10 Best Places To Visit In Pattaya

Pattaya is located about 120 km (75 miles) from Bangkok and is one of the most popular places to visit for tourists visiting Thailand because of its its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and famous attractions.

In this article, we have listed top 10 places to explore in Pattaya and here’s the list:

  1. The Sanctuary of Truth
  2. Pattaya Floating Market
  3. Walking Street
  4. Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
  5. Jomtien Beach
  6. Big Buddha Temple
  7. Coral Island
  8. Khao Chi Chan
  9. Art In Paradise
  10. Ramayana Water Park

1. The Sanctuary of Truth

The Sanctuary of Truth is the largest wood building in Thailand that was built using the old Thai carpenter style. This magnificent piece of architecture was built by Mr.Lek Viriyaphan, the founder of ancient city and Erawan elephant museum in 1981 and is still unfinished to this day.

The Sanctuary of Truth is a hybrid of castle and temple that is themed on the ancient Ayutthaya Kingdom and of Buddhist and Hindu temple. Besides the building itself that captivates visitors, the area around The Sanctuary of Truth also has a lot of activities to explore such as elephant riding, ATV touring, boat trip around the castle line and more.

Things To Know Before Visiting

  • This wooden sanctuary is over 100 meters tall and the construction is expected to completed in 2025.
  • Every surface of the structure is decorated with ornamentation from Thai, Hindu, Buddhist, Chinese, and Khmer traditions.
  • The Sanctuary of Truth requires you to dress moderately before visiting, just like any other Buddhist temples.
  • The Sanctuary of Truth opens every day from 8:40 am – 5 pm.
  • The entrance ticket cost is THB 500 for adults and THB 200 for children.

Contact Information

  • The Sanctuary of Truth is located at 206/12 Moo 5 12 Pattaya-Na Kluea Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
  • For any enquiry, call 038110653

2. Pattaya Floating Market

Pattaya Floating Market is one of the top places to visit in the city by tourists. This riverside attraction showcases the beautiful Thai culture and living community where water was used in the ancient time as the main way of commuting and trading.

Here, the tourists can enjoy beautiful scenery of the place by taking a sightseeing boat to see Thai people’s way of life on either side of the river. You will find culture and local products on display from 4 major regions in Thailand where you can buy them at a very affordable price.

Things To Know Before Visiting

  • Pattaya Floating Market was established in 2008 and is one of the largest floating markets in Thailand.
  • This 25 acres market has over 1,000 car parking spots, 250 bus parking lots, and 345 local shops.
  • Other activities you can experience here are Sea Boxing, Traditional Thai Dance, and Traditional Thai and contemporary music band.
  • Pattaya Floating Market opens everyday from 9 am – 7 pm.
  • The entrance ticket cost starts at THB 100 and can go up to THB 1,000, depending on the package you choose.

Contact Information

  • Pattaya Floating Market is located at 451/304 Moo. 12, NongPrue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150
  • For any enquiry, call 0884447777

3. Walking Street

Walking Street is an entertainment and red-light area in Pattaya which is famous for its night life, bars, seafood restaurants, music venues, nightclubs and more.

Walking Street is 700-meter-long street that starts at the southernmost end of Pattaya Beach Road and finishes at Bali Hai Pier. The area is closed to vehicles from 19:00 until 03:00. Since COVID in 2020, roughly about 30% of all the clubs, discos, restaurants and shops in the street have permanently been shut down.

Things To Know Before Visiting

  • The street has been constantly renovated and decorated to look better. For instance, you can find EDM Luxury Street design just like in Japan.
  • Do beware of scams and pick pocket which are common in bars and discos of the area.

4. Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is one of the most popular places to visit in Pattaya. Here, you will find different kinds of trees and flowers species. Apart from the beautiful gardens, you can also enjoy a traditional Thai cultural show, elephant show, paddle boats, miniature zoo and more. There are just countless numbers of activities you can do here!

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is a 600 acres garden complex with resorts, zoos, and museum. There are over 12,000 species of plants in the garden, making it the largest botanical garden in South East Asia.

Things To Know Before Visiting

  • The owner of Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is Kampon Tansacha.
  • This tourist attraction requires a full day to visit because there’s just so many things to explore.
  • Nong Nooch Tropical Garden opens everyday from 8 am – 6 pm.
  • The ticket costs are THB 100 for adults and THB 50 for children just for entering the garden, and THB 300 for adults and THB 150 for children for visiting both garden and the shows.

Contact Information

  • Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is located at 34 Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250
  • For any enquiry or reservation, call 0819192153

5. Jomtien Beach

Jomtien Beach is one of the 2 beaches in Pattaya and is widely considered to be the better one as it’s cleaner, nicer and less hectic. This 6 km long beach is located in the Na Jomtien town, about 3 km from south of Pattaya and is a home to high-rise condominiums, beach side hotels, beaches, and restaurants.

Here, you can enjoy the sunbath on the beach, have fun with windsurfers and water sport activities, or simply just chilling at the beautiful resort or hotel near the beach. There are many ways to make your visit to this magnificent beach counts.

Things To Know Before Visiting

  • Jomtien Beach is mostly safe to swim. However, certain areas have strong currents that you need to be aware of.
  • There is no entry fee to visit the beach.

