Phuket Old Town Neighborhood Guide

Phuket Town shines with personality, especially in its Old Town. In this historically rich area, you’ll find stunning architecture at shrines, Buddhist temples, and ornate and beautifully preserved “shophouses”. Pop in to quaint cafes, tiny printing shops, and private and public museums to absorb the culture.

Phuket Old Town was built on riches from tin mining. In this quarter of town, you’ll see grandiose Sino-colonial mansions, once occupied by Phuket’s tin barons. Phuket Old Town is compact enough to stroll around in, and the best time for this is early in the morning or after the day has lost its heat. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to provide you with refreshments whatever time of day you venture out.

Old Phuket Town Hotels

1. Amulet Market in Phuket Town

Buddhist iconography market in the heart of Phuket Town

Good for: Couples, History, Shoppers

In a tiny alley off Rassada Road in Phuket Town, not far from the Fountain Circle, sits the Phuket Buddha image and amulet market, a specialized market that attracts many local and overseas Buddhists. Along the alley stands a long row of stalls, each displaying hundreds of different amulets. Behind these you can find a small row of shops, also selling amulets and Buddha images.

The displays attract a variety of people, devotees and tourists alike, with many using magnifying glasses to check the wares. You may want to pick one up as a souvenir but remember that these little objects have great significance and should be handled with respect. Read more

Location: Ratsada Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8 am to 7 pm

2. Baan Chinpracha

A historic example of Thailand’s colonial past

Good for: Budget, Families, History, Photo

Baan Chinpracha, at 98 Krabi Road in Phuket, is a fine example of a Sino-Colonial mansion and is just a few doors away from the famous Blue Elephant Restaurant. Visitors not only will have a sneak peek of how a wealthy Phuket family used to live many decades ago but they can meet its owner too.

Jaroonrat ‘Daeng’ Tandavanitj and her late husband, Pracha Tandavanitj, inherited this elegant building from his father, who in turn was the eldest son of the original owner, Phra Pitak Chinpracha, who built it in 1903. The building retains its original features, and because of this has appeared in movies and TV shows. Read more

Location: 98 Krabi, Talat Nuea, Mueang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Daily from 9 am to 4.30 pm

Phone: +66 (0)76 211 281

Explore Chinpracha House Hotels

3. Blue Elephant Restaurant Phuket

Royal Thai cuisine in the historic part of Phuket city

Good for: Couples, Families, Food

The famous Blue Elephant Restaurant specializes in Royal Thai cuisine, a rich, indulgent combination of flavors originally created only for the Royal Palace. The cuisine has recently grown popular because of the global spread of Thai cooking.

The Phuket branch is based in a splendid old Sino-Portuguese colonial-style mansion set in sprawling grounds near the heart of the old quarter of Phuket Town. Fine dining in opulent surroundings is the order of the day at the Blue Elephant, where you can sample dishes once reserved for princes. You can also experience the ultimate in Thai cooking classes, and take home new skills. Read more

Location: 96 Krabi, Talat Nuea, Mueang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Open daily from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm and from 5.30 pm to 10.00 pm

Phone: +66 (0)76 354 355

4. China Inn Café in Phuket Town

Open air dining with local and western dishes

Good for: Budget, Food, History

China Inn Cafe & Restaurant is located in a lovingly restored old building. The restaurant stands in the heart of Phuket’s old town; a place brimming with history and tradition. Diners sit outside at China Inn, which is tastefully fitted out with antique fans, old framed Chinese advertising posters, and ‘before and after’ photos of the building and its glow-up.

China Inn has an extensive Thai menu featuring all the classic dishes, as well as an eclectic western menu. There are lovely touches to the presentation, such as vivid flowers used to garnish dishes like salads, prawn-based spring rolls, and even the sticky rice pudding.

Location: 21 Thalang Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10.30 am to 6 pm, Friday from 10.30 am to 8 pm, Sunday from 10.30 am to 7 pm (Closed Monday and Tuesday)

Phone: +66 (0)76 356 239

5. Dibuk Road

The arts and restaurants of the Dibuk Road

Good for: History, Photo, Shoppers

You may know Thalang Road as the street that runs through the center of Phuket Old Town, but running parallel to that is Dibuk Road. Here, Phuket’s past is evoked, dibuk being Thai for tin, the historic industry of the city. This road features textile and arts shops and the French-themed Dibuk restaurant.

Stroll along and you’ll find affordable fashion and souvenir stores nestled in Sino-Portuguese shophouses is highly photogenic pastels. There’s also the stunning Wat Mongkol Nimit temple that stands out in red, blue, and glistening gold.

6. Jui Tui Shrine

A Chinese shrine and oracle

Good for: Budget, History, Photo

The Chinese Jui Tui Shrine is where people use bamboo blocks to obtain advice from the shrine’s oracle. Ask a ‘yes or no’ question then throw the blocks gently in the air. If both blocks land on the same side the answer is ’no’. If one lands up and the other down the answer is ‘yes’.

