If you walk Phuket’s Thalang Road in Old Town on a Sunday, hang on till sundown to find chattering crowds pouring into a broad alleyway for the multifarious night market. A top dog among several other options, it is where you will find not only the best of the city’s art and artists but also people and places offering the best weekly shopping experience beyond the outlet-driven businesses. A seasoned tourist or local buyer will tell you that a nighttime walking tour of these market-driven fairs is the best way to experience Phuket, especially for first-time visitors.
Beyond navigating the chaotic, jam-packed marketplaces, a local’s guidance can be invaluable. Signing up for a nighttime walking tour is one of the best things to do in Phuket. These tours, operated by both local operators and international travel aggregators like Viator, GetYourGuide, and Airbnb Experiences, begin around 6 pm and lead you into a night full of souvenir hunting, shopping, and moments when you’ll want to film yourself in the middle of a Thai street food mukbang. Just follow around a local who calls the city home, learn about the vendors from a local’s perspective, and end the night feeling confident that you could show your friends around like a local. And with this guide, you might be able to do just that on your next visit.
Best time to explore Phuket’s night markets
Phuket’s primary tourist season runs between November and April. This dry season is the best time for serious sightseers to explore the city’s depths, including the night scene. The so-called peak season may be cooler and inevitably crowded. Still, it has its rewards — the weather is suitable for walking, being outdoorsy, eating Thai street food, and closer to a jolly, energetic atmosphere everywhere you go. Busloads of eager tourists on excursions make their way into Phuket, dropping the price point of private and group night walking tours.
Weatherwise, if you are planning to visit during the low season, the best months are May to October. These months are generally hotter, with frequent rain showers starting in June.
Read our guide to the best time to visit Phuket for the perfect island getaway.
Related Stories
What can you expect on a night walking tour in Phuket?
Starting with hotel pick-up, nighttime walking tours in Phuket last between 4 to 6 hours, depending on the chosen itinerary. The first stop is usually where you can grab a refresher or local drink (you’ll often see grass jelly) before exploring the area. Depending on your route and market, you’ll have the chance to shop and try street food, a major highlight, with dishes like grilled seafood, pad Thai, spring rolls, and coconut ice cream. If the tour allows customisation, you can add cultural or historical attractions to the list or request a restaurant or bar of your choice. The dedicated guide is an expert in sharing the market’s history and location and helping you understand the craft behind every object and which food item you should try next.
The price of a private experience can range from THB 2,700 to 6,500 (HKD 612 to 1,474) per person, while it will be significantly lower for a group of 4 or 8 people. Most tours include transportation from and to your hotel and food tasting at certain stalls. Exclusions may include alcoholic beverages, shopping expenses, or fees to cover attractions not included in the itinerary. Want to step it up and contribute to destination welfare during a night walking tour? Book a GSTC-certified tour (rare but available) which meets the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) standards for sustainable tourism.
Walking tour routes, attractions and markets in Phuket
Popular night markets
Lard Yai Market
Known as the Sunday Walking Street Market, Lard Yai Market is located on Thalang Road in Old Town and is one of the best places to visit in Phuket to experience a nighttime shopping culture. It is also the most popular market for guided walking tour itineraries.
- Timings: 4 pm to 10 pm, Sundays only
- Address: Thalang Rd, Tambon Talat Yai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Phuket 83000
Bangla Night Market
Often referred to as Bangla Soi, Bangla Soi is a chaotic yet calm shopping avenue at the very end of Bangla Walking Street. It was formerly home to the Tiger Club before it burned down in 2012.
- Timings: 6 pm to 2 am, all days
- Address: Tambon Patong, Kathu District, Phuket 83150
Chillva Market
Maybe the most millennial and Gen-Z of all the markets, you will discover the most hip clothing and happening culinary concepts, run mainly by young Thai entrepreneurs.
- Timings: 5 pm to 11 pm, Monday to Saturday (closed on Sundays)
- Address: Ratsada, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Naka Night Market
Situated on Wirat Hong Yok Road in Wichit, Naka is the largest weekend night market boasting an open-air showcase of approximately 100 stores. We recommend the taro buns here.
- Timings: 4 pm to 10 pm, Saturday to Sunday (closed Monday to Friday)
- Address: Wirat Hong Yok Rd, Wichit, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83000
Kata Night Market
A covered shopping area near Kata Beach, it is known for affordable street food options and boutique stalls selling handcrafted, worth-investing-in souvenirs. Here’s a guide to Phuket’s top night bazaars.
- Timings: 2 pm to 11 pm, all days
- Address: Muang Patak Rd, Tambon Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
Nearby attractions
- Chinpracha House: A 5-minute drive from Sunday Market, this beautifully preserved 1903 Sino-colonial mansion is a must-explore for its ornate interiors, which include intricate woodwork, vintage furniture, and period decor.
- Big Buddha: The iconic Big Buddha is located on Nakkerd Hill, about a 13-minute drive from Khao Rang Hill View Point.
- Old Phuket Town: This historical district, known for its Sino-Portuguese architecture, is just a short walk from Sunday Walking Street Market (Lard Yai).
- Phuket FantaSea: A cultural theme park known for family-friendly experiences, it is located near Patong Beach, making it a short drive to Bangla Night Market.
