Where the Old Town is
Phuket Old Town is a few blocks in the centre of Phuket City, in Talat Yai subdistrict. The main street is Thalang Road, with Dibuk Road, Phang Nga Road, Ranong Road and the Soi Romanee lane around it. It is not a theme park but a working town centre with shops, cafes and homes. For living in town, see Phuket Town.
Why the houses look like this
Phuket City Municipality explains that the shophouses were built when Chinese and Western settlers arrived to work the tin mines, which produced the East-meets-West style known as Sino-Portuguese. The provincial briefing lists the quarter among Phuket’s top ten recommended attractions.
The city has invested in the quarter for years, putting power lines underground and upgrading pavements, lighting and drainage. In 2000 the municipality received the “City of Identity” award for this work (DELGOSEA report on the municipal website).
What to see
| Place | What it is | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Thalang Road | the main street, Lard Yai market on Sundays | Phuket City Municipality |
| Soi Romanee | colourful colonial-style houses, cafes and souvenirs; links Thalang and Dibuk roads | Phuket City Municipality |
| Sang Tham Shrine (Teng Kong Tong) | small Chinese temple in a lane off Phang Nga Road, built 1891, conservation award 1997 | Phuket City Municipality |
| Jui Tui Shrine | off Ranong Road, a centre of the nine-day Vegetarian Festival | Phuket City Municipality |
| Clock tower | a favourite photo spot in the quarter | Phuket City Municipality |
A walk covering everything takes 2-3 hours. The quarter looks good by day and when lit up at night.
Lard Yai Sunday Walking Street
Lard Yai (“big market”) runs on Thalang Road on Sundays only, 16:00-22:00, according to Phuket City Municipality. Expect street food, souvenirs and local products, and crowds after dark.
Tip: arrive at 16:00-17:00 while it is light enough to see the buildings, then move to the market at sunset. Parking is scarce, so a taxi or Grab is easier.
Getting there
| From | Distance | Time without traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Patong | 15.1 km | about 17 min |
| Kata | 15.9 km | about 20 min |
| Phuket Airport (HKT) | 31.2 km | about 38 min |
OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, route from Patong. The hill road from Patong is busy on weekend evenings. Our Phuket taxi guide explains how to book a car without overpaying.
Etiquette
Entry is free. Summer clothes are fine on the street, swimwear is not. Cover shoulders and knees in shrines and take shoes off where others do. People live here: stay out of private courtyards and ask before photographing residents.
Who should skip it
Clubbers: there are bars, but the party is in Patong. Anyone who wilts in midday heat: there is little shade, so come after 16:00. Anyone expecting a car-free open-air museum: on weekdays cars and scooters use the streets.
Phuket’s other big landmark, Big Buddha, is 15 km away.
FAQ
What are the best things to do in Phuket Old Town?
Walk Thalang, Dibuk and Phang Nga roads for the Sino-Portuguese shophouses, photograph the colourful houses of Soi Romanee, and visit the Sang Tham and Jui Tui Chinese shrines. On Sunday evening, add the Lard Yai market on Thalang Road. Two to three hours is enough for an unhurried visit.
When is the Phuket Old Town Sunday market?
Phuket City Municipality says the Lard Yai Sunday Walking Street runs on Sundays only, from 16:00 to 22:00. On other days the quarter is open to stroll at any time.
How do I get from Patong to Phuket Old Town?
It is 15.1 km over the hill and about 17 minutes without traffic, by OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data. Evenings and weekends are busy, so allow half an hour or more. Taxi, Grab, scooter or songthaew all work.
Is there a night market in Phuket Old Town on other days?
The municipal Lard Yai market is Sunday only. Other night markets in Phuket Town run on their own schedules, so check them separately before you go.
How long do you need in Phuket Old Town?
Usually 2-3 hours for a walk and a meal. On a Sunday, arrive around 16:00-17:00: see the buildings in daylight first, then the market.
Is there a dress code in Phuket Old Town?
Normal summer clothes are fine on the streets, but not swimwear. Cover shoulders and knees when entering shrines and temples. During the Vegetarian Festival the shrines are crowded and have their own rules.
Sources
- Phuket City Municipality. Sino-Portuguese Old Town quarter
- Phuket City Municipality. Soi Romanee
- Phuket City Municipality. Sang Tham Shrine
- Phuket City Municipality. Jui Tui Shrine
- Phuket City Municipality. Old Town conservation programme (DELGOSEA best practice report)
- Phuket Province. Provincial briefing (2017)
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: Patong → Phuket Old Town
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: Phuket Airport → Phuket Old Town
- OpenStreetMap, OSRM route: Kata → Phuket Old Town
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