Phuket Old Town

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.

If you are traveling by scooter, you will definitely pass the beautiful Chillva Nightmarket in Phuket Town! With its warm lights and many visitors in the evening, it's hard to miss. It's worth a stop if you're still looking for souvenirs or if you just get hungry for a few tasty snacks along the way. There is plenty of street food and shopping items such as clothes and jewelry. The atmosphere is very cozy, even if it is often overcrowded and you might not be able to find your scooter again (...) Nevertheless, it is worth queuing at the food stalls and browsing through the stalls. There's also free live music!

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.

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

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.

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.

The Kao Khad Views Tower is a viewpoint in the south-east of Phuket and is less frequented by tourists than the equally beautiful but sometimes overcrowded Promthep Cape. The tower is located in a quiet, mountainous area and offers you a fascinating panoramic view, including the glittering Chalong Bay with its many small ships and the Big Buddha on the distant horizon. Apart from the magnificent view, there is not much to see on site, but it is still worth a visit. Right next to the tower lives an old local couple, who run the toilets and are happy to receive a few coins whenever visitors come. There is plenty of free parking and admission is free.

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.

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.

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 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.