The town of Pattaya lies on the Eastern Gulf coast of Thailand and is renowned for its amazing beaches and wild nightlife thus making it one of the favorite holiday destinations for international tourists, and weekenders from nearby places. The city’s cultural and religious sites, botanical gardens and exotic water parks attract tourists from every corner of the world.
We bring to you the 12 best tourist places in Pattaya that are a must-visit.
1. Jomtien Beach
Jomtien Beach is a sandy coastline of six kilometers and is famous for its nightlife and beach attractions. You may find some of the finest eating joints alongside the beach. Eat, relax and take a sunbath at the beach during the day and let your hair down at night on its beach parties.
Attractions: Seafood snacks, sandy shore, uncluttered sea.
Location: Two kilometers South of Pattaya Beach
2. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden
Located in a sprawling area of 500 acres the Nong Nooch botanical garden appears more like a theme park. The park is divided into various gardens with different specialties such as butterfly garden, Ant tower, flower valley and more. The garden is loved by tourists as it offers various cultural shows, and other entertainment and recreational centers like restaurants, etc.
Attractions: Theme gardens such as French Garden, European Garden, Stonehenge Garden, Cactus & Succulent Garden, Variegated Plants, Ant Tower, Butterfly Hill, and Orchid & Bromeliad Display Garden.
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Location: Km. 163, Sukhumvit Road (Highway 3)
3. Pattaya Floating Market
While in Pattaya, giving a miss to the famous Four Regions floating market is not an option. A visual treat to eyes, this 350 million baht market covers a sprawling area of 100,000 sq.m and offers the buyers everything right from groceries to souvenirs. These man- driven boas goes a long way back in the Thai culture and is a must-visit attraction.
Attractions: Art galleries, authentic Thai food, water vendors, souvenir shops, afternoon cultural show
Opening Hours: 09.00 – 20.00
Location: 451/304 Moo 12, Sukhumvit Road Pattaya
4. Underwater World Pattaya
The underwater world is one of the best ways to witness the rare and spectacular marine life of the region without having to actually take a dive into the ocean. The place is beautifully managed and is full of recreational activities for children. It is one of the best places to visit in Pattaya and witnesses thousands of visitors every year.
Attractions: Touch Pool, Coral reef zone, Magic Tank and more.
Opening Hours: 09:00-18:00
Location: along Sukhumvit Highway, 200 meters south of Tesco Lotus in South Pattaya
5. Ripley’s Believe it or not
Now, this is a place in Pattaya which definitely shall challenge your prudence and thoughts regarding the world. At ‘Ripley’s Believe it or not’ get ready to confront what you already know and what you don’t know yet. Themed galleries and more than 300 exhibits of Ripley’s museum are a striking feature of the place.
Attractions: the Infinity Maze, Ripley’s 4 D Moving Theatre, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, and Tussauds Wax Museum
Opening Hours: 11:00 – 23:00
Location: 3rd floor, Royal Garden Plaza, Pattaya Beach Road
6. Viharn Sien
A place to worship and a museum with rare cultural artifacts- Viharn Sien is a sacred temple with a collection of some of the best-known saints of Chinese culture. A delightful cultural treat, the place has a distinct charm and tourists come here to do both, offer prayers and appreciate the architectural masterpiece.
Attractions: Rare treasures from china ranging from ancient paintings, musical instruments, granite sculptures, animal figures Chinese zodiac dolls and much more.
Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00
Location: 15 kilometers south of Pattaya, on Sukhumvit Road (2km from Wat Yansangwararam)
7. Sanctuary of Truth
A strange mix of religion, art, culture, and philosophy and design that of a palatial temple- the ‘Sanctuary of Truth’ is a sacred place of worship with intricate wooden carvings all over. These sculptures are mainly inspired by the cultural and religious motifs of both Buddhists and Hindus. The place is a must-visit to appreciate the art and sculpture and to offer peace to the mind and soul.
Attractions: The guided tour that takes you through these amazing sculptures while telling you its historical importance.
