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A guide about the top locations for families in Phuket
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, and when coming to Phuket with the family, it is wise to think about where you would like to stay on the island. Which area is the best for families? We’ve made a selection of the best places to stay in Phuket for families with kids, making it a tiny bit easier to decide for all of your mums and dads out there.
Bang Tao

Photo by Mountain/ \Ash via Flickr
Bang Tao is lesser-known that the beaches in the south but this area is absolutely stunning! The 6-kilometre-long white sandy shore is like a reflection of paradise with soft sand and the clearest blue and turquoise waters. Swaying palm trees, a tranquil vibe and the most beautiful family villas imaginable, Bang Tao is one of our favourite destinations on the island! If you want to stay somewhere a bit remote, far away from crowds and loud beach towns – this is probably your best choice. You get to enjoy lots of undisturbed family time while going on day trips to see other places around the island is easy and fun.
North and South of Patong
Now, with kids, you don’t want to stay in the centre of Patong. It is the epi-centre of tourism in Phuket and is a true party destination. While it is still a nice place to explore, doing some shopping, going out for dinner and having fun with watersports on the beach, a better option is to stay just outside of the city centre and the famous Bangla Road and book a villa just north or south of Patong. This way, you get to enjoy a more tranquil vibe and yet, you can easily head towards the action when you feel like it. You can stroll down to Patong Beach and you can also easily go explore the other beaches in this area such as Karon, Kata and Kamala Beach.
Karon and Kata Beach

Photo by kizamaya via Flickr
A favourite Phuket destination amongst honeymooners and families, Karon is the second-biggest beach town on the island but it is much more laid-back than nightlife hotspot Patong. In Karon, there are lots of cafes, shops and restaurants and plenty of them are family-friendly with traditional Thai and Western options. Kata Beach lies right next to Karon Beach and it is even more peaceful and quiet. The beach is pristine and very safe for kids to swim and play on the shore. Both Karon and Kata Beach have watersport activities on the beach ranging from beach volleyball to snorkelling, surfing and paragliding. Great fun!
Kamala Beach
Kamala Beach is great for those of you who like to eat out and have drinks on the beach. There are plenty of beach clubs and fabulous beachfront restaurants serving Thai and International cuisine. Other than that, Kamala is pretty quiet and also very safe, making it ideal for families with kids. Kamala is also home to the famous Phuket FantaSea – something the kids won’t want to miss out on!
Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town is nowhere near the beach but the town has a charm of its own! If you are looking to add a bit of extra culture to your island holiday, you could consider staying in Phuket Old Town for a night or two or you can stay at the beach and drive down here for some day tours to explore the lively weekend market, see the colonial buildings and the Chinese temples. It is worth the effort! The Old Town has got the most charming cafes and boutique shops – simply strolling around on the streets is already delightful. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the famous Phuket Walking Street Sunday Night Market. No matter where on the island you are staying, you can’t miss out on this experience! Food, shopping, liveliness, local artists – it is a feast for all of the senses, starting just after dark and lasting until late.
Have you visited Phuket with the family? Where did you stay? How did you like it? Any recommendations? We would love to hear all about your experiences!
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