Patong
Long beach & infamous nightlife
Patong is Phuket’s most popular beach resort town. Best known for its beautiful beach and infamous nightlife, Patong has something for everyone.
Patong serves as a starting point for some of Phuket’s best trips, such as James Bond Island, John Gray’s Sea Canoe, the Hype Boat Club, the Phi Phi Islands, scuba diving at the Racha Islands and other trips on the Andaman Sea.
Simon Cabaret Show
The Simon Cabaret Show is a fun evening out for the whole family. Watch a dance and music show performed by glamorous ladyboy dancers. Very feminine looking ladyboy dancers wearing extravagant outfits, over the top headdresses and flashy makeup perform a show that is a mix of modern and traditional acts from countries around the world.
You can also watch a cabaret show in Phuket Town:
Thai Cooking Class
If you love Thai food, take a cooking class and a spend a fun morning or afternoon learning how to cook starters, main dishes and desserts from a local chef. Learn how to prepare authentic Thai dishes like spicy hot and sour shrimp soup, red or yellow curry with chicken and stir fried noodles with prawns.
The class usually starts with a trip to a local market to select fresh ingredients. At the end of the class you get to eat what you have cooked.
Long sandy beach
Patong’s nearly three kilometer long sandy beach is Phuket’s most popular and busiest. While in the dry season the sea is calm, during the rainy season, the waves can get big sometimes. Watch for the red or green flags on the beach that show if the water is safe to swim.
Beach activities
The sandy beach and warm waters are a great spot to relax, sunbathe and take a swim. Sun loungers are for rent at 100 Baht per day. For even more relaxation, have a massage right on the beach. If you are looking for some more action try a banana boat, go parasailing or ride a jet ski. Simple beach side restaurants serve food and drinks.
Massage on the beach
Feel very relaxed having a massage right on the beach under the shade of palm trees. A Thai or foot massage on the beach will usually cost 200 to 300 Baht per hour.
Food & drinks
Along the entire stretch of the beach are simple restaurants, that serve some of the most popular Thai dishes like fried rice with chicken or pork, Pad Thai and fried rice in pineapple. Drinks as beers, coke and fruit slushies can be brought to your sun lounger. Vendors walking up and down the beach sell drinks, snacks and ice creams.
Bangla Road nightlife
Patong is known for its infamous nightlife centered around Bangla Road, a walking street lined with beer bars, discotheques, go-go bars, nightclubs and massage parlors.
Walking up and down the street you will be stopped many times by people advertising their products. Scantily dressed promo girls standing in front of the bars try to lure in the customers.
Bangla Road at night is loud and busy. Even if this is not your thing, it’s a fun experience to walk up and down the road at least once.
Jungceylon shopping center
Right in the center of Patong opposite Bangla Road is Jungceylon, the largest shopping mall in Patong. The modern mall houses a large supermarket and several hundred stores selling fashion and accessories, mobile phones, sunglasses and countless other products. Plenty of entertainment like a cinema, a bowling alley and a games arcade.
Go there if you want to get out of the sun for a while and have lunch in one of the restaurants or at the food court.
Thai massage
Getting a massage is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. You can have one on the beach, in the hotel or in one of the massage shops like Let’s Relax. Price start at 200 Baht per hour.
Flying Hanuman
Flying Hanuman is a thrill activity and Eco adventure for both adults and children. Walk suspension bridges high over the trees to the zipline and get a huge adrenaline boost ziplining over the tropical forest.
Bangla Muay Thai boxing
Muay Thai boxing is Thailand’s national sport. Watch an evening of exciting fights and the ancient rituals performed by the boxers at the Bangla boxing stadium. During the evening there are several fights, often starting with young boys. The best fights are towards the end of the evening.
Bangla boxing stadium is located about 100 meters from Jungceylon shopping mall. The boxing arena is on the upper floor, on the ground floor are several beer bars. Fights start at 8 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Several types of tickets are available including VIP, which are the ones right next to the ring.
Photo by Peregrine981 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Entertainment for kids
Young children will have a good time at one of the indoor playgrounds in Patong.
