Pattaya, Thailand: where is it, when to go and what to see

Pattaya is one of the most touristy cities in Thailand with visitors from all over the world, thanks to its perfect mix of entertainment, natural beauty of the beaches and charm of Thai culture. Indeed, we are talking about a city that boasts very elegant Buddhist temples and at the same time long beaches on wild islands. Besides this, Pattaya is also one of Thailand's major centres of nightlife and transgression, where there is no shortage of clubs and beautiful women!

Here is all the info on Pattaya: where it is, when to go and what to see!

Travelling informed: useful info

• Inhabitants: 104,318

• Language: Thai

• Local currency: Thai Baht (€1.00=35.75 THB)

• Climate: tropical, average temperatures 25/32 °C

• Time zone: GMT+7 (+6h compared to Italy)

• Entry requirements: passport required with at least 6 months residual validity and two free pages

• Security info: quiet city, especially in the main areas. Avoid peripheral and less touristy streets because of possible thefts. In addition, the spread of prostitution has led to a consequent spread of AIDS, so precautions are recommended. Visit the section on the Farnesina website

• Nearest airports: SuvarnabhumiAirport in Bangkok (124 km), while if you are arriving from other parts of Thailand the most convenient is U-Tapao Airport (38 km)

Location

Pattaya is located in the north of Thailand's east coast, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, about 130 km from Bangkok. Off the coast are the islands of Koh Larn (12 km) and Ko Phai (23 km).

Getting there and around

• By plane: arrive at Bangkok airport and then travel by bus or a second flight to U-Tapao airport. The direct flight lasts 9h, with a stopover in Dubai 15h - compare flights

• FromBangkok: from the airport, taxis are the fastest but most expensive option (90 minutes - 1200 THB / €33.00), while the Bell Travel Service buses are a little slower but cheaper (2 hours - 250 THB / €7.00). From the city, on the other hand, buses run all day every 30 minutes from Ekamai Bus Terminal and Morchit Bus Terminal (2 hours - 130 THB / €3.65).

• Getting around: by Tuk-Tuk, a colourful three-wheeled taxi, open on the sides and with questionable driving. A tuk-tuk ride is a must, but remember that the basic rule is to haggle over the price!

When to go? Info on climate and best time

• Climate: tropical, warm all year round with temperatures between 25 and 32 °C, characterised by a dry season and a rainy season, although rainfall is not so abundant. The sea temperature remains constant between 28 and 30 °C all year round.

• Best period: December to April, the dry season. During this period, the temperatures are slightly lower but still remain warm and very few rainy days are expected

• Period to avoid: May to November, the months of the rainy season, during which it often rains and temperatures are particularly high. Also, September to November is a tropical cyclone-prone area.

10 things to see in and around Pattaya

Phra Tamnak Mountain and Big Buddha

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1. Shrine of Truth, an unfinished Hindu-Buddhist temple with a peculiar shape and built entirely of wood with Asian ornaments

2. Sukhawadee, an elegant palace with lavish lounges and rooms inside. Outside, it is surrounded by large, well-tended gardens

3. Phra Tamnak Mountain and Big Buddha, a hill with a panoramic view of the city. Here stands a huge golden statue of Buddha, preceded by a long flight of steps.

4. Art in Paradise, an interactive museum with optical illusions and three-dimensional effects for fun photos. The themes are varied: art, safari, fantasy, dinosaurs, games

5. Floating Market, one of the largest floating markets in Thailand, very colourful and full of food, agricultural products and Thai handicrafts, all sold on no less than 114 boats lying on the water

6. Pattaya Beach is a long golden beach, the busiest in the city as it is close to the entertainment centre and with many restaurants and clubs nearby

7. Jomtien Beach is a typically tropical beach with clear sand, crystal clear sea and large palm trees surrounding it

8. Beach Road is Pattaya's seafront promenade on which you will find markets, stalls, street food, restaurants, various kinds of clubs and nightlife

9. Walking Street is the heart of fun with lots of places to indulge and have fun and in particular the Go Go Bars, typical Thai places much sought after by tourists for the beautiful women and the nights of transgression

10. Koh Larn, Koh Khrok (Ko Phai) and Koh Sak, three paradisiacal islets on which to enjoy beautiful beaches ideal for snorkelling, in particular Tong Lang Beach and Had Ta Yai Beach

What to see in Pattaya in a day: recommended itinerary

The city lends itself to being visited in a day, enjoying the sights during the day and then enjoying the nightlife in the evening. Of course, one of the musts here is also to spend time at the wonderful beaches, so in the recommended itinerary we have tried to mix all aspects of Pattaya.
If this is your first time in Pattaya and Thailand, we also suggest a day trip from Bangkok with pick-up and transfer included.

1. 9:30am - Shrine of Truth

2. 10:30 - Sukhawadee

3. 11:30 - Phra Tamnak Mountain

4. 12:00 - Big Buddha

5. 13:00 - Floating Market

6. 15:00 - Jomtien Beach, Pattaya Beach, Beach Road

7. 20:00 - Dinner and Walking Street

What to do in the evening: nightlife info

Pattaya is the perfect Thai city for nightlife lovers. Its main centre of nightlife is Walking Street, a long street where discos and Go Go Bars reign supreme. The latter are precisely the type of Thai nightclub sought after by tourists visiting Pattaya for the reasons already mentioned, where there is no shortage of women and transgression dominates.

1. Club Mistys, Walking Street, Soi 15 - Get directions

2. Heaven Above, Walking Street, Soi Diamond - Get directions

3. New Living Dolls 1, Walking Street, Soi Happy - Get directions

4. Sweet Hearts Pattaya, in the centre of Walking Street - Get directions

5. Shark Club, Walking Street, Soi 15 - Get directions

Bookable activities, excursions and tours

How much does it cost to visit Pattaya? Prices, offers and tips

It is a well-known fact that the cost of living in Thailand is much lower than in Italy, and consequently also in Pattaya, albeit with slightly higher prices than the standard as it is a very touristy resort that has adjusted its costs accordingly.

In any case, for a street food dinner you spend less than €2.00, while in a mid-range restaurant about €15.00. Accommodation costs from €5.00 per night if it is a hostel and from €10.00 in the case of hotels and B&Bs. As far as transport is concerned, you could travel several kilometres for €1.00, especially by boarding a tuk-tuk (typical Asian means of transport). Excursions are also worthwhile and start at €20.00 / €30.00 each.
Finally, if you are a flight+hotel package tourist who wants to be comfortable for the whole holiday, here too you can find excellent bargains, for example a week in the height of the tourist season with accommodation including meals costs around €600.00.

• Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €5.00 per room - see offers

• Cheap flights: from €304.00 - look at the offers

• Flight + hotel: A/R flight + 7 days/6 nights from €600.00 per person - look at the offers