Ultimate 5 Day Phuket Itinerary [My Experience + Pictures!]

This 5 Day Phuket Itinerary is all you need to plan your next trip to this stunning Thai Island!

Ger and I have traveled all around South East Asia from the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia to the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam but we’re always drawn back to islands.

Phuket is definitely number 1 on our list of favorite islands for a relaxing holiday. Its beaches, bars, restaurants, and activities are top-notch!

We are going to share all the thing to see and do in Phuket and why we love this island so much!

Phuket Itinerary Day 1:

• Chill At The Beach (Karon Beach, Kata Noi Beach, Kata Beach)
• Go To Karon Beach For Sunset
• Dinner At Kata Night Market
• Check Out Bangla Road

Phuket Itinerary Day 2:

• Explore Phuket Old Town
• Check Out The Mad Hog Tavern (Harry Potter Themed)
• Visit The Promthep Clocktower
• Dinner At Phuket Indy Market

Phuket Itinerary Day 3:

• Visit Nearby Islands On A Boat Tour (Similan Islands/Phi Phi Islands)

Phuket Itinerary Day 4:

• Go On A Food Tour Or Join A Cooking Class
• Visit the Big Buddha
• Watch A Muay Thai Fight
• Dinner at the Bangla Night Market

Phuket Itinerary Day 5:

• Check Out Some Viewpoints (Windmill Viewpoint, Karon Viewpoint)
• Chill At Freedom Beach
• Dinner At Malin Plaza Patong

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5 Day Phuket Itinerary

Day 1

You just arrived in Phuket after a long travel day, what’s the first thing you want to do?

Chill out at the beach of course. 

Phuket has some stunning beaches to choose from, our favorites are Karon Beach, Kata Beach, and Freedom Beach.

They are all quite close to the town meaning you have less time travelling and more time basking in the sun!

You could chill at Karon Beach for the day, it has a 7-Eleven close by so you can stock up on beach snacks, and also offers a great spot for watching the sunset!

After sunset you could head down to Kata Night Market for dinner, there are plenty of options and they are super affordable.

After dinner, you could head to Bangla Road to see the madness. 

You could simply stroll up and down the street like many tourists or you could head into any one of the bars in the area.

Day 2

Day 2 is all about the Phuket Old Town. The old town has some cool architecture, colorful streets, and cute cafes.

You could check out the Mad Hog Tavern, which is a Harry Potter-themed cafe.

They serve Harry Potter-inspired cocktails such as Butter Brew and Liquid Gold along with normal dishes from Pad Thai to pizza to burgers.

You can check out the Promthep Clocktower or some of the colorful shophouses around the Old Town.

The town has a lot of influence from other cultures such as Chinese and Portuguese which gives the buildings their distinct features.

For dinner you can go to the Phuket Indy Market.

Day 3

On Day 3 you get the chance to hop on a boat and explore some incredible locations around Phuket.

You can go on a boat trip to some of the nearby islands. Two popular tours would be to the Phi Phi Islands or the Similan Islands.

Lunch is usually included on these tours with basic meals like fried rice and fresh fruit along with soft drinks and water throughout the day.

The Phi Phi Islands boat tour will take you to some famous spots such as Maya Bay, Monkey Beach and some incredible snorkeling spots.

We did the Phi Phi Island tour with Long-Tail-Boat Tour, the tour guide was really informative, we went to some amazing snorkeling spots and even saw a huge turtle! However, this tour only offers pickup from Phi Phi Island.

This Adventure Day Trip to Phi Phi offers hotel pickup from Phuket too so you can still go on a Phi Phi Islands tour while staying in Phuket! 

So don’t worry, on this tour, you will also get to visit the same locations as Mr. Chet’s Tour.

Maya Bay was made famous by the movie ‘The Beach’ starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Due to too many people visiting Maya Bay and damaging the coral reef, the area had to be closed.

Fortunately, in recent years the area has had time to recover and has been reopened to tourists. However, you are still not allowed to swim at Maya Bay.

After you get back to dry land from the boat tour you can head to a stunning Italian Pizzeria called La Gritta for dinner.

If you want some drinks after dinner there’s a great bar close by called Dolphin Bar.

Day 4

A great way to experience Phuket would be through a food tour or cooking class. you can try out lots of local dishes or even learn how to cook them yourself!

We did a Thai cooking class with a market visit and garden tour. We got to choose which dishes to make and I got to learn how to make Pad Thai and Thai Red Curry.

I would recommend this class because you get to see where all the ingredients come from in the market and the garden and you get to try lots of different dishes.

An added bonus is that your lunch is sorted for that day then!

After mastering the art of cooking Pad Thai it’s time to explore some more of the famous sites of Phuket.

The Big Buddha in Phuket is one of the most popular places to visit in the area. It’s a 45 metre tall marble statue and once you reach the Buddha you can also enjoy some incredible views of the south side of the island!

In the evening you could head back to the madness of the Bangla Road area and watch a Muay Thai fight!

The Patong Boxing Stadium is an incredible venue that hosts Muay Thai fight nights most nights of the week.

Watching a live Muay Thai fight is an experience you should not miss in Thailand.

