3 days in Phuket – Rainy day itinerary

Phuket Old Town

If you are planning a trip to Phuket or looking for ideas of things to do in Phuket on a rainy day, then this itinerary is for you. With the help of HipTraveler’s itinerary planner we had 3 wonderful days planned in Phuket where we enjoyed some of the lesser known aspects of Phuket like the Old Town with its beautiful Sino-Portuguese architecture and rich gastronomy scene where you can visit a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant that focuses on Southern Thai cuisine. In our itinerary below you will also find details of our visit to one of the rare responsible elephant sanctuaries on the island that rescues female elephants, offering only observation and feeding, and prohibits bathing or riding. We also visited the island’s only rum distillery where a French couple have fused French-Caribbean rum-making traditions with the local Thai heritage and agriculture. I also experienced for the first time Thailand’s famous combat sport up close by visiting a Muay Thai boxing match. Our last day was all about relaxation and we spent most of it at Nai Harn beach. The weather and heavy rains threatened to ruin our trip but in between the rain showers, we created some great memories. So if you are looking for things to do in Phuket on a rainy day, this HipTraveler itinerary is perfect for you.

Day 1: Old Phuket Town – Culture, Coffee & Cuisine

Morning: Sri the Shophouse Cafe

Address: 125 Soi Soon Utis, Tambon Talat Nuea, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000

Tucked away in one of the quieter side streets of Phuket Old Town, Sri the Shophouse Cafe is a beautifully restored Sino-Portuguese shophouse with very calming minimalist interiors. Besides a Japanese style cafe serving breakfast snacks and sweet treats, fabulous coffee there is also a gallery and gift shop.

Morning: Phuket Thai Hua Museum

Address: 28 Krabi, Talat Nuea, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000

If you want to get to know Phuket’s past and learn about Hokkien migrant families who shaped Phuket’s early economy and community life, then pay a visit to the Phuket Thai Hua Museum which is a short walk away from the cafe. This museum tells the story of Phuket’s Chinese heritage and the tin mining industry that shaped the island. The museum, with lots of colorful displays and imagery, does a great job of documenting the story of how Chinese labourers arrived to work the island’s tin mines many years ago and details their way of life, architecture, dress, culture, food and the influential people that affected Phuket’s past.

The building, which is another stunning example of Sino-Portuguese architecture, used to be a school for Thai-Chinese families who wanted their children to speak their language and to carry on their traditions and culture.

Entry fee: 200 THB (around £4.50) for adults – not free, but definitely worth it. If there is one museum you make time for in Phuket, choose this one.

Or visit The Peranakan Phuket Museum

Address: 124/1 Moo 1, Sri Soonthorn, Thalang, Phuket 83110

If time permits, to get a better understanding of why Phuket is a melting pot of cultures and influences, squeeze in a visit to the Peranakan Phuket Museum where you will discover the fascinating story of Phuket’s mixed Chinese-Malay heritage. ‘Peranakan’ literally means “born here” in Malay and refers to the descendants of Chinese and Indian traders who settled in the Malay Archipelago between the 15th and 17th centuries and married local women. You have different branches of Peranakan—there is the Javi Peranakan (descendants of Indian settlers) and the Baba community (descendants of Hokkien Chinese settlers).

The museum itself is spread over two floors. The main exhibition is upstairs where you’ll find antique costumes, old photographs, traditional furniture, and household items that really bring the Peranakan lifestyle to life. It is like stepping back in time to see how these immigrant communities lived.

Entry fee: 300 THB (around £7) – not the cheapest museum you’ll visit, but the audio guides are included in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian, which definitely adds value.

Fun extra: There’s a photo studio where you can dress up in traditional Peranakan costumes for a photoshoot. Fun.

Lunch: One Chun Cafe & Restaurant

Address: 48, 1 Thep Krasattri Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000

This Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant with its retro 1950s look is THE place in Phuket Old Town to sample Southern Thai classics like gaeng poo (crab curry with rice noodles), kaeng som (tangy Southern Thai curry) or Phuket style braised pork belly.

Insider tip: Get there before 12:30 PM to avoid the lunch rush. This place gets packed with locals, which is always a good sign. Cash only, so make sure you’ve got baht on you.

Or…if you want to dig further into the Peranakan heritage of Phuket, pay a visit to KOPITIAM By Wilai—filled with nostalgic photos from the island’s past, this is a lovely place to dine, serving classic Peranakan dishes. The Massaman curry is a winner but their best dish is their iconic Phuket dish, Hokkien Mee.

For more inspiration of the best places to eat in Phuket Old Town, checkout my earlier guide plus for my island hopping itinerary to Phuket, Koh Lanta and Ao Nang.

