There are a few reasons why Singaporeans love to visit Phuket for the long weekends. The beach destination is near, and there are many affordable budget airlines flying to the beach haven. There are plenty of things to do, see and eat in Phuket. Having a headache over what to do if you have three or four days to spend on the island? Relax, here’s our list of 9 best activities you would love to do at Phuket over Singapore’s long weekends.
1. Explore the beaches
There are plenty of beaches in Phuket. You will definitely fall in love with the pristine blue water, white sandy shore and endless horizon. Don’t forget to capture every precious second while you are there. Your Instagram friends will definitely appreciate some photos.Not sure which beaches to visit? Here’s a simple, abridged Phuket beach guide for you:
a) Patong
It’s the centre of everything fun and exciting in Phuket. There are plenty of restaurants and accommodations in Patong. The beach is nice but can be crowded due to its popularity. It’s a convenient location since you don’t have to worry about where to eat and shop. Nightlife is vibrant in Patong, and party-goers will definitely have their share of bars, music and dance. If you are looking for excitement, definitely head to Patong.
b) Karon
It’s to the south of Patong beach and is the second biggest beach in town. Golden sand, clear waters and swaying palms attract a significant crowd. There are a number of tourist-standard hotels and dining establishments with a good price. The downside is that the beach can be rough can the waves are high at times.
c) Kata
There are 2 main areas in Kata, Kata Centre and Kata South. It’s popular amongst families as there are nice restaurants, shopping areas, convenience stores. The beaches (Kata Noi and Kata Yai) are quiet and beautiful, the perfect place for you to post some Instagram pictures! You can also expect a good number of surfers here.
d) Kamala
There are fewer activities on the beach as compared to others. The beach relatively quiet, with bamboo-hut-style restaurants. If you are looking for a local touch and a laidback vibe, this is the place to be.
2. Enjoy Local Cuisine
Of course, a Singaporean itinerary will never be completed without a list of places to eat and drink. Who wouldn’t love to eat authentic Thai food in its birthplace? That rich, flavourful tom yam, chewy pad thai, sweet mango sticky rice with creamy fragrant coconut milk… Make sure to put these on your checklist:
- Tom yam goong: Bang Pae Seafood restaurant, Ang Seafood restaurant
- Massaman Curry: N.C. restaurant, Oriental Spoon restaurant
- Green Curry Chicken: Kaab Gluay restaurant
- Kanom Jeen Phuket: Khanom Jeen Mae Ting Shop, Pa Mai Kanom Jeen Restaurant
3. Massages
Another thing that Singaporeans always love: massage. You can get a massage almost anywhere in Phuket, from a beachside vendor to a high-end boutique, you get it all. Here’s a list of the best massages on the island:
- Atsumi Retreat Healing Center, Rawai
- Santosa Wellness Center, Karon
- Banyan Tree Spa Phuket, Cherngtalay
- Kata Day Spa, Kata
- Spa by Burasari, Patong
- Breeze Spa at Amari Phuket, Patong
4. Visit Phuket Town
Phuket town is a quaint, charming town with a fine local touch. While the tourism scene in Phuket is developing fast, and you can see hotels, bars, restaurants popping up to meet the needs of global tourists, at this small little town, you will still be able to have a view of what Phuket really is about. Small adorable houses, a combination of Thai and colonial architecture, cute cafes and hawker centres. You will be able to enjoy local food in its truest sense.
5. Visit the lively night Market
You can’t leave Phuket without going to one of its lively night markets. Colourful streets, souvenirs and street food are aplenty. There are lots of things to see and the prices are very cheap. Not sure where to go? Check them out below:
- Phuket Weekend Market, Chao Fa West Road, Phuket Town
- Phuket Walking Street, Thalang Road, Phuket Town
- Phuket Indy Market, Limelight Avenue, Dibuk Road, Phuket Town
- Malin Plaza Patong, Prachanukhro Road, Patong
6. Check out Bangla Road in Patong
You will find a lot of alcohol, neon-light night clubs, street vendors and transvestites. It’s exciting, lively, and you definitely can’t find something similar in Singapore. Bangla Road is not for everyone, but you need to see for yourself to find out if you like it or hate it.
7. Stay in your own private luxury villa
Why not spice up your stay in Phuket with a luxury villa? There are plenty of villas in Phuket for all kinds of budget. Gather your group to split the cost, you will be able to enjoy the villa at an amazing prize. How does spending a full day lounging by the pool while sipping away a refreshing coconut sound to you? Pull out your handphone and snap some Instagram photos. You don’t want to miss these moments!
8. Explore cultural attractions
If you want to fit some cultural activities in the itinerary, fret not, there are plenty of temples, galleries and museums to check out. You will find towering statues, colourful architecture and ornate interior – a sight that’s not to be missed. While there are many temples on the island, the following 5 are not-to-be-missed:
- Phuket Big Buddha
- Wat Chalong
- Wat Phranang Sang
- Wat Srisoonthorn
- Wat Tham Ta Pan
9. Check out Phuket Viewpoints
Phuket is more than just sand and water. There are numerous viewpoints with captivating sights of the beautiful town. Gorgeous coastal sceneries, undisrupted vistas of the sun, the sky and the sea, mesmerising sunsets, these viewpoints just take your breath away. Take this silent moment to wind down, forget the kiasu rat race and just enjoy the beauty of life. Here are 5 viewpoints to check out:
- Radar Hill
- Windmill Viewpoint
- Promthep Cape
- Khao Rang Viewpoint
- Karon Viewpoint
There is something for everyone in Phuket. It’s no wonder that Singaporeans favour this little island. It’s time to plan for your next trip!
Written Villa-Finder.com – the leading villa booking platform in Asia, with 1,000+ villas in Bali, Phuket, Samui, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
