5 Best Sights in Phuket and the Andaman Coast, Thailand

Fringed by palm trees, this long stretch of soft white sand is the main beach in town. There's a long, winding promenade stretching from one end of the beach to the other. Ao Nang Beach is the jumping-off point for longtail boats to Railay and Tonsai beaches, and to the limestone islands of Ko Hong, Ko Poda, and Ko Gai. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); toilets. Best for: solitude; sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

Klong Dao Beach is a 2-km-long (1-mile) beach on the northern coast of Lanta Yai. Most resorts along Klong Dao are larger facilities catering to families and couples looking for a quiet environment. The water is shallow but swimmable, and at low tide the firm, exposed sand is ideal for long jogs on the beach. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

On Phuket’s west coast just north of Surin Beach, this small, secluded stretch of sand is backed by coconut trees and a variety of exotic flora and fauna. At the southern end of the beach is a small shack serving drinks and snacks, and there are loungers for hire. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; sunset.

This huge entertainment park contains a cultural village, complete with boats, games, and traditional crafts, and an indoor theater where Thai history is told through dance, performance, and song. The main show starts nightly at 8:30 pm, but come early to wander among the stalls.

The National Museum, opposite the Heroine's Monument, has an engaging exhibition of the island's culture and history, including its encounter with the Burmese and their defeat by the island's two heroines. The building itself gives a glimpse into local culture, with its attractive architecture and design. The halls each show a different period of local and wider Thai history.