Pattaya is an exquisite city in Thailand, which is ideal for solo travelers, the ones with family, or friends. The incredible things to do in Pattaya would leave you overwhelmed as to where to start. Should you relax at the pristine beaches, indulge in adventurous activities, try out the scrumptious cuisine, or visit the cultural attractions of the city? Well, if you plan your itinerary keeping in mind this guide, then you can cover all of it and still have time for some leisure activities. Pattaya is a city you’d want to visit again and again because it’ll surprise you every time you visit. So, let’s take a look at this wonderous city, which is waiting for you to explore it and deem it the best holiday destination of yours.
Best Things to do in Pattaya: Spend a Few Days in a City Full of Life
Whenever anyone talks about vacationing in Thailand, Pattaya is always one of the cities which is mentioned in the plans because of its bustling personality. You’d never be bored or wish to stay in your hotel room once you step foot in this city. Its enthusiastic energy is contagious, and you’d soon find yourself dancing to its tunes. The Thai traditions and cultural attractions would be a refreshing change from your routinely life and would give you something to look forward to. No matter where you go in this city, you’ll always find something worth enjoying. Here are the top things to do in Pattaya.
- Explore the Walking Street
- Watch Tiffany Cabaret Show
- Shop at the Pattaya Night Bazaar
- Indulge in Watersport Activities
- Step into Frost Magical Ice of Siam
- Visit Khao Chi Chan to Marvel at Buddha’s Engraving
- Splash Water at the Ramayana Water Park
- Soak in the Beauty from Pattaya Viewpoint
- Walk on the Sandy Shores of Coral Island
- Watch Exotic Species at the Monster Aquarium
1. Explore the Walking Street: Experience Pattaya’s Lively Nightlife
The Walking Street is named such because it’s closed to vehicles after 6 P.M and you can take a walk on Pattaya’s Beach Road the whole night. You’d find the market here closed during the day and it’s at night when the whole place comes to life. From bars, nightclubs, and restaurants to the crowded street, you’d be amazed at the upbeat vibe of the place. You’d find amusing things on the entire road to keep you invested and the neon lights make it even more fun and exciting. In fact, there are artists performing on the roadside, showcasing their talent, which is one of the highlights, making it one of the things to do in Pattaya.
Best time to visit: 6 P.M onwards
Things to do: Munch on Thai cuisine and street food, watch artists perform live, and party at the clubs and bars
2. Watch the Tiffany Cabaret Show: Enjoy a Show of Drama, Dance and Music
The Tiffany Show is one of the most popular things to do in Pattaya because of its allure to draw people to it. The cabaret show includes ladyboys performing in elegant and regal dresses that would leave you spellbound. The highlight of the show is how they depict the Indian Raj, pay homage to China’s past and present, and perform the traditional Korean dance through a song. The diversity involved in this show is what attracts people and keeps them mesmerized the entire time. The dramatic costumes, the bold makeup, and the hypnotic performances make this a popular tourist attraction.
Best time to visit:
6 P.M, 7:30 P.M, or 9 P.M
Public holidays: 4:30 P.M
Things to do: Admire the efforts of the performers and fall in a trance while watching the performance
3. Shop at the Pattaya Night Bazaar: Indulge in Some Retail Therapy
The Pattaya Night Bazaar is a fun and amazing opportunity to shop for some Thai fabrics, accessories, beachwear, and hats. There are more than 250 shops that you can explore and buy from, and the best part is that it’s located in an air-conditioned place, opposite the Central Festival Pattaya Beach. It’s the perfect place to buy souvenirs, local clothes, delicacies, and much more that you can take with you to remember this place by. You don’t even have to worry about shopping in the heat of the sun, so take your time and buy as much as you can at an affordable price. It’s one of the most exciting things to do in Pattaya.
