Culinary Kickstart Tour: Phuket in Phuket - Phuket_CKS
4.9

Culinary Kickstart Tour: Phuket

  • 2.5 hours
  • Food Tours
  • Phuket
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Choose one of 3 locals available

Experience hosted by Pathu, Bannathach & one other local

  • Private Tour
  • Carbon Neutral

The way to a city's heart it's through its food! And on this private food tour, you'll get to know Phuket through its cuisine and the tastings favorite of the locals. A local food expert is ready to give you a taste of the real Phuket satisfying your cravings for local food and city highlights.

Destination
Phuket, Thailand
Category
Food Tours
Duration
2.5 hours
Transport mode
Walking tour
Available languages
English
Included
  • Private Guide
  • 6 local Tastings
  • Vegetarian Options Available
  • All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral
Excluded
  • Entrance to Attractions

6 reasons to book this tour

  • Kickstart your stay through the city's food scene
  • Try classic tastings typical of the local culture
  • Enjoy papaya salad & kao phad
  • Get to know the best food local hotspots in Phuket
  • Can be 100% personalized to your wishes
  • Avoid tourist food traps during the rest of your stay

What you can expect

Culinary Kickstart Tour: Phuket in Phuket - Phuket_CKS

With so much Thai food to choose from, where to begin?! Get a taste of the culinary scene of Phuket on a private tour that will open your appetite to the best food and drinks the city has to offer.

Kickstart your flavorful journey in Phuket with the help of a local foodie that will introduce you to typical and classic tastings beloved by the locals. Try from papaya salad to kao phad and more to get an idea of what to eat for the rest of your stay. The best way to start your Phuket trip, with tasty food and a local connection!

But that's not it! On this private tour, food and city highlights are all part of the menu. Between food stops, your host will show you Thalang road, Dibuk Road, and other remarkable spots in the area, making it the perfect Phuket overview. After this private food, you're set to continue enjoying Phuket like a local, with food and city recommendations.

The local hosts are natural storytellers, each with a different background ranging from local cuisine to city lifestyle. They can't wait to share some of their unique stories and personal anecdotes with you! Feel like changing the route a bit? No problem, the hosts will be happy to personalize the tour to your wishes and make their Phuket, your Phuket!

Choose your local

Get to know these 3 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

  1. Meeting point

    Meet at In front of Dibuk House - Phuket to start your journey

  2. Itinerary

    This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

  3. Food Introduction

    This culinary kickstart tour is short and sweet! A perfect way to get acquainted with the local cuisine, its best tastings, and where to find them - all with the help of a local food expert
  4. Locals’ Favorites

    Kickstart your time in Phuket by discovering the local cuisine. Try some of the ultimate locals’ favorite food treats like papaya salad and kao phad picked by your local host and hear why the locals love them so much!
  5. City Highlights

    This tour is more than just food; it’s a cultural experience! In between food stops, discover city highlights for a well-rounded experience that will satisfy your appetite for Phuket. Check out Thalang road, Dibuk Road and more city highlights along the way
  6. Food Recommendations

    With this private food tour, you’ll be set to keep enjoying the most authentic food and drinks in Phuket. Your food expert host knows where to go and what to order and will give you recommendations based on your likings and dietary preferences
  7. Special Diet or Allergies?

    If you follow a special diet or have an allergy to a specific food, let your host know! They’ll make sure to consider that so you can have an enjoyable and safe experience
  8. Make it yours

    Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

    Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

    Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

  • Feel confident booking

    Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

  • Change of plans?

    Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

  • Loved by travelers worldwide

    Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

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Dan🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
13 May 2025
Pathu did a great food tour that was tasty and filling but also included a lot of history of the old town and discussion of the architecture and people. We learned a lot while walking to the next delicacy.More than we expected
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Jade
(About local )
23 March 2025
Very pleasant and knowledgeable! Fantastic tour
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anneloes
(About local )
10 March 2025
We had an amazing nighttime with Phuta in old town Phuket. She showed and let us taste some of the most incredible Thai food. Meanwhile, telling us more about the history of the city and the architecture in old town. Definitely worth joining this food tour! Amazing food tour in Phuket!
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will🇿🇦 South Africa
(About local )
30 December 2024
Neena took extra care to make my holiday special. She added a great blend of different foods to taste mixed in with great historical facts. Highly recommend! Wonderful experience
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Isabel🇪🇸 Spain
(About local )
5 December 2024
From her passion to the deep knowledge of Thai culture Pathu is just the right person to do a tour with. We did 5 food tasting + a beautiful walk on the old Town, she really gave us a whole sense of what was going on in the city the historical background and tips on thai culture. What we eat was an absolut delight, surprisingly we have never even heard of them after having visited twice thailand. Doing a tour with Pathu is a must
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cxbxz2jb5x🇮🇹 Italy
(About local )
21 November 2024
We explored local spots and tasted incredible dishes . Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate, making the experience even more special. We discovered authentic flavors we’d never have found on our own. If you love food, don’t miss this tour—it’s unforgettable!Amazing Local Food Tour
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Nick🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
15 November 2024
Our family ate our way through Phuket with Pathu’s expert guidance. She was an amazing guide with expert local knowledge. Food tour with Pathu
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Faviola
(About local )
12 May 2024
Neena was a wonderful guide and top notch local food expert. The walking food tour is a doable option for couples, singles or family travelers. All the food that we tried was delicious and she accommodated our food choices and the level of adventure, spice and types of food we wanted to try. Our bellies were full and satisfied by the end of the tour. Highly recommend her if you are thinking of a food tour of old town Phuket.Amazing authentic food tour of Phuket
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Kim
(About local )
29 May 2025
My husband and I had a excellent exprience with Pathu. She comunicated well and was really easy to book. There was so much food to taste and it was great hearing about the local area. We have a lovely experience would highly recommend.Excellent food tour experience
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Matthew🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
15 May 2025
I had a great half day tour with Pathu, Pathu had good communication prior to the tour to organise everything, and was very friendly and knowledgeable about the places we visited. Pathu also made some great recommendations for other things to look at in the area, and finished at a nice restaurant. This tour was absolutely worth booking, despite the heavy rain we were unlucky to encounter on the morning.A great morning
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John🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
13 May 2025
Pathu did a great job guiding our group around Phuket Old Town explaining the history and showing us some great places to eat and drink. A great day in Phuket
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Stacey🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
26 April 2025
Thank you Pathu for an amazing tour! We highly recommend this tour, we saw so many new and intriguing places that we wouldn’t have been able to see without the knowledge of an expert guide. It was the exact right mix of historical and modern that we wanted. Thanks again! Excellent tour
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Kristie🇧🇪 Belgium
(About local )
13 April 2025
Pathu's passion for local Phuket history and cultural & culinary heritage was a perfect way to start our experience in Thailand. Her storytelling skills and personality brought the region's unique culture to life, and provided a great context for the experiences we had throughout Phuket during our subsequent 10 days on the island. She provided the context which brought light to nuances of diverse peoples, religions, architectures and landmarks which made our experience much more enriching and unforgettable. She's a great ambassador of the Peranakan community!Delightful info for parents & young teens!
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Soumya🇮🇳 India
(About local )
6 April 2025
Loved the Old Town tour with Pathu who gave us rich insights into the Chinese merchant community of Phuket and how they shaped the architecture of the island. I loved exploring the quaint Sino-Portuguese houses and their eclectic architectural styles. The highlight was a visit to the Woo Gallery Museum and exploring its many interesting artifacts. Great insights into Phuket Old Town
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Gina🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
4 April 2025
We enjoyed our time with Pathu! She is a wealth of knowledge! You will love her personality! Very enjoyable
