Where to stay · Pattaya · Thailand
Where to stay in Pattaya
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: WPPilot, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Central Pattaya. Beach Road, Second Road and the big malls in the middle of the city. Best alternatives — families: Naklua and Wongamat; budget: South Pattaya and Walking Street.
Key facts
- First visit
- Central Pattaya
- Families
- Naklua and Wongamat
- Budget
- South Pattaya and Walking Street
- Nightlife
- Central Pattaya
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Central Pattaya | Beach Road, Second Road and the big malls in the middle of the city |
| Families | Naklua and Wongamat | North Pattaya's quieter beach, seafood market and the Sanctuary of Truth |
| Couples | Naklua and Wongamat | North Pattaya's quieter beach, seafood market and the Sanctuary of Truth |
| Budget | South Pattaya and Walking Street | The nightlife district by Bali Hai Pier |
| Luxury | Na Jomtien | Resorts and water parks further south towards Sattahip |
| Nightlife | Central Pattaya | Beach Road, Second Road and the big malls in the middle of the city |
| Solo travellers | South Pattaya and Walking Street | The nightlife district by Bali Hai Pier |
| Shopping | Central Pattaya | Beach Road, Second Road and the big malls in the middle of the city |
| Quiet stays | Naklua and Wongamat | North Pattaya's quieter beach, seafood market and the Sanctuary of Truth |
| Beach | Jomtien | A long beach south of the hill with water sports and a relaxed pace |
Pattaya neighbourhoods in detail
$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and nightlife
Central Pattaya
Central Pattaya runs along the city beach between Beach Road and Second Road, with Central Festival Pattaya Beach mall, hotels of every size and baht-bus routes passing every few minutes. It is the most convenient base for first-timers who want to walk to the beach, restaurants and shopping.
- Good
- Walk to the beach and shops; Baht buses along both main roads; Wide choice of hotels
- Watch out
- Busy and noisy traffic; City beach is less attractive than Jomtien or Koh Larn
- Nearby
- Pattaya Beach, Central Festival Pattaya Beach, Walking Street, Art in Paradise
$$ · Best for nightlife, solo travellers and budget
South Pattaya and Walking Street
South Pattaya is the area around Walking Street, which closes to traffic each evening and fills with bars, nightclubs, go-go bars, live-music venues and seafood restaurants. Bali Hai Pier, for ferries to Koh Larn, is at its southern end, and the Pratumnak viewpoint is just above it.
- Good
- Walk to Walking Street; Next to the Koh Larn ferry pier; Cheap rooms and food
- Watch out
- Very loud at night; Adult entertainment venues dominate the area
- Nearby
- Walking Street, Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya Viewpoint
$$$ · Best for families, couples and quiet stays
Naklua and Wongamat
North of the centre, Naklua is a more local district with the Lan Pho seafood market, and Wongamat Beach is a cleaner, calmer strip backed by condo towers and resorts. The Sanctuary of Truth stands on the headland at its southern end, and Terminal 21 mall is a short ride away.
- Good
- Calmer, cleaner beach; Large resort hotels; Local seafood market
- Watch out
- A ride from Walking Street; Fewer baht-bus routes
- Nearby
- Sanctuary of Truth, Wongamat Beach, Lan Pho Naklua, Terminal 21
$$$ · Best for quiet stays and couples
Pratumnak Hill
Pratumnak Hill rises between Pattaya Bay and Jomtien, with the Big Buddha temple of Wat Phra Yai, the Pattaya Viewpoint and small, quiet coves such as Cosy Beach. It is mostly residential, with mid-range hotels and condos, and is close to both Walking Street and Jomtien.
- Good
- Quiet but central; Sea views; Close to both main beaches
- Watch out
- Hilly for walking; Limited nightlife
- Nearby
- Wat Phra Yai, Pattaya Viewpoint, Cosy Beach, Jomtien
$$ · Best for families, beach and budget
Jomtien
Jomtien Beach stretches about 6 km south from Pratumnak, with a beach road of hotels, condos and seafood restaurants, water-sports operators and a night market. It is calmer than central Pattaya and popular with families and long-stay visitors.
- Good
- Long, relaxed beach; Good-value hotels and condos; Family-friendly
- Watch out
- Fewer sights within walking distance; Busy beach road traffic at weekends
- Nearby
- Jomtien Beach, Jomtien Night Market, Pratumnak Hill
$$$ · Best for families, luxury and quiet stays
Na Jomtien
Na Jomtien continues south of Jomtien towards Sattahip, with large beach resorts, Ramayana Water Park and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden within a short drive. It is quiet and spread out, better suited to resort stays than exploring on foot.
- Good
- Calm beaches and large resorts; Close to water parks and Nong Nooch
- Watch out
- Car or taxi needed; Far from Pattaya's nightlife
- Nearby
- Ramayana Water Park, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Khao Chi Chan
$ · Best for budget and quiet stays
East Pattaya
East of Sukhumvit Road, East Pattaya is a residential area of housing estates, international schools, local markets and budget hotels, with easy road access to the attractions south of the city. Many long-stay visitors rent here.
- Good
- Low prices; Local markets and restaurants
- Watch out
- Far from the beach; Car or scooter needed
- Nearby
- Pattaya Floating Market, Sukhumvit Road
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Central Pattaya | $$ | Pattaya Beach, Central Festival Pattaya Beach, Walking Street, Art in Paradise |
| South Pattaya and Walking Street | $$ | Walking Street, Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya Viewpoint |
| Naklua and Wongamat | $$$ | Sanctuary of Truth, Wongamat Beach, Lan Pho Naklua, Terminal 21 |
| Pratumnak Hill | $$$ | Wat Phra Yai, Pattaya Viewpoint, Cosy Beach, Jomtien |
| Jomtien | $$ | Jomtien Beach, Jomtien Night Market, Pratumnak Hill |
| Na Jomtien | $$$ | Ramayana Water Park, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Khao Chi Chan |
| East Pattaya | $ | Pattaya Floating Market, Sukhumvit Road |
Getting to your hotel
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.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Pattaya for first-time visitors?
Central Pattaya. Central Pattaya runs along the city beach between Beach Road and Second Road, with Central Festival Pattaya Beach mall, hotels of every size and baht-bus routes passing every few minutes.
+Where should families stay in Pattaya?
Naklua and Wongamat: Calmer, cleaner beach.
+Which area of Pattaya is best for a budget stay?
South Pattaya and Walking Street ($$): The nightlife district by Bali Hai Pier.