Pattaya, Thailand: travel guide
A beach resort city known for its nightlife, water sports, shopping, and as a base for island exploration.
- Country
- Thailand
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Nearest airport
- UTP
Top places to visit in Pattaya
Walking Street Pattaya Nightlife
Nightlife · 4.3 rating · about 4 h
Pattaya legendary nightlife strip — a 500m pedestrian zone of go-go bars, clubs, live music venues, seafood restaurants, and street entertainers. The concentrated energy of Pattaya nightlife at its most intense after 9pm.
Sanctuary of Truth
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry THB 500
An astonishing all-wood sanctuary carved entirely by hand, built in 1981 and still under construction. The 105m tower is covered in intricate wooden sculptures of Thai, Cambodian, Chinese, and Hindu religious iconography. One of the most…
Koh Larn Coral Island Pattaya
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 5 h · entry THB 30
The most popular island day trip from Pattaya — a 7km speedboat ride from the pier reaches Koh Larn with six beaches, clear water, excellent snorkelling, and banana boat rides. The clearest water near Pattaya.
Terminal 21 Pattaya Mall
Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h
The same wildly themed concept as Terminal 21 Bangkok, with floors themed as different world cities. The food court (Pier 21) on the top floor offers some of the cheapest and best Thai food in the Pattaya area.
Pattaya Floating Market Local
Market · 3.9 rating · about 3 h · entry THB 200
A large artificial floating market representing all four regions of Thailand in mock canal settings. Vendors in traditional boats sell regional foods, crafts, and souvenirs — lively, colourful, and photogenic.
Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya
Nightlife · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry THB 600
The second most famous cabaret in Pattaya after Tiffany — spectacular Las Vegas-style drag cabaret with elaborate costumes, live band, and theatrical choreography.
Pattaya Night Bazaar
Market · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h
Pattaya's most authentic local Thai night market in Nong Prue district — far from the tourist strip, with genuine Thai street food, local produce, and the extraordinary daily life of the Thai community that supports the resort city.
Silverlake Vineyard Pattaya
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · entry THB 180
A surprisingly beautiful winery and vineyard in the hills east of Pattaya, with vines planted in European style on rolling hillsides. Wine tasting, beautiful garden walks, and a cafe-restaurant with valley views. A charming contrast to…
Tiger Park Pattaya Wildlife Experience
Wildlife · 4.3 rating · about 2.5 h · entry THB 300
The Tiger Park Pattaya — a wildlife experience allowing close interaction with tigers in a controlled and monitored environment, with the extraordinary variety of Southeast Asian wildlife, the conservation context, and the remarkable tiger…
Big Buddha Pattaya Hill
Temple · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
A gleaming white Buddha statue on Pratumnak Hill, visible from the sea and inland. The temple complex around the statue has panoramic views over Pattaya Bay and is an active place of worship for local Thais.
Khao Chi Chan Buddha Cliff Carving
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h
A giant gilded Buddha image laser-etched into a 130m marble cliff face — one of the world largest Buddha images, visible from 10km away. Created in 1996 to celebrate the King 50th coronation anniversary. Surrounded by a beautiful garden…
Art in Paradise 3D Museum Pattaya
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · entry THB 350
An interactive 3D optical illusion art museum with over 150 artworks across 5 rooms where visitors become part of surreal scenes. One of the best value and most entertaining indoor activities in Pattaya.
Things to do
- Pattaya Coral Island Koh Larn Snorkeling Day Trip Water Sports · 6 h · from THB 690 per person
- Pattaya Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Orchids Nature · 5 h · from THB 520 per person
- Pattaya Khao Chi Chan Laser Buddha Cliff Temple Heritage · 2 h
- Pattaya Bira Circuit Go-Kart Racing Experience Adventure · 2 h · from THB 690 per person
- Pattaya Muay Thai Training Afternoon Camp Adventure · 4 h · from THB 860 per person
- Pattaya Koh Si Chang Royal Palace Heritage Island Heritage · 8 h · from THB 860 per person
- Pattaya Naklua Seafood Market Cooking Heritage Heritage · 5 h · from THB 860 per person
- Pattaya Jomtien Beach Kitesurfing Windsurfing Lesson Water Sports · 5 h · from THB 1,200 per person
Day trips and tours
- Coral Island Snorkelling & Beach Day Trip 8 h · from THB 690
- Sanctuary of Truth & City Highlights Tour 6 h · from THB 480
- Floating Market & Gems Gallery Experience 4 h · from THB 280
Where to stay in Pattaya
- Beach Road about THB 3,000 per night
Main beachfront with hotels, restaurants, and nightlife
Hotels
- Royal Wing Suites & Spa Pattaya 5-star · THB 12,000 to THB 40,000 per night
- Ana Anan Resort & Villas Pattaya 5-star · THB 15,000 to THB 55,000 per night
- The Zign Hotel Premium Villa 5-star · THB 10,000 to THB 35,000 per night
- Veranda Resort Pattaya MGallery 5-star · THB 7,000 to THB 22,000 per night
- The Elysium Pratumnak Pattaya 5-star · THB 4,500 to THB 14,000 per night
- U Pattaya Hotel 5-star · THB 6,000 to THB 18,000 per night
Where to eat
- Walking Street Night Market Food Thai, Seafood, Street Food · about THB 350 per person
- Pattaya Night Bazaar Food Stalls Thai · about THB 85 per person
- Soi 6 Food Stalls Pattaya Thai, Street Food, International · about THB 200 per person
- Pattaya Floating Market Food Thai, Market, Street Food · about THB 300 per person
- Jomtien Night Market Seafood Seafood, Thai, Market · about THB 400 per person
- Bali Hai Seafood Pattaya Pier Thai, Seafood, Chinese · about THB 700 per person
- Nang Nual Seafood Restaurant Naklua Thai, Seafood, Chinese · about THB 700 per person
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Restaurant Thai, International, Buffet · about THB 900 per person
Getting around
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shared Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Generic tourist overcharge
Major tourist zones
Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.
How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.
Best time to visit Pattaya
- Sep 31°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for September: 213.6 mm, 13.2 days with >=1 mm (TMD station PHATTHAYA (WMO 48461)).
- Oct 31°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for October: 224.5 mm, 14.4 days with >=1 mm (TMD station PHATTHAYA (WMO 48461)).