24 Best Things to Do in Patong Beach

1. Obviously, the beach!

Mentioning the beach is a bit obvious, but despite the occasional bad press, Patong’s beach attracted the first tourists. And indeed, Patong has a beautiful beach with white sand and blue water during the high season. There are a few restaurants on the beach as well. Of course, the central area can be crowded and noisy with too many jet skis and parasailing boats, but not always. People often make a final judgement based on a single bad experience. The north part of the beach is quieter, and the water is lovely. If you come during the low season, you might be surprised by how quiet it can be. So if you picked Patong for your holidays because you want everything accessible, you would enjoy the beach.

2. Walk up and down Bangla Walking Street

There is no doubt that Bangla Walking Street, or Bangla Road, is the very heart of Patong beach, and unlike Pattaya or Soi Cowboy in Bangkok, the walking street is more of a party street and addresses everyone. Here you will find great nightclubs, many bars, great live music bars, shopping malls and Go Go bars. While nightlife may not be to everyone’s taste, it is pretty easygoing and has become so iconic; that you should see it for yourself at least once.

3. Freedom Beach

Freedom Beach is a superb sandy cove hidden just a few kilometres south of Patong Beach. It remains relatively quiet during the high season because it’s not that easy to reach it. There are only two ways: ride a longtail boat from Patong beach that costs more than 1,000 baht (including return) or walk down, then up a very steep hillside path.

4. Tri Trang Beach

Tri Trang is an underrated peaceful beach just a few kilometres south of Patong. The beach is shallow with some parts good for swimming during the rainy season. Just above the beach, visitors can enjoy a cluster of great panoramic restaurants, ideal for lunch and drinks with a view (but not for sunsets).

5. Go snorkelling on Merlin Beach

Patong may not be great for snorkelling, but Merlin Beach is just around the corner. This spot might not be great for swimming, but it’s known to be good for snorkelling and admiring colourful sea life in shallow waters. Bring or buy your snorkelling gear, as you won’t find any for rent on those beaches.

6. Paradise Beach

Hidden a few kilometers south of bustling Patong Beach lies Paradise Beach, a secluded site comprised of two picturesque sandy coves. The private beach is dotted with comfortable beach loungers, and several large building offer food and drinks to beach-goers. Paradise Beach also host to the Phuket Full Moon Party for those seeking a little extra fun in the sun. However, be aware that an entrance fee of 200 baht is required for access to the beach.

7. Try safe surfing at Surf House

Surfhouse is a fun activity for adults and kids, beginners and advanced, and you can even play on a rainy day! Learn how to surf on a steady artificial wave flowing on an inflatable slope. If you fall, you will safely bounce and start again. It’s safe and easy, but you will get a real adrenaline rush. Patong Surfhouse is near the beach and close to Bangla road. It also features a bar and is a favourite party place with a DJ, often until late.

8. Jungceylon shopping mall

Patong has become a full-scale shopping hub, and there is something for every budget and every type of shopper. Street shopping is where you’ll buy silly stuff; night markets are suitable for cheap clothing and knock-off brands. Shopping malls sell a mix of real brands, electronic goods, souvenirs and everything in between. Jungceylon is a lot more than just shopping. It’s full of restaurants and fun things to do, so whenever it rains or gets too hot, it’s a great place to spend some time.

9. Explore Malin Plaza night market

Patong has more night markets and bazaars than most people imagine. They might not be as fun as the Phuket Town Weekend Market, but they offer a fun ‘local’ experience. If you haven’t been to one yet, night markets are more about food than shopping. Walk around, browse, buy some souvenirs, tee-shirts and bags, then pick some seafood and have it grilled or cooked just for you. It’s cheaper and a lot more fun than a restaurant.

10. Kee Sky Lounge

The KEE Sky Lounge rooftop bar has been popular for years, but it got a significant facelift and looks good. The rooftop bar invites you to the sun deck of a luxury cruiser, one of the best places in Patong, to enjoy a sunset with a cocktail and great music.

11. Banzaan Fresh Market and Night Market

Banzaan Market is an excellent experience during your holiday. It’s a fresh market where you can get your first glimpse of fun-looking Thai fruits, amazing fish, strange veggies and colourful sweets, but a lot easier to access than most local markets.

