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View all Phuket toursPhuket: Old Town Street Art Walk & Tile Painting Workshop included Transfer & Lunch: Sunday Tour
Discover the creative side of Phuket on this small-group walking tour through the colourful streets of Phuket Old Town. Stroll past beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese buildings, vibrant street art, charming alleyways, and lively local cafés as you explore one of the island’s most historic neighbourhoods. Led by a knowledgeable local host, you'll uncover hidden corners, hear stories behind the area's rich cultural heritage, and learn how art and tradition have shaped the town's unique character.
Highlights
- Small-group tour of no more than 8 guests for a relaxed experience.
- Discover colorful street art and hidden shrines in Old Phuket Town.
- Paint your own ceramic tile in a cozy local art café workshop.
- Visit Museum Phuket to explore the island’s diverse cultural roots.
- Capture great photos and stories along the way with your guide.
Choose from 3 available options
Phuket: Old Town Street Art Walk & Tile Painting Workshop included Transfer & Lunch: Sunday Tour
Shared Tour with Lunch & Transfer: Sunday Tour
Shared Tour without Lunch & Transfer: Sunday Tour
Full description
Join a small-group walking tour of Phuket’s Old Town: explore vibrant street art, hidden lanes and creative cafés, then join a hands-on tile-painting workshop with local artists.
Full description
Step beyond the beaches and discover Phuket’s creative soul on Discova’s new, immersive walking tour through the island’s colorful old town. On this guided walk, you’ll explore Old Town’s living heritage from Peranakan shophouses to local street art, while uncovering the stories, people, and traditions that shaped Phuket’s identity.
Our first stop is the the Shrine of the Serene Light, tucked away in a quiet courtyard in the heart of Old Phuket Town. Built in 1889 by a Hokkien Chinese family, this small sanctuary blends the fragrance of incense with the charm of century-old craftsmanship: curved roofs, tiled dragons, and peaceful courtyards. Just outside, colourful murals turn the streets into open-air billboards of Phuket’s heritage. As we begin our walk, your guide will share the hidden meanings behind them: why puppets entertain the gods, or what makes O-Taw, a legendary Phuketian dish, proud symbol of the island’s heritage.
The walk then takes you through Old Phuket Town, where trendy cafés and beautifully restored shophouses live harmoniously with centuries-old traditions and beliefs. Along the way, we’ll pass the Amulet Market, where many Thais still purchase amulets for protection or good luck. You’ll also see the island’s first hotel, The Memory at On On, once a gathering place for traders and later known to movie fans from The Beach.
Next, the walk leads to Sitao Art Studio, a welcoming creative space where local artists keep Phuket’s heritage alive through contemporary crafts. Take a short break from the heat and enjoy a relaxed, hands-on session painting your own ceramic tile. This art form is rooted in Phuket’s Portuguese past and inspired by the colours and patterns of Old Town’s shophouses and murals. You might grab a latte as you paint!
From here, we continue to Museum Phuket, where interactive rooms showcase six themes of local heritage: from early Hokkien migration and tin mining to Peranakan culture. Afterward, we make our way toward Mongkol Nimit Temple, passing a few quiet lanes street murals.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Guest's Hotel
The Shrine of the Serene Light
Phuket Amulet Market
Phuket Street Arts
Sitao Studio
Museum Phuket
Detailed Itinerary
- Operate: Sunday only
- Tour Starting Time: 10.00 am - End Time: 14:00 pm
- Meeting time: 9:45 am
- Meeting Point: Guest's Hotel in Phuket City
- Ending Point: Guest's Hotel in Phuket City
Step beyond Phuket's famous beaches and discover the island's vibrant artistic and cultural heritage on this small-group walking tour through the colourful streets of Phuket Old Town. Combining history, architecture, local traditions, street art, and a hands-on creative workshop, this immersive experience offers a fresh perspective on one of Thailand's most charming historic districts. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you'll uncover the stories behind the buildings, murals, and communities that have shaped Phuket's unique identity over the centuries.
Your journey begins at the hidden Shrine of the Serene Light, a peaceful Chinese temple tucked away behind the bustling streets of Old Town. Built in 1889 by a Hokkien Chinese family, this beautifully preserved sanctuary features ornate tiled dragons, curved temple roofs, colourful decorations, and tranquil courtyards filled with the scent of incense. Here, your guide will introduce Phuket's multicultural roots and explain how Chinese traditions continue to influence everyday life on the island.
Leaving the shrine behind, wander through the picturesque streets of Old Phuket Town, where beautifully restored Sino-Portuguese shophouses stand alongside trendy cafés, boutique stores, and vibrant street art. As you stroll through quiet lanes and lively intersections, your guide will reveal the stories hidden within the colourful murals, from traditional puppet performances and local legends to iconic Phuket dishes such as O-Taw, celebrating the island's rich culinary heritage. Along the way, you'll have plenty of opportunities to admire the architecture, capture memorable photographs, and soak up the relaxed atmosphere.
Continue past the bustling Amulet Market, where locals browse sacred charms believed to bring protection, prosperity, and good fortune. You'll also pass the historic The Memory at On On Hotel, Phuket's oldest hotel, which once welcomed merchants arriving during the island's booming tin-mining era and later gained international recognition after appearing in the film The Beach. These landmarks offer fascinating glimpses into Phuket's transformation from a trading port into the vibrant destination it is today.
Next, visit Sitao Art Studio, a welcoming creative space where local artists preserve traditional craftsmanship while embracing modern artistic expression. Escape the tropical heat as you enjoy a relaxing hands-on ceramic tile-painting workshop inspired by Phuket's Portuguese heritage and the colourful patterns found throughout Old Town. Guided by local artists, you'll learn basic painting techniques before creating your own unique ceramic tile to take home as a meaningful souvenir. No previous artistic experience is required, making this activity suitable for beginners, families, couples, and solo travellers alike. If you wish, you can also purchase a coffee or refreshing drink from the studio café while you paint.
After your creative session, continue to Museum Phuket, where engaging exhibits introduce six themes that tell the story of the island's cultural evolution, including Hokkien migration, tin mining, Peranakan traditions, architecture, religion, and local daily life. Finally, stroll through quieter streets toward Mongkol Nimit Temple, passing hidden alleyways and colourful murals that many visitors overlook.
Blending history, culture, creativity, and local insight, this leisurely walking tour showcases the authentic character of Phuket Old Town. Whether you're passionate about photography, heritage, architecture, or simply looking for a unique experience beyond the beach, this memorable journey reveals the creative soul of Phuket through its people, traditions, and art.
Includes
- Hotel Pickup and drop off (Optional)
- English Speaking Tour Guide
- Lunch (Optional)
- Phuket Local Snack
- Travel Insurance
Excludes
- Gratuity
Important information
Meeting point
Guest's Hotel
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts