If you’re traveling with family or looking for a more subdued location, check out Jomtian Beach or Nakalua. These areas are still touristy, but quieter than the bustling city center. Plan your trip with our list of the top attractions in Pattaya.
Note: Recent global health and safety issues may cause some businesses to close temporarily.
Explore Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden
The sprawling park in Nong Nooch (pronounced “nung nut”) village offers a variety of activities for the whole family. Walkways wind between colorful themed gardens, which also include a topiary garden; 17th-century French Garden; European Renaissance Gardens; and species-specific gardens featuring tropical palm, succulent and bonsai-like plants.
The spectacular orchid garden will wake up any gardener inside. Live shows at the Thai Cultural Hall join the line-up with performances of traditional Thai dance, fencing, Thai kickboxing and elephant shows of questionable moral quality.
You can rent a bicycle to explore the different areas of the park, and door-to-door transportation is available.
Work on Your Tan at Jomtien Beach
Stretching for six kilometres, Jomtian Beach tops the list of places to visit in Pattaya and is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the main city four kilometers away. You can sunbathe on its golden beaches or take refuge in the shade provided by the trees along the edge of the beach. Water lovers can enjoy all kinds of activities including jet-skiing, kitesurfing, parasailing and windsurfing.
When you’re in need of a refreshment, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and cafes along the beach serving local cuisine and fresh seafood.
Right nearby, the family-friendly Cartoon Network Amazone is an action-packed water park filled with spiral slides, giant pools, splashing fountains, and cartoon-themed rides and characters.
Discover the Sanctuary of Truth
Billed as “the magnificence of a re-created heaven on earth”, this massive monument, made entirely of wood, is a study in the Thai architectural style. Every available space is decorated with wood carvings, and the entire structure was built to pay homage to ancient religions and philosophies.
The circle of life, utopia, and humanity’s relationship with the universe are some of the themes reflected in the artwork here. While visiting the sanctuary, you can enjoy Thai cultural events and Thai boxing, go elephant trekking or horseback riding, or take a ride on a speedboat.
Wat Yansangavaram
Like all impressive wats (temples) in Thailand, Wat Yansangvaram (known as Wat Yan) offers insight not only into Thai design and architectural traditions, but also into society’s values. Surrounded by palm-studded gardens, the temple was dedicated to King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1988 to commemorate the 42nd year of his reign.
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Precious Buddhist relics are housed in the main complex, and to the right of the path leading to the temple is a lake with impressive Chinese pavilions, filled with antiquities and artifacts. The temple of Wat Yansangavaram is situated on a hill, where the Naga snakes are reached by climbing 299 steps.
Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai)
This 18-metre-tall golden statue of the Buddha stands calm and relaxed atop the forested Pratamanak hill, south of Pattaya. To take a closer look at the statue and admire the many small Buddhas surrounding it, climb the stairs adorned with gold serpents on either side.
Many local people come here to pray for good health, happiness and prosperity. You can also enjoy beautiful views of Pattaya and the bay from the top of the hill. If you are not up for the long walk up the hill, you can catch a taxi and save your energy by climbing the stairs to the statues.
Take a Day Trip to Koh Larn (Coral Island)
A 30-minute speed boat ride or 45-minute ferry ride from Pattaya, Koh Larn (also known as Koh Lan) is a relatively peaceful getaway from the tourist-filled Pattaya. Several white-sand beaches dot the shores of the island, with food stalls, restroom facilities, and plenty of water sports. Parasailing, Banana boat ride and underwater sea walking are some of the most popular.
Tien is one of the most beautiful beaches, and monkeys roam the Nual Beach. You can rent a motorbike to tour the island, and it’s also possible to stay overnight at one of the many resorts along the beach in Samai and Tawain. It is a popular place for families to spend the day away from the center of Pattaya.
