Karon Viewpoint

The Big Buddha of Phuket, also known as the "Big Buddha", is a huge white marble statue that you can see from afar from many places on Phuket. With a height of 45 meters and a diameter of 25 meters, the Big Buddha is the island's landmark and offers you a fantastic panoramic view of the south side of Phuket, the sea and the surrounding islands. We recommend arriving by scooter or on a guided day tour. Entry and parking are free. Make sure you wear long clothes and cover your shoulders. If necessary, you can buy a sarong on site for 150 THB (= 3.96 €).

The Naka Weekend Market is a huge covered market in Phuket Town and our number one tip if you're looking for vacation souvenirs for your loved ones! On over 12,000 m², you can find absolutely everything from clothes, bags, jewelry, care products and souvenirs to electronics - and of course lots of food! At the food stalls you will find a wide selection of dishes, snacks, fruit, delicious smoothies and freshly squeezed sugar cane juice. As the name suggests, the market only opens at weekends: every Saturday and Sunday between 4 and 10 pm. Entry and parking are free. There are toilets on site and a large street food area with plenty of seating.

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!

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.

The Black Rock Viewpoint is a beautiful vantage point in the south of Phuket, which you reach after a short jungle hike. Important: Don't let anyone talk you into anything on the way there! Many Thais want to tell you that you have to book a tour, need a shuttle or something similar - we just went with the

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.

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.

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.

Naiyang Beach is a quiet beach in the north of Phuket & a real insider tip for anyone looking for relaxation, nature and authentic island flair. Despite its proximity to the airport (only 5-10 minutes by car), the place is surprisingly relaxed and not very crowded. The wide, fine sandy beach offers plenty of shady spots and a shallow transition into the turquoise sea. To the north, the beach borders the Sirinat National Park, which offers an equally idyllic atmosphere for a relaxing day of reading. The best place to watch airplanes is from the southern section of the beach, which should appeal to younger guests in particular! There are numerous food stalls and mini stores on the promenade.

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.

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.