Chiang Mai or Pattaya, which is better?

Chiang Mai is a famous mountainous destination in North Thailand. Pattaya is a famous party and beach destination in Central Thailand near Bangkok. These two cities are located in different regions of Thailand and offer distinct atmospheres.

In this article, I will compare Chiang Mai and Pattaya, focusing on their locations, accommodations, beaches, cultural attractions, nightlife, shopping, and food.

I’ve been lucky to travel to both cities and many other parts of Thailand, so I hope to give us some useful information based on my first-hand experiences. If you’re deciding whether to visit Chiang Mai or Pattaya, keep reading to find out more.

Is it better to visit Chiang Mai or Pattaya?

For me, Chiang Mai is the better choice over Pattaya because it offers a more authentic Thai experience. I’m not into the seedy nightlife scene of Pattaya but still have a great time enjoying beaches, night markets, and day trips to Koh Larn.

Generally speaking, Chiang Mai is better than Pattaya if you’re after a more laid-back, cultural, and nature-focused experience with cooler weather, lots of mountainous activities, and great food. It is an ideal base to explore North Thailand, visiting Pai, Chiang Rai, and the Golden Triangle.

Pattaya is better than Chiang Mai if you want a beach destination that is close to Bangkok. Pattaya also boasts a vibrant nightlife, making it perfect for party-goers. Walking Street is the epicenter of nightlife in Pattaya, full of neon signs, bars, nightclubs, and adult entertainment venues.

In Chiang Mai, I enjoyed exploring the temples, night markets, waterfalls, going hiking, visiting elephant sanctuary, and taking a cooking class. The activities in Chiang Mai feel more relaxed and budget-friendly compared to places like Pattaya and Bangkok.

In Pattaya, I enjoyed exploring the beaches, night markets, browsing the shopping malls, and taking boat trips to Koh Larn island. Exploring Koh Larn, walking along Wong Amat, hiking to Pattaya Sign Viewpoint, and visiting Jomtien Night Market are some of my highlights in Pattaya.

Both Chiang Mai and Pattaya have a wide range of tourist amenities and apartments style accommodations for long term travelers. There are many digital nomads and expats in both cities.

My recommend hotels in Chiang Mai:

My top hotel picks in Pattaya:

Luxury: Amari Pattaya
Mid-range: DeeProm Pattaya Hotel
Budget: Siam View Hotel and Residence

Location & How to Get There

Chiang Mai is located in North Thailand, around 690 km north of Bangkok. Pattaya is located on the eastern Gulf coast, in Central Thailand, around 815 km south of Chiang Mai and 150km south east of Bangkok. If you’re traveling from Chiang Mai to Pattaya, you’ll typically pass through Bangkok.

Both cities have their own airports. Chiang Mai International airport is a convenient location within around 5km from Chiang Mai old town. U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International Airport is located 40km south of Pattaya City Center.

Both cities are also easily accessible by trains and buses. There are more frequent trains to Chiang Mai than Pattaya. Taking the train to Chiang Mai is a more popular option than taking the train to Pattaya. Patyya is just 1.5-2 hours drive from Bangkok, so it’s easier to take a private taxi and minivan.

Beaches

Pattaya has a range of nice beaches to explore. Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains and there are no beaches nearby. If you want a beach holiday, Pattaya is definitely a better place to go.

The main beach is Pattaya Beach, around 3km long. The southern end of the beach is home to the Pattaya Walking Street and Bali Hai pier. You can take a boat from this pier to Ko Larn for more beautiful beaches.

Additionally, you can explore other nearby quieter beaches such as Jomtien and Wong Amat Beach. There is a nice night market in Jomtien and a good seafood market in Wong Amat.

The beaches in Pattaya are great for swimming, sunbathing, and watching the sunset. There are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas for rent along the beaches. Jet sky and Paragliding are popular water transport in Pattaya.

Accommodations

Both cities have a wide range of accommodations for all budgets and preferences. There are more high rise building resorts and apartments in Pattaya than in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai has more boutique guest houses, which offer a more homey and historic atmosphere.

Whether you choose to visit, make sure to book well in advance because they are both popular tourist destinations in Thailand. Accommodations are often in high demand in the peak season from November to May.

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Nightlife

Pattaya is a better place to go for a wild nightlife. Chiang Mai is a better place to go for a relaxing nightlife with good food, music venues, night markets, and chill bars.

Pattaya is famous for its nightclubs, go-go bars, beach parties, and entertainment districts. The Walking Street is the heart of Pattaya’s nightlife, but there are also plenty of bars and clubs scattered around Pattaya Beach and Jometien Beach area.

In addition to the bar scene, Pattaya is famous for its ladyboy cabaret shows, like Tiffany’s Show and Alcazar Cabaret. These are some of the best things to do in Pattaya in the evening.

In Chiang Mai, the nightlife is mainly around the night markets, finding a good place to eat, and a good music venue to watch. There is also a good range of bars around the Night Bazaar and Nimman areas, though they are not as wild as those in Pattaya.

Shopping

Both cities are great shopping destinations in Thailand. There are lots of night markets and shopping malls to explore. Pattaya has more shopping malls in a small area, while the shopping malls in Chiang Mai are located a bit outside of the old city.

