We'll start with one of the island's best-known attractions - the Great Buddha of Phuket is one of the top things to do in Phuket. Standing (well, technically seated...) a staggering 148 ft (45 metres) high, the 3^rd-tallest statue in the whole country is surely one Thailand's greatest recently built structures, having only been completed in 2014.

While we'll sure you'll be admiring the architecture, we recommend making the trip to Ming Mongkol Buddha (to give it its abbreviated Thai name) as part of a wider bike or foot tour. Meander throughout the neighbouring park and take in all the tropical surrounds of south-west Phuket.

If you're familiar with Thailand, you may well have heard of the Phi Phi islands - considered by many to be some of the country's most picturesque. Located about 28 miles (46 km) from Phuket, Koh Phi Phi sit a picturesque 2-hour journey away. Although there are other adventures a boat ride away from Phuket, the islands' caves, cliffs, vibrant turquoise waters, and abundant monkeys(!) mean this is a short journey you really should take.

While suffering from the effects of over-tourism in recent years - and we humbly ask being very careful to leave the place pristine - the beaches here are truly breath-taking. Put the islands on your agenda as one of the top things to do when booking your flights to Phuket.

While being unquestionably famous for its natural wonders, it would be remiss of us to not mention Phuket's reputation as a place to let your hair down and have fun. Patong beach, on the island's west coast, is where you want to head if you want to partake in such activities - as you'll undoubtedly find out.

Central to Patong beach's party scene is Bangla Road, which is teeming with exciting nightlife. Also known as Bangla Walking Street or Thanon Bangla, the street is packed with beer bars, nights clubs, live music, and all manner of other evening entertainment.

To something a little more serene now. Located in the south-west of Phuket, close to the renowned Kata Noi beach, is Karon Viewpoint - probably the best scenic hotspot and one of the top things to do in Phuket. Well-known for picturesque views of the Indian Ocean behind rolling green surrounds, anyone who can should absolutely take the short hike up the viewpoint. Be sure to bring your camera.

You even have a couple of fantastic points of interest to check out on your way down from Karon Viewpoint. As well as the beach - known as one of the nicest on the island - visitors can also get on the Phuket Rock Beach Swing, and sway over the crystal blue sea.

Daredevils and adrenaline-lovers - or even the mildly adventurous - will be at home at Phuket, where there is much to get the blood pumping. White water rafting and bungy jumping are all readily available for those looking for truly heart-racing experiences.

We're going to scale it back ever so slightly and bring you a slightly less intense (but no less fun) activity in ziplining. With several parks for you to visit - Flying Hanuman in Kathu and Tarzan Adventure in Wichit come well recommended, but there are others to check out - get ready to don your helmet, attach yourself to a line and fly through some of Phuket's jaw-dropping jungle surrounds.

Family activities in Phuket are plentiful - more on that a little later - but regardless of your age, visiting the Upside-Down House (Baan Teelanka in Thai) is sure to ignite a little joy and put a big smile on your face.

Located just outside of Phuket Town's Outlet Village, you enter through the roof and head up to the attic, through the bedrooms, all the way up to the basement. It's confusing just reading about it - but a lot of fun is sure to be had in this colourful, family-friendly attraction. A perfect trip on one of those humid, rainy Thai days and one of the top things to do in Phuket.

Another one you'll need to sail to - but we think you'll agree that it's worth visiting Phang Nga Bay when travelling to Phuket. Hop on a 2-and-a-half-hour speedboat for around 30 miles (50 km) from the main island, and you'll be greeted with limestone cliffs, gnarled old caves, and a wealth of incredible flora and fauna.

There's one particular site that movie fans will be rather intrigued by - the famous Ko Tapu needle of rock, otherwise known as James Bond Island, which featured in both 'The Man with the Golden Gun' and 'Tomorrow Never Dies'. If the movie references mean nothing to you, worry not, as it's still a magnificent spectacle with a licence to thrill (sorry...)

Arguably the best-known, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and probably the most important of all of Phuket's temples is Wat Chalong, located in the Mueang Phuket district (not far from the Big Buddha).

Inside, you'll be able to see a bone fragment of Lord Buddha himself, as well as the small pieces of gold and lotus flowers given in tribute. You may even hear the odd loud bang, with locals letting off firecrackers to show their gratitude towards their granted wishes.

It's not all beaches and cocktails in Phuket - make the trip to Wat Chalong and admire the temple's undoubted beauty. A cultured destination that should be high on your list when booking your flights to Phuket, Thailand.

Whether shopping is your 'thing' or not, the best-known market in Phuket is well worth exploring. Head down the Thalang Road towards the east of the island from 4pm on a Sunday, where you can buy anything from a local snack to a landscape painting to a ceramic dish. And it's free! Well, assuming you don't buy anything, that is. And it's very likely that you will…

Disclaimer: no need to greet your inner child if you're reading this and already happen to be one. But regardless of your age, should throwing yourself down a slide at speed among tropical surrounds be something you'd enjoy, then here's yet another reason to visit Phuket.

There are numerous water parks on the island - Splash Jungle in the northern part, and Blue Tree Phuket in the middle are just 2 destinations known to be a whole heap of fun - but wherever you are you're not too far from slide-based fun. And who wouldn’t want to enjoy that, one of most fun and top things to do for fun in the tropical surrounds of Phuket?

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