The Old Town is our favorite area in Phuket: a beautiful historic district with colorful Sino-Portuguese architecture, surrounded by lively streets. Kat always said that people come from all over Thailand specifically to eat in the Old Town, and Cam only believed it after he went there himself. As soon as you start wandering through the small alleys and courtyards off Thalang Road, a whole new culinary world opens up to you.

Phuket was the first city in Southeast Asia to be designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, thanks in large part to the vibrant culinary scene in the Old Town. Here you can find everything – Hokkien and Peranakan cuisine, southern Thai specialties, and Western dishes along the main streets. This is one of the reasons we prefer staying here rather than in a resort – interacting with locals and enjoying authentic Thai food is far superior to a beach holiday. If we fancy some sand, we simply hop on our scooter and drive for about 40 minutes to Bang Tao Beach, Freedom Beach, or Banana Beach.

Many travelers visit the Old Town only for the Sunday market (Lard Yai), which we believe is a mistake. Ideally, you should stay a few nights or at least set aside a full day. This way, you can discover hidden gems that offer far more than just food. The Old Town is home to museums, street art, quaint bars and hidden pubs, picturesque shophouses and cafes, as well as impressive temples and shrines. Get inspired by our list of the best things to do in Phuket's Old Town and start planning your trip.

Chinese-Portuguese architecture

Lard Yai Sunday Night Market

10 Top Things to Do in Phuket's Old Town

1. Explore Thalang Road and Soi Romanee

The Old Town's most famous street, Thalang Road, is known for its Sino-Portuguese shophouses painted in various pastel shades like pink, yellow, and blue. Since there are no overhead power lines, the street appears clean, is visually appealing, and offers perfect photo opportunities. While Thalang Road can be explored early in the morning without the crowds, we prefer visiting when the atmosphere is more lively (and all the shops are open). Be sure to also visit Soi Romanee – a small alleyway with colorful lanterns, floral displays, and the ever-popular Torry's Ice Cream.

2. Searching for street art in hidden alleys

Much of the street art is found along Phang Nga Road and Krabi Road, which run parallel to Thalang Road. However, there are many more alleys and corners where colorful murals are hidden. You'll see depictions of former Thai kings, grandmothers selling Hokkien snacks from their windows, and children enjoying bowls of noodles. The artworks are often painted on the sides of old buildings and above cracked walls, similar to what you'd find on Song Wat Road in Bangkok.

3. Visit the Phuket Museum, the iconic yellow building

The Phuket Museum is located in one of the Old Town's most iconic buildings: the yellow house with the clock tower at an intersection. Inside, you can explore Phuket's history – from the days of tin mining to its development into a popular beach resort – or simply admire the architecture from the street. Kat, for example, enjoyed strolling across the zebra crossings (which resembled a catwalk) while Cam took photos – a slightly kitschy but fun activity.

4. Visit the Memory at On On Hotel

The Memory at On On Hotel made a brief appearance in Leonardo DiCaprio's film "The Beach" and is well worth a visit even if you're not staying overnight. Built in the classic Sino-Portuguese style, the building shines in a light beige hue instead of pink, yellow, or blue. The interiors are even more impressive than the facade: a historic lobby, a courtyard, and vintage décor await you. By "visit," we don't mean a paid tour. You can explore the ground floor for free and perhaps enjoy a coffee in the hotel's café.

5. Experience local culture in temples and shrines

Wat Mongol Nimit, located at the end of Soi Romanee, captivates visitors with its vibrant red and gold details. Entry is free, and the peaceful atmosphere invites you to immerse yourself in Thai culture and spirituality. Another place to escape the hustle and bustle of the streets is the Shrine of the Silent Light (San Chao Saengtham). This hidden gem is rarely crowded and impresses with its striking Chinese architecture, stone dragons, and red lanterns.

6. Visit the Sunday pedestrian market.

If you can manage to visit on a Sunday, you absolutely should, because the Walking Street Market (Lard Yai) is fantastic. It's open from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM and offers a huge program: street food, pop-up clothing stalls, performances, and much more. Admittedly, it can get quite crowded and a bit overwhelming, but the atmosphere is simply amazing. Our fondest memory of this market is when we saw a singer and guitarist rocking out to classics by Queen and Pink Floyd. Children were dancing, locals and tourists were singing along, and everyone was having a blast.