Opening Hours: Every day: 8:00 – 17:00
Location: 206/2 Moo5 Naklua 12 Naklua Rd., Banglamung
8. Cabaret Shows
Pattaya’s Cabaret shows are famous all over the world. Why? Because every beautiful dancer that you see on stage glittering and setting the stage on fire is a male. Yes, it’s almost impossible to tell that these exotic cabaret shows are actually the ‘ladyboy shows’.
Attractions: Depiction of various elements of Asian culture through different dance forms, pyrotechnics, aerial acrobatics, etc by the show guy dressed to kill as a showgirl.
Location: South Pattaya
9. Walking Street
Closed for vehicle traffic after six every evening, the walking street is another dimension of the city’ vibrant nightlife. Neon lights, thumping music, dancing people, restaurants cum bars, nightclubs, and all sorts of meddling fun is what makes the walking street a hit amongst locals and tourists. The street is virtually deserted during the day as all the shops are shut but during the night, it comes to life and offers a distinct charm.
Attractions: street performances, sumptuous street food, nightlife.
Opening Hours: Closed to road traffic 18:00 – 02:00. Bar opening times vary
Location: South Pattaya
10. Art in Paradise
The art is brought to life at the Art of Paradise art gallery in Pattaya. The use of optical images in the art gallery allows the visitors the advantage of optical illusion to click pictures in the perfect angles (already marked for them) to give an illusion of actually doing them. Now you can post pics of sitting on the flying carpet in the desert, swinging on an elephant trunk, swimming with dolphins and much more. It’s fun and loved by everyone.
Attractions: optical illusions, nature, past civilizations, wild animals and replicas of classic art with humorous additions
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 21:00
Location: 78/34 Moo 9, Pattaya Second Road Soi 1, North Pattaya
11. Big Buddha Hill
The Big Buddha is admired by tourists who love to see the complex designs of the statue and grand architecture of the temple. It is also honored by local people for its mysticism and spirituality. This is a great place to experience some tranquil time in the otherwise bustling city.
Attractions: Smaller Buddha statues, partial views of Jomtien Beach, and the exhibition area hall which has a wonderfully painted mosaic on the walls.
Location: Pratumnak Hill (well signposted at the top of the hill)
12. Pattaya Elephant Village
The Pattaya Elephant Village is a place of former working elephants who live peacefully in this non-profit sanctuary. The place offers tourists various entertaining elephant shows, rides, and recreational activities. Tourists, especially children love the place. Enjoy a short jungle trek, a local ferry ride, a visit to the Silk house and much more on your visit to the Elephant Village.
Location: Moo 7, Tambol Nong Prue, Pattaya City, Chonburi
FAQs
Q1. What is Pattaya Renowned for?
Pattaya is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and a wide range of entertainment options, including shopping, dining, and cultural activities.
Q2. What is an ideal time to explore Pattaya?
An ideal time to explore Pattaya is during the dry season, November to February. The weather is cooler, less humid, and perfect for outdoor activities like beach-going and exploring the city. However, if you are looking for a more vibrant nightlife scene, you may want to visit during the busier months of March to May.
Q3. Name some famous tourist spots in Pattaya.
- Sanctuary of Truth
- Jomtein Beach
- Big Buddha Hill
- Pattaya Floating Market
Q4. What are some interesting activities to try in Pattaya?
You can enjoy water sports like snorkeling, parasailing, and jet skiing or explore the city’s lively nightlife scene.
Q5. Is Pattaya safe for visitors?
Pattaya is generally safe for tourists, but it is always a good idea to exercise caution & be aware of the surroundings, particularly in crowded areas or late at night. Petty crime, like pick pocketing and theft, can occur, so it is important to keep your valuables secure.
Conclusion
Pattaya is not for the ones looking for a quiet and secluded getaway. It is a place for thrill-seekers, animal lovers, culture and heritage lovers and the young at heart. The vibrancy and energy of the city are infectious and the place is visited by over 10 million tourists annually from all over the globe. So, pack your bags to a getaway of unlimited fun, thrill, and excitement.
Beautiful places especially the tropical botanical gardens. I would love to go visit them.
Yes absolutely Marc, the tropical botanical garden is the most visited place where in thousands of visitors do come here to check out this place.
Its quite pleasing đŸ™‚