Famous shopping malls in Pattaya include Terminal 32, Central Marina Outlet, Central Festival Pattaya, Royal Garden Plaza, or Mike Shopping Mall. There are also a range of night markets for more affordable Thai souvenirs such as Pattaya Night Bazaar, Jomtien Night Market, or Runway Market.

Popular malls in Chiang Mai are Maya and Nimman One in Nimman. There are also dozens of night markets around the city. Famous markets are Chiang Mai Night Bazaar (Chang Klan Rd), Sunday Walking Street Market (Ratchadamnoen Rd), Saturday Market (Wua Lai Rd), and Warorot Market.

Chiang Mai is ideal for shoppers looking for authentic, traditional handicrafts, and Lanna-inspired goods. Pattaya caters to tourists with a focus on beachwear, souvenirs, and international brands.

Food

Chiang Mai’s food is one of the food hubs of Thailand along with Bangkok. It’s a great place to try Northern Thai food and take cooking classes at a slower pace.

Khao Soi (Northern Curry Noodles) is a must-try when in Chiang Mai. It’s a classic dish consisting of egg noodles and crispy fried noodles with creamy coconut curry broth, and protein such as chicken/ beef.

You can find food at trendy restaurants, food courts at the malls, or many street food stalls around the Night Bazaar, Sunday Walking Street, and Saturday Night Market.

In Pattaya, you can find typical Thai food in the night market, shopping malls, or independent restaurants. Some of my favorite places to eat in Chiang Mai are at the Food Court in Terminal 21, street food stalls at Jomtien Night Market, and the seafood market in Wong Amat Beach Naklua 18.

There is more seafood in Pattaya than Chiang Mai because it’s a coastal city. Chiang Mai has more vegan and vegetarian options. Both places have a good range of restaurants serving international dishes.

Cultural attractions

Chiang Mai is the winner if you’re interested in historical and cultural attractions. But Pattaya also has some interesting temples and cultural sites.

Chiang Mai is the ancient capital of the Lana Kingdom, founded in 1296 by King Mengrai. You can see many ruins and temples dating back to the 13th, 14th centuries around the old town.

The ancient walled city of Chiang Mai is full of temples, as well as remnants of its ancient city walls and moats. Narrow streets here are lined with cafes, boutique shops, and traditional markets, offering a glimpse into the city’s heritage.

Popular temples in Chiang Mai are Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Phra Singh. These temples have stunning Lanna architecture.

The city is also home to Thailand’s famous festivals such as Yi Peng Lantern Festival and Songkran Festival (Thai New Year). These parts of Chiang Mai’s cultural heritage.

Pattaya is known primarily for its beaches, entertainment, and vibrant nightlife, but it has some temples to explore. These are Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha), and Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain).

Viewpoints and Hiking

Chiang Mai is a better place to go for hiking and exploring the viewpoints. However, Pattaya also has some good hiking trails and viewpoints, especially if you visit Koh Larn island nearby.

In Chiang Mai, I like to hike on the Monk’s trail to Wat Pha Lat and Wat Doi Suthep. The hike inside Doi Inthanon National Park is also so interesting.

There is a nice viewpoint at the top of Wat Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon is home to the highest point of Thailand. There are some good views around the King and Queen Twin temples.

In Pattaya, there is a hilly area south of Bali Hai Pier. You can walk around the hill area and have stunning views of the city, especially the area near the Pattaya Sign. There are also good trails on Koh Larn. It is a small island, and if you’re an active person, you can walk around the island.

Day trips

The most popular day trip from Pattaya is the boat trip to Koh Larn island. It is a 30 minute boat ride. Koh Larn has more beautiful white sandy beaches than in Pattaya. THe beaches on the island also have a quieter atmosphere than in the mainland.

Additionally, there are also a cluster of attractions located south of Pattaya. You can take day trips to Pattaya Floating Market, Nongnooch Pattaya Garden, and Wat Khao Chichan.

Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains with lots of cultural and natural attractions. You can take day trips to Doi Suthep to visit Doi Suthep temple, Wat Pha Lat, or visit Doi Inthanon National Park with the highest point of Thailand, and waterfalls, hilltribe villages, and coffee plantations.

There are also many guided day tours to Chiang Rai visiting White Temple and the Golden triangle. You can visit Sticky Waterfall and Chiang Dao with famous caves.

Getting Around

There are plenty of taxis, tuk tuk, local songthaews, and riding share services such as Grab, InDrive, and Bolt in both Chiang Mai and Pattaya. You can easily get around on foot in the city center, and use these transports if you want to avoid the heat.

Additionally, there are many tours that take you around the cities or nearby attractions. If you don’t plan to rent a scooter, taking guided tours are great ways to explore each region.

I explored Pattaya at my own pace, mostly on foot and by using Grab Bike and Grab Taxi. I took ferries to Koh Larn by buying the ticket right at the pier.

In Chiang Mai, I explored the old town and the Night Bazaar on foot. I used a Grab Bike to travel a short distance inside the city center, and hire a private driver to further places like Sticky Waterfalls. I take guided tours to Doi Inthanon National Park, elephant sanctuary, and cooking class.