Pattaya is a popular tourist destination on the Gulf of Thailand’s eastern coast. Resort hotels, high-rise condominiums, retail malls, cabaret bars, and 24-hour clubs now fill the streets of what was once a peaceful fishing community in the 1960s. There are also a number of high-end golf courses in the city, some of which even have a view of Pattaya Bay.
Pattaya, a popular tourist destination in Thailand, has a colorful history. You can easily enjoy the sun, beach, and sea without traveling more than 200 kilometers from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Since American troops “discovered” the once-quiet vacation location during the Vietnam War, Pattaya has attracted visitors and travelers from all over the world. Pattaya has risen in popularity as one of Southeast Asia’s most visited tourist spots since then.
Pattaya’s government has made an effort in recent years to market the city as a family vacation spot. Thus there are many venues and activities available that are appropriate for children. Still, it is mostly an adult vacation spot, particularly in the Walking Street district.
Top 14 tourist attractions in Pattaya
Here’s a list of Pattaya’s best tourist attractions to help you plan a better trip to this magical city.
- Khao Chi Chan
- Big Buddha Temple
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
- Sanctuary of Truth
- Koh Larn (Coral Island)
- Art in Paradise
- Pattaya Floating Market
- Mini Siam
- Underwater World Pattaya
- Thepprasit Night Market
- Pattaya water parks
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
- Walking Street
- Jomtien Beach
Khao Chi Chan
Khao Chi Chan, also known as Buddha Mountain, is located near Jomtien and is home to the world’s biggest Buddha sculpture. A laser was used to etch the gold-embossed picture onto the face of a mountain of limestone. It reaches a height of 130 meters and a width of 70 meters. Khao Chi Chan is definitely one of the best tourist attractions in the beautiful city of Pattaya.
In the past, the isolated limestone hill was mined to serve the neighborhood’s burgeoning building sector. The then-Supreme Patriarch recommended carving the enormous picture into the rock and outlining it in gold to celebrate His Majesty the King of Thailand’s golden jubilee in 1996. The Silverlake region in which Khao Chi Chan is situated is home to stunning natural scenery and a number of other tourist hotspots.
- Address: Soi Khao Chi Chan, Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Big Buddha Temple
By any measure, at 18 meters in height, Pattaya’s so-called Big Buddha Temple more than lives up to its name as the region’s tallest Buddha statue. Set on a hill between Pattaya and Jomtien beaches, the monument stands approximately 100 meters above sea level and keeps an eye on both lands. Make sure you visit this monument, as it is one of Pattaya’s top attractions.
With its many bells, burning incense, countless smaller sculptures, and stunning views over the region, the temple complex surrounding the finely detailed golden sitting Buddha, known locally as Wat Phra Khao Yai, induces a thoughtful atmosphere among its many visitors. It’s more than simply a pretty sight; residents come here often to worship, and thus it serves as a working temple as well.
- Address: WV79+PCM, Muang Pattaya, อำเภอบางละมุง ชลบุรี 20150, Thailand.
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Nong Nooch (pronounced “nung nut”) Village’s massive park has plenty of fun things to do for the whole family. Topiary gardens, a French garden from the 17th century, a European Renaissance garden, and species-specific gardens with plants like tropical palms, succulents, and bonsai are just a few of the colorful themed gardens that may be explored along the winding pathways.
The beautiful orchid garden is sure to inspire any dormant green thumb. Traditional Thai dance, sword fighting, Thai kickboxing, and a questionably ethical elephant display are just some of the live events that can be seen at the Thai Cultural Hall. You may get door-to-door service, and you can also rent bicycles to use in the park.
- Address: 34 Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Sanctuary of Truth
Sanctuary of Truth is another one of the best attractions to visit in Pattaya. This huge structure is a study in Thai architectural traditions and has been described as “the majesty of heaven replicated on Earth.” Wooden carvings cover every accessible surface, and the building as a whole was designed to honor traditional worldviews and spiritual practices.
There are common themes throughout this artwork, including the life cycle, Utopia, and humanity’s place in the cosmos. Thai traditional performances and Thai boxing, elephant trekking, horseback riding, and speedboat rides are just a few of the activities available at Sanctuary of Truth.
- Address: 206/12 หมู่ที่ 5 12 Pattaya-Na Kluea Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
Koh Larn (Coral Island)
Koh Larn (sometimes spelled Koh Lan) is a tranquil island destination about 30 minutes by speedboat or 45 minutes by ferry from Pattaya. The island is not located in the city, but its proximity to the city makes it one of the best attractions in Pattaya. All around the island’s borders are beaches covered with soft, white sand, along with beachside concessions, public showers, and a wide variety of water activities. Some of the best-loved activities include parasailing, riding banana boats, and Sea Walking under the waves.
Some of the most beautiful beaches are Tien and Nual, where monkeys play. In addition to the several beachfront resorts in Samae and Tawaen, visitors may hire motorcycles to go around the island. The hustle and bustle of Pattaya are left behind as families come here for a day of fun and relaxation.
Art in Paradise
Family-friendly The museum of optical illusions Art in Paradise makes for great holiday snaps, and it is one of the best attractions in Pattaya. It’s also an excellent spot to go if you want to get out of the heat for a while. Experience the thrill of touching a whale’s belly, stroking a rhino, or wrestling a marlin in a picture opportunity unlike any other.
