I based you on quiet, pretty Kata so you get calm beaches, a full day in the Phi Phi islands and sunsets from the best viewpoints. It suits couples who want the sea, good food and no rush.
Speedboat day to Phi Phi and Maya BaySunset at Promthep CapeOld Phuket TownBest in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec
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Hotels, 4 nightsShown for your dates when you make it yours
Prices are checked when you open the plan, a month ahead. They are never saved in it.
Day 1 Arrive and first sunset
13:00Land at Phuket Airport, transfer to KataBuy a tourist SIM or set up an eSIM and change a little money at the airport, rates are better in town.Phuket International Airport · about 1 hr · 500 to 700 THB per person (car shared by two)
14:45Check in to your Kata hotelRest and a swim.Kata · about 2 hrs · FreeArrive by car
17:15Sunset at Promthep CapePhuket's most famous sunset point at the southern tip. Walk down the grassy path to the lighthouse side for fewer people.Rawai · about 1.5 hrs · FreeGrab or taxi, 20 min
19:15Dinner at Mom Tri's KitchenRomantic open terrace above Kata Noi Beach at Villa Royale. Book ahead. Good vegetarian options and Thai dishes made without pork on request.Kata Noi · about 2 hrs · 1,200 to 2,000 THB · Order: Massaman curry or grilled fish with Thai herbsTaxi, 15 min
Tip: Thai taxis in Phuket are expensive. Use Grab or Bolt where you can, and agree the price before you get in otherwise.
Day 2 Phi Phi islands by speedboat
07:00Hotel pickup to the pierBook a speedboat tour that includes hotel pickup, the national park fee and lunch. Most leave from Chalong or Rassada pier.Kata to the pier · about 45 min · included in the tour
08:30Speedboat to Maya BayThe bay from The Beach. You land at the back of the island and walk in on a boardwalk, swimming is not allowed.Phi Phi Leh · about 1.5 hrs · 1,800 to 3,000 THB tour, plus 400 THB national park feeSpeedboat, about 1 hr
10:30Pileh Lagoon and Viking CaveTurquoise lagoon between tall cliffs, you swim right off the boat. Life jackets are provided.Phi Phi Leh · about 1 hr · included in the tourSpeedboat, 10 min
12:30Lunch on Phi Phi DonUsually a buffet in a beach restaurant. Tell the guide in the morning if you need vegetarian or halal food, both are common requests.Tonsai, Phi Phi Don · about 1 hr · included in the tour · Order: Thai buffet with green curry, fried rice and fruitSpeedboat, 15 min
14:00Snorkelling at Khai IslandClear shallow water full of fish on the way back. Bring reef safe sunscreen.Khai Islands · about 1.5 hrs · included in the tourSpeedboat, 40 min
16:30Back at the pier and to the hotelShower, rest, you will be tired and sun kissed.Pier to Kata · about 1 hr · included in the tourSpeedboat, then minivan
19:30Easy dinner on Kata Beach RoadPlenty of simple Thai restaurants within walking distance. Ask for jay or mangsawirat food for vegetarian.Kata · about 1.5 hrs · 400 to 800 THB · Order: Pad Thai or green curry, both easy with tofuWalk from the hotel
Tip: The sea is roughest from May to October. Book a big, well-reviewed operator and wear motion sickness patches if you get queasy.
Day 3 Temples and the best views
09:00Big BuddhaA 45 metre white marble Buddha on a hilltop with views across Chalong Bay. Shoulders and knees covered, sarongs are lent at the gate.Nakkerd Hill, Chalong · about 1 hr · free, donations welcome
10:30Wat ChalongPhuket's most important temple. Climb the tall chedi for views and the small museum inside.Chalong · about 1 hr · FreeGrab, 15 min
12:30Lunch at Kan Eang@PierSeafood by the water at Chalong Bay, running since the 1970s. Order by weight and ask the price. Good vegetarian options too.Chalong Pier · about 1.5 hrs · 800 to 1,500 THB · Order: Steamed fish with lime and garlic, or crab fried riceGrab, 10 min
14:15Back to the hotel, rest or Thai massageA one hour Thai or oil massage is 400 to 700 THB on Kata Beach Road.Kata · about 2.5 hrs · 400 to 700 THBGrab, 20 min
17:30Karon ViewpointThree bays in one view, Kata Noi, Kata and Karon. Golden light before sunset.Between Kata Noi and Nai Harn · about 45 min · FreeGrab, 15 min
19:00Dinner at On the RockTables on a rocky point over the sea at Marina Phuket Resort, open for decades. Book a table at the edge.South Karon Beach · about 2 hrs · 1,000 to 1,800 THB · Order: Grilled seafood platter, or a vegetable green curryGrab, 15 min
Tip: Carry a light scarf, you need it at both temples.
