Phuket surprised us in the best possible way. We based ourselves in the charming Old Town, where colorful Sino-Portuguese shophouses, vibrant street art, and lively cafés gave the area so much character. One of the biggest highlights was the food scene – from incredibly affordable Michelin Bib Gourmand spots serving some of the best Thai food we’ve had, to endless snacks and local specialties at the weekly Sunday Walking Market, where we happily stuffed ourselves silly while wandering past souvenir stalls and live music performances. Between delicious meals, we treated ourselves to traditional Thai massages that were shockingly affordable, making it easy to fully settle into the relaxed pace of Phuket. We also spent a full day exploring Ao Phang Nga National Park, visiting the iconic James Bond Island and sea kayaking through Phang Nga Bay, surrounded by towering limestone karsts rising dramatically from the emerald-green water. Overall, Phuket delivered the perfect mix of culture, scenery, relaxation, and incredible food, and honestly, we’d return for the food alone!
Owner of a noodle soup restaurant in Old Phuket Town
Traditional Chinese temple in Old Phuket Town
Century old Sino-Portuguese townhouse in Old Town Phuket
Robby next to street art in Old Town Phuket
Becky grabbing an oversized mango at a local market in Old Town Phuket
Pumpkins stacked for sale at a market in Old Town Phuket
Floral mannequin at the entrance of Kor Ra Kang Café in Phuket Old Town
Traditional Thai massage shop in Old Town Phuket
This building is located in Phuket Old Town and is a prominent example of Sino-Portuguese architecture
Mural of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) located in Phuket Old Town
Charming seating area nestled within the historic Sino-Portuguese architecture of Phuket Old Town
Large, stylized doll sculpture located in Phuket Old Town
A traditional building entrance in Old Phuket Town showcasing the area's distinct architectural heritage
Restored Sino-Portuguese shophouse located in Old Phuket Town
Street art mural in Old Phuket Town
Tourists getting ready for a photoshoot in Old Town Phuket
Lady wearing a traditional Thai outfit (Chut Thai) for a photoshoot in Old Town Phuket
Boutique shop in Old Town Phuket
Classic Mercedes-Benz sedan in Old Town Phuket
These buildings are prime examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture (a distinctive blend of Chinese and European colonial designs)
Historic shophouses in Old Town Phuket
Hai Leng Ong golden dragon statue in Phuket Old Town
Monster Human scupture - a large scale piece of art crafted entirely from marine debris collected from beaches in Old Town Phuket
Two beautiful ladies dressed in traditional Thai attire happily pose for photos in Old Town Phuket
Street view of Old Town Phuket
Colorful lobby of "The Memory at On On Hotel", a historic boutique hotel built in the early 1900s and restored to feature Chinese-Portuguese decor
Red lanterns hanging by the Midtown Ratsada Hotel
Becky by Mae Manee, a financial transactions mascot
A decorative coconut shell bowl
Thai style vintage postbox in Old Town Phuket
Mural depicting traditional Chinese figures participating in a procession near the entrance of the Shrine of the Serene Light in Old Town Phuket
Entrance to the Shrine of the Serene Light, a historic Hokkien Chinese shrine located in Phuket Old Town
Gold lanterns at the Shrine of the Serene Light
Ornate roof of the Shrine of the Serene Light
Entrance to the Taoist San Chao Saeng Tham shrine in Old Phuket Town, a historic building founded in 1891
A traditional shophouse converted to a bar in Old Town Phuket
Old Town Phuket consists of hundreds of old shophouses like these
Arched windows with wooden lattice shutters on this old shophouse in Phuket
The busy preparation area of Go Benz Rice Porridge, a renowned street food restaurant in Phuket Town
Robby enjoying Leng Tom Saap, a popular Thai dish with pork spine/neck bones simmered until tender and served in a fiery, sour broth. Known as "Volcano pork ribs," this has a savory/spicy flavor similar to Tom Yum
Thai pork clear noodle soup
Thailand's version of Starbucks
Mural of King Bhumibol in a thoughtful pose on a traditional Sino-Portuguese shophouse in Phuket Old Town
A colorful walk through Phuket Old Town
Facade of a Sino-Portuguese shophouse on Thalang Road in Phuket Old Town
Shophouses on Thalang Road in Phuket Old Town
Thalang Road in the historic Phuket Old Town district
Getting our massage preferences at Kim's Massage & Spa
Thai herbal massage compress balls ("Luk Pra Kob") used in Thai massage to relieve muscle aches, reduce inflammation, and promote deep relaxation
Robby getting his feet washed at the massage parlor
Intersection in Phuket Old Town featuring the historic yellow Standard Chartered Bank building and the nearby clock tower
Broom seller in Phuket Old Town
Facade of SOHO Phuket Town, a restaurant and bar located in a historic building within the old town district
Phuket Old Town just after sunset before the streets become alive at night
Red bicycle table at a boutique store in Phuket Old Town
Mural of Frida Kahlo outside a Mexican restaurant in Phuket
Entrance to the Ming Shou Boutique House, our guesthouse located in the heart of old Phuket Town
View of the Sunday Night Market in Phuket Old Town with lots of food, drink, and souvenir options as well as live music
Bustling street food stall at the Phuket Night Market
The Sunday Walking Street (Lard Yai) is on the historic Thalang Road in Phuket Old Town. It is famous for its atmosphere, local handicrafts, and street food
Decorated coconut bowls for sale at the night market in Phuket
Robby enjoying some street food in Phuket
Caricature artist at the Phuket Sunday Night Market
Despite the rain, crowds showed up for the Lard Yai Sunday Night Market in Phuket Old Town
A vibrant assortment of fresh fruits on display at a smoothie stall at the Night Market in Phuket
Friendly staff member on our James Bond Island tour holding up a leaf with a heart-shaped cutout which he used to take cheesy photos
Cruising through Ao Phang Nga National Park. The yellow flower garland draped over the boat's railing is a "phuang malai", used in Thailand for good luck and to honor spirits
Scenic limestone karst islands of Phang Nga Bay
These sheer cliffs are part of the Ao Phang Nga National Park, famous for its surreal landscape of islands rising vertically out of the sea
Our first view of James Bond Island (Khao Phing Khan), the most famous tourist destination in Phang Nga Bay
This famous landmark is Ko Ta Pu, a 20 meter (66 ft) tall limestone pinnacle in Phang Nga Bay. It became wildly popular after featuring in the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun
Traditional Thai long-tail boat docked at a beach at Khao Phing Khan
View from a tidal cave of a boat leaving James Bond Island
Striking a pose at Hong Island
Our kayak guide smiling for a photo
Our guide taking a photo of us at Hong Island
A prominent limestone formation in Phang Nga Bay
Tourists about to enter a sea cave at Hong Island to discover hidden lagoons known as "hongs"
Kayaking through a sea cave at Hong Island
A heart shaped opening in the sky framed by trees at a hidden lagoon in Hong Island
Limestone arch in a hidden lagoon at Hong Island
Kayaking around Phang Nga Bay is a popular activity to check out the dramatic limestone cliffs and emerald green water
Our kayak guide gave me a handcrafted rosette made from pandanus leaves
What a fun way to explore Ao Phang Nga National Park
A kayaker at Phang Nga Bay
Becky on a swing at Ko Naka Ya
Hidden lagoon at Koh Phanak
One last final view of the stunning karst scenery found at Phang Nga Bay before we cruise back to Phuket
One last stroll through Phuket Old Town
A chow chow hanging out of a car in Phuket Old Town
Eating a delicious bowl of crispy pork noodle soup at Chakangraw Noodle in Phuket Old Town
Mural at Chakangraw Noodle
