Promthep Cape, The Best Sunset Viewpoint in Phuket

About Promthep Cape

Promthep Cape is a famous landmark located at the southernmost tip of Phuket, Thailand. Its local name, Laem Phromthep, translates to “the cape with the best view” because of the stunning sunsets and panoramic vista of the Andaman Sea it offers.

This Phuket tourist attraction is a rocky peninsula at the far south end of the island. It has a small walkway lined with tall palm trees and a landscape filled with lush greenery, offering a picturesque setting excellent for taking pictures.

• Check out this tour that takes you to Phuket’s highlights, such as Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Nui Beach, Windmill Viewpoint, Old Town, and Promthep Cape.

While Promthep Cape faces the ocean, it has no beach or swimming area. However, you can find several beaches nearby, such as Yanui, Nai Harn, and Koh Man.

• Must read: Best Things to Do in Phuket

Laem Phromthep has a long and rich history dating back to ancient times. It used to be a lookout point for ships traversing the waters surrounding Phuket. The lighthouse on the raised section of the cape played a crucial role at the time, guiding Malay mariners sailing to the island.

Phuket Travel Tips

First, before we jump into the Promthep Cape travel guide, let’s cover the essentials and tips to help you have a more fun, enjoyable, and safer trip to Phuket and Thailand.

Opening hours and tickets for Promthep Cape

Promthep Cape in Phuket is open 24 hours daily. There’s no entrance fee, and the large parking is also free of charge.

How to get to Promthep Cape in Phuket

Promthep Cape is located at the southernmost tip of Phuket, directly on the side of the road, and, therefore, is easily accessible.

Rent a car or a motorbike

The easiest way to get to Promthep Cape is by renting a car or motorbike. From Phuket Old Town, it takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to get to the Promthep Cape, depending on the traffic. There is a big parking lot at Promthep Cape, which is free of charge.

Another great option is to hire a private driver for a day to take you to various spots in Phuket according to your wishes.

On a tour

If you’re short on time or don’t drive, you can join a tour that takes you to various scenic spots in Phuket, including Promthep Cape.

By taxi or tuk-tuk

You can take a taxi/Grab or a tuk-tuk from Phuket Town to the viewpoint for about 14 USD, and a bit cheaper from other nearby southern areas.

By public transport

You can also catch the Smart Bus, which runs from Phuket Airport to Rawai. The bus fare costs around 100 THB per person ($3).

Things to do at Promthep Cape

While Promthep Cape is the best sunset spot in Phuket, there are a few other things to see there.

1. Watch the sunset

Watching sunsets at Promthep Cape is one of the best things to do in Phuket. But expect to share the place with a big crowd since it is one of the top Phuket tourist attractions, after all.

2. Sunset cruise

To enjoy the sunset at Promthep Cape in a bit of a different way, you can go on a sunset cruise that goes to the spot, but of course, on the water.

• Coral Island & Promthep Cape Sunset Catamaran Tour
• Promthep Cape and Nui Beach Sunset Catamaran Tour with Dinner
• Promthep Sunset Dinner on Catamaran Yacht

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3. Hiking to the end of the Promthep Cape

If you want to enjoy the scenery with fewer people, you can go to the end of the cape through the path beneath the lighthouse. This was our favorite thing to do at the Promthep Cape.

Hiking down to Promthep Cape’s tip will take about 30 minutes. The trail is around 1 km long, and some parts are steep and slippery, with tall grass around. But it’s not that bad if it’s dry weather and you wear shoes, not flip-flops.

Also, don’t stay too long on the edge after sundown, as there are no lights to see the way back.

4. Lighthouse

While waiting for the sunset, you can drop by the lighthouse to pass the time. It has a mini-museum featuring maritime artifacts and offers a vantage point to see neighboring islands.

5. Shrine

Besides being a beautiful spot for watching sunsets, Promthep Cape is also one of the best places to visit in Phuket for a spiritual experience. It has a Buddhist shrine with colorful carvings, numerous brass elephant statues, and an old tree. If you’re lucky, you can see monks praying at the shrine.

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6. Souvenir shops and street food

On the opposite end of the cape’s parking lot, you’ll notice many small souvenir shops selling Thai handicrafts, sarongs, shawls, and more.

You will find local street food vendors, too. They offer finger food, ice cream, coconuts, and drinks. Furthermore, a mini-mart and a restaurant are within walking distance of the cape.

The best time to visit Promthep Cape in Phuket

If you plan to watch the sunset at Promthep Cape, it’s best to arrive an hour or so before since the traffic can get heavy. Also, the crowd starts pouring in at 6 pm, so arriving before that will give you good spots to view the sunset. If you plan to hike to the end of Promthep’s tip, remember that it takes about 30 minutes one way to do so.

You can still come after sundown, as the cape becomes an ideal location for star gazing when there’s a clear night sky and little light pollution.

We also recommend morning visits, as the views are scenic as well. You could enjoy the natural scenery without the crowd and the sun’s extreme heat. Note that the peak hours start at 10 am, so the best time to visit Promthep Cape during the day would be earlier than that.

We visited in the middle of the day and still loved it. But the heat was crazy, which made our hike down a bit less tolerable.

How long does it take to see Promthep Cape?

You can spend anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 or 2 hours at Promthep Cape, depending on your wishes. If you decide to hike to the tip, count on spending at least 1 hour and a half here.

If you’re visiting for sunset, we also recommend staying there after sundown to witness the colors of the cape become more vibrant.

Is Promthep Cape worth visiting?

Promthep Cape is definitely worth visiting, especially if you appreciate scenic landscapes and love seeing breathtaking sunsets. Although the cape can get busy, watching the sun disappear on the horizon and seeing the blue sky turn orange, pink, and purple is one of the best things to do in Phuket to end a day.

What to do around Promthep Cape?

Here are some things you can do around Promthep Cape.

Visit the Windmill Viewpoint: Located near Promthep Cape, the Windmill Viewpoint offers stunning views of Nai Harn Beach and Ya Nui Beach. It’s a quieter alternative to Promthep Viewpoint and provides a peaceful setting to appreciate the coastal scenery. Although, you can expect it quite crowded during the sunset as well, as it’s a small spot.

Relax at Yanui or Nai Harn Beach: Superb beaches that easily rank as some of Phuket’s best ones.

Explore local markets: Nearby markets like Rawai Fish Market and Nai Harn Fresh Market are great places to experience local culture and sample delicious Thai street food.

Check all the other best things to do in Phuket.

Where to stay in Phuket

In Phuket, Karon and Kata are the best areas to stay for a fantastic beach experience, Kamala for luxury stays, Mai Khao to be away from the crowds, and Old Town for history, food, and architecture.

• Must Read: Where To Stay in Phuket for All Budgets: Best Hotels and Areas