For the wanderlust tourist, Pattaya City has it all: pristine beaches, picturesque views, and countless historical treasures. Situated on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, the city got its start as a humble fishing village in the mid-1800s. But fast-forward to today and Pattaya City is now famed for its stunning golf courses and myriad luxury attractions.
The popular beach town is undoubtedly a tourist haven, from its upscale restaurants and five-star hotels to its thrilling water parks and lush botanical gardens. But, for all of its family-friendly fun, the city also has bustling clubs and bars for those looking to enjoy a night on the town. Known as the City of Sins, head to the infamous Walking Street red-light district area, and tourists will find a pulsating nightlife scene unlike any other.
Top Things To Do In Pattaya City
From the best restaurants to the most iconic tourist attractions, here’s how to plan the perfect trip to Thailand’s coastal oasis.
1 Visit Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
The vibrant lights of Pattaya City at night.
For some family fun, check out Ripley’s Believe It or Not. The tourist attraction features haunted houses, a theater, which has moving seats, a maze, and much more.
Address:
218 Beach Rd, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandHours:
Open daily from 11 am to 10 pmCost:
General admission starts at 590 Baht (about $17)
A busy street in the Bang Lamung District of Pattaya City.
Nestled in the heart of the city, Terminal 21 is unlike any other shopping mall. Outside, visitors will find a real aircraft and a more than 820-foot runway. Inside, a nearly 128-foot escalator takes tourists up multiple floors for an afternoon of shopping like a local.
Address:
หมู่ที่ 6 456, 777, 777/1 Pattaya Sai Song Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandHours:
Open daily from 11 am to 11 pm (retailer hours may vary)Cost:
Free entry (retailer prices vary)
3 Explore The Bustling Walking Street
The bustling nightlife scene of Pattaya’s Walking Street area.
Tourists won’t miss the bright, neon lights of this part of town. Walking Street is certainly rated R (meaning it’s not really child-friendly). But for those ages 21 and up, the red-light district area is brimming with nightclubs, bars, music venues, food stands, and much, much more.
Address:
Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandHours:
Open 24 hours (business hours may vary)
The area is typically closed to vehicles from around 7 pm to 3 am.
4 Visit The Art In Paradise Gallery
A “Pattaya City” sign visible above a bridge in the Bang Lamung District.
Featuring interactive 3-D paintings, this isn’t the average, run-of-the-mill art gallery. Art in Paradise has 10 unique exhibition halls, including the Underwater World Hall, the Dinosaur Hall, and the Wildlife Hall.
Address:
หมู่ที่ 9 78/34 Pattaya Sai Song Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandHours:
Open daily from 9 am to 8 pmCost:
400 Baht (about $12) for adults; 200 Baht (about $6) for children
Expect to spend two to three hours exploring the gallery’s incredible masterpieces.
5 Visit The Big Buddha Temple
A golden Buddha statue in Pattaya.
Thailand is well-known for its many ancient temples, such as the religious temple located at the top of Pratamnak Hill.
For those looking for the biggest golden Buddha in the country, head to Wat Phra Yai. Also known as the Big Buddha Temple, it features an impressive nearly 60-foot-tall Buddha statue and a large staircase that is flanked by stunning dragons.
Address:
384 Regent Soi 2, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandHours:
Open daily from 8 am to 5 pmCost:
Free
6 Tour Mini Siam
Iconic statues located in the Bang Lamung District.
Nestled in Thailand’s Bang Lamung District, Mini Siam is a wonder to see. The park attraction features replicas of iconic landmarks of Thailand and Europe in miniature form, from the Eiffel Tower to the Ayutthaya.
Address:
387 Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandHours:
Open daily from 9 am to 7 pm
7 Sunbathe On Pattaya Beach
Dozens of boats in the bay of Pattaya Beach.
From the quiet Krating Lai Beach to the sandy shores of Dongtan Beach, Pattaya City has a variety of picturesque shorelines to admire. But the city’s most iconic beach is none other than Pattaya Beach, which is perfect for sunbathing and water sports adventures.
Address:
Pattaya Beach, Chon Buri, ThailandHours:
Open 24 hoursCost:
Free
8 Shop At Pattaya Floating Market
The vibrant stores of the famous Pattaya Floating Market.
Go shopping on the water at the Pattaya Floating Market. Established in 2008, the riverside shopping plaza offers tourists a variety of eclectic vendors to explore, from local produce and toys to clothing and souvenirs.
Address:
451 304 หมู่ที่ 12 Sukhumvit Road, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandHours:
Open daily from 9 am to 7 pmCost:
200 Baht (about $6) for adults; free for children
Although admission used to be free, the Floating Market now requires an admission fee. Tickets should be purchased ahead of time to avoid lengthy lines at the attraction.
9 Tour The Sanctuary Of Truth Museum
A beautiful pink and purple sky behind the Sanctuary of Truth Museum.
Arguably one of the most Instagrammable spots in Thailand, the Sanctuary of Truth is a wooden castle with myriad sculptures and carvings to see.
Built in 1981, the museum—which features carvings of Eastern mythological deities and incredible East Asian art—takes visitors on a guide to answer the philosophical questions of: “Who are we? Where are we from? How do we live our lives? And what is a life goal?”
Address:
206/12 หมู่ที่ 5 12 Pattaya-Na Kluea Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandHours:
Open daily from 8 am to 6 pmCost:
500 Baht (about $14.50) for adults; 250 Baht (about $7.25) for children
10 Visit Nong Nooch Botanical Garden
The iconic dinosaur sculptures of Nong Nooch Botanical Garden.
Look no further than the Nong Nooch Botanical Garden for an unforgettable view. Nestled on the outskirts of Pattaya City in the Sattahip District, visitors can stroll through a variety of lush landscapes, from bonsai and palm trees to tulips and orchids.
