Guide to Visiting Phuket Old Town:
The Island's Hidden Gem

The ultimate guide to experiencing the soul of Phuket - The Old Town

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Phuket’s Old Town is a world apart from the island’s famous beaches and resorts. Located inland, this colourful district has been shaped by its history as a hub for trade and tin mining. The pastel hued Sino-Portuguese shophouses are full of cafes, boutiques and restaurants, making this a welcome change of pace from the more energetic and neon-clad beach towns and bars. Step away from the sand and see what else this island has to offer, with our guide to visiting Phuket Old Town – everything you need to know.

The Heart of Old Town: Thalang Road

The beating heart of Phuket’s Old Town is Thalang Road, a busy thoroughfare lined with colonial mansions, once owned by wealthy tin barons. Walking down this street feels like stepping into another era. The shophouses are painted in soft pastels, with ornate facades and wooden shutters, a style influenced by the European and Chinese merchants who once called this area home.

Thalang Road is the place to come for boutique shopping. Step into artisan stores selling beautifully woven fabrics from the hill tribes of Northern Thailand, or explore quirky souvenir shops selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to locally made soaps. As you wander, notice the street art tucked into alleyways and down side streets!

On the weekend, Thalang Road comes alive with the Walking Street Market. This event sees the street transformed into a huge bazaar, with stalls selling everything from street food to tacky souvenirs to intricate handicrafts. It’s everything a good Thai night market should be – a feast for the senses.

Phuket Vegetarian Festival

Visit the Temples, Shrines & Mansions of Phuket Old Town

Phuket’s Old Town is a testament to its multicultural past, and nowhere is this more apparent than in its temples and shrines. The Jui Tui Shrine, dedicated to the Taoist deity Tean Hu Huan Soy, is a vivid splash of red and gold amid the pastel streets. This temple plays a central role during Phuket’s annual Vegetarian Festival, when devotees perform acts of ritual purification, which makes a fascinating sight if you happen to visit during the festival. Just a short walk away is Wat Mongkol Nimit, an enormous Buddhist temple known for its golden spires and terracotta roofs. The manicured grounds are a quiet relief from the busy streets.

The Old Town’s grand mansions also tell a story of its fascinating past. Baan Chinpracha, a beautifully preserved mansion, provides visitors a chance to step inside and experience how wealthy families once lived. With its Italian floor tiles, teakwood furniture and open air courtyard, the house is a true blend of East and West.

Kopitan by Wilai, Phuket Old Town

Phuket Old Town’s Food Scene

With such a rich history, Phuket’s Old Town is a foodie’s dream. Begin your food tour with breakfast at Kopitiam by Wilai, a cozy Peranankan cafe that serves up local favourites like kaya (a creamy coconut curd sandwich) and khai kata, a dish of eggs cooked in a small pan with sausage and pork. For lunch, head to Raya Restaurant, an institution housed in a charming old mansion with shuttered windows, pastel pink tablecloths and mosaic floors. Known for its authentic Southern Thai dishes, Raya’s crab curry is a must eat, with rich, spicy flavors balanced with creamy coconut milk. The Michelin Guide loves it here, featuring it year after year.

And of course, no foodie tour in Thailand is complete without sampling the local street food, and foodies will find plenty to love in the Old Town. The beloved Go Benz has been serving up crunchy marinated pork belly in a heavenly umami-packed broth for the past decade. Open until 3.30am, this is the place for those late night munchies after a night on the town, and has been awarded the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Shop Phuket Old Town’s Galleries & Boutiques

Phuket’s Old Town is a window to the island’s more artistic side, with the colourful mansions home to art galleries and boutique stores. Batik Banyan is an artisan clothing shop, with hand-made, beautifully cut Batik printed clothing for men and women. As the owner of the store is the designer herself, she can happily talk you through her design process, and give you an in-depth knowledge of her process and the story behind that beautiful dress you have your eye on.

For those who love heritage and unusual hidden gems, the Old Town’s boutique stores are a treasure trove. Nguan Choon Tong is a century-old Chinese herbal medicine shop that’s the real deal. Glass cabinets and dusty shelves are filled with boxes, brimming with piles of herbs and medicine ingredients. Behind the counter, the owners serve their regulars in front of ancient apothecary drawers. Local and authentic without any show for the tourists. We’d recommend strolling the streets of Old Town Phuket, popping into that unusual looking shop, chatting to the locals and getting to uncover a side of Phuket that not everyone gets to experience.

Phuket Old Town After Dark

While Phuket’s beaches are famous for their nightlife, the Old Town has a more subdued evening experience, but one we find completely magical. Cocktail bars like The Library invite you to sip on creative drinks, crafted by their mixologists in front of an entire wall of books. Don’t expect this to be your usual quiet library experience. As the night draws on, in typical Phuket fashion, things get wilder, louder and noisier. Do they set the entire bar aflame with a trail of alcohol? Yes. For those who prefer things a bit less fiery, few bars are as cool as Club No 43, home to some of the best and most creative cocktails in Thailand. Housed in a small bar festooned in fairy-lights, this is the kind of place you arrive early and never leave.

For live music, head to Bebop Live Music Bar, a long-standing favourite where you can listen to live jazz, soul and acoustic music while sipping on a glass of red. Despite the draped red-curtains and candle-lit tables, it’s an unpretentious and welcoming spot that’s a welcome change of pace from the rest of the entertainment in Phuket.

From the food to the historic buildings, the boutique stores and craft cocktail bars, Phuket Old Town subverts whatever you think you know about Phuket. In fact, it’s fair to say you haven’t been to Phuket until you explore the winding, colourful streets here, where it seems there’s always something new to discover.

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