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Sarah🇯🇪 Jersey
(About local )
3 April 2025
We had the pleasure of Pathu’s walking tour of the heritage and history and architecture of old town Phuket. We visited 2 museums and walked around the town and Pathu’s knowledge of the area was excellent. We learnt so much spending time with her and she was a delightful person to enjoy the sights with. Highly recommended!Great walking tour if old town Phuket
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John🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
25 March 2025
Pathu put on a great tour including delicious local food and a wealth of information about Phuket and the old town. She is also helpfull in offering to take photos in interesting locations along the way. Just make sure you are hungry : ) Highly recommended.Delicious and informative!!
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Kennon
(About local )
22 March 2025
Pathu was a great guide. Not only did we learn a lot about the history of Phuket, but we also experienced its culture as well. From roaming through temple sites to hidden spots for lunch, Pathu’s 3-hour tour is a great overview of Old Phuket.Great Brief Overview Tour
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Sarah🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
25 February 2025
I think Pathu was flustered at the start as she had sent a message suggesting an alternative meeting point which we had not received due to no wifi while travelling to Phuket Town. The tour was good and informative but lacked an introduction and felt rushed and shorter than expected.Interesting food tour
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Sriveni🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
18 February 2025
Pathu was patient and knowledgeable about Phuket and its history. Explained every detail and took great pictures 😊Fascinating history
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Unknown
(About local )
18 February 2025
pathu was a very considerate and knowledable guide! gave us tips on food and drink secret spots for after our tour. good midway stop for a drink and toilet break. a fun day!Great day old phuket - thank you pathu
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Catherine 🇭🇰 Hong Kong
(About local )
13 February 2025
Pathu was wonderful, communication was very good, especially as we were nearly half an hour late due to traffic. Pathu took us to places which we wouldn't have found without without her. I was travelling with my 10 year old daughter who thoroughly enjoyed the tour, thank you! Catherine, Jenny and Candice10
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Karen🇬🇧 United Kingdom
(About local )
13 February 2025
This is the second time we have been on a walking tour with Pathu, and as last time she was very informative and a great guide We would definitely recommend her and use her againWonderful Tour Again!
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Haviva
(About local )
10 February 2025
Recommendation for Our Tour Guide, Pathu We had the absolute pleasure of experiencing an extraordinary tour in Old Phuket Town, thanks to our amazing guide, Patu. She provided us with a truly unique and unforgettable journey, filled with incredible sights, delicious local foods, and fascinating insights into the history and culture of Phuket. Without Pathu’s expert guidance, we would never have discovered the hidden gems and special experiences that made our day so exceptional. By sheer luck, our tour coincided with the birthday ceremony of the main deity at a Chinese temple—an incredibly moving and powerful event that Patu introduced us to with deep knowledge and enthusiasm. Patu is a dedicated and knowledgeable guide, full of charm, genuine passion, and thoughtful consideration for our needs as an older couple. Her enthusiasm and kindness made this tour one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. Thank you so much, Pathu! Highly recommended!Great tour with Pathu
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Peter
(About local )
5 February 2025
Pathu led me on a great tour of Old Town, covering the highlights I was expecting as well as several other places. All the tidbits about Phuket's history, architecture, and culture were great too. And I learned how to increase my luck at a temple! A morning in Old Town Phuket
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Debbie🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
5 February 2025
Pathu was absolutely amazing, we were originally booked for our food walking tour on the Sunday but our driver let us down at the last moment, Pathu immediately rebooked our tour so we wouldn't miss out and we were so glad she did. We met at the Golden Dragon and began our tour. The food she chose for us was amazing, things we had never tasted that titillated our taste buds, in fact so much food we felt we would burst. Pathu's knowledge of the area and history of the buildings was informative and interesting. We would definitely recommend this beautiful lady to anyone Such a highlight of our holiday
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lesley
(About local )
4 February 2025
We had a fabulous afternoon with Pathu. She was so knowledgeable, and we learned so many interesting facts about Phuket past and present. We had our tour at the same time as the usual sunday market, which was busy, but highly recommended as Pathu could tell us about the food and market history. Pathu was fabulous and I highly recommend her and this tour.Exvellent tour and guide
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Christine
(About local )
2 February 2025
We had a lovely morning with Pathu . It was a really interesting and well paced tour , combining history and architecture with different food tastings . We would thoroughly recommend .Well worth doing !
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eleni
(About local )
26 January 2025