A small donation to the shrine is appreciated. Next to the Jui Tui shrine is Pud Jow (‘God Talks’) Chinese Taoist Temple. Built 200 years ago, it’s the oldest of its sort in Phuket. Read more

Location: 283 Soi Phutorn, Talat Nuea, Mueang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8 am to 8.30 pm

Phone: +66 (0)76 213 243

See nearby properties

7. Phuket Philatelic Museum

How the mail made history

Good for: Budget, History, Photo

Located inside an 80-year-old building on Montri Road, the stamp museum looks amazing from the outside. There are 3 sections inside: the first part exhibits posters explaining how the Thai Postal Service has developed since its start during the reign of forward-thinking King Rama V. The second room houses a good amount of antique equipment and machines, such as telegraph tickers, telephones, and parcel-weighing machines.

The last section is a souvenir room where collectable sets of Thai stamps are on sale, along with other items. All information is in both English and Thai. Entry is free.

Location: Montri Rd, Talat Nuea, Mueang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Monday–Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm

Phone: +66 (0)76 216 951

See nearby properties

8. Shrine of the Serene Light

A beautiful shrine in a distinctive architectural design

Good for: History, Photo, Unusual

The Shrine of the Serene Light is a beautiful old Chinese shrine which used to be among the finest secrets of Phuket. Formerly only accessible through a nondescript alley, the entrance has now been widened and made significantly grander, making it now one of the city’s most popular shrines.

Founded in 1891 by Hokkien Chinese descendants of the Tan Luan Jae family, the Shrine of the Serene Light, also known as Sang Tham Shrine and other name variations depending on the language and dialect, is modest in size, but extravagant in appearance. It clearly shows its heritage in its distinctive architectural design, with features common in Hokkien Chinese shrines such as the terracotta-tiled roof and single-story construction. Read more

Location: 72/1 Yaowarat Rd, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

See nearby properties

9. Soi Romanee

Chinese history in the heart of Phuket

Good for: Couples, History, Photo

Soi Romanee is located in the heart of Phuket Old Town. A walk along the soi evokes Phuket’s history. Like many streets in Phuket’s Old Town, there are lots of attractive Sino-Portuguese style shophouses. Some of the vintage buildings have been converted into bars, guesthouses, and cafes to enjoy an easygoing night out. There are no characteristic electric or telephone cables hanging here, they’re all underground, so it’s even more photogenic.

Some local families have been living along this street for generations. Most of them have Chinese backgrounds, hence many houses have little red Chinese shrines set high up on the outside walls to make it easy for them to pray to the deities before entering or leaving the house. Read more

10. Suriyadate Fountain

Good for: Photo

At the western end of Rassada Road stands a traffic circle with what looks like large green guns mounted on it. This is the Suriyadate Fountain and the water-spouting ‘guns’ are in fact what used to be extremely powerful water cannons that blasted topsoil and rocks away in the tin mining process.

Location: Ratsada Rd, Talat Nuea, Muang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

11. Thai Hua Museum

The history of Chinese settlers in Phuket

Good for: Families, History, Photo

Thai Hua Museum on Krabi Road is one of the best looking and well-maintained Sino-Portuguese buildings in Phuket. Built in 1934 to showcase the history of Chinese settlers in the region, this recently renovated building was at one stage a Chinese-language school.

These days, it’s used as a museum, exhibition space, and an occasional function hall. The Thai Hua Museum was given an award in the category of constitutional and public buildings by the Siam Architect Association under the King’s patronage for its outstanding role in conserving architectural arts. Read more

Location: 28 Krabi Road, Talat Nuea, Mueang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm

Phone: +66 (0)76 211 224

See nearby properties

12. Thalang Road

Shopping and dining in Phuket’s Old Town

Good for: Shoppers, History, Photo

Thalang Road is the main central street of Phuket’s charming Old Town. This quaint, narrow boulevard is studded with numerous attractions, great shops, an eclectic mix of restaurants, and several small guesthouses, all housed in the beautiful Sino-Portuguese architecture that makes Phuket Town so famous.

A mostly one-way street running east to west through the heart of the city, it starts at Montri Road, crosses Thepkasattri Road, the main highway along the length of the island, and ends at a junction with Yaowarat Road. It’s not just one of the oldest streets, it remains one of the busiest, except on Sunday evenings when it becomes a blissfully car-free Walking Street. This is our favorite time to visit. Read more

13. Thavorn Hotel Museum

Good for: History, Photo

On Rassada Road (named after Ratsada Korsimbi Na Ranong, Phuket’s forward-thinking governor of 100 years’ ago), in the Thavorn Hotel, you will find a fascinating collection of miscellaneous memorabilia in its lobby and adjoining ground floor rooms. Here, there are strongboxes, ancient-looking typewriters, antique post boxes and toys as well as photos from past eras to admire.

Location: 74 Ratsada Rd, Talad Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Open: Daily from 8 am to 5 pm

See nearby properties

14. The Memory at On On Hotel

A historic hotel with Hollywood connections

Good for: Couples, History, Photo

The Memory at On On Hotel was made famous in 2000 by its inclusion in the Leonardo Di Caprio movie The Beach. Located along Phang Nga Road it was formerly known as On On Hotel, derived from the Chinese “un un” meaning “happiness for all visitors.” The hotel went through a complete renovation in 2012–13 to become far more glamorous and chic, allowing its appearance on screen to become just a memory.

When it first opened in 1929 the main industry in Phuket was tin mining. The port of Ta Pan Hin exported tin around the world, mostly aboard European ships, so the hotel’s original customers were merchants and traders and it soon gained a reputation for comfort.

Location: 19 Phangnga Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang, Phuket 83000, Thailand

Phone: +66 (0)76 363 700

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.