Best time to visit: 11 A.M to 11 P.M
Things to do: Shop for handmade fabrics, accessories, souvenirs, clothes, local delicacies, and much more
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4. Indulge in Watersport Activities: Time to Take the Adventure Up a Notch
This city is home to several gorgeous beaches with sandy stretches where you can spend leisure time, soaking in the sun, but there’s a fun side to it as well. These calm beaches make for the perfect condition for indulging in watersports adventure in Pattaya, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, wakeboarding, parasailing, etc. Every beach or island has something thrilling to offer you, so instead of spending time on your beach blanket, try something adventurous that would get the adrenaline pumping in you. Pleasant weather, crystal-clear water, and a picturesque view make for a perfect combination to do something extraordinary. You can enjoy these activities at Koh Rin Beach, Coral Island, Jomtien Beach, and many more.
Best time to visit: November to April
Things to do: Try various watersports, like parasailing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, snorkeling, and so on
5. Step into Frost Magical Ice of Siam: The Winter Wonderland of Thailand
As soon as you set foot in this magical world, you’ll be in awe of this masterpiece created with artificial ice. The breathtaking ice sculptures featuring tuk tuks and various snow figurines is a sight to behold. However, the ice dome here is the highlight, where the temperature’s -10 degree. You’ll find a refreshment bar here from where you can buy some snacks and drinks. As you explore outside the park, you’d come across the Himmapan Forest, which is inspired from the Thai Folklore, where this enchanting forest is in the Himalayas full of mystical creatures. The forest is completely white, which makes it look like it's covered in snow. You’ll also come across Hindu and Buddhist mystical creatures, such as winged dragons, a flying elephant, and many more. It’s one of the places to visit in Thailand that you can’t miss out on.
Best time to visit: 9 A.M to 7 P.M
Things to do: Marvel at the ice sculptures, enjoy the drinks and snacks from the refreshment bar, learn about Thai folklore, and click pictures with the figurines
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6. Visit Khao Chi Chan to Marvel at Buddha’s Engraving: Admire the Buddha Mountain’s Grandeur
One of the marvelous things to do in Pattaya Thailand is visiting the Buddha Mountain at Jomtien. This mountain has the biggest Buddha engraving in the world, embossed with gold. This engraving was carved on the golden jubilee of the then King of Thailand. At a height of 130 meters, this incredible sight is a major tourist spot. There’s also a gorgeous natural Silverlake and a temple with monks wearing saffron robes. The engraving sparkles under the sun and at night is when you can appreciate its true beauty. This sculpture was named “the Buddha with brightness and sublimity” and you’ll understand why once you look at it yourself.
Best time to visit: 8 A.M to 5:30 P.M
Things to do: Admire the beauty of Buddha’s engraving, visit the nearby attractions, such as the temple and the Silverlake
7. Splash Water at the Ramayana Water Park: Bring Out the Kid in You
Visiting the Ramayana Water Park is one of the most exciting things to do in Pattaya with family because regardless of how old you get, it’s one of the simple pleasures you’ll always enjoy. This is the largest waterpark in Thailand with several fun and thrilling water rides, wave pool, and a floating market as well. The highlight is that this water park was built on an ancient city, so you can still notice various ancient ruins surrounding it. The floating market involves you sitting on a long tail boat and shopping for fresh produce like fruits and vegetables. It’s quite a wholesome experience for all the tourists because it’s fun and adventure mixed in one.
Best time to visit: 10 A.M to 6 P.M
Things to do: Go on water rides, buy from the floating market, view the ancient ruins, and have fun
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8. Soak in the Beauty from Pattaya Viewpoint: Hike to this Place for a Romantic View
The Pattaya Viewpoint on Pratumnak Hill is the perfect location to view the cityscape and Pattaya Bay. You can also visit the Wat Khao Phra Bat Temple from here, which is a truly mesmerizing place. The hike to this location is a memorable one with lush greenery surrounding you and once you’re there, you’ll be engulfed in the peaceful and calm environment. This is what makes it count amongst the things to do in Pattaya for couples because the charming vibe, the calm surroundings, and the magnificent view spells romance. The structure of the Father of Royal Thai Navy is also located at the hilltop; so many reasons to visit this location.
