Phuket’s Best-Kept Secrets: 5 Unusual Places You Haven’t Heard Of

Located in the north of Phuket Island is this stranded beach, which is very different from the often crowded beaches on the island. It truly is a hidden gem that anyone can enjoy in peace and tranquillity. During the high season, the waters turn a stunning shade of blue, and anyone would feel like they were walking endlessly, as it is such a long stretch of beach. It truly is a beautiful, hidden location for anyone to enjoy for some well-deserved quality time. Many straw-thatched huts serve seafood that is succulent and true to the flavours of Thailand.

If old mansions are a fascination to anyone, then Phuket Town's old Portuguese shophouses are the place to go exploring. It can be a bit of a walk, but it is quite a treat to wonder what Phuket looked like 100 years ago, and it is quite fascinating to understand how architecture and design worked back then. Many of these buildings have been refurbished and converted to businesses like restaurants, coffee shops, and even hotels and offices. Although much of the original facades have changed, they still stay very true to the beauty the buildings hold and still capture that colonial charm. Some notable mansions are Phra Pitak Chinpracha mansion and Phuket Thai Hua Museum, which used to be a school but now hosts major events. Anyone visiting can also enjoy a quick bite at the restaurants and coffee shops that most of these mansions shelter.

Among the restaurants in Phuket, Dara holds a special place in the island's culinary scene, as it is the ultimate destination for authentic Thai and international cuisine with a twist. The essence of their ingredients shines as they mix southern Thai dishes along with local flavours that are succulent and tasty. After dinner, the rooftop observatory provides amazing stargazing sessions for guests to enjoy. It truly is a stunning phenomenon like no other—perfect for those night sky lovers, a romantic couple's dinner, or even a family dinner for young kids to move their faces away from those screens. Dara cuisine is located in Layan Residences by Anantara, which makes it very accessible for its residents and guests.

It sure is a hidden viewpoint which can be quite challenging to reach; travelling by motorcycle or car would be best, and being in good physical condition is important, but the result is all so deserving after all that hard work. The climb is about 300m, but from up there, a panoramic bird's-eye view is visible of the famous Nai Harn Beach, Promthep Cape, and many other surrounding islands. The views during sunrise and sunset are simply to die for and are perfect for some photos to last a lifetime.

Many seem to usually ignore this brightly coloured temple, although strangely enough, it is one of the oldest temples in Phuket. Wat Phra Nang Sang displays some unusual yet fascinating statues alongside a very interesting history, which is depicted through the many statues themselves. It is also home to a smaller reclining Buddha statue, which can be a treat to anyone wanting to visit this unique temple in Phuket.