Top Photo Spots in Phuket
It’s impossible to return from Phuket without beautiful photos. The island is full of “Instagram-worthy” spots where you can take pictures that are perfect for your social media. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of beauty, this article is for you: we’re sharing the most interesting places on the island for creating photo content.
Natural Locations in Phuket
Mai Khao Beach with Low-Flying Planes
Some of the most iconic photos from Phuket are taken with low-flying airplanes in the background. At times, it feels like you could reach out and touch them. You can capture these striking shots at Mai Khao Beach. Located on the island’s northwestern coast, it’s part of Sirinat National Park. The photos truly turn out spectacular — especially when you catch planes coming in for landing. Use the Flightradar app to track large aircraft, which look the most impressive in photos.
Samet Nangshe – The James Bond Viewpoint
A viewpoint on a hill with an incredible view of the filming location from the James Bond movie. It’s most beautiful here at sunrise, when the rising sun paints the cliffs in soft pink hues—so don’t be lazy and try to wake up early.
The road from Phuket to Samet Nangshe is open and scenic, surrounded by palm trees, banana and rubber groves, and rolling hills. Near the viewpoint, there’s a bar, a café, and cabins for overnight stays, so the trip is definitely worth it.
Promthep Cape
Another natural “highlight” of Phuket is Promthep Cape. From here, you get a stunning view of the Andaman Sea and Nai Harn Beach. For the most vibrant shots, it’s best to come here at sunset.
There is a lighthouse on the site, which also serves as a museum and a monument to seafaring. Nearby, there is a temple with elephant statues, which are symbols of wisdom and good luck.
Windmill Viewpoint
A hilltop platform with a wind turbine located in the southern part of Phuket. The view from here is absolutely unreal! It’s best to plan your visit to the Windmill after lunch to kill two birds with one stone: explore the area in daylight and catch the sunset. Great shots are guaranteed at any time of day.
You can reach the viewpoint on foot from Nai Harn Beach — it takes about half an hour, but it’s uphill all the way, so it’s better to come by vehicle.
Jungle Staircase at Nai Thon Beach
Nai Thon Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket. It is divided into two areas: the main beach in the north and a small bay just beyond a hill of boulders. There is a long wooden staircase here, surrounded by lush vegetation. This perspective looks amazing in photos.
Cafes/Restaurants/Architecture
Giant Water Lilies at Ma Doo Bua
One of the most “Instagrammable” spots in Phuket. Photos with the giant water lilies have already become the highlight of hundreds of social media feeds around the world. Ma Doo Bua is technically a café, but people come here not for the food or drinks, but for photo sessions.
You can take photos on the pier for free, but usually, there are quite a few people waiting, so you might need to wait your turn. You can also feel like Thumbelina and sit on one of the lilies — this costs 350 baht and is only allowed if you weigh 60 kg or less.
For a fee starting at 1,000 baht, you can have photos and videos taken by a drone — from above, the two-meter-wide lilies look even more impressive. Ma Doo Bua is undoubtedly a beautiful location, but due to its popularity, we recommend visiting outside of peak hours or setting aside time to wait your turn.
Baba Nest Rooftop Bar
This cafe is located on the grounds of the Sri Panwa Phuket hotel. The sunset views here are absolutely stunning! Most people come specifically for the beautiful photos, so it’s essential to book a spot at Baba Nest in advance. Pro tip: for the best view and photos, reserve a table on the right side. There’s a deposit of 1,000 baht — sometimes more — so be sure to confirm the amount when making your reservation.
Akoya Star Lounge
The bar is located on the rooftop of The Villas hotel. It’s a large platform high above the bay with a small pool. Its main highlight is the chance to watch a stunning sunset while lounging on daybeds in the front row. And of course, photo sessions are a must. You need to reserve a table in advance via WhatsApp with a 50% deposit. Akoya Star Lounge is in high demand.
Baan Ar Jor Historic House and Restaurant
This restored 1936 house is located in the north of Phuket. Every room is a delight for the eye of an aesthete!
The mansion was built by a Chinese entrepreneur who worked in a tin mining company. For many years, the house was abandoned, until the owner’s grandson decided to bring it back to life. He restored the mansion while carefully preserving the original colors and tiles — and he succeeded. The house still features original furniture and household items, making it a unique architectural site in Phuket. It’s truly an incredibly beautiful place.
In the former dining room, there is now a restaurant serving Thai and Phuket cuisine, which has earned a Bib Gourmand award from the Michelin Guide for its high-quality dishes.
A very cozy cafe located in a quiet alley in Chalong. It’s a small stilt house with a garden, lush natural landscape, and coconut palms.
It gives the feeling of being in a private home somewhere in the countryside at your grandmother’s place. The interior features brick walls, wooden furniture, and many charming details: embroidered tablecloths, fresh flowers, and tea sets.
There are plenty of Instagrammable spots in Phuket. For your convenience, we’ve put together a special selection called Instagrammable on our website. Explore and choose the one that suits you best.
Phuket Old Town
The island’s main hipster and backpacker hub. In the Old Town, you can have a photo shoot on just about every corner — next to historic buildings in Sino-Portuguese style, colorful houses, street art, and art galleries. Old Phuket is also full of authentic cafes, each with its own unique vibe, so everyone can find a setting that fits their style. Be sure to check out the little street Soi Romanee — you definitely won’t leave without a photo.
Wat Chalong Temple
There are over 30 Buddhist temples in Phuket, but this one is the most famous and one of the most magnificent. In photos, Wat Chalong looks like a fairytale palace, and its large grounds with a garden offer plenty of spots for great shots. Just remember that this is an active temple, so posing too boldly or in revealing ways would be inappropriate here.
Islands Near Phuket
Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are paradise on Earth: powdery white sand with coral fragments, turquoise sea, and deserted beaches. We’ve written about these islands many times and still can’t stop admiring them. A striking feature of the Similans is the massive boulders found on the southern and western shores. On Island No. 8, you’ll find a local landmark — a 25-meter-high rock known as “Sail Rock” with a viewpoint. It’s a perfect spot for stunning photos.
Ko Tapu in Phang Nga Bay
Another super Instagrammable location, and one that many people associate with Phuket. Ko Tapu is better known as “James Bond Island” — the spot gained fame in the 1974 James Bond movie. The mangrove-covered rock rises straight out of the turquoise waters of Phang Nga Bay. Not taking a photo here is practically a crime.
Maya Bay on Phi Phi
And here’s another cinematic location. Maya Bay is a stunningly beautiful cove, surrounded on three sides by 100-meter-high cliffs. It became one of the main attractions on Phi Phi Island after the filming of The Beach starring a young Leonardo DiCaprio. Although the bay was already popular before the movie, it became one of the most visited spots near Phuket afterward. And it’s no surprise — the nature there is breathtaking, and photos taken in the bay look like postcard-perfect wallpapers.
You can book a tour to all these scenic spots using the form below.
Excursions
We’ve checked and selected the top 3 tour companies so you can be sure you’ll have only positive experiences.
Fill out the form, and we will forward your request so that someone can contact you and provide details about the conditions and available options for tours.
Nature is Phuket’s main highlight, and finding a location for beautiful shots is effortless. Women will especially appreciate the article Secret Beach Locations for a Photoshoot — it’s the perfect guide to capturing the best bikini shots against a backdrop of turquoise waves, palm trees, and rocky shores.
Finding a photo spot in Phuket is easy — just look around. There’s beauty everywhere!
Check out the Excursions and Temples sections to discover even more of Phuket’s attractions. And in the Cafes and Restaurants section, you’ll find places to suit your taste — including Instagrammable and panoramic spots perfect for your best photos.
