Wichit Hotels

Phuket Weekend Market Hotels

As the sun sets on another Saturday in Phuket, the sky turns a deep, velvety blue, the air loses the punishing heat of the day, and in a western corner of the city, hundreds of market stalls shimmer into life under lanterns and canopies. Attracting locals and tourists in equal measure, with plenty of fashion items, souvenirs, and food stalls to appeal to both groups, this is Phuket’s largest market, where it’s possible to haggle for anything you can imagine.

Things to see

If you were to walk around Chao Fa West Road during the day, it would seem a pretty unremarkable place. On weekend evenings, however, this place is transformed into the Phuket Weekend Market, or Naka Market, and it becomes a breathtakingly riotous place. For adventurous foodies, it’s a feast for the senses, with everything from succulent, giant prawns, to whole octopi speared on skewers, and even pig snouts. The covered market is a tourist magnet, selling crafts, souvenirs, and second-hand goods, while the outer section brims with cheap fashion lines and electronics. For a slightly less chaotic shopping experience, head to nearby Central Festival, an enormous, state-of-the-art mall, which features an ice rink, along with designer and high street stores. In downtown Phuket, meanwhile, Robinsons Department Store has a more genteel air about it, as one of Thailand’s oldest retail companies. This mall offers 4 floors of shopping and dining.

Hotels in Phuket Weekend Market

Whether a luxurious spa resort or a budget hostel, each hotel near Phuket Weekend Market has its own character. There are some great Phuket hotel deals to be snapped up – you can bag a very comfortable, contemporary room in a mid-range hotel for a bargain price, and many of these hotels offer outdoor pool areas along with restaurants and bars. If you’re planning the holiday of a lifetime, then why not opt for one of the luxury hotels near Phuket Weekend Market? At these spa hotels, you’ll have a stunning private villa, complete with wraparound balcony and private plunge pool.

Where to stay

The Ban Suan Design district, where Phuket Weekend Market is located, has a few mid-range hotels on offer, and is a good base from which to get to both central Phuket Town and to Central Festival. It offers good bus transport around the main areas. For a greater choice of hotels, particularly cheap Phuket hotels, stay in Phuket town itself. Phuket Weekend Market is a short drive away. For a luxury spa break, opt for one of the 4- and 5-star hotels located on the edge of the jungle, along Soi Nakok Road, to the southwest of Phuket Night Market.

How to get to Phuket Weekend Market

Phuket Weekend Market is located 3 kilometres from the centre of Phuket Town, so it’s within a 10-minute drive if you’re staying in the city centre. Parking can be tricky when the market’s on, so it’s best to arrive early or take a taxi. If you’re staying in one of the hotels near Phuket Weekend Market, many of them offer airport shuttle services, which take about 40 minutes. There’s also a public airport bus, which stops at Central Festival. From there, it’s a 20-minute walk to Phuket Weekend Market, and taxis are readily available to get you to your hotel.