6. Big Buddha Temple

Big Buddha Temple (also known as Wat Phra Yai) is located on the hilltop of Pratumnak Hill. It’s also another popular tourist attraction in the city where visitors can find numerous statues and other types of Buddhist imagery positioned around the outdoor areas.

The main highlight of the temple is the big Buddha statue sitting in a double or single lotus pose. This statue is 18 meter (59 feet) in height and is the largest Buddha statue in the province of Chonburi.

Besides the temple itself, the panaromic view of Pattaya from the Pratumnak Hill is also another great thing you can enjoy at the place. The best time to visit the viewpoint is during the sun rise and sun set.

Things To Know Before Visiting

  • To visit the temple at the hilltop, you are required to climb the 108 steps of stairs, which unfortunately there’s no elevators to get to the top.
  • Just like any Buddhist temples in Thailand, you are required to dress moderately before visiting.
  • Big Buddha Temple Pattaya opens everyday from 8 am – 5 pm.
  • There is no admission fee to enter the temple.

Contact Information

  • Big Buddha Temple is located at 384 Regent Soi 2, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150

7. Coral Island

Coral Island (also known as Koh Larn) is located just 7.5 km from Pattaya beach or roughly about 15 minutes by a speed boat. This beautiful island boasts a clean white sand beaches and clear blue sea water and is famous for the luxurious resorts and water activities like jet skis, scuba diving and wind surfing.

Compared to beaches in Pattaya like Jomtien, Coral Island gives you a more adventurous and luxury style of travel with more nature to explore. Here, you can enjoy panoramic view quiet beaches and delicious seafood at locally owned restaurants.

Things To Know Before Visiting

  • Koh Larn can be reached only by waterway from Pattaya’s Bali Hier Pier where you can find chartered boats and ferries to take you to the destination
  • Compared to the expense in the city, you are expected to pay 2-3 times more as things are much more expensive.

8. Khao Chi Chan

Khao Chi Chan (also called Buddha Mountain) is a limestone hill in Na Chom Thian that has become a Pattaya landmark due to its large 109 m (358 ft) by 70 m (230 ft) golden Buddha laser engraving.

Located just 15 km from the city, this amazing place was built in 1996 on the celebration of King Rama IX’s reign of Thailand for 50 years. Besides the marvelous laser engraving on the hill, Khao Chi Chan is surrounded by heavy clusters of grasses, shrubs, and trees including teak, acacia and Siamese rosewood where you can enjoy the nature of the surroundings.

Things To Know Before Visiting

  • The Buddha image on the hill was inlaid with 24-carat gold.
  • Other activities that are famous at Khao Chi Chan are meditations, celebrations and dance performance.
  • Khao Chi Chan opens everyday at 8 am – 6 pm.
  • There are no entry fee for Khao Chi Chan

Contact Information

  • Khao Chi Chan is located at Soi Khao Chi Chan, Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250

9. Art In Paradise

Art In Paradise is a large 3D art gallery and museum located in the heart of the Pattaya. Spanning an area of 5,800 square meters, it offers an enjoyable experience where the tourists can have fun taking pictures and experiencing 3D illusions. Here, there are over 150 individual paintings across 10 exhibitions to explore, such as Underwater World Hall, Wildlife Hall, Dinosaur Hall and Waterfall Hall.

Things To Know Before Visiting

  • Art In Paradise used to be an old nightclub before getting converted by Mr.Shin Jae Yeoul in 2013.
  • Art In Paradise opens daily from 9:30 am – 9 pm.
  • The entrance fee is THB 400 for adults and THB 200 for children.

Contact Information

  • Art In Paradise is located at Moo 9 78/34 Pattaya Sai Song Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
  • For any enquiry, call 0859993374

10. Ramayana Water Park

Last but not least, one of the best places to visit in Pattaya, especially for your children is the Ramayana Water Park. This 45 acres big water park has 21 world-class slides, 2 huge kid zones, 3 pools, long lazy river with over 50 activities total. It is the biggest water park in Thailand and one of the largest in South East Asia.

Things To Know Before Visiting

  • Ramayana Water Park construction was started in 2011 and was completed in 2016. It is located about 15 km from south of Pattaya.
  • Ramayana Water Park opens daily (except Wednesday) from 11 am – 6 pm.
  • If you are buying the ticket directly from their website, Ramayana Water Park ticket costs THB 999 for adults and THB 759 for senior tickets. For children under 106 cm, pregnant, and disabled people, there’s no entry fee.

Contact Information

  • Ramayana Water Park is located at 9 Moo 7, Ban Yen Rd., Na Chom Thian, Sattahip Chon Buri, Thailand 20250
  • For any enquiry, call 033005929
  • Email: info@rwpark.com

How to get to Pattaya from Bangkok?

There are 5 ways to get to Pattaya from Bangkok and those are by bus, by taxi, by minivan, by train, and by flight. However, the most convenient and private way to travel is by a taxi.

What is the cheapest way to travel to Pattaya from Bangkok?

The most affordable way to travel to Pattaya from Bangkok is by bus straight from Eastern Bus Terminal, adjacent to the Ekkamai BTS Station. The bus leaves approximately every 30 mins and the ticket cost is between THB 120 to THB 150.