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Phuket is such a popular destination it can be hard to find the hidden gems in Phuket in 2026. What’s more, in high season Phuket can get super busy and certain popular attractions can be pretty intense. So any good trip to Phuket needs to allow you time to escape the crowds and have a unique and solitary experience. An experience that allows you to recharge and recuperate so you are refreshed and ready to appreciate all the beauty that Phuket has to offer. Here’s where we can help. We have travelled Phuket extensively to find you the very best unique hidden gems that Phuket has to offer.
Oh yeah – if you love a unique gem check out some of these AMAZING Phuket hotels with Private Pools – you wont believe how stunning some of these places are!
What’s so special about these unique hidden gems in Phuket?
Many of these hidden gems cannot be found in guides or other blogs so we have taken time to give you all the details, including maps and tips on how to find the places we recommend. If you want to find out about the best ways to get around in Thailand don’t miss our guide on Transportation in Thailand. We have tried to pick a range of places so that there is something for everyone. Secluded jungle beaches, epic hidden viewpoints and amazing niche cafes. Each of these hidden gems in Phuket has something unique to offer. Whether it is creativity, natural beauty or sheer decadence.
1 Suan Lung Rong – Waterfall cafe
This is definitely one of our favourite hidden gems in Phuket. Suan Lung Rong is a small jungle cafe located by a waterfall on a jungle hill in the outskirts of Karon bay. The spot is very quiet and you could walk right past Suan Lung Rong and not even notice it. But when you discover Suan Lung Rong you will see why this is one of our favourite hidden gems in Phuket. Hidden in the jungle, Suan Lung Rong is as close to nature as you can get.
Suan Lung Rong has covered bamboo seating areas in the jungle and they even have a table in the stream so you can dip your feet whilst enjoying a drink. This is a great spot for families too – kids can play in the water whilst mamas and papas enjoy a well earned drink. Suan Lung Rong serves a range of drinks and hot food – prices are consistent with most local cafes. We highly recommend the fried pork strips. TOP TIP: Bring mosquito repellant or ask to borrow some. Being located in the jungle means that the mosquitos can be quite intense here.
How do you get to Suan Lung Rong? To get to Suan Lung Rong you need to take route 4028. If you are driving north out of Kata, turn right up Patak Soi 14. Some of the other roads to the south are very steep.
How much does food and drinks cost at Suan Lung Rong? Prices range from around 50 baht to 150 baht (around £1-2 or $2-3) depending on what you order.
Also, don’t miss our guide on the best restaurants in Phuket with kids.
2 Wat Khao Rang
This is one of the best hidden gems in Phuket for culture. Phuket is well known for its beautiful Buddhist temples. The most famous and prominent temple is Wat Chalong. However, other temples are not so well known. One of our favourite secluded temples in Phuket can be found on the way up Khao Rang hill (just north of Phuket old town). It is easy to pass by this temple without stopping to notice it. Wat Khao Rang is beautifully situated in the jungle and has an epic atmosphere. We particularly recommend this area in the late afternoon for the best lighting.
If you’re exploring Khao Rang, don’t miss the amazing viewpoint at the top. Loads of Macaque monkeys hang out here and this is a stunning spot for sunset. There is also a little restaurant called the Khao Rang breeze selling drinks and western and Asian cuisine. The Khao Rang Breeze has a beautiful ambiance. We love the swing chair – a great spot to enjoy the breeze and a canopy view.
How do you get to Wat Khao Rang? You can drive to Wat Khao Rang – just take Khao Rang road up the hill (just north of Phuket old town). Wat Khao Rang is to the right part way up the hill.
How much does it cost to visit Wat Khao Rang? There is no entrance fee to visit Wat Khao Rang, however you can make a donation. If you want to explore the temple appropriate clothing is required – cover shoulders and knees.
3 Blanket and a pillow cafe & campsite
We’re super excited to share this with you – genuinely one of the best hidden gems in Phuket. This lovely cafe is located on a hill by the ocean to the North of Kata. It is a beautifully secluded spot and you wont find this in any guide books. The cafe serves a range of food and drinks including coffees, frappes and smoothies. The food is a fusion of asian and western dishes.
The Blanket and a Pillow cafe has various bamboo platforms situated on the hill, affording an excellent view of the jungle and the ocean as you enjoy your drink. There is often a cooling sea breeze too. There are some electrical sockets available and yes – there is also free wifi here too. The Blanket and a Pillow cafe also have swings, games and hammocks. This is a great spot for families with older kids. Be aware that there are some big drops from the bamboo platforms – so if you visit with kids careful supervision is essential. If you are in the Kata area a Blanket and a Pillow cafe is one of the hidden gems in Phuket that you should not miss.
How do you get to the Blanket and a Pillow cafe? It is possible to walk here from Kata bay. Just head to the North of Kata beach and you will see a steep road leading up a hill. Follow this road and then take the first right. Follow this road to the end. There are actually two cafes in this area. The Blanket and a Pillow cafe is located to the right.