12. Otop Market

Otop Market is just behind the Holiday Inn Resort, opposite Hooters and Hard Rock Cafe. This long-running night market boosted popularity in recent years with the addition of the street food section.

13. Admire a sunset from Andaman Sky Lounge

Rooftops in Patong are modest in size because a couple of decades ago, a law was passed stating that no building could be higher than a coconut tree! (that law passed after somebody had already built the three existing towers, you will see). So far, we have counted 5 or 6 rooftops around Patong, but only a few are worth it.

14. The Surface at la Flora Resort

The Surface is both a bar and a restaurant. It’s not very high but has a unique location just above the beach of Patong. The view is a little obscured by palm trees, but we can’t be too picky, and they add a nice little touch to your pictures.

15. Phuket Simon Cabaret Show

Simon Cabaret is a ladyboy Vegas kind of show that has been successfully running every night for 20 years. The show’s success relies on impressive decor, a big stage, decent choreography, superb costumes and most of all pretty dancers, all males!

16. Visit Doi Thepnimit

There are three Thai temples in Patong and one Chinese Shrine just outside on the hill. The one at the bottom of the hill is the most visually attractive but is often missed. It’s not easy to park if you drive a car, but if you are on a bike, it’s worth taking a photo on your way out. Built at the top of the hill overlooking Patong, Doi Thepnimit is much more impressive. Technically it’s not a temple, but a Chedi and a monastery, but with such a panoramic view of the bay, it is impressive. You can’t miss the small Chinese temple on the main road.

17. Wat Suwan Kiriwong (Patong Temple)

This often overlooked Thai temple is on your left when you drive down the steep hill leading to Patong Beach. Because of its difficult location at a busy and dangerous Y intersection, very few people take the time to visit it. It’s actually beautifully crafted and very peaceful.

18. Parasailing

Parasailing is available all year round all along the beach of Patong. Here you take off and land directly from the beach; surprisingly, a beach boy will climb on the rope above you for the duration of the (short) flight. It doesn’t look very safe, and as the setting is elementary, accidents are not unheard of, but it has been going on for decades. Parasailing in Phuket costs 1,200 baht for a child and 1,500 baht for an adult.

19. Jet Ski

Jetskis have been controversial as long as they have been on the beach. Between accidents, scams and noise pollution best it to avoid the risk. If you can’t resist, Expect to pay 1,500 baht for 30 mn on a one-person jet ski or 2,000 baht for 30 mn on a two-person jet ski.

20. Bangla Boxing Stadium

Muay Thai is a well-known martial art, viral around the world. If this is your kind of action, you won’t have to go very far to watch a Muay Thai match. There are two stadiums in Patong, and Bangla Boxing Stadium is the easiest to find, just behind Jungceylong Shopping Mall.

21. Patong Fishermen Village

Under the bridge at the end of Patong is a surprisingly old-fashioned fishing village where locals park their longtail boats when not in use. Since it is easy to access, it may be worth a photo.

Just Outside Patong

22. Cable ski at Phuket Wakepark

Phuket Wakepark is an ‘O’-shaped cable ski lake in Kathu, just outside Patong. It’s enjoyable and exciting but requires a lot of energy and practice. It is not cheap, but it is fun and unforgettable.

23. Scare yourself on a Zipline

Zipline is a great way to spend a cloudy afternoon with family or friends. Flying Hanuman is a 15-ziplines course set in the jungle just on the other side of the mountain behind Patong.

24. Tiger Kingdom Phuket

The Tiger Phuket Kingdom is a captivating wildlife sanctuary in Phuket, Thailand, offering visitors an opportunity to interact with various tiger species. The facility combines conservation and tourism, housing well-cared-for tigers in naturalistic enclosures. Guests can observe, learn about, and even have limited supervised contact with the tigers. While it aims to educate and raise awareness about these magnificent creatures, concerns have been raised about the ethics of such interactions and the impact on tiger welfare.

25. Race a go-kart

Do you need a bit of adrenaline after a long lazy day on the beach? Go-kart is a fun way to spend a couple of hours racing with friends and family.