Things to do in Pattaya
Two hours from Bangkok, Pattaya is a beach city with lots of activities to do, ranging from squid fishing and bungee jumping to exploring neighbouring islands.
If you are planning a trip to Pattaya, check out these 12 things you can enjoy doing with your mates to level up your holiday.
Contents
– Where to eat and shop in Pattaya –
1. Have a meal at Italian castle-inspired Castello Di Bellagio
Image credit: @1finedayyay
If you get hungry during your journey, Castello Di Bellagio is a large Italian-inspired restaurant with a wide range of international cuisine mains, from pork chop steak to spaghetti lobster, that you can dig in to from ฿580 (~USD17.32).
Image credit: @yayainthai
The restaurant boasts unique Italian-concept architectural designs and overlooks a green field with pine trees, small gardens and outdoor tables. Guests will find many photogenic spots both indoors and outdoors to take nice photos.
As the eatery is located near Khao Chi Chan, you can ride for about 3 minutes from there to reach here. Visit our article about the place here.
Address: 9 Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250
Opening hours: 11am–10pm, Daily
Contact: +66 6 4694 6699 | Castello Di Bellagio’s Facebook | Google Maps
2. Shop at Four Regions Floating Market
Image credit: @aprilgirlankita
Shopping at a floating market can be soothing, especially with views of boats running by. Pattaya offers a big Four Regions Floating Market with four Thai regional zones – central, northern, northeastern, and southern – where you can see different local lifestyles and shop for items from all over Thailand.
The market has many food options for you to eat at, from stalls to boats with vendors.
Image credit: @travelworm_mukesh
You can also enjoy a boat ride around the market from ฿200 (~USD5.98) per person.
Address: 451 304 Moo 12 Sukhumvit Road, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
Opening hours: 9am–6pm, Daily
Contact: +66 8 8444 7777 | Pattaya Floating Market’s Facebook | Google Maps
3. Hang out at Tappia Floating Cafe Pattaya
Image credit: @tappiacafe
In the evening, you can visit Tappia Floating Cafe Pattaya for ฿600 (~USD17.90)/ticket. It’s a beautiful floating cafe with a selection of seafood dishes and drinks to munch on while viewing the sunset.
To get here, you can get on a speed boat provided by the cafe at Bali Hai Pier. Rides are included in the cafe admission ticket.
Image credit: @tukta_nichapat
When you arrive at the cafe, you’ll be given both a fishing rod to fish for squid for your sashimi, and spicy seafood sauce to dip your squid in for free.
At night, there’ll be a live music performance that you can enjoy while relaxing with your seafood in the middle of the sea.
You can book a table via LINE only by adding their LINE ID below.
Address: Amphoe Bang Lamung, Thailand, Chon Buri
Opening hours: 4pm–11pm, Daily
LINE ID: @Tappia | Google Maps
4. Go shopping in Thepprasit Market
Image credit: @m0zzi_gram via Instagram
Thepprasit Market is one of the most popular night markets in Pattaya. It’s divided into two zones: the food zone and the clothing zone.
The lower zone is the food zone. Its entrance is decked with colourful lamps above the road and it’s a hit photo spot among tourists. If you bring a car, the zone provides a car park above the market.
The food here varies in a wide range for you to enjoy, such as BBQ, burgers, seafood, and Thai curries. Seats are also provided, but they can get full pretty fast in the evening. You can also browse some clothes as well as check out some cute pets and animals at this zone.
Image credit: @chylek_never_die via Instagram
If you’re looking to buy trendy clothes at affordable prices, check out the upper zone which is the clothing zone. This zone offers long rows full of clothing and accessory shops. Similarly, you can find some small food stores to get delicious food to munch along the walk.
Address: 18 Thepprasit Road, Pattaya, Chonburi 20150
Opening hours: 5pm–11pm, Daily
Contact: +66 3811 0653 | ตลาดเทพประสิทธิ์พัทยา’s Facebook | Google Maps
– Where to sightsee in Pattaya –
5. Enjoy a scenic view of Pattaya at Khao Phra Tum Nak
Image credit: @a_e_n_g
One of the highlights in Pattaya is the Khao Phra Tum Nak Viewpoint where you can get a 180° view of the city and Pattaya Beach.