Η Pathu έκανε ότι μπορούσε για να δούμε όσα πράγματα ζητήσαμε . Της αλλάξαμε το πρόγραμμα στο κανονικό tour και ζητήσαμε ελέφαντες , μαϊμούδες & local streets αλλά σίγουρα θα θέλαμε παραπάνω ναούς όπως είχαμε ζητήσει. Τα view points μια χαρά αλλά υπάρχουν πολύ περισσότερα σημεία ενδιαφέροντος να δεις στο νησί ιδιαίτερα με μια τόσο ακριβή ιδιωτική εκδρομή . Το καλύτερο κομμάτι της εκδρομής ήταν η ίδια η Pathu που είχε εξαιρετικές γνώσεις και ευγένεια ! Σε γενικές γραμμές μια εξαιρετική αρχή των διακοπών μας :) ευχαριστούμε Pathu :) Πολυ ωραια εκδρομη !
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Billy🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
23 January 2025
Pathu gave our group a great food tour in Phuket Town! We had a ton of great food we wouldn’t have known to try, and don’t see by the resorts. Between stops Pathu also provided some local history of Phuket Town (Portuguese relations, Blue Elephant, shrines) which I really appreciated. Would highly recommend— just be sure to come hungry as it’s a lot of food!Great food tour in Phuket!
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Russ🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
18 January 2025
We had such a great afternoon with Pathu. So much fun! Awesome Afternoon
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Quinna
(About local )
16 January 2025
My husband and I booked a food tour in old town phuket with Pathu and it was one of the best parts of our trip so far! The food was so delicious, varied, and worthwhile to test out. The places she brought us were clean and the service prompt. Pathu was a wonderful guide. She was fun and full of information that gave us a deeper understanding of Thai culture and the influences of surrounding countries. I highly recommend it! Delicious food and great company!
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Dow🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
8 January 2025
Pathu was awesome and showed us around Phuket Old Town. She knew the ins and outs and hidden gems! Everyone knew her as we were walking around so we were treated very well by the locals. She’s funny and full of energy. Highly recommend.Pathu is the best!
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Gustavo🇵🇹 Portugal
(About local )
8 January 2025
Pathu is an extraordinary guide, besides the history of old Phuket in their different incarnations, she has lots of good advices fot food, spa, sightseeing, stay and shopping. A must do while in Phuket. A disvovery of sino-portuguese phuket
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Tim🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
7 January 2025
From the start it was clear that Pathu had a great passion for the history of Phuket and it’s people - we enjoyed learning both the familial and political history of old town and how Pathu explained it to us. Also enjoyed the banter she had with many local peoples we met along the way … Thanks !Great walk through old town
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Erin
(About local )
29 December 2024
We had a fun and delicious experience on our food tour with Pathu. She was able to accommodate our dietary restrictions and exposed us to so many incredible local dishes - savory, sweet and even local beverages. We tried so many things we never would have known to order. I highly recommend and you should definitely go to the tour hungry and ready to eat!!So much delicious food!!
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Viktor🇸🇪 Sweden
(About local )
29 December 2024
Pathu was an excellent guide who showed us Phuket’s highlights and shared interesting insights about them. A perfect way to start our stay in Phuket! She also gave us great local tips — highly recommended!Perfect start! 10/10
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Roxy🇭🇰 Hong Kong
(About local )
29 December 2024
We had a lovely time with Pathu on our tour she’s super passionate and knowledgeable about the history of the city. She’s so sweet and we had an amazing time chatting with her and she also shared some of her favourite local spots with us. Thank you Pathu for such a wonderful afternoon!❤️Lovely afternoon with Pathu
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denis🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
25 December 2024
We had an absolutely wonderful day exploring Phuket with Neena as our guide! From start to finish, everything was perfectly organized and tailored to our family’s interests. Neena took us to Wat Chalong, where our daughter, a big fan of Buddha, was captivated by the temple’s beauty and significance. The visit was both educational and serene, setting the tone for a meaningful day. One of the highlights was the batik painting experience at a local artist’s studio. It was such a unique and creative activity that the entire family enjoyed. We can’t wait to see the finished results and cherish this as a special memory of our trip. The viewpoints at Karon and Phromthep Cape were stunning, offering breathtaking views of Phuket’s landscape. Neena made sure we had plenty of time to take it all in and snap some amazing photos. Phuket Old Town was another standout, where Neena shared her deep knowledge of the culture and heritage. We appreciated having some time to explore the charming streets on our own as well. Lunch was an incredible experience—Neena took us to an authentic local spot where we tried dishes we’d never tasted before. Everything was delicious and gave us a true taste of Phuket’s cuisine. Having a private car throughout the tour was a bonus. It was comfortable, and Neena thoughtfully ensured we always had refreshing drinks to stay hydrated in the heat. Neena’s warm personality, excellent planning, and attention to detail made this tour unforgettable. If you’re looking for a guide who goes above and beyond, Neena is the one! Highly recommend!Family Adventure in Phuket with Neena
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stefania🇧🇪 Belgium
(About local )
20 December 2024
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Ann🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
29 November 2024
