A Little Black Book for Phuket
COMO’S INSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXPERIENCING THE BEST OF PHUKET
Destination 6 minute read
From tranquil beaches to urban jungles, immerse yourself in the rich history, culture and cuisine of Phuket from your base at COMO Point Yamu.
With vibrant and mural-adorned streets, relaxing beachfront bars and some of the finest and most authentic dining experiences in Thailand, Phuket has something to suit every explorer.
PHUKET OLD TOWN
Full of iconic architecture, eye-catching murals and delicious local street food vendors, Phuket’s historic old town is a compact and vibrant place for an afternoon’s exploration. Picturesque streets are lined with traditional shops and cafes, whilst the multi-tiled Sino-Portuguese style buildings provide ample opportunities to keen photographers.
Join a guided tour to Wat Chalong temple, where you will learn more about Buddhism and Phuket’s history, before making the climb to the base of Phuket’s most iconic landmark, the 45-metre tall Big Buddha. Visitors on Sunday can enjoy the weekly Thalang Road street market, where vendors offer a never-ending array of Thai snacks and delicacies, as well as clothes and keepsakes to remember your journey.
CATCH BEACH CLUB
Located on the beautiful Bangtao Beach, Catch is one of Phuket’s most established beach bars. Open daily and serving drinks and local dishes from its canopied bar, it’s the perfect place to recline on an oceanside sunbed. Drop by during the day for a relaxed cocktail by the pool, or visit after sundown to dance to live DJ music and enjoy delicious barbeque food late into the night.
CHALONG BAY RUM DISTILLERY
The small and passionate team at Chalong Bay Rum Distillery have been producing award-winning rum since 2012. Combining authentically grown Thai sugarcane with classic French distillation techniques, Chalong Bay Rum is a unique spirit, renowned for its smoothness and distinct character.
A tour of the distillery takes you through the production process, from the sustainably-grown fields of sugarcane through to the bottling of the final product. You’ll also be able to enjoy a refreshing Mojito in the distillery’s own cocktail bar, or learn the secret to mixing your own with Chalong Bay’s expert mixologists.
PHUKET STREET ART
Street art culture has blossomed in Phuket over recent years, with both local and international artists lending their talents to adorn the Old Town walls with colourful murals as part of the ‘FAT’ (Food Art Town in Phuket) project. The artwork is collected into a relatively compact area, making it easy to undertake your own walking tour of the most eye-catching illustrations.
From Rukkit’s enormous geometric ‘Pigeon’ on Thalang Road to the hyper-real ‘Uncle’ and ‘Auntie’ by Pichit Paidan at street level on Phang Nga Road, let your curiosity lead you through the Old Town streets.
RAYA RESTAURANT
For a taste of quintessential Phuket, there is no better place to dine than Raya Restaurant. Serving traditional fare from a beautifully maintained 130-year-old house in the Sino-Portuguese style, the inviting high ceilings, cozy decor and colourful tiled floors make it feel as though you are enjoying a meal in someone’s home.
Established in 1994, the reputation of Raya has grown steadily over the years, with the caliber of its food making it one of the most well-regarded restaurants on the island, popular with Bangkok celebrities and royalty. Don’t miss the signature Kang-puu, a hearty and creamy crab curry made with coconut milk. As might be expected for such a sought-after spot, bookings for dinner are recommended.
BIG BUDDHA
Your Phuket experience would be incomplete without a trip to one of the island’s most iconic and sacred landmarks, the Big Buddha. Standing at an impressive 45 metres, the magnificent sculpture sits on the Nakkerd Hill between Chalong and Kata, and is large enough to be seen as far away as Phuket Town and Karon Beach.
It is well worth making the winding six-kilometre journey to the statue’s base in the mountains however, both to appreciate its sheer scale and to take in the unparalleled panoramic views of the island. A visit to this peaceful and sacred site is free, but donations are accepted.
Explore Phuket for yourself with a stay at COMO Point Yamu, our cliffside island paradise overlooking the idyllic Phang Nga Bay.
