Pattaya is a popular tourist destination in central Thailand, located just 100km from the southeast of Bangkok. The city is famous for its lively nightlife, beautiful beaches, and lots of shopping malls.
In this article, we will be looking at the best things to do and see in Pattaya. These include the most popular beaches, nightlife spots, markets, shopping centers, viewpoints, and the walking street.
The beaches in Pattaya are beautiful with clean and clear water. Famous beaches are Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach, and Wong Amat Beach. You can take a short boat ride to the nearby Koh Larn for more pristine beaches such as Samae Beach, Tien Beach, or Tawaen Beach.
The city has a vibrant nightlife scene with lots of bars, nightclubs, and night markets. You can explore Pattaya Walking Street, Pattaya Night Bazaar, or Jomtien Night Market.
For stunning views of the beaches and the skyscrapers of Pattaya, you can check out several viewpoints such as Pattaya sign Viewpoint, or Lighthouse of Cape Bali Hai. You can also have beautiful views of Pattaya from many places along the coastline.
If you love shopping and just want to escape from the heat, you can visit many shopping malls around the city. My favourite shopping centers are Terminal 21 and Central Marina. Other places to shop are Central Pattaya, Royal Garden Plaza, or Mike Shopping Mall.
If you need recommendations of how to make itinerary in Pattaya and getting around, you can check these articles:
In addition to shopping, nightlife, and beaches, Pattaya also has lots of other activities and cultural attractions to explore. You can watch a ladyboy show, a Muay Thai Show, visit Sanctuary of Truth, Buddha Mountain, or Nong Nooch Botanical Garden.
Here are the top attractions and activities in Pattaya:
25 Best Things to Do in Pattaya
Beaches & Islands
Pattaya has a long coastline lined with beautiful white sandy beaches. The beaches are ideal places for relaxing, swimming, sunbathing, and enjoy water activities such as parasailing, snorkeling, jet skiing, and banana boating.
#1. Pattaya Beach
Pattaya Beach is around 4 km long beach in the city center of Pattaya. In the northern part of the beach, you can find popular Terminal 21, while the southern part of the beach is the Walking Street and Bali Hai Pier. You can have whole views of Pattaya Beach from the viewpoint area near Pattaya sign.
The beach is packed with beach facilities such as umbrellas, bed chairs, and beach bars. You can take a stroll on the wide proname, swimming, sunbathing, or try watersports such as jet skiing or parasailing.
The Beach Road is lined with restaurants, bars, shops, markets, malls, and convenient stores. You’ll have easy access to everything along Pattaya Beach. I visited Pattaya early December and the Pattaya International Jazz Festival was held on Pattaya Beach.
#2. Jomtien Beach
Jomtien Beach is a 6 km long beach located south of Pattaya Beach. It is easily accessible by a short Grab ride from Pattaya City Center. This beach is famous for being less crowded, more family-friendly, and popular with locals and long-stay expats.
The beach is an ideal place for swimming, and watersports such as windsurfing, kiteboarding, and jet skiing. It is also a chill place to watch the sunset and take a leisure walk along the beachfront area.
The beach road is lined with bars, restaurants, shops, and all tourist amenities. You can walk to the Jomtien Night Market for more street food options.
#3. Wong Amat Beach
Wong Amat Beach is a nice beach, approximately 1 km long, located north of Pattaya Beach. The beach is less-crowded and more exclusive than Pattaya and Jomtien Beaches. The beachfront and the nearby Naklua area are packed with high-end condos, resorts, and private residences.
The water at Wong Amat Beach is calm and clean, which is ideal for swimming, beach walks, and relaxing. There are bars, cafes, and restaurants along the beach.
#4. Sashimi Secret Beach Naklua 18
This is a very nice beach located just south of Wong Amat Beach. In this beach, you will find many seafood stalls selling fresh seafood at reasonable prices. The beach has clean water and plenty of shade along the shore. It is an ideal place to relax and eat seafood.
You can rent sunbeds, beach chairs, and beach mats at the beach. If you walk further along the coast toward Pattaya Beach, you will see a massage shop where you can enjoy massage with the beach views.
You can access this beach from Pattaya City center by using Grab Bike or Taxi. It is just a 10-15 minute ride and is not expensive. I walked all the way from terminal 21, to Pattaya-Naklua Road, turned left at Naklua 18 Alley, and walked all the way to the beach.
#5. Koh Larn (Coral Island)
Koh Larn is a beautiful island located 30-45 minutes by boat from Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier. The island has more crystal-clear waters and soft white sand beaches. Popular beaches on Koh Larn are Tawaen Beach, Samae Beach, or Tien Beach.
You can explore not only beautiful beaches but also stunning viewpoints and cultural attractions such as Big Buddha and Windmill Viewpoint.
