I first visited Pattaya the same year that I first visited Thailand. And although I was there under unusual circumstances (as an official guest of the Tourism Authority of Thailand), nothing about the city impressed me very much.
Well, apart from just how conspicuous and unavoidable its shady sex tourism was, even though I had absolutely no desire to partake in it.
Which is why it surprises me that 15 years later, I am creating a Pattaya itinerary. And that in spite of waiting a decade and a half to come back, my opinion of Pattaya now is overwhelmingly positive.
Why I Wrote Off Pattaya for More Than a Decade
I’ll be completely honest: Sex tourism in Pattaya immediately turned me off of the city. It was impossible to ignore, even during the day time. And it was impossible to forget, even following the passage of months, years and now more than a decade. For a long time, I assumed that I would simply never return to Pattaya. I simply didn’t have a reason to go.
However, after I started this website (and, more to the point, after it began growing as much as it has), it became clear to me that I had to update my perspective. Of course, there was always the possibility that I could go back to Pattaya in 2025 and find that it was just as seedy as it had been in 2010. Thankfully, that was not the case at all. I actually enjoyed Pattaya so much that I wondered whether I’d made a mistake in having written it off!
Things to Do in Pattaya (Besides the Obvious)
Enjoy the view from Pattaya Hill
Pattaya’s beaches aren’t all that (more on those in a second), but I’ll be damned if the city’s skyline doesn’t look amazing when juxtaposed against the coastline. This is particularly notable when you view it from the aptly-named Pattaya Hill. Conveniently, you can walk to or from Bali Hai Pier in just about 20 minutes from here, which makes it pair well with my next recommendation.
Take a day trip to Koh Larn
To me, the core of a great Pattaya itinerary is actually outside the city—and off the mainland. I’m talking, of course, about Koh Larn island, which is just a short speedboat or ferry ride away from the aforementioned pier. While local touts will try to talk you into renting a motorbike once you get here, I find that the island is reasonably navigable on foot.
NOTE: While certain Pattaya beaches (namely upmarket Jomtien Beach) are fine for swimming, the color and the clarity of the water simply doesn’t compare with what you find on Koh Larn.
Have swanky sunset cocktails
Pattaya is more than just the sleazy bars along the Pattaya Beach, which are effectively hubs for prostitutes and the men seeking to hire them. In particular, the Horizon Rooftop and Bar offers a fantastic place to watch the sunset, to say nothing of their excellent drinks and upmarket feel. However, even if you want to stay closer to ground level, I’ve found that the further north you go, the less seedy places get.
People-watch on Pattaya Walking Street
Which is not to say that Pattaya’s various Walking Street areas are complete write-offs. Rather, unlike some Pattaya travel blogs, I simply recognize that these present great options for people-watching, and for photography more generally. I personally love strolling along here just after night has fallen, before it gets too rowdy (and raunchy).
Consider staying the night
That sky bar I mentioned earlier? It sits atop Hilton Pattaya, which itself crowds the Central Pattaya shopping complex. This alone is a 1-2 punch that I find difficult to resist. However, there are plenty of other excellent hotels available in Pattaya, from the five-star Avani Pattaya Resort to Noursabah Pattaya, which is more modest but worth sacrificing one night in Bangkok.
How Many Days in Pattaya is Enough?
Pattaya is compelling, in part, because you can spend as long or as little there as you want. In fact, my most recent trip there was a (very long) day trip from Bangkok. I took one of the first buses of the day from Ekkamai to Bali Hai Pier, where I immediately headed over to Koh Larn. I returned mid-afternoon to the mainland, where I explored until one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen in Thailand.
On the other hand, depending upon what else you plan to do, you can easily extent your Pattaya itinerary to several days. This is particularly appealing if you have the funds to stay in one of the city’s higher-end hotels, or if you plan to explore nearby destinations, such as the underrated city of Sri Racha, or even non-central parts of Pattaya like Jomtien.
Other FAQ About Visiting Pattaya
Is Pattaya worth visiting?
Pattaya is absolutely worth visiting—and not just if you’re a sex tourist. From shopping, to dining and drinking, to the beaches of Koh Larn, Pattaya is so much more than its shady reputation. On the other hand, I probably wouldn’t prioritize it over better-loved Thai destinations like Krabi, Phuket or Chiang Mai.
Is Pattaya better than Phuket?
Phuket Island, as a whole, offers a great deal more to see and do than Pattaya; it’s also much larger and takes longer to explore. However, if you’re doing a direct comparison of Pattaya Beach with Phuket’s own Patong, I’d almost give Pattaya the nod, if only because of how convenient it is.
Is 7 days in Pattaya too long?
A week in Pattaya could be an ideal trip under certain circumstances, such as if you find a place to stay along the beach for a family trip, or if your main purpose for visiting is to lean into Pattaya’s sleazier side. In general, however, I’d say that 7 days in Pattaya is probably too long.
The Bottom Line
I hope my Pattaya itinerary not only helps you plan your trip, but also counteracts stereotypes you may have heard about the city. Especially considering that you may have heard them from me! To be sure, returning to Pattaya after more than a decade has allowed me to see the city in a new light. Which, combined with all the investment local officials have made, means it’s quite literally a different place. While the beaches aren’t as good as those in Krabi, and the hotels aren’t as luxurious as Bangkok’s, Pattaya is still very much worth visiting. Commission a custom Thailand itinerary today for personalized help planning your entire adventure.
