I first visited Pattaya in the same year I first travelled to Thailand. And although I was there under unusual circumstances (as an official guest of the Thai tourism authority), the city didn't particularly impress me.

Well, apart from how conspicuous and unavoidable the shady sex tourism was, although I had absolutely no desire to participate in it.

That's why it surprises me that I'm creating a Pattaya travel itinerary 15 years later. And that my opinion of Pattaya is now predominantly positive, despite the decade and a half of waiting.

Why I wrote off Pattaya for over a decade.

To be perfectly honest, the sex tourism in Pattaya immediately put me off the city. It was impossible to ignore, not even during the day. And even after months, years, and now over a decade, I couldn't forget it. For a long time, I thought I would simply never return to Pattaya. I just had no reason to go anymore.

After launching this website (and especially after it grew so much), I realized I needed to change my perspective. Of course, there was always the possibility that I would return to Pattaya in 2025 and find it just as run-down as it had been in 2010. Thankfully, that wasn't the case at all. In fact, I liked Pattaya so much that I wondered if I hadn't been wrong to dismiss it!

Things to do in Pattaya (besides the obvious tourist attractions)

Enjoy the view from Pattaya Hill

Pattaya's beaches aren't absolutely amazing (more on that in a moment), but the city skyline looks fantastic in contrast to the coast. The view from the aptly named Pattaya Hill is particularly impressive. Conveniently, you can reach Bali Hai Pier from here in just about 20 minutes on foot, which ties in perfectly with my next tip.

Take a day trip to Koh Larn

For me, the heart of a successful Pattaya trip lies outside the city – and off the mainland coast. I'm talking, of course, about the island of Koh Larn, which is just a short speedboat or ferry ride from the aforementioned pier. Although the local touts will try to sell you a motorbike, I think the island is best explored on foot.

NOTE: While certain beaches in Pattaya (especially the exclusive Jomtien Beach) are suitable for swimming, the color and clarity of the water are not comparable to what you will find on Koh Larn.

Treat yourself to luxurious cocktails at sunset.

Pattaya is more than just the seedy bars along Pattaya Beach, which serve as meeting places for prostitutes and their clients. The Horizon Rooftop Bar, in particular, offers a fantastic spot to enjoy the sunset, not to mention the excellent drinks and sophisticated atmosphere. But even if you prefer to stay closer to the ground, I've found that the further north you travel, the less seedy the areas become.

People watching on the pedestrian zone of Pattaya

This isn't to say that Pattaya's various pedestrian zones are completely uninteresting. On the contrary, contrary to some travel blogs about Pattaya, I find that they offer excellent opportunities for people-watching and photography in general. I personally love strolling along them shortly after nightfall, before it gets too loud (and suggestive).

Consider whether you would like to stay overnight.

The sky bar I mentioned earlier? It's located on the roof of the Hilton Pattaya, which is in the Central Pattaya shopping mall. That alone is an irresistible draw. But there are also many other excellent hotels in Pattaya, from the five-star Avani Pattaya resort to the Noursabah Pattaya, which is a bit simpler but allows you to spend a night in Bangkok.

TIP: An overnight stay in Pattaya is probably the only option I would recommend to allow time for the so-called Sanctuary of Truth, which is interesting but a bit too far from the city for a day trip.

How many days are enough in Pattaya?

Pattaya is so appealing, in part, because you can stay there as long or as short a time as you like. In fact, my last 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 and from there went directly to Koh Larn. In the afternoon, I returned to the mainland and explored the island until I experienced one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen in Thailand.

On the other hand, depending on your other plans, your stay in Pattaya can easily be extended to several days. This is particularly appealing if you can afford to stay in one of the city's upscale hotels or if you want to explore nearby destinations such as the underrated Sri Racha or even less central parts of Pattaya like Jomtien.

More frequently asked questions about visiting Pattaya

Is Pattaya worth a visit?

Pattaya is definitely worth a visit – and not just for sex tourists. From shopping to restaurants and bars, and even the beaches of Koh Larn, Pattaya has so much more to offer than its dubious reputation suggests. On the other hand, I probably wouldn't choose it over more popular Thai destinations like Krabi, Phuket, or Chiang Mai.

Is Pattaya better than Phuket?

Phuket offers significantly more sights and activities overall than Pattaya; the island is also much larger, requiring more time to explore. However, if you were to directly compare Pattaya Beach with Patong in Phuket, I would almost give preference to Pattaya, if only because of its better accessibility.

Are 7 days in Pattaya too long?

A week in Pattaya can be ideal under certain circumstances, for example, if you find accommodation right on the beach for a family holiday or if you primarily want to experience Pattaya's seedy side. Generally, however, I would say that seven days in Pattaya is probably too long.

Conclusion

I hope my Pattaya itinerary not only helps you plan your trip but also dispels some common misconceptions about the city. Especially since you might have heard them from me! My return to Pattaya after more than ten years definitely showed me the city in a new light. Along with investments from the local authorities, Pattaya has truly transformed. While the beaches aren't as beautiful as in Krabi and the hotels aren't as luxurious as in Bangkok, Pattaya is still absolutely worth a visit. Create your personalized Thailand itinerary today and benefit from our individual consultation when planning your entire adventure.