Phuket is known for its turquoise waters and breathtaking sunsets. However, beyond picture-perfect scenery lies another side of the island: a creative spirit that has grown quietly, shaped by communities of creatives and the island’s vibrant history.
Phuket’s art and culture scene is where murals meet temples, galleries meet century-old shophouses, and the most artistic minds you’ll find in the region come together. For visitors drawn to art and heritage, Phuket gives so much more than just sun and sand.
Galleries and Studios: Where Creativity Comes Alive
Here are galleries and studios set up by the island’s most creative minds:
The Drawing Room
Tucked into Phuket Town, The Drawing Room is a space filled with life and color. The graffiti-covered walls and relaxed setup make it feel more like a shared playground for artists than a formal gallery. You can walk in, watch painters at work, and even talk to them as they create. It’s an easy, open place to connect with the island’s contemporary art scene, especially if you prefer something spontaneous and unpolished.
Ids’s Artworks
Isara, known as “Ids,” has a style that blends Thai and Japanese elements with flashes of pop culture. His studio is both workspace and gallery, where bold mixed-media pieces hang alongside sketches in progress. Watching him work is part of the experience, as it shows how traditional methods can coexist comfortably with modern ideas. Each visit feels different because the art keeps changing with his mood and the materials he uses.
Phuket Art Village
Found in Rawai, Phuket Art Village feels like a small creative neighborhood. It’s a maze of studios, gardens, and workshops, all connected by paths shaded with tropical plants. Local painters, sculptors, and musicians share the space, often inviting guests to join a class or chat about their craft. Trouble Magazine called it in 2024 “a grassroots example of how the island’s art scene is diversifying beyond resort tourism.” It’s one of those places where art feels part of everyday life, not something on display behind glass.
Cultural and Historical Hubs: Where Heritage Meets Art
For a dose of culture and history, these are the top places to visit in Phuket:
Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town is the soul of island’s history, where its narrow streets are lined with pastel-colored buildings that mix Chinese and Portuguese styles, reminders of when tin mining and trade connected the island to the world. Many have been turned into small cafés, galleries, or family-run museums, while others remain private homes. Walking through the area gives you a sense of the island’s mixed roots and how art and daily life blend naturally here.
Street Art in Phuket
The walls of Old Town tell stories, too. Over the years, local and international artists have turned alleys into an open-air gallery. Murals stretch across Phang Nga Road and Soi Rommanee, showing scenes of daily life, history, and modern Thai culture. The best time to see the various street art is late afternoon, when the light softens and the colors take on a quiet glow. It’s one of the most photogenic parts of the city, and every mural adds a new layer to the neighborhood’s charm.
Thai Hua Museum
On Krabi Road, the Thai Hua Museum, one of the must-visit museums in Phuket, sits in a restored Sino-Portuguese building that once served as a Chinese-language school. Inside, it tells the story of Chinese migration to Phuket, the traditions that accompanied it, and how those traditions shaped the island’s identity. Visits to the museum show growing interest in understanding the island beyond its beaches. The exhibits here make that connection beautifully, through artifacts, photos, and stories that feel close to home.
Immersive and Unique Experiences: Art Beyond the Gallery
Beyond the gallery and heritage spots are places where you can experience unforgettable, immersive discoveries. Here are unique experiences to try:
Phuket Trickeye Museum
This interactive museum brings art to life through optical illusions and augmented reality. Instead of standing back, visitors step into the paintings themselves, where balancing on ropes, escaping creatures, or appearing to scale ancient temples are just some of the countless adventures you can try. It’s playful and imaginative, a fun way to see how perspective and creativity can turn simple spaces into works of art. Families and groups especially enjoy it for its mix of humor and design.
Wat Chalong
Wat Chalong, the island’s most revered temple and one of the remarkable cultural attractions, is both a spiritual and artistic treasure. The complex features golden pagodas, intricate carvings, and murals that tell stories from Buddhist teachings. Every detail feels intentional, from the roofs’ curves to the wall brushwork. Even if you visit without a religious purpose, it’s impossible not to admire the craftsmanship. The temple’s calm presence offers a pause from the island’s fast pace, inviting quiet reflection.
Planning Your Art and Culture Itinerary
1. Suggested Route
A balanced route lets you see the best of everything. Begin your morning at Wat Chalong for a moment of peace before the day’s heat sets in. Around midday, move to Phuket Old Town to walk its side streets, explore the murals, and enjoy lunch in any of the photogenic cafes. Later, drop by The Drawing Room or Ids’s Artworks to meet artists and see how Phuket’s creative energy unfolds. End the day at Phuket Art Village, where the atmosphere shifts as the sun sets, where it’s sometimes calm, alive with live music or community workshops.
2. A Few Practical Notes
Wear comfortable shoes since Old Town is best explored on foot. Many galleries close on Mondays, so check before heading out. When visiting temples, modest clothing is required; as a sign of respect, shoulders and knees should be covered.
Supporting local artists helps keep the island’s creative culture alive. Buying directly from a studio or workshop makes a real difference. Many artists depend on visitors’ purchases to sustain their work, and taking home a piece of local art carries far more meaning than a souvenir from a shop.
3. Sustainable Tourism Note
Phuket’s cultural awakening reflects a broader shift across Thailand. More travelers are looking for connections rather than consumption, seeking experiences that link them to local life. The island’s artists and historians are meeting that interest with open hands, transforming traditional crafts into modern expression.
You can see it in the walls of Old Town, where heritage houses stand beside street murals, or in the studios where old techniques are taught to new generations. It’s a blend of preservation and progress, of memory and creativity. That balance gives Phuket its rhythm, an energy that’s subtle but lasting.
See the Artistic Side of Phuket
Overall, Phuket’s creative side may easily get overlooked amid its iconic natural scenery, vibrant nightlife, and overall tourist vibe. But once you take a peek beyond it and discover its creative spirit, it will change how you see the island. From every studio, gallery, mural, and temple lies a story of community, imagination, and heritage. For art and culture lovers, Phuket is more than a tropical getaway—it’s a living gallery shaped by time, people, and vision. Stay at one of the thoughtfully designed Phuket holiday villas and let the island’s creative energy inspire your journey.
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Featured Image by Trip.com
