooking the sea to themed bars, there's something for everyone in Phuket. Enjoy live music while mingling with locals and tourists from all over the world.

The Phuket bar tour will also give you the opportunity to try traditional Thai drinks, such as the famous mai tai or the refreshing coconut mojito. In addition, you can indulge in the street food offered at the stalls near the bars, where you can savour authentic Thai delicacies.

Besides fun and entertainment, a bar tour in Phuket is also a great way to meet new people and make friends. The festive and relaxed atmosphere of the bars will invite you to socialise and share travel stories with other tourists to round off the first day of your Phuket pub crawl.

Phuket has many attractions to offer in the urban areas, but it is also an ideal destination to use as a base for exploring the nearby islands. For the second day I suggest a tour of the popular Phi Phi Phi in the morning, followed by a day at the beach in Kata and ending with a fresh seafood tasting in front of the Andaman Sea. All these activities will give you a different profile of the region.

Visit the Phi Phi Islands

Some say that a trip to southern Thailand is not worth mentioning if you don't include a visit to the Phi Phi Islands in the itinerary, and perhaps they are right, because these paradise islands are considered one of the great wonders of the world. Located in the Andaman Sea, they are known for their white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and rock formations, so visiting them will not leave you indifferent.

To get to the Phi Phi Islands you can choose to travel on your own by sea transport from the city's harbour or embark on a guided tour from Phuket. These tours usually include transfers from your hotel to the departure pier, so they are recommended if you want to optimise your travel time.

Whichever option you choose, you'll be able to enjoy the scenic views on your way from Phuket to Phi Phi, and during the breeding months from May to August, you may even see dolphins.

Once on Phi Phi, you can explore the different islands, such as Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. Phi Phi Don is the main island and has beautiful beaches where you can relax, sunbathe and discover water activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving.

Relax on Kata Beach

You can take a full day trip on Phi Phi, but since you only have a short stay in Phi Phi, I suggest that after lunch you return to Phuket to visit Kata Beach. Located on the west coast of the island, this beach resort is known for its laid-back atmosphere and is about an hour's boat ride from Phi Phi.

Arriving at Kata Beach, you will be greeted by a picturesque landscape of palm trees and green hills framing the coastline. This beach is ideal for those who wish to enjoy a quieter atmosphere compared to the island's more crowded beaches. If you plan to visit Phuket in December, you can also discover the Christmas decorations there.

At Kata you can relax on a sun lounger under an umbrella, enjoy the warm tropical sun and take a refreshing dip in the sea. If you're a water sports enthusiast, you'll find options such as surfing, paddle boarding and snorkelling, so it's a place that has something for everyone.

Kata Beach also offers a great selection of restaurants and bars along the coastline, where you can enjoy delicious Thai and international dishes. From authentic street food stalls to elegant beachfront restaurants, you'll find plenty of choice.

Enjoy a seafront seafood dinner on Rawai Road

A seafood dinner in front of the Andaman Sea on Rawai Street is a dining experience that cannot be left out of your itinerary, so I suggest you end the second day of your trip there. Rawai is known for its fresh seafood restaurants and Thai dishes. From Kata you can get there by taxi or the local bus, a journey of about 20 minutes.

In Rawai you will find restaurants offering outdoor seating with panoramic views of the sea, creating a relaxed and picturesque atmosphere to enjoy your dinner, especially if you plan to visit Phuket in August or during the summer months when the weather is ideal.

Rawai Street is famous for its variety of seafood, ranging from lobsters and crabs to shrimps and local fish. You can choose your favourite seafood and have it prepared according to your preference, whether grilled, steamed or in a Thai sauce.

In addition, you can also try other authentic Thai dishes, from seafood curry to pad thai and tom yum, there are options to suit every palate.

The last day of the tour will be crucial for you to round off a complete visit to Phuket. After seeing the main beaches and neighbourhoods of the city and the nearby islands, on the third day you can discover the cultural profile of the region, visiting the Big Buddha and attending a traditional Simon Cabaret show, which is one of the most famous burlesque and alternative shows in Asia.

Visit Phuket's Big Buddha

The Big Buddha, which sits atop Nakkerd Hill, is an iconic symbol of Thailand's spirituality and beauty and is often included in the itineraries of the best Phuket tours, as it is considered one of the great attractions in Southeast Asia.

The statue is 45 metres high and is made of gleaming white marble. Its magnificence and serenity are striking, and during your visit you will be able to appreciate every artistic detail the closer you get to the statue. Admission to this attraction is free and you can get there on the local single bus line or by taxi.

In addition to admiring the statue itself, the environment surrounding the Big Buddha is also noteworthy. From the top of Nakkerd Hill you get a full panoramic view of Phuket, overlooking the Andaman Sea and the surrounding lush mountains. This is a perfect place to take pictures and appreciate the natural beauty of the island.

The Big Buddha is also a place of pilgrimage and spirituality for the locals, so you won't be deprived of seeing devotees making offerings and praying at the nearby temples that were built in the area, which is considered sacred by Buddhism.

Explore Kamala Beach

An ideal plan between excursions on the last day is to explore Kamala Beach. Located on the west side of the island, Kamala is a beach that became popular in the 1990s and is known for its laid-back atmosphere. From Big Buddha you can get here by taxi or intercity bus, a journey of about 30 minutes.

On the beach you will find golden sands and crystal clear waters. There are excellent opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. You can lie under an umbrella, enjoy a tropical drink or simply relax while gazing at the turquoise sea.

Kamala Beach also has a variety of restaurants and bars along the coastline. Here you can enjoy Thai and international dishes. You can also enjoy the vibrant live music scene and nightly entertainment at nearby establishments.

If you want to explore beyond the beach, take a stroll through the quaint village of Kamala. You'll find craft shops, local markets and a mix of modern and traditional shops that will immerse you in everyday Thai life and begin to make you nostalgic for your departure from beautiful Phuket.

And finally... discover the shows at Simon Cabaret

Want to experience one of Asia's most famous cabarets and immerse yourself in a world of glamour and artistic talent? Then take my advice, save the best for last and visit Simon Cabaret.

Located in Patong, this is one of the island's top attractions, so not only can you catch a show that's been running for decades, but you can get to the cabaret by taxi, bus or even a direct transfer from Phuket airport.

At Simon Cabaret you'll find that the shows star a cast of transgender performers known as ladyboys, who dazzle audiences with their beauty, talent and charisma.

These shows combine music, dance and live performances with elaboratecostumes and unmissable choreography. From interpretations of pop songs to tributes to Thai culture, every Simon Cabaret performance is a sight to behold. The show is also a tribute to cultural acceptance that you won't want to miss during your tour, and will do its best to convince you to visit Phuket again in the future.