You can also get dinner close by at the Bangla Night Market.

Day 5

On Day 5 you can check out some incredible viewpoints such as Windmill Viewpoint and Karon Viewpoint.

After this, you could head to Freedom Beach.

Just note you will have to walk about 10 minutes from the parking area down steps through trees to get to this secluded beach.

The hike might not be fun but it’s definitely worth the effort. Freedom Beach also offers an incredible view of sunset in Phuket.

After the beach, you could head to Malin Plaza Patong for dinner!

How To Get To Phuket

The most convenient way to get to Phuket is by flying into Phuket International Airport.

You could also get a bus from any of the cities in Thailand to Phuket.

Lastly, if you’re in one of the nearby coastal towns or islands you could get a ferry to Phuket.

How To Get Around Phuket

The best way to get around Phuket is by scooter. There are many places to rent a scooter from in Phuket.

We chose Cheap As Chips as they had the most reviews on Google and a good rating compared to other rental companies.

The next best way to get around Phuket is by taxi. The easiest and cheapest way is by using the Grab app to book taxis.

You can choose grab scooters, cars, or minivans depending on the size of your group.

Where To Stay In Phuket

There are many different places to stay in Phuket depending on your preferences.

If you want to be close to the bars and the madness of Bangla Road you could stay by Patong Beach.

Hostel: Mad Monkey Phuket

If you want a more relaxed accommodation you could stay at one of the resorts by Karon or Kata Beach.

Resort: Beyond Kata

Finally if you’re into history and architecture you could stay in the Phuket Old Town.

Hotel: The Memory at On On Hotel

What To Eat In Phuket

Everywhere in Thailand I have to recommend Pad Thai, it is so hard to beat and usually the cheapest option on the menu so you can’t go wrong. It costs about $2.50 for a portion of pad Thai from a night market stall.

Tom Yum Goong is another dish you should try in Phuket. This is a soup with lots of flavor from lemongrass, galangal, and other spices along with jumbo prawns and mushrooms.

Most people believe Pad Thai is the national dish of Thailand because its so popular with tourists but in reality Pad Kaprao is the real national dish.

This is a meal made up of minced pork, chillies, a few other spices and basil and Thai people would consume this multiple times a week. If you want the real Thai experience you gotta do what the locals do!

Other than that you should try out lots of dishes at the night markets while in Phuket, the food options here are incredible and affordable!

Places To See Near Phuket

Khao Sok National Park – This is an incredible National park to the north of Phuket. The landscape consists of incredible mountains and lakes and you can even stay in a floating bungalow overnight!

This is one of the most beautiful places in South East Asia, if you’re in Phuket you should definitely head to Khao Sok National Park.

Krabi – This is another coastal town with incredible beaches, a vibrant town, and amazing night markets.

The atmosphere in the town with col bars and great markets makes Krabi well worth the visit.

Koh Lanta – This is an island close to Phuket known for its coral reefs, stunning beaches, and mangroves.

Koh Lanta is a quieter one of the Thai Islands but still has so moch to offer.

Things To Do Near Phuket

• Visit Tiger Kingdom Phuket:

Here you can see real life tigers up close, you can even take picture with the tigers.

• Check out Bang Pae Waterfall:

Here you can take a short hike up to the waterfall and even swim at the base.

• Go to The Selfie Experience:

This is a selfie museum where you can take selfies with different props, photo booths, costumes, and backdrops. 

FAQs On 5 Day Phuket Itinerary

Is 5 Days Enough In Phuket?

You can do a lot in 5 days in Phuket! You can use this 5 day Phuket itinerary to ensure you get the most out of your time in Phuket. I’ve been to Phuket both on a short holiday and as a backpacker and I would say 5 days is enough in Phuket.

Is Going To Thailand For A Week Worth It?

If one week is all you’ve got for now, that’s perfect! If you want to explore more parts of Thailand however you would need a bit more time. Three to four weeks would be the ideal amount of time to experience Thai food, history, culture, and traditions throughout the country.

Is Thailand Cheap Or Expensive?

Thailand is one of the most budget-friendly destinations. Thailand offers some low-cost accommodations and super-affordable food from both restaurants and street vendors. Despite the cheap options Thailand offers, your trip can get quite expensive if you choose pricier accommodations, restaurants, and bars. Avoid Western food and drinks to keep prices low.

Is Krabi Better Than Phuket?

Krabi is cheaper, more relaxed, and a more tranquil location for a trip. Phuket is more metropolitan with lots of attractions, restaurants, and bars. Both areas have great beaches and a vibrant nightlife. Both Krabi and Phuket are great holiday destinations. Krabi is quieter and more relaxed while Phuket is busier and more lively.

There you have it! The ultimate 5 Day Phuket Itinerary.

Phuket really is a stunning place to visit in Thailand. Now you have all the information you need for your trip without having to worry about where to eat, stay, or what to do!

You can just book in, and enjoy the adventure.

Ger and I love Phuket as a place to relax on the beach, scoot around to different viewpoints, and chill out. We always come back home feeling refreshed after trips like this one.

If you want to hear more about our travels then check out the articles below!

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