Please be aware that if you are arriving by cruise ship at Patong Beach, the meeting point is on the other side of the island, and you will have to negotiate a taxi ride with non-English speaking drivers who have never heard of the Golden Dragon Monument. Once we arrived, Pathu gave us an excellent tour. She took us to a cafe/bakery with local artisan crafts and ceramics. She was very helpful negotiating with the souvenir vendors. We especially enjoyed the personalized tour of the Moh Seng Historic House Museum.Good tour once we got there
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Warren🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
28 November 2024
We are here in Phuket (first time) from Australia. We booked a 3 hour Highlights & Hidden Gems of Phuket Old Town, tour with Neena. Saying we were impressed is an understatement. Not only is Neena a great historian, she is also full local knowledge, a wonderful host, and fantastic person. We never would have been able appreciate the local history of Phuket Old Town without her. She was happy to answer our long list of questions and give advice. We highly recommend you ask for Neena because we know you'll not be disappointed. Thank you again for a wonderful experience which we'll never forget!Thank you Neena for an awesome time!
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Ethan🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
23 November 2024
Wife and I were in Phuket for part of our honeymoon and wanted to learn about the city and Pathy delivered! We did an evening tour where she took us around town in a Tuk Tuk then walked around old town She was full of information and did a great job teaching us about the culture and history of Phuket We got exactly what we wanted: to learn abt the city and see some places where locals hang out as well as key spots She did it all. Full of energy and fun as well A great experience!Pathu was great!!
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Daniel🇨🇭 Switzerland
(About local )
12 October 2024
In einer kurzen Zeit ,viel erfahren. Ein angenehmes freundliches Wesen, zeichnet sie aus . Hat wirklich auch Spass gemacht.Sehr informativ,
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Andreas🇳🇱 Netherlands
(About local )
12 October 2024
Great experience! Phatu explains a lot about the details in the temples and about Buddhism. She accommodated all our wishes. We can more than recommend booking a tour with her. She is also a great photographer and took a lot of pictures for us.Great experience
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dnmzf28926
(About local )
11 October 2024
Pathu was an awesome guide! We started later in the day (museums close at 4pm) and it was during the Vegetarian festival so she had to be flexible for us. It was just what we were looking for - an education in history, architecture, culture, food and religious symbolism and practices! Given the festival activities, Pathu stayed late with us. We finished our tour having tried things we would have never tried, understanding our surroundings better and with a much deeper understanding of Phuket’s history and culture ❤️ Thank you for a wonderful evening Pathu!! We hope to see you again on a return visit.Well rounded cultural experience
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lawrence🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
6 October 2024
From the onset of our meeting, I knew this would be a wonderful day. I had requested additional locations to visit and Neena was more than prepared. She showed me a jewelry store that was beyond imagination. This factory not only made their own jewelry but had exactly what I was looking for. I needed a very unique piece for my wife. The other thing I had hoped for was an antique store. She didn't disappoint here either. Again finding exactly what I was looking for we began our trek to Old town. Neena has such a deep and personal knowledge of the history and cultures that created this beautiful place. Not only did we visit this secret secret hidden restaurant but also enjoyed shopping along the streets as she educated me to appreciate Phuket much more than I could have imagined. If anyone chooses this tour, I highly recommend Neena as your guide!Amazing guide!
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Daniel🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
28 September 2024
We enjoyed our tour and learned a lot, especially about the Phuket Baba Nyonya people who built the shophouses and businesses of Old Phuket. I want to suggest that three hours is a long time on your feet in hot weather and I would consider a shorter tour next time. A stop for iced tea was necessary and appreciated! Thorough introduction to Old Town Phuket
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Karen 🇺🇸 United States
(About local )
18 August 2024
Pathu was an excellent tour guide. We really enjoyed our tour of the island and getting to know Phuket from a cultural and culinary perspective. It was a rainy on the day of our tour but Pathu was able to come up with alternatives for our tour. Overall, we would book with Pathu again the next time we’re in Phuket.Great tour!
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Chantelle🇦🇺 Australia
(About local )
6 August 2024
Pathu took us on the most amazing adventure when we’d originally booked for the walking tour of old town when the markets were not on. Not to be deterred, Pathu quickly suggested an alternative with both the local knowledge sharing of Old Town and then onto her favourite local food stalls and finishing up in the secret bar you’d never know was there. Definitely recommend Pathu as a guide! Amazing time with the best guide!

Withlocals experiences
are always

Private & personalizedNo strangers, just you. Fully customize your trip to your needs.
With a local expertFrom historical facts to the most up-to-date health regulations.
Without the crowdsExperiences designed to take you away from the crowds towards authentic local spots.

Other Food tours in Phuket

€35.85per person