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The bustling coastal city of Pattaya is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations, thanks to its thriving nightlife and gorgeous beaches. Situated in the province of Chon Buri, three hours south of Bangkok, Pattaya is packed with interesting attractions and fun things to do.
The likes of Pattaya Beach, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Art in Paradise, and Underwater World all draw big crowds, but if you prefer to wander off the beaten path, you might be more interested in the city’s lesser-known attractions. Here are 19 of Pattaya’s hidden gems to help you plan an alternative sightseeing tour of the city.
1. The World’s Biggest 7 Eleven
Photo Credit: Nelson Antoine
- Address: 13 South Pattaya Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
- Opening hours: 24/7
The convenience store chain 7-Eleven is beloved all over the world, but the branch on South Pattaya Road is particularly special because it’s the world’s largest. Plus, it’s built in the shape of a boat, giving you the sense of shopping aboard a cruise ship. It has an HDTV aquarium and a robot diver, as well as plenty of delicious meals, drinks, and snacks to choose from.
2. Hilton Horizon
- Address: Level 34 333/101, 9 Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20260
- Opening hours: 4 pm – 1 am daily
Hilton Horizon is the gorgeous rooftop bar and restaurant of the elegant Pattaya Hilton Hotel, and its location on the 34th floor provides exceptional panoramic views of the city. Enjoy a drink and a bite to eat as the sun goes down over the horizon. If you visit between 5 pm and 7 pm you can make the most of the happy hour offer of two drinks for the price of one.
3. Pattaya City Sign
- Address: 171 Moo 6, North Pattaya Road, Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
- Opening hours: 24/7
The Pattaya City sign is Thailand’s answer to the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. It stands in a proud position over the bay, just a short walk from Bali Hai Pier. A walkway runs from the harbor carpark right up to the sign, where you can enjoy fantastic views across the Gulf of Thailand.
4. Pattaya Park Tower
- Address: Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150
- Opening hours: 4.30 pm – 9.30 pm daily
Pattaya Park Tower, which is located within the popular Pattaya Water Park, is yet another fantastic spot to enjoy panoramic views over the city. The best way to experience it is to have dinner at the revolving restaurant that occupies the Tower’s 52nd, 53rd, and 54th floors.
If you’d rather not dine, head up to the Apex Observation Deck on the 55th floor. From here, you can get the adrenaline pumping by trying the Tower Jump experience, where you’ll be securely attached to a metal rope mechanism that propels you down the tower.
5. Wat Yansangwararam
Photo Credit: Asim Verma
- Website: watyanasangvararam.com
- Address: 999 Moo 11 Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20260
- Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily
There are many stunning temples to explore in Pattaya, the best-known of which are Big Buddha Temple, the Sanctuary of Truth, and Khao Chi Chan. Wat Yansangwararam (also known as Wat Yan) is a little less busy but just as impressive. It’s surrounded by lush gardens that include a lake with Chinese pavilions, and the main complex contains a host of treasured Buddhist relics, antiques, and artifacts.
6. Wat Huay Yai Temple
- Website: www.wathuayyai.com/en
- Address: 2 Toongklom-Talman Rd, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
- Opening hours: 5 am – 8 pm daily
Wat Huay Yai is another incredibly beautiful temple that is more than 379 years old. It houses the body of abbot Phra Khru Phattharakitwibun (also known as Luang Pho Kaan), who helped the temple become successful and prosperous up until his death in 2006. His body is entombed in a glass coffin and considered incorruptible because it does not rot.
7. Legend Siam
- Website: https://legendsiam.com
- Address: 139 Moo 8 Sukhumvit Rd, Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chon Buri 20250
- Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily
Mini Siam is one of Pattaya’s must-visit attractions, but Legend Siam is its unmissable sibling. Whereas Mini Siam is filled with miniature models of Thai and global landmarks such as Australia’s Sydney Opera House and France’s Eiffel Tower, Legend Siam is dedicated entirely to Thai culture. The 77 provinces of Thailand are represented through art, folktales, architecture, shows, and performances.
8. Koh Samet
Photo Credit: LMspencer
Koh Larn (Coral Island) is a popular hotspot for diving and snorkeling, thanks to its impressive coral reefs. Koh Samet is a much smaller alternative that lies further southwest, although you can reach it in 45 minutes by ferry.
It’s the perfect destination for an idyllic day trip, especially for couples looking for a romantic day trip. Stroll along its Sai Kaew Beach (White Sand Beach), swim in crystal clear waters, or give snorkeling a try to admire the region’s rich marine life.
9. Rayong
Rayong is an hour’s drive away from Pattaya, making it a great day trip destination to enjoy a slice of Thailand’s natural beauty. Walk amongst mangroves at Golden Meadow, take a riverboat ride to spot wildlife, or head to the beach to sunbathe and swim. There’s also the HTMS Prasae to check out; it’s a Thai warship permanently docked on the beach for visitors to explore.
