Big Buddha of Phuket

The Windmill Viewpoint is a breezy viewpoint in the south of Phuket and offers you a great view of the surrounding beaches of Yanui and Nai Harn Beach. Buy yourself a delicious fruit smoothie and simply enjoy the view with a fresh sea breeze. You can reach the viewpoint either by scooter or car. Even though the viewpoint doesn't have much to offer on site, we still think it should be on every Phuket bucket list. The landscape is truly unique and very different from the rest of the island! Nearby is Promthep Cape, the southernmost point of Phuket, which is also well worth a visit.

The old town of Phuket (also known as "Phuket Old Town") is a cultural jewel that combines the history of Phuket with a great deal of charm! Especially on rainy days, it is worth taking a stroll through the romantic alleyways to buy a few souvenirs. In addition to the famous colorful houses, which are the result of Portuguese influences, you can also admire impressions of Chinese architecture. There are numerous unique stores, colorful decorations and pretty cafés such as the Kor Ra Kang flower café. If you really want to go shopping, you will find what you are looking for in the nearby Mall Central Phuket.

At the southernmost tip of Phuket is the so-called Promthep Cape - a wonderful vantage point with a view of the islands to the south and the vast sea! The entire area is lovingly designed, decorated with flowers and is completely paved. There is free parking on site and admission to the viewpoint is free. There is an impressive Bodhi tree on the site, which is certainly several hundred years old and has a considerable diameter. In addition to a Hindu temple with numerous colorful elephant statues that are hard to miss, there is also a lighthouse on the square, which you can enter free of charge.

There are several elephant sanctuaries on Phuket where you can observe these fascinating animals up close and see them in their natural environment. We have visited two of these camps on our travels, which we can really recommend to you: Bukit Elephant Park and Green Elephant Sanctuary Park. Both camps stand for animal welfare and take a stance against chains or riding. Unfortunately, even today you can still see many elephants in Thailand and throughout Asia that are kept on chains, have to carry heavy things and are abused by paying tourists for an "unforgettable" riding experience. We are clearly against such methods and can therefore highly recommend the protected areas mentioned. Here, the elephants are safe and have been bought free, sometimes for very high sums of money. They can move freely in the wild and only come out when they really feel like social interaction.

If you are planning a trip to Monkey Hill or Khao Rang Viewpoint on your Phuket trip, then you should definitely visit the beautiful Tunk-Ka Café. The small café-restaurant has a charming interior with lots of green plants and lovely decorations. The menu includes traditional Thai dishes, delicious juice spritzers and milkshakes, which you can enjoy on the covered terrace with a view of Phuket Town. Prices are around 200-300 THB per person. Further down there is a panoramic platform where you can take great photos, especially at sunset!

Kata Noi Beach is a small sister bay to the south of Kata Beach of the same name and one of our favorite beaches on Phuket. This place is a real dream, especially in the low season: turquoise, shallow sea, fine sandy beach and shady palm trees. Impressive bungalows and pool villas have been built on the hillside, blending in perfectly with the beach scenery. Free parking, restaurants and water sports activities such as jet skiing and parasailing are available on site.

The pretty Kor Ra Kang Café & Restaurant is located in the middle of Phuket Old Town and is a dream for flower lovers and a popular Instagram spot! There are countless artificial flowers everywhere in the rooms, from the walls to the tables, creating a romantic atmosphere. So if you're out and about in the old town, you should definitely make a stop here. The menu includes Thai dishes, roti, pasta and coffee & cake. Compared to other places, it is a little more expensive here (approx. 400 THB p.p.), but absolutely worth a visit! Admission is free.

Freedom Beach is one of the most beautiful and quietest private beaches on Phuket, very close to Patong. Due to its seclusion and adventurous route, the beach is particularly popular with young vacationers. You can either take the shuttle to the beach (cost: 300 THB per person; note: the path is quite steep and uneven, making the ride very action-packed) or you can pay 100 THB entrance fee and hike through the dense jungle down to the beach yourself. We spontaneously opted for the hike and even if it's only 100 meters, you shouldn't underestimate the distance. Take mosquito spray with you and always watch your step as it is really steep and the paths are overgrown. After around 10 minutes, you will discover a beautiful stretch of beach with white sand, turquoise sea, a small water sports rental shop and a beach bar. At high tide, the waves at Freedom Beach are sometimes huge, which is why it is also a popular spot for surfers.

If you are currently on Phuket, then you should definitely take a day trip to Phang-Nga! The surreal scenery with its numerous limestone cliffs jutting randomly out of the sea is truly unique in Thailand. In the middle of it all lies the famous James Bond Island (or rather "rocks"), which is one of the most famous motifs and travel destinations. However, Phang-Nga not only has this highlight to offer, but also many other sights such as the monkey cave Wat Suwan Kuha, the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint or Panyee Island - a fishing village built entirely on stilts in the water. You can either book a day tour online in advance or buy tickets spontaneously on site.

The view from Karon Viewpoint is one of Phuket's most famous postcard motifs! The best way to reach this spot is by scooter or rental car. From there you can see a wonderful panorama of the three beach sections Karon Beach, Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beach. Entry is free of charge. Especially at

Wat Chalong (actually: Wat Chaiyathararam) is a large temple complex and one of the most important religious sites on Phuket. The site consists of several ornate buildings, temples, ornate gates and lovingly landscaped gardens. A common ritual that can be seen and heard here is the lighting of firecrackers to fulfill wishes. These are often lit in a stone oven as soon as a wish has been fulfilled. The main building - a 60-metre-high shrine, also known as the "Chedi" - offers you a great view over the entire complex. On three floors, the walls and ceilings are decorated with beautiful paintings and numerous golden Buddha statues. Before entering the interior, you should remove your shoes and cover your legs and shoulders. If necessary, you can hire a sarong on site. Entry and parking are free of charge.

At over 3 kilometers, Karon Beach is one of the longest and widest beaches on Phuket. It is particularly popular with families, as the shallow water slopes gently and is therefore ideal for children to splash around in. There are many sun loungers on the fine sandy beach, which can be rented for a fee. Alternatively, there are also green areas with shady trees where you can relax and read a book all day long. In contrast to Patong, Karon is somewhat quieter and more family-friendly and offers a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful sunsets both during the day and in the evening.