Pattaya: attractions, restaurants, itineraries

Pattaya

Pattaya is the most famous, accessible, and vibrant resort in Thailand. This modern city, stretching along the coast of the Gulf of Siam, welcomes millions of tourists annually. Tourists from CIS countries particularly favor this resort. If you envision your beach holiday as active and eventful, filled with new discoveries, then definitely come to Pattaya.

The main attraction of Pattaya is the pedestrian street Walking Street. This is where all the tourist life of the city is concentrated. It’s best to visit here after sunset to immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of unique entertainments. Walking Street boasts hundreds of stalls with Thai food, discos and nightclubs, transvestite shows, and many opportunities for those seeking something spicier.

Regarding the beaches, spots like Jomtien Beach and Pattaya Beach are great for active recreation and beach parties, but you might find it hard to swim in clean waters. For idyllic landscapes, venture to the nearby islands within a 10-kilometer radius of the city. The main local cultural attraction is the Big Buddha Hill, home to temples, monuments, and other religious sites. Be sure to also visit the wooden Sanctuary of Truth temple and the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden.

When to go?

Pattaya lies in a tropical climate zone, resulting in the region having three main seasons. From November to February, the city and its surroundings experience pleasant warm and dry weather – this is the cool season. It is considered the best time to visit Pattaya. During the cool season, the average air temperature remains around +25°C.

Next comes the hot season (March-May). During this period, it is very hot and humid, but some vacationers actually enjoy this weather. The least suitable time to visit Pattaya is the rainy season (June-October). During these months, heavy tropical rains pour down on the city almost every day.

What to buy?

The shops in Pattaya delight with reasonable prices and a wide selection of souvenirs, clothing, and accessories. Thailand is world-famous for its luxurious jewelry with precious stones. For rings, earrings, and pendants in traditional Thai style, head to the boutiques on South Pattaya Road and Central Pattaya Road. Experienced tourists, however, do not recommend purchasing jewelry from street vendors, as there is a high likelihood of encountering a forgery.

For authentic items like hand-painted ceramics, leather and wooden products, and traditional clothing, visit open-air markets such as Thepprasit Market. Pattaya is known for its abundance of ripe and sweet tropical fruits. Before you leave, make sure to visit one of the open markets and buy a piece of Thai exotica in the form of mangoes, passion fruit, and papayas to take home.

You can also bring back many useful skin souvenirs from Pattaya: coconut oil, salts and scrubs, healing creams, balms, and much more. It is recommended to buy such products in large chain pharmacies and major shopping centers.

What to try?

Strangely enough, finding authentic Thai food in Pattaya can be quite difficult. However, you can find dumplings, borscht, vinaigrette, pizza, Caesar salad, and other international dishes on almost every corner. Even if you find the famous Tom Yum soup or noodles with shrimp and chicken on the menu, they won't have the full diversity of flavors. The thing is, enterprising restaurateurs tend to adapt the cuisine to suit the tastes of Western guests.

To try real Thai cuisine, step off the tourist path and look out for street food stalls where the locals eat. Try grilled fish pla pao, encrusted in salt and stuffed with herbs, roti pancakes with sweet fillings like mango, banana, and coconut, and crispy squid kratkrop.

Fried grasshoppers, larvae, beetles, and worms are more of an amusement for tourists. Local residents have long since stopped eating such "delicacies." But as an experiment and for a laugh, you can tickle your nerves and crunch on crickets or cockroaches.

Where to stay?

Finding a hotel in Pattaya is easy. You can book a room in advance on the Booking website, which offers various accommodation options – from budget hostels to five-star hotels.

The most popular hotels are those located along the beach on the first or second coastline. It is worth noting that hotel pricing depends on the season. The lowest accommodation prices are set in the summer during the rainy season, while the highest – in winter, especially during the New Year and Christmas holidays.