How much do food and drinks cost at the Blanket and a Pillow cafe? The prices are a little higher than most local Thai cafes – but they are still great prices for what you get. Drinks generally cost around 80 baht (around £1.60 or $2) and food costs 100 – 250 baht (around £2-5 or $3-7) depending what you order.
How much does it cost to camp at the Blanket and a Pillow cafe? The camping spaces are bamboo platforms located on the hill by the sea (with electric sockets available). Camping costs 200 baht per person (over the age of 10) for the camping space. Tent rental costs 250 baht. They have 2 person tents and 4 person tents. They also include an air mattress but not sleeping bags so bring along a blanket and a pillow. Guests must pitch their own tents and take the tents down for check out.
4 Banana Beach
No guide on hidden gems in Phuket would be complete without a secret beach or two. Banana beach is a beautiful secluded beach on the north west coast of Phuket. No Phuket beaches are absolutely secret – and you are not guaranteed to get a beach all to yourself in Phuket. However, Banana beach is definitely one of the quieter and more beautiful beaches that Phuket has to offer. Banana beach is pretty small.
There are some rocks in the ocean so take care swimming and paddling. Banana beach also has a small cafe that serves drinks (including beers) and some hot food. Top tip: Take care of your belongings here. Because this is a quiet beach visitors can be more chilled about leaving valuables on the beach – this is not a good idea because theft can happen anywhere. Hopefully we haven’t scared you off this amazing beach that earns its rightful place as one of the best hidden gems in Phuket.
How do you get to Banana Beach? Unless you love long road walks, the best way to get to Banana beach is to drive (motorbike, taxi or car rental).
Does it cost anything to visit Banana Beach? No there are no tickets, passes or permits to visit Banana beach. The cafe on Banana beach is expensive relative to normal Thai prices.
5 Roost Eco Glamping
In terms of unique accommodation this has to be one of the best hidden gems in Phuket. The Roost Glampsite is located in the Rawai district in the south tip of Phuket. Roost Glamping is beautifully situated amongst trees and tropical plants. The yurts are comfortable and well furnished and even include air conditioning. There’s something about falling asleep to the sound of the jungle. Each yurt features a private bathroom building with hot showers. The Roost glampsite also has a beautiful jungle infinity pool with great views of the surrounding hills.
If this isn’t enough, they also have an epic cafe serving super healthy, super tasty power-food. The cafe deserves to be counted as one of the best hidden gems in Phuket in its own right. The extensive menu includes a range of Acai bowls (packed with fruits, yogurts, berries and granola), fresh tuna salads and more. The Roost glampsite also hosts lots of great activities such as evening fires, movie nights and entertainment performances.
How do you get to the Roost glamping? This area is pretty easy to get to, located on the main road just north of Rawai bay.
How much does it cost to stay at Roost? 2,000 – 3,000 baht per night (£40-60 or $50-80). Food ranges from 150 – 300 baht for most dishes (£3-6 or $4-8). Find out the latest prices at Roost Glamping now.
6 Cafe Hill Coffee & Bistro
This is a cool quirky cafe located on a jungle hill south of Kata bay (and not far from the Karon viewpoint). This is one of the better known places amongst our hidden gems in Phuket. But we have included it for its unique location and awesome menu. We love the wooden and thatch style of the building here – perfect for the surrounding jungle. Cafe Hill Coffee & Bistro serves a range of decadent drinks and cakes.
The drinks are generously sized and beautifully presented to a standard worthy of instagram. The food is also generous and fresh. You could also tie this in with a visit to the Karon viewpoint and Black Rock. Cafe Hill coffee & bistro is open 8am – 7pm everyday.
How do you get to Cafe Hill Coffee & Bistro? If you have wheels this is a pretty easy spot to get to. The Cafe Hill Coffee & Bistro is located on the main road just south of Kata bay up on the hills. If you are coming from Kata, you will see it to the left just as you round the corner before the Karon view point.
How much does food and drinks cost from the Cafe Hill Coffee & Bistro? Most food and drinks range from around 50 – 200 baht (£1-4 or $1-5). The prices are great for what you get here.
7 Black rock trekking
This is one of the best hidden gems in Phuket for anyone who loves a good trek and a breathtaking view. Black Rock is a stunning viewpoint located in the south of Phuket (not too far from the better known Karon viewpoint). The only way to get to the Black Rock view point is to trek along a beautiful jungle trail. The trek starts at the main road between Kata bay and Rawai (a few hundred meters from the Karon viewpoint). We recommend being well prepared for this one. Bring suitable sun protection, mosquito repellant, plenty of water and good hiking shoes for uneven terrain.
How do you get to the Black Rock viewpoint? We have actually published a full guide on this to help you find the Black Rock viewpoint.
How much does it cost to visit the Black Rock view point? Nothing. It is FREE to visit the Black Rock viewpoint – there are no tickets, passes or permits required for trekking in this area.
