Paradise Beach (Phuket)

When we spent a few weeks on Phuket, we went to the wonderful WeCafe (Chaofa Branch) almost every day. There are now three locations on Phuket, as it is popular with locals and vacationers alike. The interior is made up of warm wooden elements and green decorative plants, creating a cozy ambience. The café is best known for its healthy smoothies & delicious salads. But basically you can get everything your heart desires here! From breakfast to European and Thai cuisine to sweet desserts and delicious fruit spritzers. Prices per person with drink approx. 200-300 THB.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 €).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bangla Road is located in the center of Patong and is Phuket's most popular party street! It is often compared to Mallorca's Ham Street and is a must for all party fans, young and old. Patong is already well frequented during the day thanks to its proximity to the beach and a long shopping street, but on