Image credit: @coffeebreak.pattaya
On the left of the viewpoint, there’s a cafe – Coffee Break Pattaya – with an outdoor dining area where you can get a drink to sip while enjoying the city view. The cafe is open from 9am–7pm every day.
After a drink, you can visit Khao Phra Bat Temple on the east side of the viewpoint to pay respects to its Buddha images or donate some money for merit.
Address: Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
Google Maps
6. See a cliff with a Buddha carving at Khao Chi Chan
Image credit: @nam_k1412
Khao Chi Chan is a hill with a giant gold-coloured Buddha carving on a cliff’s surface, which makes it an iconic landmark in Pattaya that attracts many visitors.
The place is surrounded by a green park where you can come and loosen up amid a peaceful ambience.
You can grab a taxi to get here, but it’s best to drive your own car as the place is located far from the main road.
Address: Soi Khao Chi Chan, Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250
Opening hours: 6am–6pm, Daily
Google Maps
7. Visit a giant wooden castle at the Sanctuary of Truth
Image credit: @iuliia_vag
If you have a soft spot for Thai-style architecture or art, you might fall in love with the Sanctuary of Truth, a gigantic wooden castle with intricate carvings exhibiting religious teachings.
The temple was built to emphasise the importance of inner joy, truth and spiritual happiness and to honour Buddhism and Hinduism.
Image credit: @glam.spy
Once you enter, you might be surprised to see the building’s awesome hand-hewn carvings, which mainly represent religious teachings and philosophies.
The sanctuary also features five halls with different religious concepts and aspects.
Admission fees are ฿500 (~USD15) per adult and ฿250 (~USD7) per child below 110 cm. Please note that the place has scheduled hours for a certain number of visitors each, so you should check their timeslots on their website first.
Feel free to check out this article for more info.
Address: 206/2 Moo 5, Pattaya-Naklua Road, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Opening hours: 8am–6pm, Daily
Contact: +66 3811 0653 | Google Maps
8. Explore Nong Nuch Tropical Botanical Garden
Image credit: @nongnoochpattayagardens
Nong Nuch Tropical Botanical Garden’s highlight is a vast, well-designed garden surrounded by golden stupas and dinosaur figures. If you love plantations, you should visit this place as it offers numerous kinds of plants and mini forests, with clean air that can help better your mood.
Image credit: @nongnoochpattayagardens
There’s a site with many large dinosaur figures with roaring sound effects where you can walk around, feeling as if you’ve been teleported to Jurassic World. It’s a hot photo spot for visitors, especially children.
They also offer elephant shows and Thai cultural performances. You can check their show schedules here or contact them via their Facebook page below.
Entrance fees start from ฿300 (~USD8.95) for Thais and฿500 (~USD14.93) for foreigners.
Address: 34 Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250
Opening hours: 8am–6pm, Daily
Contact: +66 8 1919 2153 | Nong Nuch Garden’s Facebook | Google Maps
9. Discover cute, exotic animals at Monster Aquarium
Image credit: @caramelhoney via Instagram
It is always interesting and fun to explore and learn about exotic animals that are uncommon to see on a daily basis. Monster Aquarium is a place where you’ll catch sight of cute and rare animals such as two-head turtles, albino crocodiles, unusual-looking fish and more. Furthermore, you can enjoy activities like feeding animals and taking photos with animals.
Image credit: @imsongpat via Instagram
With affordable adult tickets priced at ฿150 (~USD4.29) and kid tickets priced at ฿80 (~USD2.29), this is a nice vacation spot for families.
Address: Moo 8 125/1 Lieb Tang Rodfai Rd, Nong Pla Lai, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Entrance fee: ฿150 (~USD4.29) for adults, ฿80 (~USD2.29) for kids under 100 cm
Contact: +66 8 5152 3715 | Monster Aquarium’s Facebook | Google Maps
– Outdoor activities in Pattaya –
10. Get a rush with a bungee jump or a go-kart race
Image credit: Xbungy – Pattaya Bungy Jump
Adventurous folks can’t miss Xbungy – Pattaya Bungy Jump, a bungee-jumping centre offering a 60-metre bungee jump for ฿2,500 (~USD73.69)/person.
You’ll have something to keep you going even if bungee jumping isn’t your thing, as they offer other fun games such as paintball to enjoy with your friends from ฿650 (~USD19.19)/game. Check out our article on Xbungy for more info.