I took a day trip to Koh Larn by heading to Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya, bought a ferry ticket at the pier, and took the ferry to Koh Larn. It was around 35 minute ride on the ferry to reach Na Baan pier on Koh Larn.
If you prefer a shorter ride, you can buy a speed boat ticket at the pier. It is a 15 minute ride and it costs 150 baht one way. You don’t need to buy a ticket in advance, just buy it in person at the pier. They have frequent boats everyday.
See more: 16 Amazing Things to Do & See in Koh Larn
Nightlife & Night Markets
Pattaya is famous for its vibrant nightlife with lots of bars and night markets, scattered around the city. Let’s look at some popular nightlife areas and markets in Pattaya.
#6. Pattaya Walking Street
Pattaya Walking Street is a popular nightlife spot in Pattaya, located at the southern part of Pattaya Beach. This is a must-see spot to party, soak in the chaos, or just simply looking around.
It is around 1 km long, lined with bars, disco clubs, massage parlours, and seafood restaurants. The street gets crowded after 6pm, when it is closed to traffic and becomes a lively pedestrian zone. The party kicks off around 9 pm, but things really start to heat up after 12 am.
The walking street is the red light district with lots of scams. I recommend being aware of the common ones to avoid it. Also take care of your belongings as it is a crowded area.
#7. Pattaya Night Bazaar
This is a vibrant and popular night market located on the Second Road in the central area of Pattaya. You can find a wide range of food and souvenirs at reasonable prices.
It is a good place to buy cheap Thai themed clothes, electronic accessories, and knockoff products. Be sure to negotiate the price as you do in any other markets in Thailand and South East Asia.
#8. Pattaya Beach Market
This is a small night market located right on the beach road, next to Pattaya Beach. You can easily see it when you are walking along the beach. The market has a wide variety of food and drink. There are lots of tables and chairs to sit and eat. Due to its location along the beach, the price is more expensive than other markets in Pattaya.
#9. Runway Street Food
Runway is a popular night market in North Pattaya Beach, located right on the Second Road close to to popular places such as Central Marina and Terminal 21 shopping centers.
The market has unique airplane-themed decor, which creates a different atmosphere compared to other night markets. You can find a Boeing 747 aircraft parked prominently in the middle of the market. It is quite large and you can find all kinds of Thai street food, international dishes.
#10. Jomtien Night Market
Jomtien Night Market is one of my favorite markets in Thailand. In my opinion, it has a good and delicious range of food and drink. I prefer eating in this market than other places in Pattaya.
The market boasts a wide array of food stalls, as well as many vendors selling clothing, accessories, souvenirs, and beachwear. I tried Pad Thai, fried chicken with Thai sauce, and shrimp fried rice. They are all very tasty and cheap.
I stayed in Pattaya City Center, so I used Grab Bike to visit Jomtien Beach at sunset then walk to Jomtien Night Market for dinner. It is just a 15-20 minute ride without heavy traffic.
Shopping Malls
Pattaya is home to many shopping centers. If you want to take a break from the beaches, nightlife, and open-air markets, you can check out the shopping malls. There is a high concentration of malls along the beach road and the second street in Pattaya City Center.
#11. Central Marina
Central Marina is a big shopping mall located on the Second Road in the northern part of Pattaya Beach. The mall has a foot court, a supermarket, and lots of shops selling different products. You can shop at Big C, buy clothes, shoes, and accessories at many outlets like Adidas, Nike, Skechers, and Puma.
In the evening, the front of Central Marina is the location of the night market with street food and souvenir stalls. I visited Pattay in mid December and was able to watch the traditional Thai dance and live music.
#12. Terminal 21
Terminal 21 is a huge shopping mall located at the northern end of Pattaya Second Road. It has an unique airport-themed design. Each floor is decorated with a symbol of a famous city in the world such as Tokyo, London, Paris, Istanbul.
The mall has a variety of shops, restaurants, a foot court, and a cinema. Like Terminal 21 in Bangkok, the foot court in Terminal 21 Pattaya is a favorite place of many visitors. The food is good and has a reasonable price.
#13. Central Pattaya
Central Pattaya is a huge shopping center in Pattaya, centrally located on the Beach Road. Like many other shopping malls, it is a wonderful destination to shop, dine, and take a break from the heat.
The mall has a wide range of international and local brands both high-end and cheap options. You can find everything here, including tech, fashion, cosmetic products.
#14. Royal Garden Plaza
Royal Garden Plaza is another shopping destination in Pattaya. It is located right on the Beach Road very close to Central Pattaya and the Walking Street. With 4 floors, you can find many shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
#15. Mike Shopping Mall
This is a 4-floor shopping mall located right next to Pattaya Beach, between Central Pattaya and Royal Garden Plaza. You can find knockoff clothes, bags, and shoes with reasonable prices. Additionally, The mall offers cool air unlike the outdoor markets.
