Mustn't miss in Phuket "Phuket Viewpoints - Phuket Town Viewpoints"

Monkey Hill in Phuket Town

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Monkey Hill in Phuket Town"

Take the first road left after Phuket Prison situated on Dammrong Road. This is Toe Sae Road which leads up to Toe Sae Hill that everyone calls Monkey Hill. The reason why becomes fairly obvious after a few hundred metres when you come across a troupe of macaques munching away on fruit brought to them by locals. Phuket. There is one man in particular that is there daily and will do a 'show' for you with his little friends. Phuket. These macaques are not aggressive and do not approach you as certain temple monkeys do, nevertheless care should be taken if you are with small children. Phuket.
Near the bottom of the hill stands a colourful temple and halfway up there is a rudimentary exercise park. Unlike other viewpoints in Phuket the views on the way up are better than at the peak itself. Phuket. This is because there is a TV station on the top and satellite towers dominate the summit, obscuring the views down over Phuket. There are several places to stop and peek through the trees at Phuket's port, the town and the sea.

Rang Hill in Phuket Town

It's a fairly short drive up Rang Hill, but a leafy and green one. There are two parking areas; one near the Phuket View Restaurant and a larger one at the summit.
This shady and breezy spot is very popular with couples, students and tourists alike. Here, surrounded by clipped bushes and tropical flora, you will find a statue of Kosimbee na Ranong, Phuket's forward-thinking governor of 100 years ago.

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Rang Hill in Phuket Town"

Phuket. There is a fitness park where students get together after class as well as a snack bar and generally speaking this spot is much more organised and accessible than nearby Monkey Hill. A stairway to the side made out of mahogany ex-railway sleepers leads down to Tunk Ka Cafe - an excellent restaurant with another good view out over Phuket. There are signs proclaiming 'Be ware of Monkey (May bite ü)'.
Rang Hill is also a popular jogging route and has the advantage of being shady because of its lush tree canopy. Phuket. There's plenty of covered and non-covered seating and a one-way system at the top ensures safe parking and access. Phuket. It is accessed from two locations in Phuket Town: at the junction of Mae Luan and Kosimbee roads and next to Vachira Hospital on Yaorawat Road. The road leading up from this junction (Vachira Road) also features a Buddhist temple that is home to a fine, large seated golden Buddha. Phuket.

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Phuket Viewpoints - Patong View Points"

View from Patong Hill

Mustn't miss in Phuket "View from Patong Hill"

Phuket. If you head towards Soi Na Nai in Patong then turn up Soi Hassipi by Montes Restaurant you will come across some virgin countryside and obtain good views over the town. Phuket. Okay, so they have built quite a few condominiums there on the best viewing spots but there's still a lot to see. Stop off at Krua Chom View Restaurant if you're hungry for food and a good view. Phuket. If you carry on for two kilometres, the road forks left into a track that goes even higher. Phuket.

Radar Hill View Point

(Khao Mai Thao Sip Song)

If you look up above Patong you will see a bubble-like structure at the very top of the hill. This, at 500 metres, is the highest point on Phuket Island. To get there, you'll have to go via Chao Fa West Road where there is a gateway-like entrance and a big yellow sign in Thai and a road leading to a temple. Turn down this road and keep going past the temple. Phuket. Here the road starts to ascend and at times it can be quite steep. If you are confused as to which road to take ask for 'Grom Utu' (which means 'weather station) and point upwards. Phuket.

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Radar Hill View Point"

The views on the way up are spectacular and feature Phuket's Bang Wad reservoir and of course Chalong Bay and the surrounding islands. Phuket. It's worth a few stops along the way to take it all in and when you reach the top you're in for a big surprise as there below, on the other side of the hill spread out like a toy town, is Patong.
Phuket. The road ends at the military owned weather station so park well away from it and do not point your camera at the gates. Phuket. Fresh air, great views and a sense of achievement from being on the highest point on the island - what can beat that? Phuket. Just remember to get enough petrol beforehand because this is quite a trek - there is a gas station located on Chao Fa West Road. Phuket.