Khao Rang Viewpoint

Afternoon: Khao Rang Viewpoint

After lunch, head to Khao Rang Viewpoint for panoramic views over Phuket Town and the surrounding area. This is completely free and offers some of the best views on the island. On this trip it was cloudy and rainy so not the best views but here’s what it looks like on a sunny day, from our first visit to Phuket back in 2022 as part of the Sandbox scheme.

The viewpoint is also famous for its macaques hence the name Monkey Hill or Khao To Sae. The resident monkey population are used to humans but can be aggressive and unpredictable in behavior so as wild animals, it’s best to keep a safe distance. Do not carry bags of any food with you which they will definitely target, and please do not feed them (as sadly some tourists do—saw someone feeding them a bag of Lays crisps).

Getting there cheap: Take the local songthaew (shared pickup truck taxi) for around 30-40 THB, or jump on a Grab taxi.

Tip: There’s a pretty decent restaurant, Tunk-ka Cafe at the viewpoint if you are peckish or fancy a cold beer, but the prices are slightly inflated due to the location.

The Memory at ON ON Hotel

Afternoon: The Memory at ON ON Hotel

19 Phangnga Rd, Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000

Masquerading as a Bangkok backpacker hostel in the legendary movie ‘The Beach’, The Memory at ON ON Hotel is in reality a beautiful boutique hotel that serves as a great base to explore the island and is another fabulous example of the town’s Sino-Portuguese architecture. The building dates back to 1929 when it was the first hotel in the area, going under the name of the ‘Un Un Hotel’ to host visitors attracted by the growing mining industry. Located just around the corner from the famous Night Market in Phuket Old Town, the location is unbeatable. Even if you are not staying, pop your head in. The place has tons of character, the staff are welcoming and there is a small museum you can visit for a small fee that tells the history of Phuket and its people.

Dinner: Naya Restaurant & Bar, Rawai

Address: 22/5 หมู่1 ซอยนายะ ตำบล ราไวย์ อำเภอเมืองภูเก็ต ภูเก็ต 83130 เมือง Phuket 83130

Famous for their fondue, this restaurant serves a variety of international and Thai dishes. All the food we tried was tasty, well prepared, with great flavour plus excellent value. I will give a special shoutout for their Penang Beef curry as well as their Massaman curry. The service is attentive—highly recommend.

Day 2: Elephants, Temples & Thai Boxing

Morning: Hidden Garden Elephant Sanctuary

Another huge highlight was visiting the Hidden Garden Elephant Sanctuary, a responsible elephant sanctuary that rescues female elephants, offering only observation and feeding.

Unlike many other elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, this sanctuary prioritizes the well-being of elephants, allowing them to live naturally without the stress of riding or doing tricks.

The reserve was created by experienced elephant specialists Kong and Louise Rogerson in late 2023 with the sole aim of providing a safe environment for these magnificent creatures. Their mission is to change the lives of elephants that have experienced harsh treatment. The sanctuary is located in the district of Chalong on 35 acres of natural forest, so the elephants who live here can live naturally in their environment. The whole experience is focused around observation at a safe distance. The experience starts with a comprehensive briefing session and video that explain the terrible plight of elephants and their harsh treatment in the tourism industry, sadly a reality in many parts of Phuket still, the rest of Thailand and many other countries in the world. The video can be quite harrowing to watch in parts but necessary in terms of setting the tone for the visit. After that we had to wash our hands to ensure we were safe to feed the elephants with bananas. This is the closest we got to the animals and this was magical. Afterwards, we went for a walk through the reserve to observe the elephants from afar, walking with their mahouts to their feeding stations. The mahout’s role is critical here. Assigned to a specific elephant, they have to ensure the elephant’s wellbeing is maintained at all times and have to be available around the clock to care for them 24/7. The reserve does its best for the mahouts to feel at home, housing their families onsite and paying them a good salary. There was a guide with us at all times to ensure the group is at a safe distance and also ensuring the visitors keep quiet—the smallest sound or noise can alarm the elephants, which we are reminded of repeatedly throughout the visit. The staff were passionate about elephant care and one of the reasons why this is such an informative and great experience. The tour lasts 4 hours and finishes with a delicious Thai buffet prepared by the mahouts’ wives—the Somtam salad was incredible as well as the Pad Thai. Visitors can enjoy their meal while watching the elephants enjoy a mud bath below. Altogether, this is a very wholesome experience and perfect if you are looking for things to do in Phuket on a rainy day.

Cost: Tours start from around 2,800 THB (£65) including pickup, lunch, and about 4-5 hours with the elephants. Yes, it’s the most expensive thing on this itinerary, but it’s worth every baht.

Important: Wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy – you WILL get muddy.

Why this matters: Many elephant camps in Thailand still use cruel training methods. By choosing an ethical sanctuary, you’re voting with your wallet for better animal welfare. It costs more, but it’s the right thing to do.