Classical art, Egypt, the Undersea World, Safari, Dinosaurs, and Imaginative Spaces are some of the many themed areas. Visiting here is a delightful way to complete your vacation’s picture album and is the perfect choice for rainy days.
- Address: หมู่ที่ 9 78/34 Pattaya Sai Song Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 9:30 AM to 8 PM.
Pattaya Floating Market
One of the finest things to do and top attractions in Pattaya is to visit the Four Regions Floating Market, more often known as the Pattaya Floating Market. This 10-hectare complex is divided into four parts, one each for Thailand’s north, northeast, central, and southern regions. There are frequent cultural events and demonstrations, as well as stores and booths offering souvenirs, fruits, cuisine, art, handicrafts, postcards, and clothing.
Some of the 114 merchants really use boats and canoes to get their items to customers. The remainder forms a fortified stilted community connected by robust bridges and covered walkways.
- Address: 451 304 หมู่ที่ 12 Sukhumvit Road, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Mini Siam
Mini Siam is a fun and unique way to see the attractions of Thailand and the globe. The Statue of Liberty, the Tower Bridge in London, the Sydney Opera House, and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris are just some of the world-famous structures that you can see a replica of in this amazing place. Mini Siam is one of the best attractions to visit in Thailand.
Seeing models of these well-known buildings in one spot is fascinating for anybody, but particularly for kids. In the late afternoon, as the sun is setting, unique warm lights will be turned on. Appointments should be scheduled at least one day in advance.
- Address: 387 Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 9 AM to 7 PM.
Underwater World Pattaya
Another one of Pattaya’s top attractions is definitely the Underwater World Pattaya. Although Underwater World is smaller than some other aquariums, it still has a diverse collection of marine life. At Thailand’s first contemporary aquarium, visitors may feed koi fish from bottles, see sharks and rays up close, feel the smooth or rough skin of sea animals in the touch pool, and witness the country’s greatest collection of jellyfish.
The Sleepover with Sharks & Rays Camp is a unique opportunity for kids to spend the night in the underwater glass tunnel with marine animal experts.
- Address: 22 22 หมู่ 11 Sukhumvit Road, ตำบล หนองปรือ Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Thepprasit Night Market
Even though there are other markets in Pattaya, you should take a tuk-tuk to Thepprasit since the central markets in the city charge more. There are both indoor and outdoor booths, but the inside section is where most of the action occurs and where the most remarkable products can be found.
Hot food vendors stand next to those selling gadgets or T-shirts, as is typical in Thai marketplaces, where there is no organization to the booths. To find the greatest prices, you should stroll the full length of the market and sharpen your bargaining skills.
Paper lamps, genuine souvenirs, and unexpectedly affordable silk clothes should be valued above fake designer goods and questionable products that you will see in this market.
- Address: Thepprasit Rd, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 5 PM to 10 PM.
Pattaya water parks
Another one of Pattaya’s best attractions is, without a doubt, its various amazing waterparks. In terms of family-friendly activities, Pattaya’s water parks are among the city’s top picks. Several excellent water parks, including Thailand’s biggest, can be found in Pattaya. These parks have dozens of attractions and slides.
Pattaya City is home to some of the world’s top water parks, including Columbia Pictures Aquaverse (formerly known as Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark) and Ramayana Water Park. You may eat at the park’s restaurants and use the many family-friendly amenities available at each park.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
You Won’t Believe What Happened Here! Over three hundred mind-boggling displays may be seen throughout Pattaya’s famous museum called Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Surprising and stunning exhibitions based only on actual events demonstrate that reality is indeed stranger than fiction.
Sky Rider, the bright yellow and white balloon that floats over Pattaya Beach and offers breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings, is another famous attraction that sits beside this museum of marvels. You must visit this museum on your trip to the city as it is one of the best attractions in Pattaya.
- Address: 218 Beach Rd, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand.
- Timings: every day from 11 AM to 10 PM.
Walking Street
Pattaya City’s Walking Street is home to sounds and sights you won’t find anywhere else in Thailand. Although “walking street” is often associated with regular street markets in other Thai cities, this one is an exception. Five hundred meters of pure entertainment await you at the very end of Pattaya’s Beach Road, and you won’t find anything like it anywhere else in the country.
The road gets its name because it is blocked off to traffic between the hours of 6 PM and 2 AM. Almost every building on each side of the road, as well as many on the side streets around it, are nightclubs, bars, or restaurants, leaving the route mostly desolate during the day.
But as night falls, the road is filled with neon lights, pounding music of all types, food sellers, street shows, and revelers from all over the globe. Make sure to visit this wonderful place on your trip to the city, as it is one of the best attractions in Pattaya.
Jomtien Beach
Jomtien Beach, located about four kilometers outside of Pattaya proper, is a popular tourist attraction in the city due to its length (six kilometers) and its status as a tranquil respite from the city center. You may soak up some rays on its sandy shoreline or seek shelter from the heat under the overhanging branches of the nearby trees. Water sports enthusiasts have their pick of the bunch, from jet skiing and windsurfing to kiteboarding and parasailing.
If you are hungry or thirsty, there are several beachside restaurants and cafes providing delicious regional specialties and seafood.
The adjacent Cartoon Network Amazone is an exciting water park full of twisting slides, vast pools, gushing waterfalls, and attractions and characters from your favorite cartoons.
