Phuket: Old Town Street Art Walk & Tile Painting Workshop + Transfer & Lunch | Thailand

— What You Can Expect —
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.