With over 5 million visitors each year, Pattaya is one of Thailand's most popular cities. The city has become notorious. A place of exciting attractions and nightlife that rivals that of Phuket Island. The city offers a lot for tourists with night restaurants, bars and clubs.
But a city destination friendly for families too. Pattaya has quality beaches, amusement parks and Island escapes.
And you can expect with Thailand there are the customary Islands to relax on. Those Islands are perfect when holidaying in Pattaya, because they're not so far away. Of those we have experienced they are:
When organizing your trip to Pattaya, make sure to focus on a visit to the Islands. One Island won't suffice. You might spend a day or two on one Island, but you'll be craving to explore the others. Are you feeling curious or adventurous?
There will always be another Island calling out to you. Thus, Island hopping is a must during your holiday, keep that in mind.
For couples and families, head to Bali Hai Pier first to board a 40-minute ferry to Ko Larn Island. It's the largest Island of the four we visited and has the best water activities. If you were to stay overnight on one of the Islands, it'd be this one.
By the way, peak season for the Pattaya Islands is between November and May. That's when there is least chance of rain.
If your plans don't involve spending a great deal of time on the Islands you can still enjoy them. Any half decent guided tour of the Islands will grant you great snorkeling experiences, time to lounge on a beach and so on.
Is it because of those incredible Islands close to Pattaya, what makes for great Pattaya trips? That's a sure bet.
The market is on Sukhumvit Road and is at its busiest from Friday through to Sunday each week. The markets attract huge crowds: locals and tourists in due to the variety of shops and vendors. Part of the attraction are the street food vendors.
They are selling fresh fruit and fruit drinks, seafood and various tasty snacks.
The challenge is then to find somewhere to sit to enjoy your food in the warm evening. A lot of the fun with Thailand's markets is the haggling for a bargain. Even though the prices are cheap you can still get a bargain.
Actually, there are quite a few other night markets tourists head for:
Most are lively and bustling with activity and things to see. Each market has a vibrant atmosphere for the visitor.
Ko Sak Island has beautiful marine life and corals.
The beaches to the north of the Island are the best in Pattaya for swimming and sunbathing. It's the one Island that many guided tours take you to for diving to see the marine life and corals. The Island makes you feel really happy with yourself for having decided on traveling to Ko Sak Island.
Ko Phai Island in Pattaya's archipelago is the furthest away, which is probably why it's peaceful, thus well worth it. If you have patience getting there, it's a 2-hour boat journey.
If only for the delicious authentic Thai seafood and the beach campfires. It really is tranquility in paradise.
Pattaya's floating market is a little special. The market has separate regions, four of them. The north, northeast, south and central. Each part of the market will sell produce and goods of that region it represents, which is a bonus for you.
Hire a boat and navigate the canals yourself. It's doable, and it's an enjoyable shopping experience with a difference.
Many of the vendors are actually floating vendors. They seldom stay in the same spot for long, preferring to be on the move. You can pick up some great bargains and souvenirs that make for nice gifts to friends and family.
It's remarkable how one street alone can command so much attention. And notoriety of course.
From the south end of Pattaya Beach, until you reach Bali Hai Pier there are bars and nightclubs, and strip clubs. There are massage parlors and sex shows, and prostitutes seen. It's Thailand's biggest red-light district.
But the atmosphere and crowds are one of loud music, drinking and partying.
Not interested in the seedier side of what Walking Street? That's okay. The street still has a lot to offer the passing tourist, we recommend you visit anyway. If only for a drink and a meal, for an incredible experience that is full of energy it is amazing.
It's another side of Thailand that's wicked. The massage parlors are a must try, the perfect holiday therapy. An excellent service that costs far less than in most other cities.
Read Also:: Your Summer Holiday Guide to Phuket Island
What stuns you is the intricate detailed ornate sculptures crafted in the exterior. What is more remarkable is the building comprises of teakwood. Everything, including the joints and pins holding it together.
To see this wonder for yourself, it is a 15-minute taxi ride from central Pattaya. There are city tours you can book in advance of arriving to Pattaya or arrange for a taxi from your hotel. What's best of course, is a tour.
They're more insightful you discover a great deal more from local knowledge.
There are 4 sculptures of women. Each one facing east, west, north and south. Each symbolizes something of importance to Buddha and Hindu faiths.
The temple also has sections dedicated to Thailand, Cambodia, China and India. Because this is a temple, you must follow dress etiquette. That means no showing of bare shoulders or knees, you've to cover up.
There are elephant sanctuaries all over Thailand, for these beautiful, intelligent creatures. A few of the sanctuaries offer elephant rides. The practice, for us, is unethical and cruel.
The sanctuary in Pattaya is family friendly and free from elephant rides. Each sanctuary is a great addition to your holiday, because of the entertainment for kids of all ages. Many also have some form of education about the elephants and their working lives.
A visit to a sanctuary your entrance fee contributes to the welfare and upkeep of the animals. That's reason enough for us to recommend an elephant sanctuary, on your trip to Thailand.
Read Also: The Best Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand
Boats leave Pattaya throughout the day for the Island 7km off the coastline. There are 6 white sandy beaches each with a picturesque view. The most popular and best beach is Tawaen Beach in our opinion.
The softest of sands with shallow waters provide a great experience in the water for all ages. The Island has various sports and water activities including (but not limited to):
The Island is a paradise escape not only for you, the tourist but for locals too from Pattaya and Bangkok City. Taking a shuttle bus (fewer stops) is the best form of transport. The journey time is less than 2 hours and a ticket only US$9.
Expect the beaches on this Island, and other beaches around Pattaya to be busy. Especially during the weekends.
The Island also has many nature trails for those tired of the beach life and looking for something else to do. Grab yourself a motorbike and helmet and go find yourself an adventure.
An award-winning garden that's worth a visit. The garden shows off some of the most beautiful, exotic flowers in the world.
The gardens are the perfect calm you may be seeking from the crowds and noise of Pattaya. The garden is mood enhancing with the air filled with fragrance. With beautiful, landscaped scenery, its' perfect for relaxation.
You visit to find a place to relax and explore the various displays and artistic creations.
Throughout the gardens there are different themes, not only those of the tropics. There are many varied sculptures found in each garden theme, such as bison and dinosaurs. The theme of each garden based on:
And others, found in Europe. Terraces take you higher, giving you better views over the entire garden arrangements. There is a sense of true international influence in the gardens.
The Nong Nooch Village is 23km south of Pattaya City. It's best to get yourself a taxi to the village. The journey time is 30 minutes, and the taxi fare is US$6. The entry fee is US$15 but, per adult. For kids, their fee is US$3 per child.
Definitely worth it because there is so much more to the gardens: it's a superb day out for families.
If you are traveling from the capital Bangkok, we recommend you take the shuttle bus. The shuttle bus has fewer stops, decreasing journey times. You'll find the shuttle bus more bearable too. It has Wi-Fi and working air conditioning.
Hiring a taxi to Pattaya, from Bangkok, will set you back US$50 but is quicker.
Most of the heavy footfall to Pattaya comes from Bangkok. It is our thoughts that were your holiday destination Bangkok you could take a few days out. Less than a two-hour journey south, to Pattaya City to visit those Islands.
If local Thai's can reach the Islands, why not you? Getting from Bangkok to Pattaya is a 90-minute bus journey, using the shuttle service. The short trip would enhance your holiday enjoyment.
That's a 3D2N break from Bangkok City, to enjoy Pattaya and those tropical Islands.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.