With many of us hopping on planes again for the first time in two years this summer, deciding where to go can be a tricky topic. After all, there are so many places in the world to visit!
For my first vacation after a long, two years of staying put, I decided to head to Phuket, Thailand. I had been working a majority of the past two years and hadn’t had a break in a very long time, so Phuket sounded like the best choice to relax and chill, but to also explore and indulge in a culture-vibrant destination. It’s also very close to Singapore, and my flight to Phuket was just a short one-and-a-half hour journey. Within a few hours, I arrived at my Phuket villa.
If you only have a short time in Phuket, don’t fret. We have merged the best of both worlds — relaxing and exploring — into a two day itinerary. Here’s how to make the most out of 48 hours in Phuket.
Day 1
6:00am
Watch the sunrise. If you are willing to wake up before dawn, the sunrises in Phuket never disappoint. Almost nothing can compare to the beauty of watching the sunrise over the ocean. Some great spots to watch the sunrise are Promthep Cape, located in the far south of Phuket island, or Naithon Beach, which is located further up north. Different locations offer different magical auras, so no sunrise experiences will be the same!
7:00am
Go to a morning yoga class. Thailand is one of the best places in the world to practice yoga. Yoga Republic, located slightly up north from Phuket city, is a great yoga studio offering a wide variety of classes ranging from hot yoga to yin and flow. If you are a dedicated Hot 26 practitioner, Kata Hot Yoga located near Kata Beach is a great place for the traditional 26-posture sequence.
8:00am
Indulge in a hearty, wholesome breakfast! If you’re staying in a resort or hotel, the breakfast buffet is not one to miss. The fresh fruit in Phuket is beyond sweet and ripe. From passionfruit to mangosteen to pink dragon fruit, all the exotic, tropical fruits are aplenty. If you’re seeking something more local, try out a traditional Thai breakfast including omelet and rice, Thai-style congee, noodle soup, and various meat-based dishes.
10:00am
Relax! Take a dip in the pool, walk on the beach, or sip on a fresh coconut. The mornings are usually when the sun isn’t blazing hot, so it is a good time to get a cool swim in. If you’re coming to Phuket in the months of June to October, it will be Phuket’s rainy season. There is a chance you may get caught in thunderstorms and high tides at the beach, making watersports unsafe.
12:00pm
Indulge in Thai cuisine! The food in Phuket is a luxury. From the well known pad Thai to green curry and mango sticky rice, there’s an abundance of choices that cater to almost every dietary restriction. Thai food prioritizes fresh ingredients, so expect fresh coconut, lemongrass leaves, chili peppers, and fresh tropical fruit!
3:00pm
Thai massage and spa treatments. Spa treatments are very popular in Phuket, and Thai massages are one of the luxuries you can indulge yourself in while here. Thai massages are a traditional form of therapy combining compression and passive stretching, which help to increase the range of motion in your joints and muscles.
5:00pm
If you’re feeling adventurous, go on a day visit to Phi Phi Islands. The islands were featured in a Hollywood blockbuster movie The Beach. The waters surrounding the Phi Phi Islands are filled with exotic marine life, and also features a vibrant nightlife scene. The village consists of shops, bars, and restaurants, and is definitely worth a trip!
7:00pm
Local Thai dinner. Be sure to try as many dishes as possible, or ask your server for top recommendations or daily specials!
Day 2
There are also places to explore in Phuket, especially during these rainy seasons. The city is developing and changing ever so often as Phuket establishes itself as a tourist destination, so there’s no shortage of new and exciting things to see and do.
9:00am
Head to Phuket Central. Phuket Central Festival is a huge mall boasting many international brands. It has a wide variety of restaurants, a food court, and even a cinema. The mall just recently opened a second building, Central Floresta, which is linked by moving walkways.
12:00pm
Check out the luscious and spacious greenery at Porto de Phuket, a new, sleek modern outdoor shopping mall. From amazing restaurants in a wide variety of cuisines to a huge grocery store to an outdoor children’s playground, you definitely won’t be bored. The shopping mall, with its alfresco vibes and soft tunes, makes you feel like you’re in Downtown Los Angeles.
3:00pm
Head to Turtle Village, a place full of shopping and dining. Turtle Village is a little town in the northwest coast of Phuket, located next to Marriott’s Mai Khao Beach, offering a pleasant and relaxing space to hangout. There are a few specialty dining places such as ice cream parlors and coffee shops, but sadly as the name suggests, there aren’t turtles in the village!
5:00pm
Trip to the local markets. Phuket Walking Street weekend market is the most popular night market in Phuket City. Full of vibrant colorful buildings and street vendors selling street food, as well as little souvenirs for keepsake, it is a bustling scene to be immersed in.
8:00pm
Wind down and relax at your hotel or place of stay! Take in the sunset, breathe in the fresh air as you get ready for a good night’s sleep just in time for morning check out.
