พัทยาBay lights, family attractions and day trips to the islands of Koh Larn.
Pattaya is Thailand's best-known beach resort city, about two hours' drive southeast of Bangkok. A curving bay lined with hotels and malls, a busy promenade, water parks, golf courses, temples and a ferry ride to the clearer waters of Koh Larn make it an easy, energetic short break.
It grew from a quiet fishing village into a resort in the 1960s and has since reinvented itself several times, today drawing families, couples, groups and long-stay visitors from across Asia, Europe and Russia. Beyond the crowded main beach you'll find a wooden temple that's been under construction for decades, giant hillside Buddhas, tropical gardens and a fine cliff-top skyline at night.
Pattaya is also known for its adult nightlife, which this guide deliberately leaves out. The city has plenty to offer everyone else, and each area has a distinct mood, so choose your base carefully.
- Currency
- Thai baht (฿ · THB)
- Language
- Thai, widely English and Russian in resorts
- Time zone
- UTC+7 · no daylight saving
- From Bangkok
- About 2 hours by road (150 km)
- Airports
- U-Tapao (UTP) is 45 minutes away; Suvarnabhumi (BKK) about 1.5–2 hours
- Beach tip
- Pattaya Beach is a city beach; Koh Larn has the clearest water
Top things to do in Pattaya.
38 places we chose and described by hand. Open any of them, with photos, hours and directions, in the catalogue below or in the app.
Places to visit
- Sanctuary of Truth Naklua
A colossal, hand-carved wooden temple rising from the Naklua shoreline.
- Big Buddha Hill (Wat Phra Yai) Pratumnak Hill
An 18-metre golden Buddha on Pratumnak Hill with views over the bay.
- Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain) Sattahip (south of Pattaya)
A huge Buddha image engraved into a cliff face, in gold.
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden Sattahip (south of Pattaya)
A vast botanical garden with orchids, palms, dinosaurs and cultural shows.
- Wat Yansangwararam Huai Yai
A sprawling royal temple complex with lake, gardens and Chinese-style halls.
- Pattaya City Viewpoint Pratumnak Hill
The classic postcard view of the bay from Pratumnak Hill.
- Mini Siam North Pattaya
Miniature replicas of Thai and world landmarks, good for families.
- Pattaya Floating Market Jomtien
Four regional zones of shops and snacks on a network of canals.
- Art in Paradise Central Pattaya
A 3D trick-art museum made for photos.
Beaches & islands
- Pattaya Beach Central Pattaya
The busy main city beach, backed by hotels, cafés and a seafront promenade.
- Jomtien Beach Jomtien
A longer, calmer beach south of Pattaya with water sports and relaxed cafés.
- Wong Amat Beach Naklua
A quieter, upscale beach at the northern end of the bay.
- Koh Larn (Coral Island) Koh Larn (day trip)
Pattaya's favourite island escape, with clear water and several small beaches.
- Cosy Beach Pratumnak Hill
A small, sheltered beach below Pratumnak Hill.
Restaurants
- Naklua Fish Market & Seafood Naklua
Buy the catch at the market, then have it grilled or steamed next door.
- Sky Gallery Pratumnak Hill
A hillside café-restaurant with the best sunset view over the bay.
- Mantra Restaurant & Bar Central Pattaya
An Asian fusion restaurant in a stylish setting on Pattaya Beach.
Activities
- Koh Larn Island Hopping Bali Hai Pier
Speedboat or ferry to Koh Larn for beaches, snorkelling and seafood.
- Scuba Diving & Snorkelling Bali Hai Pier
Wrecks and reefs around Koh Larn, Koh Sak and nearby islets.
- Parasailing & Water Sports Jomtien & Pattaya Beach
Parasailing, banana boats and paddle boarding off Pattaya and Jomtien.
- Muay Thai Lesson Various (Pratumnak, Jomtien)
Learn the basics of Thailand's national sport in a local gym.
- Golf Around Pattaya Surrounding hills
More than twenty courses within an hour of the beach.
- Traditional Thai Massage & Spa Various
Well-reviewed day spas and traditional massage away from the nightlife strip.
Entertainment
- Alangkarn Theatre South Pattaya
A lavish Thai cultural show with dinner, dance and elephants on stage.
- Cartoon Network Amazone South Pattaya
A big water park themed on Cartoon Network characters.
- Pattaya Park Tower & Water Park Jomtien
A 240-metre tower with a spinning observation deck, and a waterpark at its base.
- Horizon Rooftop Bar Central Pattaya
Cocktails on the 34th floor with panoramic bay views.
Hotels & stays
- Royal Cliff Beach Resort Pratumnak Hill
A cliff-top luxury resort with private beaches and sea views.
- Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya Wong Amat
A big family resort on Wong Amat Beach with its own water park.
- Hilton Pattaya Central Pattaya
A landmark tower in the heart of Pattaya with a rooftop bar and mall access.
- Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya Central Pattaya
A music-themed beachfront hotel with a big lagoon pool.
- Amari Pattaya North Pattaya
A dependable beach resort in North Pattaya with big rooms and several pools.
- Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya Central Pattaya
A fun, colourful design hotel with a rooftop pool, steps from the beach.
Shopping
- Central Festival Pattaya Beach Central Pattaya
A big seafront mall with a cinema, food court and hotel tower.
- Terminal 21 Pattaya Central Pattaya
An airport-themed mall with a cheap food court and city-themed floors.
- Royal Garden Plaza Central Pattaya
A beachfront shopping centre with restaurants, a cinema and Ripley's-style attractions.
- Thepprasit Night Market Jomtien
A weekend night market in Jomtien with street food, clothes and souvenirs.
- Pattaya Night Bazaar Central Pattaya
An open-air night market with souvenirs and a huge food zone.
Explore all 3,345 places in Pattaya.
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From the Thailand Guide app’s catalogue: OpenStreetMap places with traveller notes from Wikivoyage and photos from Wikimedia Commons. Photos marked “Representative” show the same kind of place, not this exact one. Neighbouring islands and day-trip areas may be included. “Open now” uses listed hours in Thailand time; confirm hours and access before travelling.
Best time to visit Pattaya.
The best time to visit Pattaya is November to February. Pattaya is hot and sunny all year. The cooler, drier months from November to February are the most pleasant. March to May is hotter and more humid, and the rainy season from about May to October brings afternoon showers, with September and October the wettest. The sea is calmest and clearest in the dry season.
Approximate long-term monthly averages in °C and millimetres of rain. These are planning notes, not a weather forecast.
Pattaya travel tips.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees at the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Phra Yai and other temples, remove shoes before entering halls and be respectful of monks.
Gulf sea safety
Always wear a life jacket on boats, avoid swimming in rough seas and obey beach flags. Rip currents can appear in the rainy season.
Watch your money
Jet-ski rental scams, inflated bar prices and overpriced taxi fares are the most common complaints. Agree prices first and keep receipts.
Seafood culture
Fresh fish and shellfish are a highlight. Naklua and the smaller fishing communities have the best, most local seafood.
Festivals
Pattaya holds its own delayed Songkran (Wan Lai) around 19 April, and a big international fireworks festival usually in November or December.
Keep your cool (jai yen)
Staying calm and smiling is the best way to solve problems anywhere in Thailand.
Plan Pattaya on your phone.
Save places, see what is open now, check the weather and air quality, and browse all twenty guides in the free Thailand Guide app. Works offline.