10 Best Instagrammable Spots in Phuket
Where to Take Stunning Photos in Phuket
From colourful streets and golden temples to spectacular viewpoints and tropical beaches, Phuket offers countless opportunities to capture unforgettable holiday photos.
Whether you're a professional photographer, a social media enthusiast, or simply looking to preserve your travel memories, the island is filled with stunning locations that look amazing in every season.
Many of Phuket's most photogenic places are easy to reach and can be combined into a full day of sightseeing, while others reward visitors with breathtaking panoramic views after a short walk. Early morning and late afternoon generally provide the best lighting for photography, helping you avoid both the midday heat and large crowds. Here are ten of the most Instagrammable places in and around Phuket that deserve a spot on your travel itinerary.
Perched high on Nakkerd Hill, the Big Buddha is one of Phuket's most iconic landmarks and one of the island's best photography locations. The 45-metre-tall white marble statue dominates the skyline, while the surrounding viewpoints offer spectacular panoramic views over Chalong Bay, Kata, Karon, and southern Phuket. Whether you're capturing the impressive monument itself or the sweeping landscapes below, this peaceful hilltop provides countless photo opportunities. Read more about Phuket Big Buddha...
Location: Nakkerd Hill, between Phuket Town and Chalong
Opening Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Ma Doo Bua Café
Part of a hotel of the same name, Ma Doo Bua Café is one of Phuket's most Instagrammable destinations, renowned for its enormous giant Victoria water lilies that create a spectacular backdrop for unforgettable photos. The café has become famous for its professional photo experience, where visitors can pose aboard a traditional wooden boat while photographers and drone pilots capture striking aerial and ground-level images against the lush tropical setting. The oversized lily pads, calm reflections, and vibrant greenery combine to create one of the island's most distinctive photography locations.
Location: 310/51 Moo 1, Baandon-Cherngtalay Road, Thalang District, Phuket
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
With its colourful Sino-Portuguese architecture, charming cafés, vibrant street art, and beautifully restored shophouses, Phuket Old Town is one of the island's most photogenic destinations. Streets such as Thalang Road, Soi Romanee, Dibuk Road, and Phang Nga Road offer endless opportunities for memorable photos, especially during the early morning before the crowds arrive or on Sunday evening when the Walking Street Market fills the historic centre with colour and life. Read more about Old Phuket Town...
Location: Phuket Town
Opening Hours: Open at all times
Wat Kanan
Wat Kanan is one of Phuket's lesser-known temples and a wonderful place to capture unique photographs away from the crowds. The temple is best known for its impressive golden pagoda, beautifully landscaped gardens, and peaceful atmosphere. Elegant statues, intricate Buddhist artwork, and colourful architectural details provide countless photo opportunities, while the quiet surroundings make it easy to take your time composing the perfect shot.
Unlike Phuket's more famous temples, Wat Kanan offers a more tranquil experience, making it an excellent destination for visitors looking to discover one of the island's hidden gems.
Location: Baan Kian, Thalang, Phuket
Opening Hours: Daily, approximately 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Mai Khao Beach is internationally known for its unique plane-spotting opportunities. Located beside Phuket International Airport, the beach allows visitors to photograph aircraft flying remarkably low overhead as they land or take off. Combined with the long stretch of golden sand and the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, it creates some of Phuket's most unusual and memorable holiday photos. Plane activity depends on wind direction, so checking the runway operations beforehand is recommended.
Location: Mai Khao Beach, near Phuket International Airport
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Wat Chalong is Phuket's largest and most important Buddhist temple, offering beautiful photography opportunities throughout its peaceful grounds. The richly decorated pagodas, intricate golden details, colourful murals, and traditional Thai architecture provide stunning backdrops, while the Grand Pagoda rewards visitors with panoramic views from its upper floors. Respectful clothing is required when visiting this sacred site. Read more about Wat Chalong...
Location: Chao Fa West Road, Chalong
Opening Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Naithon Beach Staircase
The staircase overlooking Naithon Beach has become one of Phuket's favourite photo locations thanks to its spectacular elevated perspective. Descending through tropical vegetation toward the golden sand below, the staircase naturally frames the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, creating a beautiful composition that is especially popular on social media.
Beyond the famous viewpoint, Naithon Beach itself is one of Phuket's most peaceful beaches, making it easy to continue your visit with a swim or a relaxing walk along the shoreline. Early morning offers the softest light and the fewest visitors.
Location: Naithon Beach, northwestern Phuket
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Located at Phuket's southern tip, Promthep Cape is famous for its breathtaking sunsets and dramatic coastal scenery. The elevated viewpoint overlooks the Andaman Sea and nearby islands, creating one of the island's most iconic landscapes. While sunset is the busiest time of day, visiting earlier allows photographers to enjoy softer light and fewer people. The rocky headland and surrounding viewpoints provide spectacular compositions throughout the day. Read more about Promthep Cape...
Location: Rawai, southern Phuket
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Maya Bay
Although located in Koh Phi Phi Leh, in neighbouring Krabi Province rather than Phuket, Maya Bay is one of Thailand's most photographed beaches. Made famous by the movie The Beach, the bay's breathtaking scenery continues to attract visitors from around the world. Strict environmental conservation measures now help protect this natural paradise, allowing travellers to experience its beauty more responsibly.
Since Maya Bay is located within a protected national park, access is carefully managed and visitors arrive by boat from Phuket or nearby islands. Visiting early in the day usually offers calmer conditions and better opportunities for photography.
Location: Maya Bay
Opening Hours: Daily (subject to national park regulations and seasonal closures)
Samet Nang She Viewpoint
Also located in a neighbouring province, Phang Nga rather than Phuket, Samet Nang She Viewpoint is widely considered one of southern Thailand's most spectacular photography locations and is well worth the drive. From the hilltop, visitors are rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of Phang Nga Bay, where countless limestone karsts rise dramatically from the emerald-green sea.
The viewpoint is particularly famous at sunrise, when the first rays of light illuminate the islands and create one of the most unforgettable landscapes in Thailand. Whether you're travelling with a camera or simply a smartphone, Samet Nang She delivers postcard-perfect views that make the journey worthwhile.
Location: 9/3, Khlong Khian, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga
Opening Hours: Daily, 5:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Passionate about photography since the mid-2000s, I’ve spent years capturing the beauty of Phuket and southern Thailand — from beaches and islands to festivals and daily life. My work reflects a lasting love for the region and its ever-changing light.
