You can do a lot in 5 days in Phuket! This 5-day Phuket Itinerary will ensure that you get the most out of your time on the island.
I’ve been to Phuket twice (first as a backpacker and then again when I was living in Thailand). While Phuket doesn’t have the charm of some of the smaller islands in Thailand, it still has plenty of fun things to explore.
Phuket makes a great jumping-off point for discovering the surrounding islands too.
In this itinerary for Phuket, I’ll share my experiences as well as some must-see sights during your trip. This includes beaches, temples, cultural landmarks, and more!
So if you’re looking for a great 5-day itinerary for Phuket packed with fun activities and sightseeing opportunities – you’ve come to the right place!
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Phuket Itinerary Day 1
Start the day in Phuket Town. This is a great place to get your bearings and explore the old-world charm of this city.
Begin by walking around and exploring the narrow side streets, traditional buildings, and unique culture.
If you’re hungry, stop by one of my favorite noodle stands Ko Yoon Phuket Noodle. I like the dry noodles, but you can also order them with soup. If you love these noodles, make sure you stop by my favourite sukiyaki stall when you’re in Chiang Mai!
Be sure to visit Wat Chalong Temple – the largest and most popular temple to visit in Phuket – as well as the impressive Big Buddha, which stands 45 meters tall and offers 360-degree views!
This Phuket City Tour includes stops at Karon View Point, Big Buddha, and Wat Chalong, perfect if you’re short on time or just want someone else to handle the logistics. The tour also includes a visit to a cashew nut factory and a stop for photos at several viewpoints and beaches.
Once you’ve explored enough of Phuket Town, it’s time to hit up some of Phuket’s fantastic beaches and or your hotel pool. There is a wide variety of sandy stretches on the island, each with its vibe – so you can pick whatever suits or mood or preference best.
Be sure to hire a scooter too if you want to get around quickly and easily!
No visit to Phuket would be complete without sampling its delicious street food and night markets.
One of the biggest night markets on the island is in the Sunday Walking Street in Phuket Town – worth a visit if you’re in town on a Sunday! From seafood favourites like garlic mussels and langoustines to homemade gyoza and pad thai, there’s something for everyone here. I usually get extras for the next day, too.
If you’re looking for a place to grab a cocktail in Phuket Town, check out Tantitium Bistro and Cafe.
Phuket Itinerary Day 2
Day 2 of your trip to Phuket can be spent exploring the surrounding islands.
Take a day trip to Phi Phi Island, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. The boat ride there is beautiful, so make sure to take lots of pictures!
This Koh Phi Phi tour heads to the famous Maya Bay (where “The Beach” movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed) where you’ll find stunning limestone cliffs rising up from the sea, as well as several other gorgeous swimming spots.
If you have extra time, consider spending a night in Phi Phi so you can more thoroughly explore the chill vibes and pedestrian-only streets.
Once on the island, you can explore some of its best beaches like Laem Tong Beach, Long Beach, and Tonsai Bay. Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and explore the crystal-clear waters around these stunning beaches.
Don’t forget to bring along your snorkelling gear (if you go on a tour, they’ll provide it to you or you can rent it on the island) – you’ll find plenty of colourful fish and coral formations in the shallow waters around Phi Phi Island.
If you’re a scuba diver, Phi Phi has some of the best diving near Phuket – I went with Super Divers and recommend them.
You might even spot some monkeys playing on Monkey Beach!
End your day with dinner by the beach at one of the local restaurants – try some locally caught seafood. Finish with a cocktail at one of the nearby bars before heading back to Phuket for a good night’s rest!
Phuket Itinerary Day 3
Today is all about exploring the beauty of Phang Nga Bay, home to James Bond Island. Get ready for a full-day boat tour that will offer you an unforgettable experience.
The tour starts with a visit to Khao Phing Kan, also known as James Bond Island, because it was featured in the 1974 movie “The Man with the Golden Gun”.
Here you can enjoy spectacular limestone cliffs and vivid green waters.
I recommend booking a speedboat tour since you’ll have more time at each stop compared to some of the cheaper boats.
During this trip, there are plenty of activities such as swimming, snorkelling, hiking, and kayaking (please note that swimming is not allowed at James Bond Island).
This is one of those crowded touristy things that are still worth doing.
Book here for the speedboat tour.
