What To Do In Patong: Top Activities And Attractions Near The Hotel

Discovering Patong and The Top Things to Do Near Your Hotel

The Thai resort town of Patong is in the southwest of Phuket. Consisting of a crescent-shaped bay with rocky outcrops, it is the busiest holiday destination on the island, visited by well over ten million people annually until the recent global pandemic. As visitor numbers recover, researching what to do in Patong and which places to visit is once again a popular pastime among millions of travellers.

If you are currently looking for suggestions on what to do in Patong at night and during the day, you will find plenty of interesting ideas in this guide. Whether you are searching for the best area to stay in Phuket for families or want some tips on souvenir hunting in Patong, the information you seek is here.

Beach Bliss: Enjoying the Sun, Sand, and Sea

The main beach to which holidaymakers flock when staying in this part of Phuket is, of course, Patong Beach, which dominates the coastline in the bay. With just under 3 kilometres of fine-grained golden sand, it is a beautiful place to work on your tan, enjoy various water sports in the inviting Andaman Sea, have a bite to eat at one of the many waterfront restaurants or just take a stroll and people watch. For more suggestions on what to do in Patong Beach or the wider area, you can consult the concierge at your hotel during your stay.

Other beaches within easy reach of most hotels in Patong include Freedom Beach, which is popular with surfers, and Tri Trang Beach, which is often much quieter than the other beaches in the area.

Retail Therapy: Shopping and Souvenir Hunting in Patong

When looking for things to do in Pa Tong, many people are surprised at the number of shopping suggestions they come across, having previously believed the resort to be focused purely on beaches and nightlife. There are, in fact, quite a few excellent shopping destinations from which to choose when visiting Patong, including outdoor fresh produce markets, covered clothing markets and modern shopping malls.

If you are primarily interested in souvenirs, we suggest that you check out the OTOP Patong Market while you are staying in Phuket. OTOP markets can be found across Thailand: they were formed to promote locally made goods to both residents and tourists. You can find everything from decorative coconut bowls to beach towels and Muay Thai boxing shorts at the OTOP Patong Market, which opens from 5 pm until midnight every day. Even if there is nothing special you want to buy, if you ask us what to do in Patong, Phuket, we’ll always include this market in our list of suggestions as it’s well worth a visit.

For clothes and general retail therapy, we recommend Jungceylon Shopping Mall, which is just a stone’s throw from Bangla Road.

Culinary Delights: Sampling Local Cuisine and International Fare

From top-quality, international cuisine to robust, spicy street food, visitors to Patong are spoilt for choice when mealtimes come around, which is why eating is always included in any list of suggestions of what to do in Patong. Among the best restaurants in the resort are the following:

• Baan Rim Pa – If you are searching for the best authentic Thai food experience, we suggest that you pencil in a visit to Baan Rim Pa during your stay. Situated on Kalim Beach Road, you can enjoy succulent lobster, chicken Massaman curry and many other delicious dishes while taking in the views over Kalim Beach when eating here.
• Acqua – Serving modern Italian cuisine in frankly stunning surroundings, the team at Acqua enjoy a stellar reputation among holidaymakers and natives of Phuket alike.
• Royale Nam Tok – For predominantly French cuisine, with the occasional dash of Asian fusion for good measure, the menu at Royale Nam Tok is hard to beat.

There are numerous alternatives to the above recommendations so please don’t hesitate to ask at reception for more dining suggestions if you stay with us at the Novotel Patong. For great places to eat and fun things to do in Pa Tong, we are never short of ideas.

Nightlife Excitement: Exploring Patong’s Bars and Clubs

Here are our top recommendations for what to do in Patong Beach once the sun goes down:

• Head to Bangla Road – Bangla Road is nightlife central as far as Patong is concerned. Whether you are in the mood for dancing, listening to live music or watching a show, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Bangla Road.
• Paradise Beach Club – With shops, restaurants and late-night beach parties, Paradise Beach Club is well worth a visit.
• Hard Rock Cafe Phuket – The Hard Rock Café chain needs no introduction. If you like what the restaurants have to offer, you’ll love the Phuket branch in Patong.

These are just a few of the options that await visitors to Patong. For more ideas either consult the concierge at your hotel or simply take a stroll in the evening and head to where the lights shine brightest.

Adventure Awaits: Outdoor Activities and Watersports

No article on what to do in Patong would be complete without a mention of the watersports and other outdoor activities that visitors can enjoy. Whether you would like to try riding a jet ski in the inviting tropical waters, kayaking around the local islands or exploring the marine life on a scuba diving adventure, you can fulfil your ambitions during your stay. Other outdoor things to do in Pa Tong include bamboo rafting, ATV riding, zip-lining and visits to local elephant sanctuaries.

Cultural Immersion: Visiting Temples and Cultural Sites

In common with most areas of Thailand, Patong has its fair share of temples and other places of cultural interest waiting for visitors to explore. These include Suwan Khiri Wong Temple and Wat Doi Thep Nimit Monastery.

Relaxation Retreats: Spa Treatments and Wellness Centres

You will find a fantastic selection of spas and wellness centres when you come to Patong, including:

• Siladon Spa
• Sweet Lemongrass Massage
• In Balance Spa

If you are looking for the very best spa in Patong, we recommend starting with the In Balance Spa, which you can find here at our 4 star hotel in Patong, the Novotel Phuket Vintage Park Resort

Don’t hesitate to ask at reception if you want to learn more about what to do in Patong.