Phuket Town is the capital of Phuket Province, on Thailand's largest island. It is the island's administrative centre and a place where local life is easy to see, set apart from the resort beaches that many visitors associate with the island.
What to see
The town is known for its Sino-Portuguese architecture, with brightly coloured shophouses and older buildings that reflect the mix of cultures that shaped the area. Walking through the streets is the main way to take this in, and the colours and facades give the old quarter a distinct character. The town's cultural heritage shows up in its streets, its everyday life and the way its buildings have been kept or adapted.
What kind of visit it makes
- A slow walk through the old town, looking at the architecture up close
- A day away from the beaches, for those interested in the island beyond its coastline
- A look at the cultural side of Phuket, which many visitors only glimpse
Phuket Town suits travellers who enjoy wandering on foot and paying attention to buildings and street life. Those who come to Phuket mainly for the beaches can still find it a worthwhile half-day or day trip, since it sits at the centre of the island's road network and is easy to reach from the resort areas.
