The laid-back southern tip — Rawai and Chalong, a more local, residential area with seafood restaurants, a fishing pier, the big Chalong temple, and the main piers for island-hopping boat trips. Relaxed, authentic and cheaper, near the beaches of the south and the boat departures; the base for travellers who want a quieter, more local stay, great cheap seafood and easy access to island trips. Phuket's mellow, local-flavoured south. Calm and genuine.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€25–50
typical per night in Thailand
Easy on the wallet
Among the cheapest areas to sleep in Phuket.
Where it sits
The circle is Rawai & Chalong and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Karon & Kata viewpoints13 min taxi4.3 km
- Kata & Karon (beach)17 min taxi5.6 km
- Kata & Karon Beaches17 min taxi5.6 km
- Old Town street art41 min taxi13.7 km
- Patong Beach41 min taxi13.8 km
- Phuket Old Town41 min taxi13.8 km
- Southern Thai food41 min taxi13.8 km
- Surin & the northern beaches68 min taxi22.8 km
- A Thai massage & spa73 min taxi24.3 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 1.Phi Phi Islands day trip — The most spectacular thing to do from Phuket — a boat trip to the jaw-dropping Phi Phi Islands, where towering limestone cliffs plunge into impossibly turquoise water, above the famous Maya Bay (of 'The Beach' fame), hidden lagoons, coral reefs and pristine sand. Snorkel among tropical fish, swim in the clear bays, and drink in some of the most beautiful island scenery on earth. Go on a speedboat or, better, a longer or overnight trip to beat the day crowds; it's the essential Andaman experience. Breathtaking and unmissable. Simply paradise.
- 4.The Big Buddha — Perched on a hilltop and visible across much of the island — the Big Buddha, a serene 45-metre white-marble statue seated in meditation, one of Phuket's most revered landmarks, reached by a winding road through the jungle. Beyond the statue itself, the hilltop offers sweeping 360° views over the beaches, bays and interior of the island. A peaceful, spiritual and scenic highlight (dress modestly), well worth the trip up for the Buddha and the panorama. A serene, worthwhile visit; go for the views as much as the statue. Calm and impressive.
- 14.Rawai seafood — For the freshest seafood on the island, head to Rawai in the south — where you pick your catch (lobster, prawns, crab, fish, squid) live from the market stalls by the pier and have it cooked to order at the restaurants alongside, Thai-style with garlic, chilli and lime. It's about as fresh and delicious as seafood gets, in a relaxed, local, beachside setting. Feast on a seafood platter with your toes near the sand; it's a wonderful, authentic and great-value island meal. A delicious, only-in-the-south highlight. Superb and fresh.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Rawai & Chalong; flights via Google Flights.