7. Try the local Thai cuisine in the old town.

As mentioned before, the cuisine in the old town is very diverse, but Thai food is plentiful. With each visit, Kat discovers new, authentic restaurants – from street stalls and cozy neighborhood restaurants to simple snack bars. Often, there are long lines of Thais outside these places, a sure sign of good food. Here are our top recommendations for local specialties:

  • Wanlamun Phuket: A Thai dessert shop serving dishes like Bua Loi (colorful rice balls in coconut milk) and Kluay Khai Cheum (sweet bananas with coconut milk). Note that the desserts here are geared more towards local tastes than tourists.
  • Roti Chaofa Phuket: Kat invited Cam here for the beef Massaman curry, and it was sensational, especially with the roti. The restaurant is very simple, but the food is hearty and delicious.
  • Tu Kab Khao Phuket: We've been to Tu Kab Khao several times, both with friends and as a couple, and it's been fantastic every time. The restaurant has a slightly more upscale ambiance (it's located in a Sino-Portuguese building), but the food is still phenomenal, from the pork belly stew to the spicy crab meat.
  • Go Benz Rice Porridge Phuket: Go Benz is known for something called Khao Tom Haeng, which is dry rice porridge served with pork belly and a pepper broth - and it's as delicious as it sounds.

    • 8. Visit the cool cafes, bars and shops

    Whether on Thalang Road or in a hidden alleyway, the Old Town is full of charming cafes, quirky bars, and boutiques. One example is Bookhemian, where you can relax with a coffee and a good book. Another is The Fool Speakeasy with its unique cocktail ordering system: you draw a tarot card to determine your drink. Just follow your nose and let the alleyways enchant you.

    9. A journey through time in the Chinpracha House

    If you're wondering why there are so many Sino-Portuguese buildings in Phuket, it's because of Phuket's connection to Portuguese traders and wealthy Chinese immigrants who arrived centuries ago. Phuket was never colonized, and Thailand in general has a proud history of independence. One of the best places to experience this history is Chinpracha House, considered the first Sino-Portuguese mansion in Phuket. For 150 THB, you can tour the ground floor and explore the antique European furniture and the Chinese-style courtyard.

    10. Try Peranakan cuisine and Hokkien noodles.

    The term "Peranakan" might be unfamiliar to some, but it essentially describes the fusion of two cultures: Chinese immigrants who moved to Phuket and locals from southern Thailand who together created a new cuisine. To experience this cuisine in the Old Town, you should visit Mee Ton Poe and try Hokkien noodles – stir-fried in a wok and served with seafood.

    How to get to Phuket's Old Town

    For those flying to Phuket, the fastest way to get from the airport to Phuket Old Town is by taxi or Grab – the journey takes about 45 minutes depending on traffic. However, the cheapest option is the Phuket Airport Bus (orange), which runs hourly. If you are already staying in Patong, Kata, or Karon, you can alternatively take the songthaew bus (blue), which departs approximately every 30 minutes and is very inexpensive.

    When is the best time to visit Phuket's Old Town?

    Early morning is ideal for photography – you'll have the street art and Sino-Portuguese architecture almost entirely to yourself, without any bothersome tour groups. Late afternoon, on the other hand, is better suited for activities like eating, drinking, and shopping, as it's often very quiet in the mornings. Keep in mind that the rainy season doesn't necessarily spoil the experience – the old town isn't exactly a beach paradise, and as long as you have a parasol, you can still have a wonderful time.

    Accommodation in Phuket Old Town

    We usually stay at the Royal P, a perfectly nice mid-range hotel, which we appreciate primarily for its location. It's only a 25-minute walk to Thalang Road, and along the way you'll find countless restaurants and Chinese temples. Therefore, it's sometimes advisable to stay a little further out, otherwise you'll miss the hidden gems and lesser-known spots.

  • Mid-range: Casa Blanca Boutique Hotel

    • Final thoughts on Phuket's Old Town

    Few places in Thailand can boast such a well-preserved historic district, making Phuket's Old Town so unique. The only downside to staying here is its distance from the Khao Lak boat docks. We took speedboat tours to the Similan and Surin Islands, and the van ride to the dock is, to say the least, exhausting. If you plan to visit these islands, you could spend half your nights in Old Town and the other half at a beach resort further north, such as on Bang Tao Beach.

    Read more: 20 top things to do in Phuket: Avoid the tourist traps