12 Best Viewpoints in Phuket

Black Rock Viewpoint, known as Pa Hin Dam in Thai, is challenging to get to, but certainly worth the effort. Totally unknown before 2016, it's located high up in the rainforest above Ao Sane, and it offers a stunning view to the south of Phuket, including Nai Harn Beach, Promthep Cape and Koh Man.

Black Rock Viewpoint looks like a large terrace made of soil with its front side, above the cliff, featuring a huge black granitic stone – hence its name. The outstanding view and the remoteness of the place give you a great rewarding feeling

Karon Viewpoint is one of the most visited viewpoints in Phuket. Sometimes called Kata Viewpoint (because it's a lot closer to Kata than it is to Karon), it's possible to take in views of Kata Noi, Kata Yai and Karon beaches from here. Located between Nai Harn and Kata Noi beaches, the viewpoint is busy most days of the year and is a staple of many tour itineraries.

Khao Rang (Rang Hill) is one of Phuket’s most famous viewpoints. Located to the northwest of the city centre, its summit offers views out over the town and towards the south of the island, neighbouring islands and along the hills forming the ‘spine’ of the island upon which sits the impressive Big Buddha.

Laem Singh Viewpoint is a popular stop on the coastal road between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach. Offering a pleasant place to rest awhile, with seating and a roof providing shelter from the sun, you can enjoy great views to the south across the namesake beach below and it's also a popular place for watching Phuket’s impressive sunsets.

Toh Sae Hill in Phuket Town is sometimes referred to as Monkey Hill. The reason why becomes fairly obvious after a few hundred metres when you come across a troupe of macaques munching away on fruit brought to them by locals. Khao Toh Sae is the highest hill in Phuket Town. It's home to a few TV and radio stations and a popular recreation spot where many locals come to jog. The hill has a number of great viewpoints at different levels.

Panwa Viewpoint (also known as Khao Khad Views Tower) has full 360-degree views out over southern and eastern Phuket. Located on the way out to Cape Panwa, it’s not a busy spot like Promthep Cape or Big Buddha but is every bit as spectacular. There's ample parking here as well as cafés and shops. The stairs are a bit of a climb but it's more than worth it once you're at the top.

Phuket's Big Buddha is one of the island's most important and revered landmarks. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata and, at 45 metres in height, it's easily seen from far away.

The lofty site offers the best 360-degree views of the island (think sweeping vistas of Phuket Town, Kata and Karon beaches, Chalong Bay and more). Easily reachable via a 6-km road leading from Phuket's main artery route, it's a must-visit island destination.

Promthep Cape is the island's most photographed and perhaps best-known location. Every evening, large tour buses, scooters and private cars sweep through Rawai Beach and up the island's southernmost hill to watch the sunset. On the top of the hill stands a busy car park where vehicles disgorge crowds of people from every corner of the world. Cameras flash, fingers point and lovers cuddle as Phuket's most fabulous free show is re-enacted nightly – the sunset.

If you head towards Soi Nanai in Patong then turn up Hassip Pee Road by Montes Restaurant, you'll come across some virgin countryside and obtain good views over the town. Okay, so they have built quite a few condominiums there on the best viewing spots but there's still a lot to see. Stop off at Krua Chom View Restaurant if you're hungry for food and a good view. If you carry on for 2 km, the road forks left into a track that goes even higher.

Samet Nangshe Viewpoint has very quickly gone from being practically unheard of to one of the most popular panoramas in Phang Nga. Located on a hilltop just a 30-minute drive from Phuket, it provides stunning views over the limestone islets of Phang Nga Bay and, being far enough away from civilisation to avoid light pollution, the Milky Way is even visible at certain times.

Wassa Homemade Bar is the ultimate sundowner spot in Patong Beach. Located off Hasip Pee Road (the street parallel to and above Nanai Road), this open-air platform offers one of the most outstanding views of the whole bay of Patong on Phuket’s west coast.

A drink at Wassa Bar has a taste of reward as the cement road to reach it is narrow and extremely steep (inexperienced motorbike drivers should especially be careful), making the access pretty challenging. Once there, the cool sea breeze, the serene atmosphere gently rocked by R&B tunes, and the extraordinary panorama give guests a wonderful feeling of being on top of the world.

Windmill Viewpoint is located between Ya Nui and Nai Harn beaches in south Phuket. It has several tall, slim white windmills facing out to sea, giving it its name. This hilltop viewpoint features west-coast vistas similar to Promthep Cape's but is quieter. There’s not much to this relatively small viewpoint except a covered sala with a sitting space and the occasional drinks vendor but the views are tremendous.