Pattaya is a city like no other. Located just two hours from Bangkok, it’s one of the closest beaches to Thailand’s capital. It’s also one of the craziest places I’ve ever been!
While a lot of people associate Pattaya with creepy old foreigners and seedy bars, there is a lot more to Pattaya than most people realize! Including many famous attractions that you don’t want to miss!
Must See Attractions in Pattaya
While many people only go to Pattaya to see the beach and the nighttime walking street, make sure you don’t miss these popular things to do in Pattaya!
Sanctuary of Truth
The Sanctuary of Truth is one of the most popular places to visit in Pattaya. It’s also a very recognizable building throughout all of Thailand!
While many people refer to it as a temple, it is actually a privately owned museum. However, that doesn’t take away from the beauty of this building! Known as the largest wooden castle in the world, the Sanctuary of Truth is built completely out of wood. The pieces are held together using different techniques such as lap joints, dove tails, and large wooden pins.
When visiting the Sanctuary of Truth, you must join a guided tour. They are available in various languages throughout the day (a full schedule is available on their website). They also have a dress code which involves wearing the provided hard hat during the tour, as well as dressing modestly as one would when entering a temple. Luckily they have clothes you can rent if you show up unprepared.
You can purchase discount tickets ahead of time here.
Khao Chi Chan
Khao Chi Chan, also known as the Buddha Mountain, is another famous landmark near Pattaya City. Located about 30 minutes outside of the city, Khao Chi Chan is another must see in Pattaya!
Khao Chi Chan is relatively new – it was made in 1996 for the 50th anniversary of the King’s coronation. It was made by using a laser to engrave a huge Buddha imagine into the limestone cliff. The engraving was then inlaid with gold. It is 109 meters (358 feet) tall, which makes it the largest carved Buddha image in the whole world!
Nong Nooch Botanical Garden
Nong Nooch is known as one of the most beautiful gardens in the whole world – and it’s less than a half hour from the center of Pattaya!
Nong Nooch is one of the largest tropical plant collections in the world, as well as the largest botanical garden in Southeast Asia. It has tons of different areas including a cactus garden, ‘Garden in the Sky,’ French gardens, an Italian garden, and the famous Dinosaur Valley.
While the gardens themselves are gorgeous, Dinosaur Valley is covered in dinosaur sculptures which makes it the perfect place for children to explore as well! In addition to the gorgeous gardens, Nong Nooch also has a popular Thai cultural show which shouldn’t be missed!
You can purchase discount tickets ahead of time here.
Koh Larn
Koh Larn, as known as Coral Island, is a paradise island located off the coast of Pattaya! Known for it’s crystal clear waters and gorgeous beaches, you can’t find a better island this close to Bangkok!
It’s also easy to access with ferries leaving the Pattaya pier frequently throughout the day. It’s perfect for a day trip from Pattaya, but even better if you can spend a night or two exploring the whole island!
Phra Tamnak Mountain Viewpoint
Phra Tamnak is right in the center of Pattaya making it extremely easy to visit! It offers the best view in all of Pattaya as you can see the whole of Pattaya Beach.
There is a temple at the top of Phra Tamnak, so keep in mind to wear appropriate temple clothes if you wish to visit that area. However, you can see the gorgeous views without entering the temple area.
Transportation in Pattaya
There are plenty of buses and songtaews within Pattaya city, however they can be confusing to visitors. Songtaews are extremely affordable (usually between 10-50 baht), however they travel along routes. It is difficult to know what the route is if you aren’t familiar with the songthaew numbers. Luckily you can jump off whenever you want, so if one is traveling in the direction you want to go it’s easy to get off. However, if you ask the driver how much to a certain location, they usually try to charge you more and take you directly there.
There are also many taxis and motorbike taxis within Pattaya. I’ve found that taxi prices in Pattaya are more expensive than in other area of Thailand.
If you want more flexibility, there are many places where you can rent a motorbike in Pattaya.
Best Hotels in Pattaya
There are tons and tons of hotels in Pattaya as it is a huge tourist destination! However, these are some of the best ones!
Best Budget Hotel in Pattaya
Sureena Hotel is one of the best hotels you can get for under $20! Located just one minute from the beach and less than 10 minutes from the walking street, the location is perfect! It also has a small pool you can dip in to get out of the heat. Click here to book it on agoda or booking.
Best Midrange Hotel in Pattaya
Natural Beach Hotel is my go to hotel when I stay in Pattaya! Located just around the corner from the beach, massage shops, and restaurants. It also has a gorgeous pool with lots of chairs to tan in! It’s the best hotel I’ve found that still isn’t too expensive! Click here to book it on agoda or booking.
Best Luxury Hotel in Pattaya
The Avani Pattaya Resort is the best resort in Pattaya! This 5 star hotel is located right next to the beach. It also has a gorgeous resort style pool complete with a swim up bar. Click here to book it on agoda or booking.
How to Get to Pattaya
There are many options to get from Bangkok to Pattaya, including buses, mini buses, and trains. I find the most convenient way to be a minibus as they are cheap, leave frequently, and drop you off by the Pattaya pier.
You can book transportation from Bangkok to Pattaya here.
Tours in Pattaya
There are many tours you can take from Bangkok to Pattaya. These make it easier as you don’t need to plan any logistics or figure out local transportation. Check out some of these top rated ones from Klook!
Klook.com
