Tunk-Ka Café

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 beautiful Paradise Beach is located very close to Patong. Its name is justified, as the beach shines with fine, white sand and crystal-clear water. As it is a private beach, there is an entrance fee (200 THB per person), but in our experience it is worth every penny. We really can't understand the many negative reviews, as we were totally enchanted by this place. It's best to see for yourself and plan a day at Paradise Beach - just relax, order a few cool drinks & enjoy the quiet moments in a paradisiacal atmosphere!

Khao Rang Viewpoint is located in the south of Phuket, directly opposite Monkey Hill. You might encounter a few monkeys during your visit - but they won't do anything unless you deliberately provoke them or hold out food (tip: watch out for your sunglasses and water bottles too). The viewpoint is above all

A hidden bay in the south of Phuket that you should definitely visit: Nui Beach. The entrance fee is 300 THB per person and includes transportation to and from the beach. We recommend using the shuttles and not driving down on your own on a scooter, as the road is really steep, uneven and winding! There is plenty to discover in the bay, including a swing, lovingly decorated photo spots, a bar & a restaurant. Further up there is a small café and a souvenir store. At the two beach sections, you can make yourself comfortable with a towel or rent a sun lounger for 100 THB. Toilets and a shower are available on site.

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.

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 €).

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

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!

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.