Froggy’s Amusement Park
With countless fun things to do for children of all ages, Froggy’s Amusement Park is the place to go with kids in Patong. While the kids enjoy themselves with arcade games, virtual reality games, bumper cars, bungee jump, rope track, roller coaster, a trampoline area, a swing boat and more fun activities, the parents can go shopping or grab a coffee. The park is located in Jungceylon shopping center in the center of Patong.
The Kids Club Phuket
The Kids Club has lots of fun things to do for young children. There is an indoor playground with a ball pit, slides, swings, a trampoline, a mini football field and games.
To keep the place clean, socks have to be worn. While the children play, their parents can go shopping or enjoy a massage. Staff at the club will look after the kids. The Kids Club is located at 152/1 Thawewong Road in the center of Patong near Jungceylon shopping mall.
Kidzoona & Molly Fantasy
Both Kidzoona and Molly Fantasy indoor playgrounds are in the Jungceylon shopping center.
Hotels in Patong
Five-star hotels & resorts
Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong
The Hotel Indigo Phuket is centrally located in Patong. It’s a few minutes walk to Patong Beach and ten minutes to Bangla Road. The five-star hotel offers stylish modern rooms and suites. It features a rooftop pool with poolside bar, fitness centre, sauna and a winery. The restaurant serves Thai and Western food.
La Flora Resort Patong
The beachfront La Flora Resort Patong has a choice of deluxe rooms, suites and pool villas. There are two pools, a fitness centre and two restaurants at the five-star hotel. La Flora Resort is situated in the center of Patong in walking distance to shopping, bars, restaurants and massage shops. It’s a two-minute walk to Bangla Road.
Four-star hotels & resorts
Kudo Hotel
Right on the beach in the center of Patong, the four-star Kudo Hotel offers spacious deluxe rooms. The new and modern hotel has a restaurant, a fitness centre and a pool with bar. It’s a two-minute walk from the nightlife at Bangla Road.
Ocean Rock Kalim
In a quiet location up the hill overlooking Kalim Bay is the Ocean Rock Kalim. The modern four-star resort offers well equipped, spacious apartments, studios and luxury villas, all with a kitchen. The pool with bar overlooks the sea and Patong. The resort is about one kilometer from Kalim Beach and two kilometers from Patong Beach.
Three-star hotels & resorts
Capricorn Village
Close to nightlife, shopping and entertainment, the three-star Capricorn Village offers very affordable rooms and bungalows. There is a pool and a coffee shop. Capricorn Village is situated in the heart of Patong. It’s about five minutes walk away from Bangla Road, Jungceylong Shopping Center and Patong Beach.
Family friendly hotels & resorts
Amari Phuket
The upscale Amari Phuket offers modern and comfortable one or two bedroom suites. It’s a three-minute walk to Patong Beach; guests can use the free area shuttle. The Amari has three pools, a kids’ pool, spa, fitness centre, sauna and a kids club. Its two restaurants serve Italian and international cuisine.
Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach resort
At the North end of Patong Beach is the Four Points by Sheraton. The new beachfront four-star hotel offers modern and comfortable rooms and suites. The resort features four outdoor pools, a beach club and a fitness centre. For children there is a game room, kids club and kids pool. Two restaurants serve Thai and international cuisine.
Luxury spa hotels & resorts
Rosewood Phuket
Set in beautiful natural surroundings, the Rosewood offers luxury rooms and villas, each with a private pool. Situated on a hill just South of Patong Beach, the five-star beachfront resort has a pool, fitness centre and a spa. For children there is a playground, kids club, game room and a kids pool with a slide. Three restaurants serve Thai, Italian and seafood.
How to get there
Patong is located about 35 kilometers from Phuket international airport. The transfer to Patong can be done by van or taxi. Prices start at 200 Baht one way for a shared transfer by van.
Other Phuket beaches and towns
More Phuket attractions:
Attractions in Phuket
John Gray’s Sea Kayak Tour
- Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay
- Explore hidden caves and cliff lined lagoons
- Visit Panak Island and Hong Island
- Kayak in emerald lagoons
- Professional English speaking guide