6 viewpoints worth the climb
Ordered by the spots Phuket visitors recommend most — from the sunset cape to the city lights at night.
1
Picture this: a headland reaching out into the sea at the very south of Phuket, sugar palms silhouetted against a sky that turns orange and red, and then the sun dropping into the Andaman straight ahead — this is Promthep Cape, the island's most famous sunset viewpoint. Every evening a crowd gathers on the terrace, and there's the Kanjanaphisek Lighthouse and a Brahma shrine to wander while you wait. I'll be straight: it gets very busy at dusk and the road clogs up, but a sunset here is the image of Phuket people carry home. For something calmer, stop at the Windmill Viewpoint just up the road.
2
Ask which Phuket viewpoint gives the most in a single frame and many will say Karon Viewpoint — also called the Kata Viewpoint or the three-beaches viewpoint. It sits on the hill road between Kata and Nai Harn, and the draw is that you look down on three beaches in a row — Kata Noi, Kata and Karon — three white-sand arcs against turquoise water, all at once. The best part is there's no hike: you pull over by the road and walk a few steps to the photo spot. It's the easy choice for a big panorama without breaking a sweat.
3
On the ridge road between Nai Harn and Promthep Cape stands a big wind turbine, which gives this lookout its name. From here you get a panorama of Phuket's southern bays — Ya Nui beach, Nai Harn, and Promthep Cape reaching out into the sea in the distance, deep-blue water against the rocks. The appeal is that it's far quieter than Promthep but the sunset is just as good. Plenty of people stop here for the view before driving on to Promthep, or simply watch the sun go down right here without fighting for a spot.
4
On top of Nakkerd Hill sits a white-marble Buddha about 45 metres tall, visible from much of the island. It's both a place of worship and one of Phuket's best 360-degree viewpoints — stand on the terrace and on a clear day you can see Nai Harn, Chalong Bay and Phuket Town spread out below. There are roadside viewpoints to stop at on the way up too. As a sacred site it has a dress code; free sarongs are lent at the entrance if you arrive underdressed. The hill road is narrow and steep, so go in the morning for cooler air and fewer people, and pair it with Wat Chalong.
5
Not every Phuket viewpoint is about the sea — Khao Rang is a hill in the middle of Phuket Town that looks down over the whole town, the bay and the small islands around it. What really draws people up is the city lights at night, flicking on one by one at dusk. On top there's a public park, cafes and restaurants with a city view to sit at, and in the early morning it's cool and quiet, with locals up here for a run. The best part is that it sits right by Phuket Old Town — wander the old town by day, then come up for the evening view.
6
For anyone who likes an easy hike and a view away from the crowds, Black Rock — Pa Hin Dam — is a hidden lookout above Nai Harn that you reach on foot. The trail is moderate, through scrub and rock, taking about half an hour to an hour up depending on where you start. Some people ride a scooter up the steep dirt road, park near the top and walk the last five minutes. The reward is worth the effort: a panorama of Phuket's southern bays — Nai Harn's white-sand arc, Koh Kaeo, and Promthep Cape in the distance, the deep-blue Andaman with nothing in the way. It's the spot for escaping the Promthep crowds.