Image credit: @dukeoff80
Or you can have a go-kart race at EasyKart Pattaya – 10 minutes from Xbungy – which offers one Beginner Track race package for ฿399 (~USD12) with a max speed of 35km/hr.
But if you’re an expert at this, you can consider a Fast Kart with a 2-Race Package for ฿999 (~USD30) which lets you go at a max speed of 70km/hr.
Address: 380 105 Soi 9 Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
Opening hours: 10am–6pm, Daily
Contact: +66 3 830 1209 | Xbungy Pattaya’s Facebook | Google Maps
11. Get your heart racing with water rides at Ramayana Water Park
Image credit: @ramayanawaterpark
Ramayana Water Park is the biggest water park in Thailand with over 21 thrilling slides that will give you a fun experience and help you cool off the heat. While sliding down, you’ll be seeing scenic views of a lake and green mountains from afar.
Aqua Coaster is one of the longest slides in the world, giving you a 240-metre ride down a tube.
Image credit: @ramayanawaterpark
Moreover, the water park has a fun kid zone for families with kids to enjoy, with Aqua Play or Aqua Splash.
The ticket prices are ฿1,190 (~USD35.52) for adults and ฿890 (~USD26.57) for kids.
Address: 9 Moo 7 Ban Yen Rd, Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250
Opening hours: 11am–6pm, Daily
Contact: +66 3 300 5929 | Ramayana Water Park’s Facebook | Google Maps
12. Take a day trip to Koh Larn
Image credit: @earlcarino
Koh Larn is one of the most popular island destinations in Pattaya for both Thais and foreigners because of its sandy beaches, cafes with beach views, and cosy resorts.
With just ฿30 (~USD0.90) per ride, you can get a boat ride from Bali Hai Pier to the island for 30-40 minutes.
Image credit: @serapis821
The island offers eight beaches for you to visit and do activities, but Tawaen Beach is the busiest spot full of tourists because it’s large and easily accessible.
If you love kayaking, you can check out Ploy Pailin Resort Koh Larn (เกาะล้านพลอยไพริน) for rental kayaks for ฿500 (~USD14.91)/hour.
Image credit: @makos_olga
It’s fun to explore the island by motorcycle. There are motorcycle rental shops used by many tourists on the island, or you can contact Maew Motorcycle Rental Koh Larn (แมวมอไซค์เช่าเกาะล้าน) for info.
Address: Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri
Google Maps
Bonus: Take a boat tour around Samae San Island
Image credit: @sealyn_porch via Instagram
After working hard for a week, it’s possible to feel overwhelmed by stress. So, how about taking a break and relaxing on the rooftop of a boat amid the blue ocean? Go ahead and check out Sealyn in Sattahip — one hour away from Pattaya. They offer a private cruise on a boat around Samae San Island from ฿15,000 (~USD430.97)/5 pax and ฿22,000 (~USD632.09)/10 pax.
Since the boat comes with two decks, you can get the most out of your trip by taking your friends to hang out on the rooftop on the second desk. From there, you can enjoy an uninterrupted view of the sea and witness a breathtaking sunset.
Image credit: @sealyn_porch via Instagram
For an enjoyable thing to do during your tour, the boat has kayaks and SUP boards for you and your mates to paddle on the sea. It’s a great way to explore the ocean leisurely and soak in the delightful atmosphere around you.
Address: Samaesarn, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20180
Opening hours: 8am-6pm, Daily
Entrance fee: ฿15,000 (~USD430.97)/5 pax and ฿22,000 (~USD632.09)/10 pax.
Contact: +66 9 6994 6018 | Sealyn’s Facebook | Google Maps
Have a great vacation in Pattaya
Hopefully, this article gives you some ideas on things to do when you’re taking a trip to Pattaya, but there is still a lot more to explore and do in the city.
Other articles to check out:
- 11 Bang Saen cafes to chillax near the beach
- 8 things to do in Bangkok in February 2023
- 9 forest resorts in Thailand with outdoor tubs
Cover image adapted from: @a_e_n_g, @nongnoochpattayagardens, @ramayanawaterpark and @tappiacafe
Article originally published on 9 February 2023. Last updated on 30 June 2023.
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