Pattaya has a reputation that sticks. Yet, two hours by road from Bangkok, the city hides quiet beaches, a temple carved entirely from wood, an island with clear water and a huge botanical garden. Here are the best things to do in Pattaya when you are looking for something other than nightlife: the right beaches, the visits worth your time, prices checked in 2026, how to get there from Bangkok and where to stay for your travel style.
Things to do in Pattaya: start by choosing the right beach
The central beach, Pattaya Beach, is long and convenient, but the water is often murky and the Beach Road traffic runs right behind it. Mr Schaka suggests looking a little further:
- Jomtien. To the south, a long beach with a calmer promenade and less traffic than the centre. The water gets clearer as you head south. The right choice for families.
- Wong Amat. To the north, in the Naklua area. A very quiet sandy beach lined with hotels, with no promenade. At low tide the sea pulls back a long way. The Sanctuary of Truth is close by.
- Pratumnak. Between the centre and Jomtien, the hill hides small coves such as Cosy Beach, reached by a staircase. Little room at high tide, rocks at low tide: you come here for the view and the calm more than for swimming.
Good to know: for the clearest water, take the boat to Koh Larn (see below). On the coast, the best period runs from November to February, during the dry and slightly cooler season. All the details in our guide the best time to visit Thailand, month by month.
Pratumnak and the Big Buddha: the Pattaya of The Season of Breath
On Pratumnak Hill, the noise of the centre fades away. At the top, Wat Phra Yai, the Big Buddha temple, overlooks the bay. You climb a staircase lined with nagas, the serpents that guard Thai temples. Entry is free. Cover your shoulders and knees: wraps are lent at the entrance if needed. Nearby, the Khao Phra Tamnak viewpoint offers the classic view over Pattaya Bay, at its best late in the day.
Mr Schaka knows this area well: several chapters of The Season of Breath, his novel, take place here, in Pratumnak, and as far as Tiger Park. For the feel of the hill and its addresses, read our article Pratumnak, the other side of Pattaya.
The Sanctuary of Truth, the visit not to miss
At the far end of Naklua, facing the sea, the Sanctuary of Truth is a huge building made entirely of carved wood, covered with figures from Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Started in 1981, the work is still going on: you often see sculptors at work.
- Price: about 500 THB per adult during the day, 700 THB for the evening visit with a show. Reduced price or free entry for children depending on height.
- Time: allow two hours, guided tour included.
- Dress: shoulders and knees covered, no tight clothing or short shorts. A scarf in your bag solves the problem.
Koh Larn, the island facing Pattaya
A few kilometres offshore, Koh Larn, also called Coral Island, has the clear water that the city beaches lack. The public ferry leaves from Bali Hai Pier, at the southern end of Beach Road.
- Ferry: 30 THB one way, for a 35 to 45 minute crossing. Buy it at the ticket office, not from touts.
- Timetable: to Na Ban village, roughly from 7 am to 6:30 pm; back from Na Ban until about 6 pm. A few ferries go straight to Tawaen Beach in the morning, with returns until 5 pm.
- Beaches: Tawaen, the busiest; Tien, quieter; Samae, wide and lovely at sunset; Nual, nicknamed Monkey Beach.
On the island, songthaews (shared pick-ups) and motorbike taxis link the pier to the beaches. Leave early and keep an eye on the time of the last ferry.
Floating market and Nong Nooch garden: two family outings
Both are south of the city, along Sukhumvit Road. There is no direct public transport: take a taxi, a Grab or an organised tour.
- Pattaya Floating Market. Opened in 2008, this floating market recreates the four main regions of Thailand, with their architecture, food and crafts. Not an old market, but a pleasant walk, with boat rides. About 200 THB for foreign visitors.
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. About twenty kilometres south, a huge botanical park: French-style garden, cacti, palms, a dinosaur valley. A garden-only ticket costs around 500 to 600 THB at the counter, more with the shows. Open from 8 am to 6 pm. Come early, before the worst of the heat.
Good to know: tickets bought online in advance are often cheaper than at the counter, for Nong Nooch as for the Sanctuary of Truth. Prices and opening hours change often: check before you go.
How to get from Bangkok to Pattaya
Pattaya is about 150 km south-east of Bangkok, two hours by road without traffic jams. Four options:
- Bus from Ekkamai. At the Eastern Bus Terminal (BTS Ekkamai), Roong Reuang buses leave throughout the day: around 140 to 150 THB, two hours. Buses also leave from Mo Chit 2.
- Bus from Suvarnabhumi Airport. The counter is on level 1, near gate 8. Buses run to Pattaya and Jomtien for around 135 to 160 THB. Handy if you are flying in.
- Train. A daily ordinary train leaves Hua Lamphong at 6:55 am: 31 THB, about 3 hours 40 minutes. Slow, but scenic.
- Taxi or Grab. Around 1,200 to 1,500 THB per car, plus tolls. The most comfortable option for a group or with children.
Once there, songthaews loop along Beach Road and Second Road: wave one down, press the buzzer to get off, pay the driver. Outside the loop, agree on the price before getting in, or use Grab or Bolt. For more getaway ideas, see our day trips from Bangkok.
Free app: Mr Schaka’s app, Thaïlande en poche (Pocket Thailand), now covers Pattaya: places, songthaews, getting there from Bangkok and the traps to avoid. It is free, installs from the website and works offline.
Where to stay in Pattaya for your travel style
- With family: Jomtien. A long beach, a calm promenade, seafront hotels and evening markets for a simple dinner.
- For calm and views: Pratumnak. Residential and green, between the centre and Jomtien. Ideal for a long stay, less so if you want the beach at your hotel’s doorstep.
- Feet in the sand: Wong Amat and Naklua. Large beachfront hotels, pricier and a little out of the way, but very quiet.
- To do everything on foot: the centre. Choose a hotel between Second Road and Third Road, calmer than the seafront, away from the southern end of Beach Road if you value your sleep.
Frequently asked questions
How many days should I spend in Pattaya?
Three days cover the essentials: one day for Pratumnak and the Sanctuary of Truth, one day on Koh Larn, one day for the floating market and Nong Nooch.
Is Pattaya good for families?
Yes, as long as you stay in Jomtien, Pratumnak or Wong Amat. Koh Larn, Nong Nooch and the floating market are big hits with children.
Can you swim in Pattaya?
Yes, but the water in the centre is often murky. Jomtien and Wong Amat are more pleasant, and Koh Larn has the clearest water.
The book
Several chapters of The Season of Breath take place in Pattaya, on Pratumnak Hill. The true story of a season in Thailand with shortness of breath, full of humour and tenderness. Available in English.
