Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra - Family & Business trip hotel - Old Town Phuket: A Journey Through History, Food, and Culture

Old Town Phuket is the cultural heart of Phuket City, brimming with colorful heritage and vibrant street life. This historic quarter charms visitors with its Sino-Portuguese shophouses, lively markets, and artistic flair. Unlike Phuket’s beach resorts, Old Town offers a step back in time, yet it’s only minutes away from modern comforts. International travelers staying at Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra.

The best old town phuket timings are early morning or late afternoon, when the air is cooler and streets feel calm. During Phuket’s dry season (November – April) you’ll enjoy sunny skies and lively markets, while the greener May – October months bring fewer tourists and a slower, more relaxed vibe. In the following sections, we explore Old Town’s rich history, must-see attractions, culinary highlights, and insider tips, all curated for travelers who want to experience the “real” Phuket just beyond their doorstep.

The History of Old Town Phuket

Phuket Old Town grew out of a 19th-century tin mining boom that attracted global fortune-seekers. Chinese merchants, especially Hokkien from Fujian, settled here alongside Malays, Indians, and Europeans, creating a melting pot of cultures. These immigrants married local Siamese women, giving rise to the unique “Baba Yaya” Peranakan community with its own language, cuisine, and traditions.

The town’s prosperity in the early 1900s led to grand public works and the construction of elegant row houses and mansions in Sino-Portuguese style. Strolling the streets today, you’ll see rows of century-old shophouses with pastel facades, wooden shutters, and hidden courtyards. Every building has stories to tell, for example, Soi Romanee was once the red-light district catering to Chinese miners, and its name (meaning “joyful”) hints at its colorful past.

Other local legends speak of wealthy tin barons, hidden caches of tin, and cultural festivals that survived through generations. This rich history isn’t locked in museums, it lives on in Phuket Old Town’s architecture, family-run businesses, and annual celebrations that honor the island’s heritage. Exploring these streets is like reading a living history book, with each corner revealing a new anecdote from Phuket’s multicultural past.

Best Things to Do in Phuket Old Town

Wondering what to do in Old Town Phuket? This charming district rewards slow exploration. Its streets reveal a living museum of culture, vibrant markets, colorful architecture, hidden shrines, and creative cafés. Whether you come for food, shopping, or history, every corner offers something unexpected and authentic making it a very a popular tourist destination.

Walk Through the Historic Streets

Start with a leisurely walking tour of its historic streets. Thalang Road is the heart of Phuket Old Town and is within easy walking distance of Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra. By day, admire the ornate Sino-Portuguese shophouses now converted into boutiques, art galleries, cafés and souvenir shops. Pop into little stores selling batik prints, handicrafts, and vintage collectibles, Old Phuket Town shopping is a delight for treasure hunters. Don’t miss Soi Rommanee, the photogenic lane off Thalang Road with candy-colored buildings; once infamous, it’s now home to ice-cream parlors, coffee shops and guesthouses beneath strings of lanterns.

Enjoy the Sunday Walking Street Market (Lard Yai)

On Sunday evenings, Thalang Road transforms into the famous Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market, known locally as “Lard Yai”. From 4:00 PM to around 10:00 PM, the street closes to traffic and fills with vendors. Stroll through the crowds to sample delicious street food, from grilled satay and pad Thai to tropical smoothies and local sweets. You’ll find artists selling handmade jewelry, textile purses, and quirky souvenirs. It’s the best old town Phuket market experience for both shopping and people-watching. Street performers add to the carnival atmosphere with traditional dances, live music, and even fire shows. Arrive early to beat the biggest crowds and snag the tastiest snacks.

Visit Museums and Heritage Homes

Explore Phuket Museums and cultural sites sprinkled around Old Town for a deeper appreciation of Phuket’s heritage. The Thai Hua Museum on Krabi Road is set in a restored colonial mansion and showcases the history of Phuket’s Chinese community with old photographs, artifacts, and exhibits in both Thai and English. A short walk away, Chinpracha House (Baan Chinpracha) offers a peek into a well-preserved 1903 Sino-Colonial mansion, you can tour its Italian-tiled rooms and vintage furnishings that appeared in Hollywood films. Art lovers can hunt for vibrant street murals hidden in alleyways (look for the famous painting of two children and a lobster on Phang Nga Road, among others).

Discover Temples and Shrines

For a spiritual detour, step into the serene Shrine of the Serene Light (Sang Tham Shrine) hidden off Phang Nga Road, or visit Jui Tui Shrine, a Chinese temple that becomes a focal point during Phuket’s annual Vegetarian Festival. Each temple welcomes visitors with burning incense and ornate carvings that reflect Phuket’s Chinese-Thai faith blend.

Experience Seasonal Festivals

Time your visit to catch seasonal festivals if possible. The Phuket Old Town Festival (usually held around February) is an annual celebration where the entire Old Town turns into a pedestrian zone with cultural parades, traditional costumes, and even rickshaw rides through the streets. Locals and visitors come together to enjoy Chinese lion dances, a Baba style light show, and endless food stalls in a joyful atmosphere. Similarly, during the Vegetarian Festival (late September or October), Old Town’s streets and shrines come alive with processions of devotees in white, loud firecrackers, and vegetarian food vendors, an unforgettable display of Phuket’s spiritual heritage.