Cultural attractions
Pattaya isn’t just about beaches and nightlife, it is home to several impressive cultural attractions such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Buddha Mountain, the Big Buddha, or Ladyboy Cabaret Shows.
#16. The Sanctuary of Truth
The Sanctuary of Truth is one of the most photogenic places in Pattaya. It is a huge wooden structure, entirely hand-carved, showcasing Thai, Hindu, and Buddhist influences.
The Sanctuary of Truth is located in Naklua, 20 minutes drive north of Central Pattaya Beach. It is open daily from 8am to 6pm. The ticket is quite expensive, 500 baht.
You can easily use Grab and taxi to get to this attraction. I walked all the way from North Pattaya Beach to the beach near Sanctuary of Truth and have good views of it from the coastline.
#17. Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha)
This is a hill top temple located south of Pattaya Beach, just a few minutes drive away. The temple is home to the 18m high Buddha statue, which is the largest one in Pattaya.
The temple has a serene atmosphere, which is a great place to relax and reflect. Admission is free and it has stunning views of the city.
#18. Buddha Mountain (Khao Chi Chan)
This is a popular temple located 40 km south of Pattaya Beach. It is known for its massive Buddha image carved into the face of a limestone hill using laser technology. The image was then inlaid with gold leaf, creating a striking visual that honors Thai heritage and Buddhism.
You can get to Khao Chi Chan by hiring a private driver or taking a guided tour. It is open everyday from early morning to late afternoon. Admission is free.
You can combine a visit to Buddha Mountain with Nong Nooch Botanical Garden. They are located just 10 minutes drive away and you can use Grab.
#19. Nong Nooch Botanical Garden
Nong Nooch is a popular place to visit, located south of Pattaya, and is close to Buddha Mountain. It is a huge cultural park where you can watch the traditional Thai dance, elephant shows, explore the Dinosaur Valley, and enjoy the beautifully landscaped areas.
Nong Nooch is open daily from 8am to 6pm. They have different ticket packages. The cheapest package tickets are 600 baht for foreign adults. If you want a sightseeing bus, buffet lunch, nong Nooch show, elephant show, you will pay extra for it.
There are 4 elephant shows each day at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, and 3.30pm. As it is a massive park, I recommend using the sightseeing bus tour that will take you to the 4 main areas.
#20. Ladyboy Cabaret Shows (Tiffany’s, Alcazar)
Watching Ladyboy cabaret shows is one of the top activities to do in Pattaya. There are two well-known venues in Pattaya to watch a show, including Tiffany’s and Alcazar. They are centrally located on the Second Road and close to each other.
#21. Muay Thai Show
Muay Thai is Thailand’s traditional martial art. You can watch a Muay Thai Show at one of the several venues in Pattaya, including MAX Muay Thai Stadium, JF Boxing Muay Thai Stadium, or Pattaya Boxing World.
Viewpoints
There are several viewpoints in Pattaya located on the hill area south of Pattaya Beach. You can easily reach these viewpoints by using Grab and just walking.
#22. Pattaya View Point (Pattaya City Sign)
Pattaya View Point has beautiful views of the whole Pattaya City and its Beach. The viewpoint is a popular spot for photography and sightseeing, especially at sunrise and sunset. You can spot the “PATTAYA” sign from Bali Hai Pier and many other locations along Pattaya Beach.
#23. The Lighthouse of Cape Bali Hai
The Lighthouse of Cape Bali Hai is located 10-15 minutes walk from Bali Hai Pier. It has beautiful views of Pattaya city and its coastline. It is also a popular place to visit at sunset.
Other attractions
#24. Na Kluea
Na Kluea is a nice neighborhood located north of Pattaya Beach. It is home to Wong Amat Beach and Sanctuary of Truth. The area has lots of bars, restaurants, shops, and small markets. If you have time, I recommend spending some time exploring this neighborhood. It is just a short Grab ride from the city central area of Pattaya.
#25. Art In Paradise Pattaya
This is a popular art gallery in central Pattaya. If you love art, you must check out Art In Paradise Pattaya. an interactive 3D art museum located on Pattaya Second Road, near Terminal 21.
The Art In Paradise is open daily from 9am to 9pm. The ticket is 400 baht for foreign visitors. You need to download their app, connect to the wifi, scan the QR code, and enjoy the art in 3D on your mobile phone. Good place for families with children to have fun.
These are my list of the 25 best things to do and see in Pattaya. From nightlife, beaches, temples, to choppin malls, Pattaya has everything for all preferences. It is not only a party destination but also a family-friendly place to visit.