Best time to visit: 7 A.M to 10 P.M
Things to do: Take in the alluring view of the cityscape and Pattaya Bay, visit the nearby attractions, and spend a romantic time
9. Walk on the Sandy Shores of Coral Island: Relax on this Idyllic Island
Coral Island, also known as Koh Larn is one of the top places to visit in Pattaya because it’s infamous for its white sands and azure waters. The adventure junkies would find an immense level of thrill by indulging in the watersport activities available here, such as parasailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, and so many more. For the beach bums, the soft sand is an ideal place to lie on your beach blanket and gaze at the calm waters of the sea. You can also munch on scrumptious Thai street food while relaxing. Surrounded by rich greenery and mesmerizing views, this archipelago of 6 beaches has some of the best things to do in Pattaya.
Best time to visit: From 7 A.M onwards
Things to do: Try adventurous watersports, unwind in the cool breeze of the sea, and take a stroll on the beach
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10. Watch Exotic Species at the Monster Aquarium: Witness Strangely Rare Animals
The Monster Aquarium in Pattaya is one of the things to do in Thailand, which isn’t as famous as it should be because not a lot of people know about it. If you wish to be among rare animals, then this place should be on your itinerary. You can view two headed turtles, albino crocodiles, monster fishes, and a lot more. There’s also an underwater tunnel, where you’ll get a 360-degree view of marine life, and it’s a surreal experience to watch aquatic animals up close. You can even pet some farm animals, like rabbits, lambs, etc. You can also enjoy delicious food in the food court, so make an entire day out of this trip. It’s sufficient to say that it’d be one of the most unusual things to do in Pattaya.
Best time to visit: 9 A.M to 6 P.M
Things to do: View rare and exotic species, visit the underwater tunnel to see marine life up close, enjoy Thai delicacies, and pet farm animals
The things to do in Pattaya are what make this a sought-after destination for the tourists. From adventure seekers to homebodies, there’s a piece of this paradise for everyone. Explore the picturesque attractions of the city and if you need to take a beat away from the dizzying pace of the city, then head to the beach for some relaxing time. You can’t get enough of this city with its lively atmosphere and upbeat places with calm retreats as well. So, if you’re convinced to visit this dreamy city, then book our Thailand tour packages and plan the vacation of a lifetime.
Pattaya FAQs
Pattaya is known for its adventurous vibes, thrilling activities, serene beaches, and raving nightlife. All this combined, makes Pattaya a major holiday destination in Thailand.
The nightlife of Pattaya is exciting with lots to look forward to. You can watch the cabaret shows, shop at the Pattaya Night Bazaar and party till dawn at the beach bars while eating delicious food and refreshing drinks.
The Pattaya Walking Street refers to the beach road, which is full of restaurants, bars, and clubs. This street closes to vehicles by 6 P.M and then it’s free for tourists to walk around, wat street food, watch artists perform on the roadside, and party at nightclubs.
November to February is the best time to visit this city. You can expect a moderate climate, which is ideal for sightseeing and exploring the attractions of the city.
3 to 4 days are enough to experience everything that this city has to offer. From adventurous activities to cultural attractions, you can cover it all in this period of time.
Yes, Pattaya is an excellent destination for couples because of the romantic landmarks, such as the Pattaya Viewpoint and the relaxing beaches to enjoy quality time together. You can even indulge in adventurous activities together, like scuba diving, etc.
Pattaya has a lot of adventure activities in store for the tourists. You can go paragliding, snorkeling, scuba diving, kitesurfing, and much more.
There are a lot of things you can do in Pattaya with family, such as visit the Khao Chi Chan mountain, Ramayana waterpark, Monster Aquarium, and a lot more. Pattaya is a family-friendly destination, after all.