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Phuket Viewpoints - Panwa Viewpoint"

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Khao Khad Views Tower"

Panwa Viewpoint

(Khao Khad Views Tower)

Head towards Cape Panwa and follow the signs first for the Novotel then for 'Khao Khad Views Tower' (Khao Khad is a nearby village). There is ample parking here as well as cafés and shops. The stairs are a bit of a climb but it's more than worth it once you're at the top as the 360 degree views of Southern Phuket are immensely rewarding.

Phuket. The stairs are a bit of a climb but it's more than worth it once you're at the top as the 360 degree views of Southern Phuket are immensely rewarding.
Phuket. A two-level view tower (the top floor is best) contains eight photo key maps in both Thai and English so you will know what you are gazing at, although they do portray Sirey Island in two different locations!
Chalong Bay lies below to the south, Makham Bay, Cape Panwa and Phuket's deep water port to the east, Phuket Town to the north and over in the distance you can see the Big Buddha sitting serenely atop Ko Nakkerd - and that's a view that looks exotic in any kind of weather.

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Panwa View"

So it's no wonder that they call this wonderful place Khao Khad View(s) Tower as there is so much to see here. Like at the Big Buddha viewpoint, it's easy to see from here where the island's open-cast tin mines were in times past and how they have filled in with rainwater, some now serving the municipality as water sources. Down the hill, overlooking Khao Khad Beach, there is a restaurant modestly called Best Food Good View perched on the hillside where you can drink a beer and take in the views over Chalong Bay. Phuket.

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Phuket Viewpoints - Kata Viewpoints"

Kata View Point

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Kata View Point"

The Thai name for this popular viewpoint is Kho saam haad which means 'Hill of the three beaches' because this hilltop looks down over Kata Noi, Kata beach and Karon beach, as well as Pu Island, off Kata Yai Beach.
Situated on the road between Kata and Rawai, it is a fairly well-frequented spot with a car park, nicely cultivated gardens, a few snack outlets and two large pavilions to sit in while you admire the northern-facing vista.
The road is fairly quiet and it is actually possible to walk up to this viewpoint from Nai Harn and Rawai although it's a bit of a challenge. If you like a drink or even a meal with your view, further down the road towards Kata there are two adjacent Reggae bars, the After Beach Bar and Viewpoint. Both are strikingly similar with exactly the same view out over Kata Noi and both feature non-stop throbbing reggae tunes. There is usually someone outside on the road flagging cars down so you'll know where to stop.

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Plub pla View Point"

Plub Pla View Point

Halfway between Chalong and Kata on the hill there is a sign saying 'Hilltop Restaurant.' This is the now-closed-down Plub Pla site. There is a one-way system operating on this side road and it's a good thing as the gradient is very steep. Park at the top and peek down at both Chalong and Kata from the gardens above the restaurant.

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Big Buddha"

Big Buddha

(Ko Nakkerd)

This fantastic viewpoint is well signed and the 45-metre tall image can easily be seen from most locations in South Phuket. Follow the red signs along Chao Fa West Road and turn down the road with the red arrow and a Buddha sign.

Pretty soon the road turns into a fairly steep incline but not as pronounced as to put people off and soon it almost levels off. Near the top there is a restaurant with breezy views over Karon and the Andaman Sea. At the summit the Buddha image is certainly impressive, seen from directly below.
There is ample parking space and access to the image is through a Buddhist shrine. If you choose to enter into or to participate in any ceremonies in the shrine please remember that beachwear is highly inappropriate in temples or at shrines so please dress accordingly in more formal attire.

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Big Buddha View Point"

Simply walk through the shrine and up the stairs leading to the image. In fact up here, as well as the large Buddha image there is another smaller, golden one and a large bronze bell with a wooden clapper. There are limited views over the Andaman Sea but views to the north and to the east are fantastic and one can see just how green this island is and, by contrast, how turquoise its surrounding waters are.
The vista makes you think you can reach out and touch the islands off the east coast and Chalong pier looks like an extension of Patak Road, with yachts in the harbour appearing as white dots. It's really worth taking a map of Phuket along with you to know exactly what it is you are looking at down below. [Read more about the Big Buddha...]

