Phuket Attractions

Patong

On the west coast, this large curved beach is Phuket's main tourist drawcard, especially throughout the high season (December to March). Over the last 10 years, Hat Patong has developed a seedy edge, although it's fairly mild and by day it's fine even for kids.

Patong is made up of hotels, upmarket bungalows, European restaurants, beer bars, nightclubs and lots of locals on the make. The beach is beautiful but far from quiet - it's lined with restaurants and stalls full of tacky or weird souvenirs. It may not be very Thai, but it can be fun in small doses.

Phuket Town

The provincial capital, Phuket Town is a bustling, commercial town that sprawls further than any other island town in Thailand. The point of arrival for most watercraft, Phuket Town has some large hotels, shopping centres and great beaches nearby.

For many it's a town to go through on the way to the western side of the island, although there is much here - restaurants, craft shops, markets and surrounding villages - that are worth attention. Also of interest - if you can keep your eyes off the chaotic traffic - is some beautiful architecture.

Ko Phi Phi

Consisting of two islands, Phi-Phi Leh and Phi-Phi Don, Ko Phi-Phi is the Thailand of holiday dreams and tourist brochures. The emerald waters and remarkable sea- and bird-life are sublime, but rampant over-development of Phi-Phi Don threatens to spoil the island's riches.