10. Tarzan Adventure
- Website: www.ramayanawaterpark.com/partners/tarzan-adventure-zipline
- Address: 108/14 M.6 Najomtien Sattahip Chonburi 20250
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm Sunday to Thursday / 9 am – 5.30 pm Friday & Saturday
The ziplining experience at Tarzan Adventure is a fun way to keep active kids (and adults) entertained for a few hours. There are three courses to choose from, each with a series of progressively longer lines to tackle as you gain experience and confidence. There’s also a shooting range, a coffee shop, and a restaurant on-site.
11. Colosseum Cabaret Show
- Website: www.colosseumshowpattaya.com
- Address: 168/9 Moo 12 Thepprasit Rd, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
- Opening hours: Show times vary
Tiffany’s and Alcazar are two of Pattaya’s most beloved cabaret shows where you can watch talented transgender performers sing, dance, and act. The Colosseum is a slightly lesser-known but no less impressive alternative. The show takes place in the largest theater in the city, and it’s a lavish spectacle of song, dance, costume, and light shows centered around Thai culture.
12. Leng Kee Restaurant
- Website: www.lkpattaya.com/lengkee
- Address: Village No. 9 341/5 Central Pattaya Rd, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
- Opening hours: 24/7
Although there are ample opportunities to try a variety of tasty Asian food in Pattaya, one of the most renowned spots for Chinese food is Leng Kee. It has been a favorite with locals and expats for years thanks to its unique Chinese seafood menu. You’ll find it at the heart of Chinatown in Central Pattaya.
13. Pattaya Sheep Farm
Photo Credit: John And Penny
- Address: 73 Nong Pla Lai, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
- Opening hours: 9 am – 6 pm Sunday & Thursday / 8.30 am – 6 pm Friday & Saturday
Pattaya Sheep Farm is the largest of its kind in Thailand, and it’s a fun, family-friendly attraction for animal lovers. You can feed and interact with the sheep and many other animals, including Alpacas and Sika deer. There are also fun games, rides, and animal shows to enjoy, as well as an on-site restaurant.
14. FlowerLand Pattaya
- Website: flowerlandpattaya.com/th/flower-land-3-2/
- Address: 199 Moo 9 Muang Pattaya, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
- Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily
FlowerLand Pattaya is a great alternative to the busy Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden. Native and exotic flowers and plants create stunning displays across this 40-acre park, which includes three impressive domes, a dancing fountain, a 16-foot vertical garden, and a cylindrical aquarium. You can expect to see plants that originate from throughout Southeast Asia and some rare species imported from Europe.
15. The Million Years Stone Park & Pattaya Crocodile Farm
Photo Credit: BestDeals
- Website: www.thaistonepark.org/th/
- Address: 22, Nong Pla Lai, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
- Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm
This unique park boasts million-year-old stones and fossilized trees set amongst beautiful flowers and pools. It also serves as a crocodile farm and hosts a regular show where handlers wrestle and play with the crocs. If you’ve ever wondered what crocodile tastes like, you can find out by sampling the delicacies in the on-site restaurant.
16. Dongtan Beach
- Address: 311-2 Thappraya Rd, Bang Lamung 20150
- Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm
Jomtien Beach is one of Pattaya’s best-known, not only because it’s a popular spot for jet skiing and other water sports, but because it’s home to Pattaya Floating Market and a range of lively night markets.
Dongtan Beach is a quieter alternative that lies nearby. It offers a friendly slice of local life, and it has a thriving LGBTQ+ community and several gay-friendly beach bars. You can also expect fantastic fresh seafood at some of the beachside restaurants in Dongtan Beach.
17. Soi Buakhao
- Location: Soi Buakhao, Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150
- Opening hours: 24/7
Soi Buakhao is a popular street nestled between South Pattaya and Central Pattaya, and it’s considered the quiet alternative to the bustling Walking Street. It’s lined with budget-friendly bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops.
Unlike typical Thai night markets where street food stalls are gathered in one place, the stalls on Soi Buakhao are spread out right along the street, and few have tables. So, if you want affordable grab-and-go food, this is a great spot for it.
18. Mimosa Pattaya
Photo Credit: Tooykrub
- Address: 28, 19-20 Sukhumvit Rd, Na Chom Thian, Sattahip District, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20250
- Opening hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily
Mimosa Pattaya is a pseudo-French village modeled after the romantic, historic town of Colmar in France. You can expect to see traditional European-style cottages, shops, and cafes, as well as charming street performances.
Plan Your Pattaya Getaway
Pattaya and Chon Buri have a huge variety of must-visit attractions on offer. The hidden gems on this list are sure to give you a unique experience next time you visit Pattaya.