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Phuket Viewpoints - Nai Harn Viewpoints (continue)"

Phromthep Cape Restaurant

Phromthep Cape Restaurant

Phromthep is busy at most times of day and frankly gets pretty manic at sunset but then all of a sudden peace reigns once again on this breezy hill. For those who like dining with a view there is the Phromthep Cape Restaurant with its vista of Nai Harn Beach. Reasonably priced, this restaurant is an excellent place to enjoy the cool evening air along with a great view.
Once the last coach loads of tourists have left Promthep Cape and the moon is rising, you’ll discover a completely different world up there. Gentle cooling breezes waft in from the Andaman Sea and peace reigns. It’s the perfect place for dinner and the Promthep Restaurant fits the bill perfectly. Situated on the northwestern side of the hill, you can dine here under the stars or even take in the sunset and views over Ya Nui and Nai Harn beaches as you tuck into a seafood basket or your favourite dish from the extensive menu. This large open-air restaurant is one of the top ‘dining with a view’ locations on the island.

Location: Phromthep Cape
Cuisine: Thai, Seafood
Price Range: Reasonable

Windmill Viewpoint

Windmill Viewpoint

Not far up the coast road from Phromthep you will see several tall, slim white windmills that look just like airplane propellers on top of a hill and facing out to sea. This is the Phromthep Alternative Energy Station and the wind-driven electricity generators stand at this great viewing spot with a vista not unlike that of Phromthep Cape itself - only with much more intimacy as there is just enough room for a few cars to park here.
The daytime view down on Nai Harn and Ya Nui beaches is the sort of stuff that will have you kicking yourself if you have left your camera at the hotel. There is an open-sided sala, or pavilion where a rather eccentric (but harmless) jewelry maker plies his wares and a snack bar to the side. Local enthusiasts fly model airplanes up here to ride the thermals and if you are lucky you will witness sea eagles hunting over the sea between here and Kho Man, a beautiful uninhabited island lying off the coast below this cape.

Location: On the way to Promthep Cape

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Phuket Viewpoints - Nai Harn Viewpoints"

Nai Harn Viewpoints

Phromthep Cape

Phromthep Cape

Phuket. We'll start with the island's most photographed and perhaps best-known location, Phromthep Cape. Every evening, large tour buses, scooters and private cars sweep through Rawai and up the island's southernmost hill to Phromthep. Phuket.
On the top of the hill stands a busy car park where the vehicles disgorge crowds of people that come from every corner of the world. Phuket. Cameras flash, fingers point and lovers cuddle as Phuket's most fabulous free show is re-enacted nightly - the sunset. Phuket.

Phromthep Cape

Phuket. But is this all there is to it? Hardly; Promthep also has a lighthouse that commands spectacular views over the east and southeast of the island and its environs. It is air conditioned inside and if you go up to the outdoors viewing balcony you can see the distinctive shapes of the Phi Phi Islands, Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi on a clear day and of course a whole raft of nearer islands such as nearby Koh Kiaow with its Buddhist monastery. Phuket.
Phuket. The view from the cape is like a huge eternity pool from which you can mentally project the far-flung shores of Sri Lanka and the Indian Subcontinent and when night falls here you can peek down to the twinkling lights of Nai Harn Beach and Le Royal Phuket Yacht Club. Phuket. Some people make the rather demanding trek down to the end of the cape but most stay up in the viewing part for sunset. By the car park there is a handicraft shop and a series of stalls that sell shells, batik, snacks, sarongs, shawls, toys and beachwear. Phuket.

Elephant Shrine at Promthep Cape

Elephant Shrine at Promthep Cape

Phuket. Up the steps from the car park is a shrine to Brahma that is surrounded by thousands of wooden elephants of every size. Phuket. It's all meticulously taken care of and the arrangement is photogenic, colourful and impressive. Phuket.

Mustn't miss in Phuket "Phuket Viewpoints - Introduction"

Phuket Viewpoints

Phuket has views that would make a landscape painter rush out and buy an easel and brushes and the great thing is that you don't have to trek halfway across the country to appreciate them. Whether it's a sunset-watching spot, a 360-degree panorama of the south of the island, a vista from the top of Phuket Town or a glimpse of swathes of tropical lushness it's all within your grasp in minutes. All you need is wheels. Phuket.

Phuket. It's a matter of taste, of course, as some prefer the 'outside-in' aspect of viewing the island from a yacht or tour boat. Others prefer life way up in the clouds, looking down from on high while others favour the exact opposite. So let's mix and match. Here are some of Phuket's best viewpoints for you to check out.