Here Is The Story Of My 24 Hours In Phuket

If your idea of paradise is lush mountains, serene beaches, and picture-perfect architecture, then Phuket is the answer to all your prayers. Known as the pearl of the Andaman, Phuket has grown from being a little known idyllic town to a modern and bustling hub for tourists from all over the world. And for good reason. Although there are hundreds of experiences to be had on this tiny island, here are some of my favorite ones that you could consider for your upcoming one-day trip to Phuket:

1) Capture the Landscape at Karon View Point

10AM: Trust me when I say this, there is no better way to kick off your day in Phuket than by climbing up a hill! Phuket is a hilly island and is home to several breathtaking viewpoints. Perhaps the most popular such viewpoint is on top of a hill called Karon. Once you get to the top, you will see amazing views of the three bays of Phuket, Kata Noi, Kata and Karon.

12PM: Visiting Wat Chalong is one of my favorite experiences from Phuket. Constructed at the beginning on 19th century, Wat Chalong is one the largest and the most visited Buddhist temples in Thailand. Among the several Buddhist statues housed here is the most revered Poh Than Jao Wat, located in the old hall of the temple. The temple complex also has a massive garden and you can also go up to the roof and soak in the surreal view of the hills that surround this holy site.

3PM: One of the most popular things to do in Phuket is elephant trekking and one of the best places to do so in Phuket is at the Kinnaree Elephant Camp. Climbing on the back of an elephant and touring an area gives you an opportunity to admire the beauty of this place from a totally different perspective. If you’re more like me and don’t like to ride animals for entertainment, you can always spend time at the elephant nursery here. You can play with free roaming calves and even feed them their favorite hay!

5PM: It is always fun to visit local markets and discover local flavors and traditions first hand. Phuket is the major tourist hotspot and naturally, there are several markets to visit. However, if you were spending just a day in Phuket and have to pick one, I would recommend the Chillva Market. This market comes to life around sunset and one could easily walk around for a couple of hours, and still not get done shopping for souvenirs and clothes. Don’t worry if you’re not into shopping, the area is also famous for its buzzing atmosphere and unique dining scene. It has been a while but I am still not over all the delicious treats I had the chance to try right off the streets!

8PM: It has been a long and eventful day. You’ve been on a hike, walked around temples and haggled for ‘I Love Thailand’ t-shirts. It is now time for you to treat yourself! Meandering down the heart of Patong, Bangla Road is where Phuket comes together to party. The road is closed to traffic and it is a 400 mt celebration of bright lights, loud music and delicious drinks. I was mesmerized by the lively and playful vibe on the streets, with clubs such as Famous and The Factory pumping out beats to die for. Be sure to pop into one of the several bars here for a drink or six and to dance the night away.

I stayed at the lovely Hotel Ibis Phuket Patong located in the heart of the city. The laid-back hotel offers an airy bar, a tapas-style restaurant, and an outdoor pool. It is a mere 4-minute walk from Patong Beach, and a 14-minute walk from the restaurants, bars and nightclubs of the bustling Bangla road. Phuket is also home to some of the most exciting hostels in the world in case you are looking for a more budget friendly option.