Pattaya Travelers Recommend

Teeming with entertainment, beaches, and islands, alluring Pattaya draws international travelers year-round. With its close proximity to Bangkok, the resort city on the Gulf of Thailand is a lively, yet less-crowded, alternative to the capital. Here are some ideas for a 3-day stay.

Day 1: City streets and sandy beaches

Start the day with a visit to the tailor. Select material for a suit, and you’ll have one custom-made within 24 hours. Then, head to the Pattaya Floating Market with a guide. The canal network is fronted by Thai-style structures and waterfront shops, and your guide will help you bargain for the best prices. 

Following a lunch of Pattaya street food, it’s time to hit the beach. To be where the action is, hang out at the city’s namesake beach, where Jet Ski and parasailing adventures await. Alternatively, a speedboat can whisk you away for the day to a popular offshore destination such as Coral Island (Koh Larn), with its palm-fringed sands and tropical fish. 

Day 2: A walk on the wild side

From ziplining to sea walking, you can go from flying sky-high to descending many feet underwater in just a day. Soar and rappel between platforms through the rain forest canopy. Or, stroll the seafloor with a guide while breathing through a specialized helmet. At lunchtime, order the catch of the day, or try your hand at sea fishing just off the coast and feast on your own fresh-caught meal. 

Later, slip away to Frost Magical Ice of Siam, Cartoon Network Amazone, or Ramayana Water Park for some novel fun. Just be sure to save some energy for a night out. You’ll find the densest concentration of bars and clubs on famous Walking Street and along Pattaya Beach. 

Day 3: Island paradise

By now, you may be ready for some serious downtime—so take an easy day trip to Paradise Island (Koh Samet), off the coast of Rayong. Should you tire of simply sunbathing, you’ll find an array of activities, such as windsurfing, sailing, and snorkeling. And if you feel like staying longer in the vehicle-free national park, check out the beach bungalows for overnight accommodation. Alternatively, island-hop with a guide to Duck Island (Koh Ped) and Monkey Island (Koh Ling)—many tours include hotel transport, lunch, and snorkeling gear.

The coastal resort town of Pattaya is famous for its party atmosphere and its sunny beaches. While hedonistic pursuits top the bill here, there are plenty of other experiences to be had away from the city’s dance clubs, bars, and beaches. Here are a variety of adventures and outings you can enjoy with two days in Pattaya.

Day 1: Action-Packed Pattaya

**Morning:**There’s a lot more to Pattaya than meets the eye. Explore the port city with a guide, and visit attractions off the beaten tourist track, like the Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai), local art galleries, and a gem shop. 

**Afternoon:**Cool off in tubes, slides, swimming pools, and play areas—plus a spa for adults—at the Cartoon Network Amazone waterpark, located just 20 minutes from Pattaya. Take a surf lesson here to develop your skills before hitting the city’s busy beaches, and enjoy themed zones, adventure rides, and a menagerie of cartoon characters.

**Night:**When the sun goes down, the lights come on, and all of Pattaya feels like one big party. The city’s nightlife is second only to Bangkok’s and has to be seen to be believed. Pump up the volume in South Pattaya, where the main action takes place along the neon-drenched strip.

Day 2: Get Away From it All

**Morning:**Escape the crowds and tours by chartering your own boat to the islands, all of which are just a short distance from Pattaya. Book a luxury yacht or a speedboat, and soak up the sun, go snorkeling among the coral, and explore tucked-away coves on the Gulf of Thailand.

**Afternoon:**Head to popular Coral Island (Koh Larn), and enjoy an afternoon relaxing on its pure white sand and swimming in its translucent water. You can see the area’s remaining patches of coral with a trip in a glass-bottom boat, or, if you want a more active adventure, try water skiing, parasailing, or windsurfing. 

**Night:**If you’ve maxed out on the bars, dance clubs, and night entertainment of Walking Street, and you’re aching—literally—to relax, book a spa treatment from a skilled, professional practitioner. Choose from a vast menu, and enjoy a foot massage, traditional Thai massage, aromatherapy massage, body scrub, and/or a facial. 

