Pattaya, on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast, has been reinventing itself since the 1960s when it shifted from a quiet fishing village to a sun-seeking retreat. Today it’s a balanced blend: soft-sand beaches and island-hopping by day, neon-lit nightlife and cabaret traditions after dark.

History meets spectacle here. You’ll find the carved-all-teak Sanctuary of Truth rising like a myth from the shoreline, shimmering Buddhist temples on nearby hills, and fishing piers that still supply the city’s seafood grills. Ferries whisk you to coral-fringed islands, while gardens, vineyards, and Buddha Mountain dot the countryside.

Plan for tropical weather: November–March is breezy and dry; April–May is hottest; June–October brings short monsoon bursts. Dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered), use taxis or songthaews for short hops, and bring reef-safe sunscreen for snorkeling. Come hungry—Pattaya is a paradise for spicy salads, grilled seafood, and mango desserts.

Pattaya

Base yourself in Pattaya to explore Chon Buri’s coastline and islands at an easy pace. The main beach runs parallel to the promenade for sunset strolls, while Jomtien and Na Jomtien offer quieter sands south of town. Viewpoints on Pratumnak Hill deliver blue-on-blue panoramas of the Gulf.

Essential sights include Big Buddha Hill (Wat Phra Yai), the Sanctuary of Truth’s intricate teakwork, and the landscaped Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. Offshore, Koh Larn and the Koh Rin/Koh Phai group offer powdery beaches and clear snorkeling. Evenings are for markets, seafront dinners, rooftop sunsets, and—if you choose—Pattaya’s famous cabaret heritage.

Getting to Pattaya

• Fly into Bangkok (BKK or DMK), then continue 1.5–2 hours by car. Search flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• From Bangkok: taxi 1,500–2,000 THB (1.5–2 hrs); airport bus 130–200 THB (2–2.5 hrs). Limited SRT trains take ~2.5–3.5 hrs; browse schedules on Trip.com Trains.
• Getting around Pattaya: songthaews (baht buses) run common routes for 10–20 THB; Grab/Bolt are widely used; scooters rent ~250–350 THB/day (ride defensively).

Where to stay (browse options and then pick the neighborhood that matches your vibe):

• Naklua/Wongamat: quieter beachfront, great for sunsets (consider Navana Nature Escape; family-friendly resorts).
• Central Pattaya: walkable to malls and nightlife (Hilton Pattaya for a rooftop panorama; Holiday Inn Pattaya for sea views).
• Jomtien/Na Jomtien: relaxed beaches, easy island days (U Jomtien Pattaya, InterContinental Pattaya Resort near Pratumnak headland).

Compare apartments and villas on VRBO Pattaya or browse hotels on Hotels.com Pattaya.

Days 1–3: Settle In, Views, Night Markets, and Cabaret

Ease into Pattaya with a late afternoon stroll along Beach Road, then ride up to Khao Pattaya Viewpoint for a sweeping first look at the bay. Visit Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha) for ornate shrines and breezy hilltop vistas.

After dark, browse Thepprasit Night Market (Fri–Sun) for grilled squid, mango sticky rice, and Thai milk tea. If you’re curious about nightlife, Walking Street’s live bands and dance clubs light up after 9 pm; or start softly with a sunset at Horizon Rooftop (Hilton) and a seaside dinner.

• Breakfast/coffee: La Baguette (buttery croissants, mango crêpes; Naklua), Bake n’ Brew (eggs Benedict, cold brew), The Library (espresso and cakes with a bookish vibe).
• Lunch: Leng Kee (Thai–Chinese classics, roast duck, rice soups), Mae Sri Ruen (boat noodles, fried wontons), MAYs Urban Thai Dine (modern Thai; try Massaman and pomelo salad).
• Dinner: The Glass House (Na Jomtien; beachfront Thai seafood—grilled river prawns, tom yum), Rimpa Lapin (cliffside, bold Thai flavors; book around sunset), Cafe des Amis (refined date-night spot near Jomtien).

Guided city sampler: Cover highlights without haggling for rides, including Big Buddha, viewpoints, and floating market stops.

Pattaya Discovery Tour with Floating Market, View Points

Classic show: Pattaya’s cabaret culture is legendary for choreography, costumes, and stagecraft.

Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya

Days 4–6: Islands and Snorkeling—Koh Larn and the Outer Reefs

Make a full day of island life. Koh Larn’s beaches (Tawaen for buzz, Samae and Tien for calmer scenes) offer turquoise water and casual seafood shacks. Speedboats and shared boats depart Bali Hai Pier; aim to catch the first morning departures.

For clearer water and coral, join a small-ship cruise that hops through the Koh Phai and Koh Rin groups—snorkeling, paddleboards, deck time, and a Thai buffet included.

Pattaya Full-Day 3 Tropical Island tour (Snorkeling Cruise with Buffet)

• Beach eats: On Koh Larn, try garlic prawns, som tam (papaya salad), and fresh coconuts at seaside stalls.
• Back on shore: Head to Jomtien Night Market for grilled pork skewers (moo ping), pad kra pao, and coconut ice cream.