Related Stories
Routes
Route 1: Phuket Old Town to Sunday Walking Street Market
- Start: Thalang Road (Phuket Old Town)
- End: The intersection near the Old Town, where visitors can explore more local eateries
- Duration: 2-3 hours
Route 2: Chillva Market and Old Phuket Town walk
- Start: Chillva Market (Ratsada)
- End: Phuket Old Town
- Duration: 2-3 hours
Route 3: Big Buddha Phuket to Naka Weekend Market
- Start: Big Buddha
- End: Naka Weekend Market
- Duration: 9 hours
Phuket’s famous street food stalls
A light sniff and neck crane at any of the markets mentioned above will reveal their love affair with Thailand’s local cuisine — bringing everything from boiling pots of Tom Kha Gai soup to Thai-Muslim breakfasts, all in one night, for visitors to savour.
Thanks to its community engagement, Phuket’s night markets are the best places to sample some of the city’s yummiest flavours. Dive in with traditional and international favourites like pad Thai, grilled satay skewers, mango sticky rice, papaya salad, and kanom krok (coconut pancakes), which offer some beloved flavours of the country. During the tour, ask your guide or a local foodie to recommend the ‘market bestseller’ and dare to try it.
At the Sunday Market, the horseshoe crab salad often steals the show. At Naka Market, the star is a plate of fried quail eggs served with spicy dipping sauces. Chillva Market is where you can crunch on fried insects, including crickets and silkworms. At Malin Plaza, dig into Thai-style roti, often filled with banana and drizzled with condensed milk. And when at Bangla Night Market, keep those grilled lobsters and oyster omelettes coming.
Shopping in Phuket’s night markets
Sure, you can hit the Sunday Market. However, the capital of Phuket province also has small specialised locations, some centuries old and others newer. Here’s a selection of popular shopping market experiences you can easily find (or customise) with your night walking tour.
- Visit the Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market on Thalang Road to shop for everything from traditional Thai masks and local pottery to quirky T-shirts and handmade accessories like hats and bags. You’ll also find handmade silver jewellery. I picked up a beautiful, functional, handcrafted coconut bowl made from local Thai coconuts.
- Head to the Phuket Weekend Night Market (Naka Market) to shop for the best home decor and thrifting. It’s the ultimate spot for bargain hunting and sampling Phuket prints, Buddha motifs, Thai silk dresses, and traditional Thai umbrellas.
- Chillva Market is relatively more dressy, with a more contemporary and boutique selection of purchases you can make. Think upmarket fabrics, modern-bohemian art deco, and more.
- Stroll down Bangla Road and pop into the Bangla Night Market to shop for a distinctive array of consumables and objects—perfect for souvenir hunting. The market is also home to some of Phuket’s best bars and clubs.
- If you’re in Patong, don’t miss Malin Plaza, especially on a rainy day. Its sheltered stalls are perfect for picking up wooden souvenirs and Batik silk scarves.
Essential tips to remember while on a walking tour
We have rounded up a list of what you need to carry, what to keep in mind when getting around in public, the underrated advantage of learning a couple of Thai phrases and some more tips to keep in mind during a night market walking tour in Phuket:
- Secure what you carry by getting a sling/fanny pack for cash and cards. Get a reliable strap if you are using a camera, and if wearing jewellery or carrying expensive items, put them in a backpack and sling it to the front for safety.
- Be adventurous with street food, but be mindful of spice levels and check with vendors if you’re allergic to certain ingredients. A pro tip is to carry a piece of paper stating what you are allergic to in Thai.
- Learning basic Thai phrases for greetings or polite requests can enhance your bargaining experience and interactions.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You are expected to walk around the markets a lot, so the proper footwear is essential.
- Bring smaller notes and coins, which can be helpful for bargaining and small food purchases.
- Keep yourself hydrated with water, coconut water, or local drinks/fruits, as Phuket’s warm, humid climate can be draining. Drink water frequently, especially before indulging in spicy street food.
Shop the best travel experiences here
All currency conversions were done at the time of writing
(Feature image credit: Bao Menglong/Unsplash)
Related | Astronomy Meets Gastronomy At Anantara Layan Phuket Resort’s Dara Cuisine Phuket
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
We may earn an affiliate commission when you shop through links on our site.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The single best way to have the best experience is to avoid any action that can risk you or the locals you are interacting with. Avoid flashing valuables, refrain from loud behaviour, and respect the culture and way of life as you move through the markets.
While mango sticky rice can be savoured in local stands across Phuket, some popular areas you can head to for the dessert are Old Phuket Town, Talat Nuea, and at Patong Night Market.
Yes, the markets are generally safe for families, with well-lit paths, a friendly atmosphere, and plenty of food and entertainment options for children.
Night walking tours in Phuket typically last around 2-3 hours, with some offering additional activities and workshops to extend the experience.
It’s advisable to wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes as you’ll be covering a lot of ground for an extended period. If the weather is warm, carry layers for cooler evenings.
It is advised to bring along a ‘night walking fanny pack’ or backpack with a water bottle, camera, extra jacket or sweater, and a portable charger. Also, keep some cash handy if you are planning to make any purchases.
These tours are categorised as typically affordable, ranging from THB 1,500-3,000, depending on the length and type of tour.
Yes, many tour guides in Phuket speak English fluently, and you can also request for an English-speaking guide when booking the tour.
Tourist-friendly areas are usually well-lit and places like Patong, Old Phuket Town, and the night markets are considered safe for walking around. However, since these places can get crowded during peak hours, it is advised to be cautious when venturing out, carry valuables safely, and stray away from unknown neighbourhoods.
Yes, many night walking tours in Phuket can be combined with other activities, including — local street food tasting, cultural performances, cocktail classes, and more.
Written By
Sneha Chakraborty
Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, ..Read More
