Things to do · Pattaya · Thailand
18 best things to do in Pattaya
18 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Don Ramey Logan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Pattaya are Sanctuary of Truth, Koh Larn (Coral Island) and Walking Street. Of the 18 picks below, 8 are free, 3 work on a rainy day and 9 suit children. Allow about 4 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Sanctuary of Truth
- Free sights
- 8
- Good on a rainy day
- Tiffany's Show
- Time to see the highlights
- 4 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary of Truth | Naklua and Wongamat | 1.5–2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Koh Larn (Coral Island) | Koh Larn | Full day | Low cost |
| Walking Street | South Pattaya and Walking Street | 1–3 hours | Free |
| Khao Chi Chan | Sattahip | 45 minutes | Free |
| Pattaya Beach | Central Pattaya | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Jomtien Beach | Jomtien | Half a day | Free |
| Pattaya Viewpoint (Khao Phra Tamnak) | Pratumnak Hill | 45 minutes | Free |
| Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Hill) | Pratumnak Hill | 45 minutes | Free |
| Nong Nooch Tropical Garden | Sattahip | Half a day | Mid-priced |
| Wat Yansangwararam | Sattahip | 1–1.5 hours | Free |
| Lan Pho Naklua seafood market | Naklua and Wongamat | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Thepprasit Night Market | Jomtien | 1.5 hours | Low cost |
| Tiffany's Show | Central Pattaya | 1.5 hours | Mid-priced |
| Underwater World Pattaya | Central Pattaya | 1.5 hours | Mid-priced |
| Art in Paradise | Central Pattaya | 1–1.5 hours | Mid-priced |
| Ramayana Water Park | Na Jomtien | Full day | Expensive |
| Wongamat Beach | Naklua and Wongamat | Half a day | Free |
| Pattaya Floating Market | East Pattaya | 1.5–2 hours | Mid-priced |
The 18 best things to do
Architecture · Naklua and Wongamat
1.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. Craftsmen can be seen working on new carvings during visits.
Go early in the morning when the sun lights the seaward face, and dress modestly, as shorts and bare shoulders may need to be covered.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Art
- Photo spot
Island · Koh Larn
2.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. Public ferries from Bali Hai Pier take about 30–45 minutes to Na Ban pier or Tawaen, and motorbike taxis and songthaews connect the beaches.
Take the public ferry rather than a speedboat tour, and head to Samae or Tien beach, which are usually quieter than Tawaen.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Street · South Pattaya and Walking Street
3.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. It is the centre of Pattaya's nightlife and busy until the early hours.
Walk the length of the street once for the spectacle, keep valuables secure in the crowds and check bar prices before ordering.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- After dark
- Iconic
- Free
Landmark · Sattahip
4.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. A garden and pond lie in front of the cliff.
Combine it with Wat Yansangwararam and Silverlake vineyard nearby, and visit in the late afternoon when the gold catches the sun.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Beach · Central Pattaya
5.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. It was widened with new sand in a renourishment project in 2019.
Walk the promenade at sunset, when the heat eases and the bay glows; for swimming, Jomtien or Koh Larn usually have clearer water.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
Beach · Jomtien
6.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. It is calmer and more family-oriented than Pattaya Beach.
Head to the southern end for more space and kite-surfing schools, and visit the Jomtien Night Market in the evening.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Active
Viewpoint · Pratumnak Hill
7.Pattaya Viewpoint (Khao Phra Tamnak)
On the hill above Bali Hai Pier, this viewpoint looks over the whole curve of Pattaya Bay and the city, with the large Pattaya City sign on the hillside below. It is a popular spot at sunset and after dark when the city lights come on.
Go about 30 minutes before sunset to watch the bay change colour, then walk down to Walking Street for dinner.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
Religious site · Pratumnak Hill
8.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. Smaller Buddha images for each day of the week surround it, and the terrace looks over Jomtien and the sea.
Find the Buddha image for the day of the week you were born and make a small offering, as Thai visitors do.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
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Garden · Sattahip
1.Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
About 15 km south of Pattaya, this huge privately owned garden covers hundreds of hectares with French and Italian-style gardens, cactus and orchid collections, a valley of dinosaur sculptures and daily Thai cultural shows. Trams and shuttles connect the different zones.