Timing tips: Pattaya to Koh Larn by ferry ~35–45 minutes; by speedboat ~15–20 minutes. Bring cash for beach chairs and umbrella rentals (typically 100–150 THB per set).

Days 7–8: Culture and Countryside—Sanctuary of Truth, Buddha Mountain, Vineyards

Spend a morning at the Sanctuary of Truth, a soaring all-wood monument carved with mythological scenes. Continue to Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain), where a giant Buddha image is etched into a cliff with gold inlay.

Pair with nearby Silverlake Vineyard for a late lunch overlooking the vines, or wander the expansive Nong Nooch Tropical Garden for themed landscapes and orchid collections. Sunsets in Na Jomtien are reliably spectacular.

• Lunch/dinner ideas: Preecha Seafood (Ban Amphur; tanks of live seafood, spicy seafood salad), Mum Aroi Naklua (local favorite for pepper crab and tom yum talay), Surf & Turf Bangsaen (if you fancy a mini side-trip for beachside steaks and seafood).
• Cafés en route: Cheevit Cheeva (Thai dessert café famous for bingsu and mango creations), Hush Coffee (light roasts, minimalist design).

Logistics: Sanctuary of Truth (north Pattaya) ~20 minutes by taxi from Central Pattaya. Buddha Mountain/Silverlake ~40–50 minutes south by car; combine them into one loop for efficiency.

Days 9–10: Gentle Adventure and Wellness—Water Park, Viewpoints, and Spas

Cool off at Ramayana Water Park, a sprawling complex of slides, lazy rivers, and kid zones set in green hills near Khao Chi Chan. It’s clean, well-run, and fun for all ages.

Back in town, book a Thai massage or an herbal compress session at a reputable spa. Cap the day with a rooftop cocktail at Horizon or Sky Bar (Siam@Siam Design Hotel) and a seafood feast in Na Jomtien.

• Optional adrenaline: Tandem skydiving near Pattaya offers views of the coast from 13,000 feet (morning slots have steadier winds).
• Dinner trail: Try Gaeng Som (sour curry), grilled squid with chili–lime dip, and stir-fried morning glory at seaside kitchens.

Days 11–12: Bangkok Day Trips—Temples and Old Canals

Assume a morning departure (8:00 am) for Bangkok (2–2.5 hours by car/van). Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, and cross the river to Wat Arun. Then detour into Thon Buri’s quiet khlongs (canals) for a glimpse of traditional wooden houses and orchid-bedecked porches.

For meals, aim for riverside Thai restaurants near Tha Tien or old-town shophouses for pad thai, boat noodles, and mango sticky rice. Return to Pattaya after dinner to miss peak traffic, or linger for a rooftop sunset before heading back.

• Travel: Private car/van roundtrip ~3,000–5,000 THB; shared minivan ~300–400 THB per person; travel time each way ~2–2.5 hours depending on traffic.
• Temple etiquette: Cover shoulders and knees; remove hats and shoes where posted; speak softly inside halls.

Days 13–14: Slow Days—Jomtien Beach, Cooking, Markets, and a Dinner Cruise

Dial it down with languid mornings at Jomtien or Wongamat. Consider a Thai cooking class to master a proper green curry and papaya salad, then stock up on palm sugar and curry pastes at local markets.

For a festive final evening, a dinner cruise along the Pattaya shoreline pairs city lights with sea breezes and live entertainment.

Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment

• Brunch spots: The Coffee Club at Terminal 21 (all-day breakfasts, smoothies), Five Star J (vegetarian Thai and Western—crispy “duck” and spicy curries).
• Market hop: Soi Buakhao Market (daily) for fruit, snacks, and textiles; search for hand-carved mortars and pestles if you plan to cook back home.

Day 15: Ethical Wildlife Morning and Departure

Spend your last morning learning about Thailand’s gentle giants at an ethical, no-riding sanctuary near Pattaya. Feed, walk alongside, and observe elephants in a natural setting while hearing about rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: Half Day Morning Program

Return for a final seafood lunch and pick up last-minute snacks—dried fruits, crispy seaweed, Thai tea mixes—before your transfer to Bangkok’s airports. If time allows, stop at Pattaya Floating Market for souvenirs.

Local gems to plug in anywhere

• Sanctuary of Truth: wooden wonder with ongoing hand-carving.
• Nong Nooch Tropical Garden: orchids, palms, and themed landscapes.
• Khao Pattaya Viewpoint: postcard photo of the bay.
• Jomtien Night Market: laid-back food strolls.

Handy booking links

• Flights to/from Thailand: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com Flights
• Trains in Thailand: Trip.com Trains
• Stays in Pattaya: VRBO Pattaya | Hotels.com Pattaya

Across 15 days you’ll sample Pattaya’s full spectrum—from serene island waters and carved wooden temples to sizzling seafood markets and glittering cabaret stages. This relaxed, detailed plan leaves space to linger where you fall in love, and to add a Bangkok temple day when the mood strikes.