Phuket Old Town: Best Things to Do, Walking Guide Map

When walking through Phuket Old Town, you will find plenty of colorful Chinese-Portuguese architecture, which has been converted into cafés, shops, restaurants, hotels, museums, markets...

It is a great place for exploring Phuket's history and culture. Since a rich vein of tin was found there in the 16th century there, people from Malaysia, Arabia, Burma, Thailand, China's Fujian Province, and Portugal poured in to mine it, which led to the initial prosperity of Phuket Old Town. Though, later, the mines dried up, Phuket Old Town has continued to thrive.

The Best Things to Do in Phuket Old Town

Walk along the streets and see the street art (graffitied walls).
Learn about the history and culture of Phuket Old Town by visiting the museums.
Explore Thai food and shopping.
Try a Thai massage to experience Thai culture.
Go to the markets to meet the locals.

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Bangkok and Chiang Mai

In Bangkok, our guide Ann and driver "Mr. Ot" (I don't know how to spell his name) were very friendly and professional. You simply can't underestimate the value of having an English speaking guide to show you around, and a driver with a comfortable, sizeable, air-conditioned van take you from place to place. Ann taught us so much about Thailand's history, food, and religion. Mr. Ot always opened our door with a smile, and had cool towels and ice-cold bottled water for us.

, Apr 2024

Very great experience our driver D was…

Very great experience our driver D was never late and always had waters and a cold towel for us and our tour guide Som was very informative and had amazing English I recommend them both highly for anyone else traveling

Rylan Coache, Feb 2024

Excellent guide in Siem Reap

Our recent time spent in Siem Reap was made even more memorable by our expert guide, Som Piseth. Som was knowledgeable, attentive, flexible and super helpful - we learnt so much about Siem Reap and Cambodia in our 3 days with him. His English was excellent and his knowledge of, and pride in, his country was outstanding. We would highly recommend Som for anyone wanting an excellent guide in Siem Reap!

Sharon Townshend, Feb 2024

Popular Streets in Phuket Old Town

Walking is the best way to explore Phuket Old Town. Wandering among the colorful buildings to take photos, find delicious food, shop, and enjoy a leisurely time is a recommended way to discover Phuket.

1. Thalang Road — Best for Photos and Its Night Market

Colorful Sino-Portuguese buildings

Thalang Road is the most famous street in Phuket Old Town. It is the best place to see colorful Sino-Portuguese buildings and take the photos.

Many old houses have been converted into hotels or shops. Yuan Chun Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Store on the street is claimed to be the earliest TCM store in Phuket Old Town.

Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market (Lardyai Phuket), one of the best night markets in Phuket, is also located on the road.

2. Soi Romanee — Best for Shopping and Cafés

Soi Romanee used to be the red-light district of the old town. Not a long street, today it is dotted with many elaborate souvenir shops, refined cafés, dessert houses, and posh guesthouses.

3. Krabi Road — Visit the Museums

Most of the buildings on the street are old houses, some of which have not been repainted. You will feel a sense of history through their mottled appearance. Phuket Thai Hua Museum is located there, which documents the history of Chinese immigrants in Phuket.

When walking along Krabi Road and passing the intersection of Satun Road, you will find the Chinpracha House & Museum. Built in 1903, the well-preserved semi-colonial complex offers you an insight into the home life of Phuket's rich.

4. Dibuk Road — Best for Eating

There are many restaurants in this wide street. The local food center — Lock Tien — is located on the intersection of Dibuk Road and Yaowarat Road. There you can taste many Phuket special foods, such as o-aew — a dessert made of jelly, banana topped with sugar, red bean, and crushed ice, sometimes with fruit added.

5. Yaowarat Road — Best for Street Art and Photos

Graffitied walls

You will find funny and cool murals and graffitied walls there, which is a good place to take Instagrammable photos. There are also some cafés with good vibes.

6. Phangnga Road — See a Variety of Buildings

Similar to the pattern of Thalang Road, Phangnga Road is lined with antique houses, which are now converted into a cobbler's shop, restaurants, hotels, and bookstores.

Sang Tham Shrine on Phangnga Road was built in 1889. It is an all-wood Chinese-style building.

The Memory at On On Hotel, which became popular after it appeared in the film The Beach, is also located on the street.

The yellow clock tower, a 19th-century Chinese-Portuguese building that used to the Chartered Bank, is now known as Peranakan Museum or Baba/Nyonya Museum (the Peranakan were a Chinese-descent Malay Peninsula people whose men are called baba and women nyonya).

7. Ranong Road — Visit Markets and Taoist Temples

Along Ranong Road, new and old houses are interspersed. There are markets and two Taoist temples, both more than 200 years old. One is Put Cho Shrine and the other is Jui Tui Shrine, where a ceremony is held during Nine Emperor Gods Festival every October.

How to Plan a Walking Tour

You should spend at least half a day when visiting Phuket Old Town. It takes about 30 minutes to get there from Patong, Kata, and Karon beaches by taxi.

If possible, it is best to arrange a Sunday, as the walking street is only open on Sundays.

We suggest first going to Thalang Road to see the colorful buildings, then visit Thai Hua Museum on Krabi Road, see the eye-catching graffiti walls on Yaowarat Road, and finally shop and explore Thai food along Soi Rommanee and Dibuk Road. After 4pm on Sundays, you can head back to Thalang Road to enjoy the Sunday Walking Street Market.

If you want to relax your body, you can find Thai massage shops on Yaowarat Road and Thalang Road.

If you are interested in temples, you can walk further to visit the two Taoist Temples on Ranong Road.

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