Wat Chalong Temple

Afternoon: Visit Wat Chalong Temple

Address: 70 หมู่ที่ 6 Chao Fah Tawan Tok Rd, Chalong, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000

After your elephant experience, visit Wat Chalong, Phuket’s largest (there are 29 in total on the island) and most important Buddhist temple. Formally known as Wat Chaiyathararam, this sacred site honors two respected spiritual leaders, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang. These revered monks rallied local residents during an 1876 Chinese uprising and provided medical care using traditional plant-based remedies to treat wounded individuals.

Entry: Completely free! This is one of the best free attractions in Phuket.

Dress code: Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. If you forgot, you can usually borrow or rent a sarong at the entrance for a small fee.

Chalong Bay Distillery

Afternoon: The Distillery Phuket – Home of Chalong Bay

Address: 14, 2 Soi Palai, Chalong, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83130

We also visited Chalong Bay Distillery, the island’s only rum distillery where a French couple have fused French-Caribbean rum-making traditions with the local Thai heritage and agriculture.

This decade-old spirits producer on this southern Thai island crafts its award-winning rum using French copper equipment, including varieties made from organic cane juice and blends that feature local ingredients like lemongrass or Thai sweet basil which are sourced from local producers. Visitors can take a guided tour, participate in drink-making classes and learn about the company’s commitment to supporting farmers who use environmentally responsible cultivation methods (not burning their sugarcane fields, a major factor behind Thailand’s worsening air pollution). The tour includes complimentary tastings and signature cocktails, with an onsite restaurant and bar, or the option is to pop in for a tasting session.

Evening: Patong Muay Thai Boxing

Address: 2, 59 Sainamyen Rd, Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150

End your day watching authentic Muay Thai boxing in Patong. This is Thai culture at its most visceral and exciting. Patong Boxing Stadium and Bangla Boxing Stadium are the main venues.

This was the first time I experienced Thailand’s famous combat sport up close and I loved every moment. The fighters were incredible, you can feel the intensity and respect for the sport. The fights were brutal and egged on by a packed crowd with also an in-house band featuring. The atmosphere was electric. Pre-fight rituals were also interesting to watch. I highly recommend getting the seats in the front rows if possible, because you can hear every kick and punch, and you can see the fighters up close. It really makes the experience more immersive. Plus, you can order drinks to your seat so you are really well taken care of here.

Ticket prices are not cheap. Ringside seats start from 2,100 THB (£42-£47) while standard seats are 1,500 THB (£28-£35). All visitors get a free T-shirt as a memento.

Day 3: A Day at the Beach – Nai Harn and Kata

Nai Harn Beach

Our final day was all about relaxation at one of Phuket’s most beautiful beaches.

Nai Harn Beach gives you a glimpse of what Phuket beaches used to be like before mass tourism arrived on the island. The crescent-shaped beach has pristine white sand, clear turquoise water and enjoys a much more laid-back vibe than Kata or Karon. The beach is protected by local regulations, which means no jet skis, no beach vendors, and no massive resorts crowding the sand. I recommend heading to the viewpoint at the south end of the beach—there is a great vantage point there with the added bonus of a swing. There are a few unremarkable beachfront restaurants where you can get a decent pad thai or fried rice for 80-120 THB. I recommend bringing your own water and snacks to make the most of your time on the beach.

Kata Beach

Tip: If you are in the mood for more beach hopping, definitely head to Kata beach—the sunset from this beach is magical as you can see from this photo from our trip to Phuket back in 2022. Another great place to enjoy sunsets is at the southernmost tip of the island, Promthep Cape & Windmill Viewpoint, a 30 minute drive from Kata where you will get stunning views of the Andaman Sea and Nai Harn Beach.

Where to stay in Rawai: Nai Harn Collective

The Nai Harn Collective founded by Aman Garg is an oasis of calm in Phuket, surrounded by a forest, two quiet pool areas which are perfect for rest and relaxation and there is also an onsite spa with sauna, steam rooms and massage facilities. There is an also a bar onsite so if you need a drink after a long day of exploring Phuket plus they are planning to launch a restaurant soon which will feature a mix of classic Thai and Indian dishes. The rooms here are spacious, comfortable and some come with balcony. The other major plus of this place is the location, just a short walk from the beautiful Nai Harn beach. For the price point, facilities and location, it is a perfect budget option for staying in Rawai and Phuket.

Planning Your Phuket Adventure with HipTraveler

Hopefully this guide gives you a good structure for your trip to Phuket but if you are looking for more ideas of things to do in Phuket, then check out this itinerary on HipTraveler.com

The itinerary will show all the locations featured on an interactive map, allowing you to calculate the distance between each of the locations and plan your route. There are direct links to all accommodations, restaurants, and activities that include reviews and booking options, streamlining the reservation process.

The itinerary can be amended according to your preferences so that you can build your perfect dream trip.

Disclaimer- This post was produced in partnership with HipTraveler but all the views , expressed here are entirely my own