Travel guide · Thailand
Pattaya travel guide
Gulf-coast beach city of island day trips, nightlife and big family attractions
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sergey S. Dukachev, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Pattaya is a beach city on Thailand's eastern Gulf coast, about 150 km south-east of Bangkok, that grew from a fishing village into a major resort from the 1960s. Its curving city beach and Beach Road are lined with hotels and high-rises, Walking Street fills with bars and clubs after dark, and the wooden Sanctuary of Truth, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and island day trips to Koh Larn draw families and day-trippers. Quieter Jomtien, Pratumnak Hill and Naklua sit to either side of the central strip. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are November–February.
Key facts
- Country
- Thailand
- Best time to visit
- November–February
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- UTP, BKK
- Mid-range daily budget
- $65–$140 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, Koh Larn and Jomtien Beach
Why visit Pattaya
- Koh Larn's white-sand beaches are about 30–45 minutes away by public ferry from Bali Hai Pier, an easy island day trip.
- The Sanctuary of Truth is a huge, intricately carved all-wood temple-like building on the seafront at Naklua.
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, south of the city, has hundreds of hectares of themed gardens and cultural shows.
- Pattaya is the closest major beach resort to Bangkok, about two hours by road.
- Nightlife ranges from Walking Street's clubs and cabaret shows to Jomtien's beach bars and rooftop lounges.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Architecture · Naklua and Wongamat
Sanctuary of Truth
Begun in 1981 and still being carved, this seafront building in Naklua is made entirely of wood and rises over 100 metres, covered inside and out with carvings of Hindu and Buddhist deities and philosophical themes.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Art
- Photo spot
Island · Koh Larn
Koh Larn (Coral Island)
About 7 km off the coast, Koh Larn has several beaches with clearer water than the mainland, including Tawaen, Samae, Nual and Tien.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Street · South Pattaya and Walking Street
Walking Street
From early evening, this street running south along the bay towards Bali Hai Pier closes to traffic and fills with neon signs, nightclubs, live-music bars, go-go bars and seafood restaurants.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- After dark
- Iconic
- Free
Landmark · Sattahip
Khao Chi Chan
An outline of a seated Buddha more than 100 metres tall is etched with laser-guided cuts and gold leaf into a limestone cliff south of the city, created in 1996 for the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol's reign.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Beach · Central Pattaya
Pattaya Beach
The city's main beach curves about 3 km along Pattaya Bay beside Beach Road, with a promenade, deckchairs, umbrellas and water sports.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
Beach · Jomtien
Jomtien Beach
A long stretch of sand south of Pratumnak Hill with a palm-lined beach road, deckchairs, seafood restaurants and water sports including kite-surfing and parasailing.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Active
Where to stay
Central Pattaya is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and nightlife
Central Pattaya
Beach Road, Second Road and the big malls in the middle of the city
$$ · Best for nightlife, solo travellers and budget
South Pattaya and Walking Street
The nightlife district by Bali Hai Pier
$$$ · Best for families, couples and quiet stays
Naklua and Wongamat
North Pattaya's quieter beach, seafood market and the Sanctuary of Truth
$$$ · Best for quiet stays and couples
Pratumnak Hill
A green headland between Pattaya and Jomtien with viewpoints and small coves
What to eat
- Steamed sea bass with lime — A whole sea bass steamed in a sharp broth of lime juice, garlic, chilli and fish sauce, served bubbling over a burner at the table.
- Grilled river prawns and crab — Large prawns, crab and squid chosen from ice displays and grilled or stir-fried with garlic, pepper or curry powder.
- Tom yum goong — Hot and sour prawn soup with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and chilli, either clear or creamy (nam khon).
- Oyster or mussel omelette — Mussels or oysters fried in a crisp batter of egg and rice flour on a hot griddle and served with bean sprouts and chilli sauce.
- Moo kata — Thai barbecue-hotpot: meat and seafood grilled on a domed pan while vegetables and noodles cook in the broth around the rim; a social, all-you-can-eat favourite.
- Som tam — Pounded green papaya salad with chilli, lime, fish sauce, tomatoes and peanuts; often eaten with grilled chicken and sticky rice.
When to go
The best time to visit Pattaya is November to February, when the weather is dry, sunny and less humid and the sea is calm for island trips. March to May is very hot but still mostly dry. The rainy season from June to October brings short, heavy storms and lower prices, with September usually the wettest month.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool season | November–February | Dry, sunny and less humid, with calm seas and the highest crowds and prices. |
| Hot season | March–May | Very hot and humid, mostly dry, with Songkran water fights in April. |
| Rainy season | June–August | Short, heavy afternoon storms with sunny spells, busy with summer holidaymakers. |
| Late rainy season | September–October | The wettest weeks and lowest prices, with occasional flooding; rains ease by late October. |
Getting there and around
U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International Airport is about 40 km south of the city, about 45 minutes by taxi. Suvarnabhumi Airport near Bangkok is about 120 km away; airport buses and taxis take about 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.
Pattaya's main transport is the baht bus, a shared pick-up truck that loops along Beach Road and Second Road, plus ride-hailing apps, motorbike taxis and rented scooters. Attractions south of the city are best reached by taxi or a hired car with driver.
Plan your days
Two days covers the city beach, a Koh Larn trip and the Sanctuary of Truth. Four days lets you add Nong Nooch, Khao Chi Chan, a water park and the night markets; a week leaves time for Koh Samet or Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
Practical information
- Currency
- THB
- Language
- Thai
- Plugs
- Type A, B, C and O sockets, 220–230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled and filtered water is cheap and widely available.
- Emergency number
- 191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not obligatory.
Watch for heavy traffic and scooter accidents, pickpocketing in crowded nightlife areas and disputes over jet-ski damage claims. Check bar bills and keep drinks in sight; tourist police can help with complaints.
Flights to Pattaya
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Pattaya?
Two days covers the city beach, a Koh Larn trip and the Sanctuary of Truth. Four days lets you add Nong Nooch, Khao Chi Chan, a water park and the night markets; a week leaves time for Koh Samet or Khao Kheow Open Zoo. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Pattaya?
The best time to visit Pattaya is November to February, when the weather is dry, sunny and less humid and the sea is calm for island trips. March to May is very hot but still mostly dry. The rainy season from June to October brings short, heavy storms and lower prices, with September usually the wettest month.
+What is Pattaya known for?
Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, Koh Larn, Jomtien Beach, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Cabaret shows and Seafood. Koh Larn's white-sand beaches are about 30–45 minutes away by public ferry from Bali Hai Pier, an easy island day trip.
+Is Pattaya expensive?
Pattaya is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $65–$140 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Pattaya?
No. Baht buses, ride-hailing and taxis cover the city; hire a car with driver for a day to visit Nong Nooch, Khao Chi Chan and attractions further south.