Day 4 Old Phuket Town
08:30Breakfast at Abdul's Roti ShopTiny Muslim-run roti shop that locals have loved for decades. Order roti with curry, or a sweet roti with egg and condensed milk.Thalang Road, Old Town · about 45 min · 80 to 150 THB · Order: Roti with massaman curry, or vegetable curry for vegetarians
09:30Walk Old Phuket TownPastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, murals and small cafes. Soi Romanee is the prettiest lane.Thalang Road and Soi Romanee · about 2 hrs · FreeWalk
12:00Lunch at One ChunSouthern Thai home cooking in an old shophouse, Michelin Bib Gourmand listed. Good vegetarian options.Thepkrasattri Road, Old Town · about 1.5 hrs · 400 to 700 THB · Order: Crab curry with rice noodles (gaeng poo)Walk or Grab, 10 min
13:45Back to Kata and restPool and nap.Kata · about 3 hrs · FreeGrab, 40 min
17:30Sunset walk on Kata Noi BeachQuieter than Kata, with soft sand and the sun setting straight ahead.Kata Noi · about 1 hr · FreeGrab, 10 min
19:15Dinner by the sea in KataPick a beachfront table on Kata Beach. Many places offer halal and vegetarian menus, just ask.Kata Beach · about 2 hrs · 600 to 1,200 THB · Order: Tom yum soup and pineapple fried riceGrab, 10 min
Tip: Old Town shops open around 10:00, so the early walk is about the buildings, not shopping.
Day 5 Last swim and fly home
09:00Morning swim at Kata BeachSwim near the lifeguard flags. Red flags mean no swimming.Kata Beach · about 1.5 hrs · Free
11:00Check outLeave bags at reception.Kata · about 30 min · FreeWalk
12:30Lunch and shopping at Central Phuket FlorestaBig, air-conditioned mall with a food hall, halal and vegetarian counters and gift shops.Wichit, near Phuket Town · about 2 hrs · 300 to 600 THB for lunchGrab, 35 min
15:00Transfer to Phuket AirportAbout 40 minutes. Collect your bags from Kata on the way if you did not bring them.Phuket Town to airport · about 45 min · 350 to 550 THB per person (car shared by two)Car from the mall
Tip: If your bags are still at the hotel, have the car pick you up at the hotel first, then go to the mall, then the airport.
Where to stay
Phuket, Kata and Kata Noi · nights 1 to 4Calmer and prettier than Patong, close to the best sunsets and restaurants.
ibis Phuket Kata budget · about 1,200 to 2,000 THB a night Simple, clean rooms with a pool, about 10 minutes on foot to Kata Beach.
Kata Beach Resort and Spa mid · about 3,000 to 5,500 THB a night Right on the sand in the middle of Kata Beach, step out of the lobby to swim.
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort luxury · about 6,000 to 11,000 THB a night Long-established beachfront resort on quiet Kata Noi, several pools and lovely sunsets.
Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.
What to eat
Crab curry with rice noodles (gaeng poo)at One Chun or Raya, Old Phuket Town Phuket's signature dish, rich and fragrant.
Roti with curryat Abdul's Roti Shop, Thalang Road Halal, cheap and loved by locals for decades.
Grilled seafoodat Kan Eang@Pier, Chalong Fresh fish and crab by the sea.
Massaman curryat Mom Tri's Kitchen, Kata Noi A special dinner with a sea view.
Pad Thai and green curryat Kata Beach Road Everyday Thai food, easy to make vegetarian.
Mango sticky riceat Street carts and night markets The classic Thai dessert.
Kata evenings are about dinner by the sea and a walk on the beach. Patong's Bangla Road is the loud party street if you want to look, but it is not on this plan. Phuket has a large Muslim community, so halal food is easy to find, look for the green halal sign or ask for a Muslim-run restaurant.
Why it is planned this way
Phi Phi is on day 2, so if the sea is too rough you can swap it with day 4.
I picked Kata over Patong, it is calmer and the sunsets are better.
Big Buddha and Wat Chalong are close together, so they share one morning.
Abdul's Roti closes around midday, so Old Town starts with breakfast there.