No matter the time of year, there are plenty of Old Town Phuket things to do, from daytime cafe-hopping and boutique shopping to evening market adventures. And if you need a break from the tropical heat, you can relax in one of the hip coffee shops or chill out at Suan Luang Park just south of the old quarter. Old Town Phuket is a place to explore at an easy pace, soaking in the nostalgic charm and vibrant local life around every corner.

What to Eat in Old Town Phuket

Phuket’s Old Town is a foodie paradise, reflecting the island’s status as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The restaurants in Old Town Phuket range from humble street carts to renowned heritage eateries, all ready to satisfy your taste buds. Here A must-try dish when visiting Phuket One Town.

Mee Hokkien: yellow egg noodles stir-fried with seafood, pork and greens in a rich broth. Locals have perfected this Chinese-influenced specialty over generations. One of the best places to slurp it up is Mee Ton Poe, a legendary noodle shop near the clock circle that has been perfecting Hokkien noodles since the 1940s (they even earned a Michelin mention for their flavorful bowls). If you prefer rice noodles, look for Mee Hun, thin vermicelli noodles often served with pork rib soup, a comforting option for those who can’t handle too much spice.

Moo Hong: This is a slow-braised pork belly stew cooked with dark soy sauce, garlic, black pepper, and local spices, sweet, savory and melt-in-your-mouth tender. It’s a signature Phuket Old Town dish rooted in Peranakan home cooking. The most famous spot to try Moo Hong is Raya Restaurant, often hailed as the best restaurant in Old Town Phuket for authentic local food. Raya is set in a gorgeous old shophouse on Dibuk Road and serves up family recipes like Moo Hong and spicy shrimp with stink beans in a nostalgic atmosphere. Another beloved eatery is One Chun Cafe & Restaurant (on Thepkasattri Road), known for its vintage decor and delicious Nam Prik Kung Siap, a chili dip made from smoked shrimp, chili, and shrimp paste, served with fresh vegetables. It’s a bold burst of flavor unique to Phuket.

Various Street food: lovers will find plenty of delights in the old town Phuket market scene. At the Sunday Walking Street, follow your nose to the satay grills: Lock Tien food court on Yaowarat Road is famous for its chicken and pork satay skewers served with peanut sauce and pickled cucumber salad, a snack adored by locals. You can also taste bue tord, a rare Baba snack of tiny shrimp and herbs deep-fried into crispy fritters, hunt for it at the fresh market stalls on Ranong Road if you’re adventurous. Be sure to cool down with O-Aew, Phuket’s signature dessert. This refreshing treat combines shaved ice with clear jelly made from banana starch and Chinese herbs, topped with red syrup and often served with fruit or red beans. You’ll find O-Aew at street carts in the Old Town (especially along Soi Soon Utis); it’s the perfect antidote to a hot afternoon.

Café break: Old Town has you covered too. Along Thalang and Dibuk Roads are artisanal coffee shops, bakeries, and ice-cream parlors in beautifully restored shophouses. Enjoy a cup of locally grown coffee at Gallery Cafe by Pinky, or savor a buttery roti with curry at Roti Chaofa for breakfast. Phuket Town’s food scene caters to all tastes and budgets. And don’t forget to try some dim sum one morning: Phuket’s Chinese heritage lives on in the many dim sum breakfast joints (ask the hotel concierge for a nearby recommendation, like Boonrat Dim Sum). Whether you dine on plastic stools by a street cart or in a colonial mansion restaurant, every meal in Old Town Phuket is a chance to taste history. Your palate will thank you for exploring these restaurants in Old Town Phuket and sampling the rich blend of Thai, Chinese, and Malay flavors that make Phuket cuisine so special.

Best Hotel Near Phuket Old Town: Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra

For travelers who want culture at their doorstep, Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra is a perfect base. Set on Chanajaroen Road, it’s only a 10–15 minute walk to the heart of Old Town, or a quick five-minute ride by tuk-tuk, Grab, or taxi. Guests also appreciate the nearby Phuket Smart Bus, a free shuttle that stops close to the hotel and connects key points around the city, a handy way to reach Old Town’s Sunday market or continue toward beaches without worrying about parking. The location balances convenience with calm: you’re near cafés, local markets, and boutique shops, yet far enough from nightlife for restful sleep. After exploring, return to airy rooms with bay or city views, fast Wi-Fi, rain showers, and chic Thai-inspired design.

Back at the hotel, unwind with a sunset drink at Estrela Sky Lounge, overlooking Old Town’s lantern-lit streets, or start your day with a generous breakfast at Amor Restaurant. A refreshing indoor-outdoor pool, fitness center, and spa let you recharge between sightseeing. Families love the kids’ club and connecting suites, while business travelers appreciate modern meeting spaces and attentive service. The concierge can point you to hidden galleries, advise on the best restaurants in Old Town Phuket, or help plan island tours. For travelers seeking both comfort and easy city access, Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra blends modern luxury with seamless connections to Phuket’s cultural heart.

Phuket Old Town is the island’s cultural soul, far from the beach crowds yet full of life. Stroll narrow lanes lined with Sino-Portuguese architecture, sample bold southern Thai flavors, and join locals in lively markets and festivals. Once a booming tin-mining hub, the district now charms with boutique shops, street art, and timeless family-run eateries. Plan walks during cooler hours, visit on Sunday for the famous Old Town Phuket market, and come during festival season for added excitement. Staying at Novotel Phuket City Phokeethra puts you minutes from the action while offering rooftop views, a pool, and modern comfort to recharge. Old Town Phuket blends history and modern life in a way that’s vibrant, flavorful, and unforgettable.

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