Patong Beach is a popular destination on the west coast of Phuket. Historically, it has developed specifically for tourism, creating an infrastructure that has turned it into a bustling island town.
Patong might not be the best place for those seeking relaxation and solitude – it’s a noisy, energetic, and youthful spot with many entertainment venues employing thousands of locals and expatriates.
If you’re looking for action and excitement, Patong is the place for you. It also offers hassle-free shopping, vibrant nightlife, and easy currency exchange.
Beach Overview
Patong is one of the longest beaches on Phuket; it stretches about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) and is 98 feet (30 meters) wide, facing west for stunning sunsets. Patong attracts many tourists because of its popularity.
Before COVID-19, the beach was crowded with sunbeds and umbrellas, making it hard to walk around. Now, it’s much better, and you won’t have to deal with crowds everywhere.
Besides tourists, the beach has many street vendors, tattoo artists, masseurs, and manicurists. You can use their services if you wish, but I wouldn’t recommend getting a Thai massage or any other massage above the knees.
Foot massages are fine, but don’t trust wandering masseurs with your spine. The beach empties out by evening – as darkness falls, people move towards the village where nightlife spots start to operate, mostly concentrated on the famous Bangla Road.
In the evening, the beach is more peaceful for those seeking solitude and evening strolls, though the litter can be unpleasant, and the cleaning isn’t always up to speed.
Swimming
Patong is one of the longest beaches on Phuket; it stretches about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) and is 98 feet (30 meters) wide, offering stunning sunsets to the west. Patong’s popularity draws many tourists.
Before COVID-19, the beach was crowded with sunbeds and umbrellas, making it difficult to walk. Now, it’s much better, and you won’t have to deal with crowds all the time.
In addition to tourists, the beach is filled with street vendors, tattoo artists, masseurs, and manicurists. You can use their services if you want, but I wouldn’t recommend getting a Thai massage or any other massage above the knees.
Foot massages are fine, but don’t trust roaming masseurs with your spine. The beach empties out by evening as people move towards the village, where nightlife spots start to operate, mostly on the famous Bangla Road.
In the evening, the beach is more peaceful for solitude and evening strolls, though litter can be unpleasant and cleaning isn’t always prompt.
But I must reiterate – the area behind Patong Beach is not exactly a family-friendly spot.
Sunbeds and Shade
Interestingly, the greenery that surrounds the entire Patong area diminishes as you get closer to the water, and there’s no natural shade on the beach. So, you’ll need to budget for renting beach gear.
A sunbed and umbrella set will cost you 100 baht per day. If your family has three or four people and plans to relax for 10-12 days, this can add up quickly.
In busy sections of the beach, laying down your own towel might not be allowed; you could be disturbed, your belongings might be moved, and you may feel pressured to rent a sunbed.
Beach Photos
Amenities
Just behind the beach strip is a busy road with heavy traffic. You can catch public transport and taxis here, but keep in mind, prices are higher in Patong compared to other beaches on the island. The area has all the goods and services you might need.
You’ll find plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants, massage parlors, ATMs, and convenience stores like 7-Eleven. Patong has everything you need for a comfortable stay, all within walking distance.
If you stay in Patong and don’t plan to explore much, you won’t need to rent a vehicle or ride tuk-tuks and songthaews.
For beach activities, Patong offers jet skis, parasailing, banana boats, volleyball courts, and rentals for kayaks and paddleboards. For more relaxing activities, besides bars and restaurants, you can enjoy shopping at Jungceylon Mall, where you can buy almost anything.
The mall also houses a Robinson Department Store and a Big C supermarket. This mall is a few steps from Bangla Road, 0.6 miles (1 km) from Patong Beach, and is one of the local attractions.
Other attractions include Loma Park, the Pun Tuao Kong Chinese temple, Patong Boxing Stadium, the Simon Cabaret show, and Wat Suwan Khiri Wong temple. As night falls, the area around Patong Beach turns into one big party.
Nightlife and club enthusiasts gather here. The epicenter of activity is Bangla Road and the nearby alleys, which close to traffic after 6 PM and become pedestrian-only.
Countless bars, nightclubs, and go-go shows open up. Establishments compete with loud music, and girls in revealing outfits invite you inside. This party atmosphere lasts until early morning.
Accommodation
A major advantage of Patong Beach is its wide range of accommodation options, from expensive hotels to budget guesthouses. Finding a place to stay is easy even in peak season, as there are plenty of options. Most hotels, inns, and guesthouses are not right on the beachfront.
Interestingly, the farther the accommodation from the beach, the higher the prices. You can rent a budget room in a guesthouse just 5 minutes from the beach for 450-500 baht per day, or rent a house for 11-13 thousand baht per month, 10 minutes away by motorbike.
Here are some excellent hotel options in Patong:
- Phuket Graceland Resort And Spa — SHA Extra Plus
- Отель Impiana Resort Patong 4
- La Flora Resort Patong — Sha Extra Plus 5
- Seaview Patong Hotel 4
The highest-rated hotels are:
Since Patong is traditionally a party spot, there are also very budget-friendly options like classic hostels. One of them, with a good rating, is BearPacker Patong Hostel.
How to Find the Beach
You can get to Patong from Phuket Airport by minivan. Ticket prices range from 150 to 180 baht, or you can choose an air-conditioned bus called the Phuket Airport Bus Express, which costs 120 baht and departs from the same stop as the buses to Phuket Town.
From Phuket Town to Patong, state buses run, with a fare of 25 baht. The main bus stop is on Ranong Road. Buses leave every 30 minutes. There are also buses to Patong departing from the old bus terminal on Phang Nga Road.
You can catch a taxi or get to the beach on your own by renting a motorbike or car. It’s recommended to start your journey from the southern part of the island and drive along the coastal road. First, you’ll encounter Kata Beach and Karon Beach, and after them, over the pass, you’ll reach Patong itself.
If you start from the airport, take the southern highway and drive straight for about 9 miles (15 km) to the Heroine’s Monument. After the monument, you’ll have only about 2.5 miles (4 km) to the traffic light where you need to turn right. The next stretch of the road extends for 3.7 miles (6 km) to the large Tesco Lotus store.
Here you need to turn right again. After a few minutes, the road will lead you directly to Patong Beach. To move freely around the island, you can rent a motorbike, costing about 250 baht per day.
Or rent a car – from 1000 baht per day. Parking is tricky, but you won’t be left without a spot. In the worst case, you can leave your car or bike a bit farther away.
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