3 days in Pattaya

Day by day

1. Day 1: Sanctuary of Truth and Lan Pho Naklua seafood market

   Sanctuary of Truth, Lan Pho Naklua seafood market and Wongamat Beach, then Walking Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Lan Pho Naklua seafood market

      Buy seafood by weight and have it cooked on the spot, then eat in the waterside park; go in the late afternoon.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Steamed sea bass with lime

      Seafood restaurants in Naklua, Jomtien and along the bay.

   4. Afternoon

      Wongamat Beach

      A quieter beach in north Pattaya, backed by resorts and condo towers, with generally cleaner sand and calmer water than the city beach and views across to the Sanctuary of Truth.

   5. Evening

      Walking Street

      Walk the length of the street once for the spectacle, keep valuables secure in the crowds and check bar prices before ordering.

2. Day 2: Koh Larn (Coral Island) and Khao Chi Chan

   Koh Larn (Coral Island), Khao Chi Chan and Pattaya Beach, then Thepprasit Night Market in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Koh Larn (Coral Island)

      Take the public ferry rather than a speedboat tour, and head to Samae or Tien beach, which are usually quieter than Tawaen.

   2. Late morning

      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.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Grilled river prawns and crab

      Seafood restaurants on Walking Street and in Naklua, and the Lan Pho Naklua market.

   4. Afternoon

      Pattaya Beach

      Walk the promenade at sunset, when the heat eases and the bay glows; for swimming, Jomtien or Koh Larn usually have clearer water.

   5. Evening

      Thepprasit Night Market

      Go on Friday or Saturday evening, arrive hungry and try grilled seafood, fried insects if you dare, and coconut ice cream.

3. Day 3: Jomtien Beach and Pattaya Viewpoint (Khao Phra Tamnak)

   Jomtien Beach, Pattaya Viewpoint (Khao Phra Tamnak) and Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Hill), then Tiffany's Show in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Pattaya Viewpoint (Khao Phra Tamnak)

      Go about 30 minutes before sunset to watch the bay change colour, then walk down to Walking Street for dinner.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tom yum goong

      Thai restaurants throughout the city.

   4. Afternoon

      Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Hill)

      A golden seated Buddha about 18 metres tall sits on top of Pratumnak Hill, reached by a staircase flanked by naga serpents.

   5. Evening

      Tiffany's Show

      Book seats a day ahead, and choose an early show if travelling with older children or tired from the beach.

Before you go

If it rains

• Swap in Underwater World Pattaya (Central Pattaya): Visit in the heat of the afternoon or on a rainy day, and check the feeding times at the entrance.
• Swap in Art in Paradise (Central Pattaya): Go with a friend or family member to take each other's photos, and follow the marked camera spots for the best effect.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Central Pattaya keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, South Pattaya and Walking Street ($$) suits nightlife, solo travellers and budget. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–29 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.4 hours in January to 12.9 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Pattaya
• 2 days in Pattaya
• 5 days in Pattaya

Questions travellers ask