Phuket Old Town

Phuket

The island's historic town, with colourful Sino-Portuguese shophouses, cafés, markets and some of Phuket's best food, away from the beaches.

Best for Budget

Transport: 4/5
Sights: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Quiet: 3/5
Food: 5/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$60/night · 5 min to Phuket Old Town

See hotels in Phuket Old Town

Why stay here

Colourful historic streets
Phuket's best local food
Cheap rooms and buses to the beaches

Who should stay here

Food lovers
Budget travellers
Culture lovers

Not ideal if…

You want a beach outside your door
You want a resort
You want nightlife

What it's like

Phuket Town's old quarter is built around Thalang, Dibuk and Krabi roads, lined with pastel shophouses from the tin-mining boom. Cafés, galleries and noodle shops fill them, the Sunday Walking Street market takes over Thalang Road, and local restaurants serve Phuket's distinctive Peranakan food.

It's the best base for food, culture and value, and a good stop before or after the beaches. There's no beach, and the nearest ones are 20–30 minutes away.

Best streets and sub-areas

Thalang Road
Shophouses and the Sunday Walking Street market.
Soi Romanee
Pretty lane of restored pastel houses.
Dibuk Road
Cafés and grand mansions.

Getting around

Nearest stations: Songthaew buses to the beaches from the town market, the airport bus, taxis and Grab.
To Phuket Old Town: About 5 minutes
From Phuket International Airport (HKT): About 45 minutes: airport bus or taxi to Phuket Town.

Nearby attractions

Sunday Walking Street
Weekly street-food and craft market.
Thai Hua Museum
History of Phuket's Chinese community.
Khao Rang
Hill with views over the town.

Where to eat and drink

Old Town noodle shops
Mee Hokkien and local Peranakan dishes.
Soi Romanee
Bars and cafés in old shophouses.

Where to stay in Phuket Old Town

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Boutique pick

The Memory at On On Hotel

Why we like it: Restored 1920s hotel in the old town, highly rated.

Typical mid-range rate in Phuket Old Town: ~$60/night

Check availability

Best value

Sino House Phuket Hotel

Why we like it: Good-value hotel on the edge of the old town.

Typical budget rate in Phuket Old Town: ~$30/night