Allow a full morning, use the in-park tram to save walking in the heat, and visit the elevated walkway for views over the gardens.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Religious site · Sattahip
2.Wat Yansangwararam
A large royal temple complex south of Pattaya set around a lake, with pavilions built in different national styles, including a Chinese pavilion and a Swiss-style chapel, alongside traditional Thai temple buildings.
Dress modestly, and visit on the same trip as Khao Chi Chan, which is a short drive away.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Market · Naklua and Wongamat
3.Lan Pho Naklua seafood market
A local seafood market in Naklua where stalls sell fresh crab, prawns, squid and fish, alongside dried seafood and snacks. Some vendors will grill or steam your purchases for you, and there is a small public park by the water.
Buy seafood by weight and have it cooked on the spot, then eat in the waterside park; go in the late afternoon.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Off the beaten path
Market · Jomtien
4.Thepprasit Night Market
A large weekend night market on Thepprasit Road between Pattaya and Jomtien, with rows of food stalls, clothes, gadgets and souvenirs and an atmosphere mostly geared to Thai shoppers.
Go on Friday or Saturday evening, arrive hungry and try grilled seafood, fried insects if you dare, and coconut ice cream.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Shopping
- Kids
Experience · Central Pattaya
5.Tiffany's Show
Running since 1974, Tiffany's is Pattaya's best-known cabaret, with transgender performers in elaborate costumes staging song-and-dance numbers from around the world in a large theatre on Second Road. Shows run several times each evening.
Book seats a day ahead, and choose an early show if travelling with older children or tired from the beach.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Couples
Aquarium · Central Pattaya
6.Underwater World Pattaya
An aquarium on Sukhumvit Road where a walk-through tunnel passes beneath sharks, rays and turtles, with smaller tanks of reef fish, jellyfish and touch pools.
Visit in the heat of the afternoon or on a rainy day, and check the feeding times at the entrance.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Museum · Central Pattaya
7.Art in Paradise
A 3D illusion art museum where large painted scenes are designed to be photographed, so visitors appear to ride dolphins, fall off cliffs or sit in giant teacups.
Go with a friend or family member to take each other's photos, and follow the marked camera spots for the best effect.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Theme park · Na Jomtien
8.Ramayana Water Park
One of Thailand's largest water parks, set beside a lake near Silverlake south of Pattaya, with high-speed slides, a lazy river, a wave pool and a large children's play area.
Arrive at opening to beat queues on the big slides, bring reef-safe sunscreen and rent a locker for valuables.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Active
- Outdoors
Beach · Naklua and Wongamat
9.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.
Combine a morning swim here with the Sanctuary of Truth at the southern end of the beach.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
Market · East Pattaya
10.Pattaya Floating Market
A purpose-built market of wooden walkways and canals on Sukhumvit Road, divided into zones for Thailand's four regions, with food sold from boats, handicrafts and cultural shows. It is designed for visitors rather than locals.
Try a few regional snacks from the boats and take a short boat ride, but expect tourist prices.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Kids
- Shopping
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Sanctuary of Truth and Art in Paradise |
| History | Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Hill) and Wat Yansangwararam |
| Views | Pattaya Viewpoint (Khao Phra Tamnak) and Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Hill) |
| Outdoors and nature | Koh Larn (Coral Island), Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden |
| Food and markets | Lan Pho Naklua seafood market, Thepprasit Night Market and Pattaya Floating Market |
| After dark | Walking Street, Pattaya Beach, Thepprasit Night Market and Tiffany's Show |
| With children | Koh Larn (Coral Island), Jomtien Beach, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and Thepprasit Night Market |
| On a rainy day | Tiffany's Show, Underwater World Pattaya and Art in Paradise |
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Pattaya?
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.
+What can you do for free in Pattaya?
Walking Street, Khao Chi Chan, Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Pattaya Viewpoint (Khao Phra Tamnak). More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Pattaya when it rains?
Head indoors to Tiffany's Show, Underwater World Pattaya and Art in Paradise.
+What is there to do in Pattaya at night?
Walking Street, Pattaya Beach, Thepprasit Night Market and Tiffany's Show are best after dark.