8 Paddling above Kathu waterfall
This is one makes our list of the best hidden gems in Phuket because it is a super secluded secret beauty spot. The Kathu waterfall itself doesn’t count as one of the hidden gems in Phuket because it is a well known waterfall. Lesser known is the secret paddling spot above the waterfall. If you visit the Kathu waterfall you will see some steps that lead up this hill by the river. This allows you to see higher levels of the Kathu waterfall. At the top of the steps you would be forgiven for thinking they lead nowhere and you just need to turn back. But with some careful exploration you will see a small path leading into the jungle. If you follow this jungle path for a few hundred meters it leads to the stream and a beautiful secluded paddling spot.
How do you get to the Kathu waterfall? The Kathu waterfall is easy to get to in the Kathu district Phuket
How much does it cost to visit the Kathu waterfall? It is totally FREE to visit the Kathu waterfall. There are no tickets, permits or entrance fees for this area.
9 Freedom beach
Another one of our favourite hidden gems in Phuket is Freedom beach. We can’t claim that this is a top secret – but it is certainly one of the lesser known beaches in Phuket. Freedom Beach is a jungle beach located between Patong and Karon bay. The only way to get to Freedom beach is to take a short but steep jungle trek down a hill (and back up when you are done). This is enough to put off most of the crowds. You may not get Freedom beach totally to yourself – but you are also not likely to see crowds here. Freedom beach is west facing making it a great spot for a secluded ocean sunset – just be aware that you will need to bring a torch to get back up the trail through the jungle in the dark.
How do you get to Freedom beach? To find out how to get to Freedom Beach Phuket check out our super duper detailed guide on How to get to Freedom beach Phuket and find out why we think this makes the list for the best hidden gems in Phuket.
How much does it cost to visit Freedom Beach Phuket? Freedom beach is totally free to visit.
10 The Flamingo Bar at Bandara Hotel
We have included this as one of our best hidden gems in Phuket because of its epic location on the peaceful Ao Yon beach and the wonderful menu of creative fresh food and drinks. The staff are also super friendly and lovely here too! The Flamingo bar is a beachfront bar and restaurant with an outdoor section with bean bags and an indoor area with a range of seating options. They serve a tempting menu of asian and western food. We also love the Ao Yon beach – a quiet, secluded, clean and calm beach. The beach itself is probably also one of the best hidden gems in Phuket.
How do you get to the Flamingo Bar? The Flamingo bar is located to the west side of Ao Yon beach. The best way to get to the flamingo bar is to head to Ao Yon beach and then spot the flamingos.
How much does food and drinks cost at the Flamingo bar? The Flamingo bar is slightly up market. Drinks start at around 80baht (£1.60 or $2) Most dishes are in the range from around 100 – 250 baht (around £2 – 5 or $3 – 7).
11 Kalim Rimlay Beach BBQ
Kalim Rimlay earns its spot on a list of the best hidden gems in Phuket for the amazing food and location. Despite being a top spot for seafood and beautifully situated by the sea near Patong – Kalim Rimlay is not well known. Kalim Rimlay is a beach BBQ restaurant located to the north of Patong Bay. Kalim Rimlay has reclined bamboo seating right by a beautiful but albeit rocky beach.
Their menu features Thai dishes and an array of local seafood including fresh fish, giant shrimp, fresh squid and shellfish. They also serve a range of Thai salads and refreshing drinks. This is also a great spot for a sunset meal. After a meal you can head into Patong to enjoy the bustling nightlife.
How do you get to Kalim Rimlay? Although it is not well known Kalim Rimlay is conveniently located to the north of Patong and is pretty easy to get to. There is a little roadside parking just outside the restaurant.
How much does food and drinks cost at Kalim Rimlay? Drinks range from 50 – 100 baht (£1-2 or $2-3). Food prices depend on what you order. You are likely to pay 100-200 baht per dish.
12 Simply’ism cafe and spa
This really is one of the best kept secret hidden gems in Phuket – I am surprised that this place isn’t more popular or well known because it should be. Simply’ism cafe and spa is located in the Kathu District (just before you get to the Kathu waterfall). The beautiful little quaint cafe is surrounded by tropical flowers and is next to a scenic jungle pool. They serve a range of delicious fresh food and drinks. The spa is also full of charm, character and natural beauty. There is a herbal sauna and small plunge pool and they also offer a range of massage treatments. Open daily 10am – 10pm
How do you get to Simply’ism cafe and Spa? It’s simple. Just head to Kathu waterfalls. Simply’ism is on the right just before you get to the waterfall parking area.
How much does Simply’ism spa cost? It costs 200 baht to use the sauna for 1 day. Thai Massage: Prices start at 400 baht for 1 hour.
We hope these hidden gems in Phuket will make your visit to Phuket a happy one. If you know other awesome hidden gems in Phuket let us know in the comments – your experience can help others too!
We do have loads more on Phuket so take a time browsing our site. If you’re travelling with kids – don’t miss our guide on the best things to do in Phuket with kids. AND of course the best Phuket resorts for families (there are some hidden gems in this article too!) We also have a super detailed step by step one week Phuket holiday itinerary.