Tucked into a bay on the Gulf of Thailand’s northeastern coastline, Pattaya lies about 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Bangkok. Once a modest fishing port, this resort city is now one of Thailand’s top destinations, offering island hopping, theme parks, cabaret shows, and more. See below for many things to do with one day in Pattaya. 

Morning: Beach Hopping

It’s easy to laze the day away on one of Pattaya’s beaches, but most visitors opt for a cruise to one (or more) of the nearby islands. Take a speedboat to Coral Island (Koh Larn), the most popular getaway on the gulf, and spend the morning relaxing on sugar-white sand and swimming in tranquil, aquamarine coves. Active travelers can also opt for some sea walking, snorkeling, parasailing, or jet skiing. Alternatively, book a boat that lets you island-hop between pristine spots like Koh Pai, Koh Ped, and Koh Rin and enjoy scuba diving among the coral and other beautiful marine life.

Afternoon: Attractions and Amusements

Pattaya has lots of ways to keep you entertained, including family-friendly theme parks and museums. When you’re ready to get out of the sun, head to Frost Magical Ice of Siam to see mesmerizing ice sculptures that imitate Thai architecture. Or head to serene Nong Nooch Tropical Garden to enjoy 600 acres (240 hectares) of themed, landscaped gardens and lots of stunning orchids. The garden also offers performances of Thai kickboxing, sword fighting, and traditional dancing. You could also choose to see the world in miniature at Mini Siam Pattaya, a garden featuring dozens of tiny replicas of landmarks from around the world, including a version of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Night: Showgirl Glamour

Nightlife in Pattaya is legendary. The city boasts an array of street-food vendors and seafood eateries, and bars, nightclubs, and discos blare Thai pop music on Walking Street, one of the most popular party hotspots in the country. Pattaya is also famous for its cross-dressing and transgender performers. Head to Tiffany’s Cabaret Show to watch entertainers in extravagant costumes sing and dance in a show that has been playing (in some form) for 40 years. After the show, you can join the crowds that stay out bar-hopping until the early hours. 

Located 91 miles (147 kilometers) southeast of Bangkok, the city of Pattaya has emerged as one of Thailand’s most popular beach resorts, and for good reason. Here are some of the area’s top beaches to check out while you’re there.

Pattaya Beach

This 2.5-mile (4-kilometer), crescent-shaped stretch of sandy beach is Pattaya’s most popular and liveliest. Divided into three areas, the beach tends to be busy day and night, thanks in part to the restaurants, bars, and hotels lining Pattaya Beach Road. Besides sunbathing, visitors often come for the parasailing, jet skiing, and other water sports.

Coral Island (Koh Larn)

If you find yourself in need of an escape from the crowds and noise of Pattaya, hop on a speedboat for the 45-minute trip to nearby Koh Larn, also known as Coral Island. Clean, white sand and tranquil waters are the stars here. Relax on the beach, snorkel the reefs, take a glass-bottom boat tour, or try your hand at parasailing or windsurfing.

Jomtien Beach

Situated just 4 miles (6 kilometers) from Pattaya city, Jomtien Beach is close enough to all the action to feel lively but far enough away to gain a sense of peace, making it a popular choice among locals and water sports enthusiasts. If you want to take a windsurfing or kiteboarding lesson, this is the place to do it.

Naklua Beach

Located in north Pattaya, Naklua Beach shares its sand with both visitors and local fishermen who work from the dock and set their traps on the horizon. Water sports aren’t as popular here, making it a good choice for swimming or laying out on the golden sand.

Wong Amat Beach

While not far from Pattaya Beach, Wong Amat Beach is much quieter and cleaner, free of the parties and water sports that keep Pattaya Beach buzzing day and night. Popular among families, it’s common to see kids playing in the sand and swimming in the turquoise waters.