But one of the most spectacular parts of the botanical gardens is Dinosaur Valley, which features a variety of sculptures of dinosaur species.
Address:
139 หมู่ 8 Sukhumvit Road, Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250, ThailandHours:
Open daily from 8 am to 6 pmCost:
100 Baht (about $3) for adults; 50 Baht (about $1.50) for children
The prices listed above are for general admission to the garden’s grounds only. For access to the attraction’s shows, such as Thai cultural shows and the puppet theater, prices are 300 Baht (about $9) for adults and 150 Baht (about $4.50) for children.
11 Best Time To Visit
An aerial view of the sandy shores of Pattaya.
Wondering what months to avoid traveling to Thailand? Tourists should avoid traveling to the Asian country during the months of April and September due to bad weather—namely extreme heat and rainfall, respectively.
For the best weather, head to Pattaya City during peak tourist season, which runs from November to February.
12 Best Ways To Get Around
A cloudy sky above the stunning Sanctuary of Truth.
Pattaya City is an incredibly tourist-friendly destination, meaning it has excellent public transportation options. “Baht buses,” which are known as songthaews, are a popular mode of transportation.
- The pick-up trucks have benches in the back and are very affordable, typically ranging in price between $0.30 and $0.50.
The city also has taxi cars and motorbikes by the plenty. Just keep in mind that private taxi cars outnumber their metered counterparts, so be prepared to negotiate trip prices before setting off.
13 Where To Eat
Travelers looking for a foodie experience won’t be disappointed in Pattaya City.
Breakfast
Jasmin’s Café
Address:
137 หมู่ที่ 9 Central Pattaya Rd, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandCuisine:
Local fare and breakfast staples
The Coffee Club
Address:
218 Moo 10, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandCuisine:
Breakfast platters and coffee
Lunch
Peaky Blinders
Address:
144/195, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandCuisine:
American/European
Hemingways Restaurant & Bar
Address:
414, 21 Moo 1 Thappraya Rd, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandCuisine:
British and European fare
Dinner
Radius
Address:
256, 189 Na Kluea 20 Alley, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, ThailandCuisine:
Italian
Cafe des Amis Fine Dining
Address:
391/6 หมู่ที่ 10 Thanon Thap Phraya, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20260, ThailandCuisine:
Upscale eatery serving French and European fare
Drinks
Trench Town Rasta Bar
Address:
64, 95 Soi Buakhao, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
MClub Pattaya
Address:
444/48 Pattaya Sai 3, soi 14, Pattaya City, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
14 Where To Stay
A stunning view from the Nonze Hostel in Pattaya City.
Finding a place to stay in Pattaya City is simple; with so many choices, travelers have options at different price points and in various locations.
Budget-Friendly Hotels
Address:
143/117 Moo 12, Soi Daeng-Dum, Pattaya 20150Amenities:
Outdoor pool, bar/lounge, restaurant, and free parking
Address:
528/26 Moo 10, Soi 12, Pattaya 2nd Road, Pattaya 20260Amenities:
Snorkeling, restaurant, and free parking
Mid-Tier Hotels
Intercontinental Pattaya Resort
Address:
437 Phra Tamnak Road, Pattaya 20150Amenities:
Private beach, spa and wellness center, restaurant, room service, outdoor pool, fitness center, and bar/lounge
Grande Centre Point Space Pattaya
Address:
888 Thanon Pattaya Nuea, Pattaya 20150Amenities:
Outdoor pool, restaurant, room service, spa and wellness center, free parking, fitness center, and coffee shop
Upscale Hotels
Address:
285 Moo.3, Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya 20250Amenities:
Adults only, private beach, on-site water sports facility, spa and wellness center, restaurant, room service, outdoor pool, fitness center, and bar/lounge
Address:
258 M.9 Soi Arunothai, Central Pattaya, Pattaya 20150Amenities:
Outdoor pool, restaurant, room service, free parking, fitness center, and coffee shop
15 Tips To Know When Visiting
An aerial view of boats anchored off the coast of Pattaya City.
There are a variety of first-time tips for travelers visiting Thailand. For those eager to visit religious temples, plan to dress modestly. Temples may also require visitors to remove their shoes before entering.
Tourists visiting Pattaya City should also be wary of scammers. For example, when returning jet ski rentals, “damage” may be found that requires payment. Also, be on the lookout for thieves as instances of pick-pocketing have been reported.
16 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Pattaya City
For the perfect day spent in Pattaya City, start with a tour of the Sanctuary of Truth Museum. Located right on the coast, visitors can also head to the nearby viewpoint of the Sanctuary of Truth for an amazing view of the coastline.
For a walk through Europe, head to the Mini Siam, which can be found about a 15-minute drive away. The two attractions should take travelers anywhere between four and six hours to complete, so plan to grab a bite to eat for lunch after.
Peaky Blinders is a great option. The quaint restaurant serves up classic American staples like burgers and sandwiches to appease any grumbling belly. After lunch, there are a few options: visitors can explore the Art in Paradise gallery or head to Pattaya Beach to bask in the Thailand sun.
Nearby, the Big Buddha Temple makes for an excellent afternoon of sightseeing before culminating the day’s adventures at the Pattaya Floating Market.
FAQ
Q: What is Pattaya City famous for?
The city is well-known for having some of Thailand’s best hidden gems, including a bustling nightlife scene and picturesque beaches.
Q: What’s the best time to travel to Pattaya?
Although there are a few months that should be avoided when traveling to Thailand, the best months to visit are between November and February.
Q: Is Pattaya City inexpensive?
The city is relatively inexpensive, however, there are still a variety of expensive, luxury hotels in Thailand for those looking for an upscale experience.