Phuket Itinerary Day 4
For Day 4, I recommend starting with a food tour or cooking class. You can get an immersive experience of the local cuisine and learn how to make some classic Thai dishes.
Food is the best part of travel, in my hungry opinion, and Thailand has some of the best food in the world. And you learn so much about Thai food and culture on a food tour or cooking class!
Spend a couple of hours recovering from your food coma at your hotel pool or on the beach.
Today is a great day to enjoy some of Phuket’s famous nightlife!
Get your blood pumping at a Muay Thai fight. This is a traditional martial art of Thailand that is very exciting. I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to enjoy watching a Muay Thai fight very much, but I got really into it.
Another option for nighttime entertainment is to attend one of Phuket’s famous ladyboy cabaret shows, like the Simon Cabaret. I recently went to the cabaret with friends and we had a blast singing along – the costumes and dancing are next-level!
Phuket Itinerary Day 5
Let’s close out this 5-day Phuket itinerary with a full-on beach day! That’s why you came to Phuket, after all!
One of the best beaches in Phuket is Kata Noi Beach. My other favourite beaches are Freedom Beach, Nui Beach, Nai Harn Beach, and Bang Tao Beach.
Or, maybe you want to hike to Bang Pae Waterfall and explore the rainforest.
Another spot with awesome views is Promthep Cape, especially at sunset.
Another popular place to watch the sun go down is Karon Viewpoint, located between Nai Harn and Kata Noi Beach. The Karon Temple night market is set up on Tuesday and Friday nights.
If you really want to relax, you should experience a traditional Thai massage.
A Thai massage is more intense than most massages you might have experienced before, focusing on all your pressure points and stretching out tired muscles.
If you’re like me and prefer a more relaxing and less intense massage, you can get a foot massage instead.
Getting to Phuket
The easiest way to get to Phuket is to fly into Phuket International Airport.
You can arrange an airport pick-up to your hotel in advance, take a taxi (make sure they turn on the meter), call a taxi with the Grab app (like Uber), or take the airport bus into Phuket town.
Phuket is a very large island, and it often takes 45 minutes or longer to get from one part of the island to the other.
Bus travel is easy from around Thailand:
Getting Around Phuket
There are plenty of convenient, affordable, and fun ways to get around Phuket:
- Renting a scooter is the most common form of transportation on the island. You can find many shops that rent out scooters for as little as $5 per day.
- Download the Grab app, which is similar to Uber and connects you with local drivers.
- Taking a tuk-tuk (motorized tricycle taxi) – these are great for short distances in and around town. Keep in mind these are mostly used by tourists and tend to cost more than a taxi.
- Hailing a songthaew truck, which is a truck with two benches in the back. This is one of the cheapest yet slowest ways to get around.
Where to Stay in Phuket
There are many options on where to stay in Phuket.
Phuket Old Town has a range of accommodation to suit all budgets.
Check out the following reviews of hotels around the Laguna area.
Angsana Laguna – perfect for families
Banyan Tree Phuket – great for couples, they also offer luxury family villas
Intercontinental Hotel Phuket – luxury resort perfect for couples and families
Saii Laguna Phuket – great for families and couples
Conclusion: 5 Days in Phuket
There are plenty of activities and sights to explore in this 5-day itinerary in Phuket.
You could easily spend all 5 days relaxing at the beach – a valid choice! But, if you’re looking for a mix of culture, adventure, and relaxation during your 5 days in Phuket, then this Phuket itinerary has you covered.
You’ll explore the famous sights of Phuket town, adventure to stunning Koh Phi Phi and James Bond Island, eat your way around the Phuket night markets, and of course soak up the sun at some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches.
5 days is plenty of time to experience Phuket’s nightlife, too. So, sip some cocktails on the rooftop bars, place your bets at a Muay Thai match, and sing until your voice is gone at the cabaret.
You’re going to have a blast!
And might I suggest that you head to Chiang Mai for your next stop? You can fly straight from Phuket to Chiang Mai – you’ll be exploring the Old City in no time!
Bio: Cat Roberts from Catisoutoftheoffice
Cat is a very hungry solo female traveler in her 30s, who left a 6-figure job in NYC to travel (and taste!) the world. Cat is determined to prove that there are ways to backpack the world on a budget without fully sacrificing the “grown-up” lifestyle you love.
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Other destinations in Thailand to consider travelling to:
500 Rai Floating Resort Khao Sok National Park
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