Big Buddha
Koh Samui, Thailand
Fisherman's Village, Bophut, Koh Samui
i
Photo: Roma Neus, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free
- Hours
- Open 24 hours; market on Fridays, roughly 17:00–23:00
- Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Night market
- Fridays, roughly 17:00–23:00
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - What it is
- Old wooden shophouses along Bophut Beach
- View
- Of the sea and Koh Phangan
- From Chaweng
- ≈ 6 km, about 10 minutes
- From the airport
- ≈ 6.4 km, about 10 minutes
Key facts
Bophuta village on Samui's north coast
Sourcei
travel guidesShophousesold wooden houses by the sea — now cafés and shops
Sourcei
travel guidesFridaythe main night for the Walking Street market
Sourcei
travel guides17:00–23:00approximate market hours
Sourcei
travel guidesOld pierby the quarter — street performers play in front of it
Sourcei
travel guides≈ 15 kmacross the strait to Koh Phangan — visible from the shore
Sourcei
travel guides≈ 5 kmto the Big Buddha
Sourcei
OSRM0 bahtto enter the quarter
Sourcei
travel guidesWhat is Fisherman's Village?
Fisherman's Village is the old quarter of Bophut on Samui's north coast. A narrow street runs along Bophut Beach, lined on both sides with old wooden shophouses that now hold cafés, restaurants, boutiques and small hotels.
It's calmer than Chaweng: in the evening restaurants spill onto terraces right by the water, and Koh Phangan is visible across the strait. People love it for its old-Samui feel and seaside dinners.
How the quarter works
The street is short — you can walk it in 15–20 minutes, but people take their time here. By day the cafés and shops are open and people swim off the beach; in the evening street performers play by the old pier.
Entry is free. According to guides there are smaller markets on Mondays and Wednesdays too, but Friday's is the main one. Bophut beach is usually calmer than the east-coast beaches.
What to see and do
- Old wooden shophouses along the street.
- The Friday night market on Walking Street.
- Dinner on a terrace by the sea.
- The old pier and street performers.
- Views of Koh Phangan across the strait.
- Bophut Beach — calm water for swimming.
What to eat
At the Friday market there's street food: skewers, roti, grilled seafood, fresh juices and mango sticky rice. Eat on the go or at shared tables by the stage.
The waterfront restaurants serve Thai food and seafood, with European cafés and bakeries too. Seafront prices are higher; a couple of streets inland it's noticeably cheaper. On Fridays, book a table by the water in advance.
How to get to Fisherman's Village
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From Chaweng — ≈ 6 km northwest, about 10 minutes by taxi or scooter.
- From the airport — ≈ 6.4 km, about 10 minutes.
- From the Big Buddha — ≈ 5 km west, about 10 minutes.
- By songthaew — the blue shared trucks on the ring road; get off at the Fisherman's Village turn-off.
- On Friday evenings the street is closed to traffic — park early.
Friday or any other evening
| Fridayyou are here | Night market, music, street food | Very busy | Street closed | Shopping and street food |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other evenings | Cafés and restaurants | Calm | Open to traffic | A quiet dinner by the sea |
How long do you need?
Allow 2 hours for a stroll and dinner, or 3 hours on a Friday with the market. Arrive at sunset: walk the street first, then eat by the water.
By day, the quarter pairs well with the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem — both 10 minutes' drive away.
Is Fisherman's Village worth visiting?
Yes: it's Samui's most charming evening spot — old houses, seaside dinners and the Friday market.
The YesGo take: Fridays are very crowded, and seafront restaurant prices are higher than elsewhere in Bophut. For calm, come on another evening, and for the market, arrive when it opens.
Before you go: checklist
Ready: 0 of 5Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Northern Samui in a day
Wat Plai Laem and the Big Buddha in the morning, and Fisherman's Village in Bophut in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Wat Plai Laem40 min · free
- 12 min walk from the previous stopBig Buddha45 min · free
- 60 min walk from the previous stopFisherman's Village, Bophutyou are here2 h · free
3 places · about 4 h 37 min with walks · 72 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- On Fridays arrive by 18:00, before the crush.
- Cash for street food.
- Watch sunset from a seaside terrace.
- Other evenings are quieter.
- By day: the Big Buddha, 10 minutes away.
Questions
When is the Fisherman's Village market?
On Fridays, roughly 17:00 to 23:00.
Is there an entrance fee?
No, entry is free.
Where is it?
In Bophut on Samui's north coast, by the beach.
How do I get there from Chaweng?
About 10 minutes by taxi, ≈ 6 km.
Can you swim?
Yes, Bophut beach has calm water.
Is there a market on other days?
One guide mentions smaller ones on Mondays and Wednesdays; Friday's is the main one.
How long do you need?
About 2 hours, 3 on a Friday.
What's nearby?
The Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem, 10 minutes away.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Travel guides (Thai Holiday Guide, Hotels.com, Khaosan Road and others) — quarter, night market, hours, pier, Koh Phangan views (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q90023166 — Bophut Beach; OSM — quarter coordinates; OSRM — road distances
- YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
Top YesGo picks: Koh Samui
Wat Plai Laem
Koh Samui, Thailand
Chaweng Beach
Koh Samui, Thailand
Red Temple (Wat Sila Ngu)
Koh Samui, Thailand
Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)
Koh Samui, Thailand
Wat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)
Koh Samui, Thailand
Na Muang Waterfalls
Koh Samui, Thailand
Secret Buddha Garden
Koh Samui, Thailand