Where to stay in Pattaya: the areas compared

Stay in Central Pattaya (around Beach Road and Walking Street) for nightlife, Jomtien for a calmer family beach holiday, Pratumnak Hill for quiet streets and the best views, and Naklua in the north for a more Thai feel and great seafood. East Pattaya suits long stays on a budget, and Koh Larn is for beach days, not for your hotel.

How Pattaya is laid out

Pattaya sits on a crescent-shaped bay on the Gulf of Thailand, a couple of hours' drive from Bangkok. Think of it as a strip along the sea: Naklua at the northern tip, Central Pattaya in the middle, Pratumnak Hill as a green headland, and long Jomtien beach to the south. Inland, beyond Sukhumvit Road and the railway, lies East Pattaya. The city itself is not a postcard beach destination — the sea in the center is fine for a dip, but the clearest water is a ferry ride away on Koh Larn.

Pattaya areas compared

Walking Street and Beach Road: the heart of the madness

This is the Pattaya people talk about: neon lights, hundreds of bars and clubs, and shows you don't describe to your parents. In the evening Walking Street becomes one big carnival. Hotels along Beach Road put you next to the bay and the action; the trade-off is noise. Great for a few nights out, less so with kids.

Jomtien: calm and spacious

Jomtien is wider, calmer and more relaxed than the center, with a long promenade, plenty of cafés and good wind for windsurfing and kitesurfing. You are close enough to reach the nightlife by songthaew, but evenings here are for strolling by the sea. The default choice for families.

Pratumnak Hill: quiet with a view

The hill between Central Pattaya and Jomtien is the city's most prestigious address: quiet streets, villas, clean small beaches like Cosy Beach, the Big Buddha temple and the best viewpoints, including the PATTAYA sign over the bay. A great base for couples who want calm without being far from anything.

Naklua: the authentic north

Pattaya's oldest district has the best fish markets, modern condos and the astonishing Sanctuary of Truth. There is less hustle and more everyday Thai life. Hidden Bamboo Beach among the rocks feels like an island cove minutes from the city.

East Pattaya: the "Dark Side"

Beyond the railway, where many long-term residents live. It got its nickname back when streets were poorly lit; now it is a comfortable residential area with lakes, good restaurants and a countryside feel. Without a scooter or car it is impractical for a short holiday.

Things to do in Pattaya

• Sanctuary of Truth — a temple over 100 meters tall carved entirely from wood, still being worked on after decades. Helmets are handed out at the entrance.
• Koh Larn — white sand and clear water about a 20-minute boat ride away. Tien Beach is quieter than the main beaches. Don't miss the last ferry back.
• Nong Nooch Tropical Garden — an enormous landscaped park with orchids, a French garden and a valley of life-size dinosaurs. Allow a full day.
• Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) on Pratumnak Hill — a golden Buddha reached by a dragon staircase; cover your shoulders.
• Buddha Mountain (Khao Chi Chan) — a giant Buddha image laser-etched into a cliff and inlaid with gold.
• Wat Yansangwararam — a peaceful royal temple complex mixing Thai, Chinese and Indian styles.
• Viharnra Sien — a Chinese temple-museum with rows of terracotta warrior replicas.
• Pattaya Floating Market — touristy but colorful stalls on stilts over the water.
• Tiffany's Show — Thailand's oldest and most lavish cabaret.
• Ramayana Water Park and Mini Siam for a day with kids.
• Thepprasit Night Market on weekends — where locals eat; the best place for real street food.

For sunsets: the Chocolate Factory café on the Pratumnak cliff, the small secret viewpoint above Cosy Beach, or a beach club in the south of the bay.

What to eat

Som tum, the green papaya salad, comes especially fiery here — say "mai phet" if you want it mild. At the Naklua fish market you can buy prawns, crabs or fish straight from the fishermen in the morning and have a stall next door grill them; the fresh oysters with fried shallots and lime are a local favorite.

Getting around and practical tips

• Songthaews (baht buses). Pickup trucks with benches run fixed loops along Beach Road and Second Road. Hop on, ring the buzzer to get off, pay the standard fare. Don't ask the driver the price before getting in — that turns the ride into a private taxi at a taxi price.
• Grab and Bolt work well for longer trips.
• Getting there. Most visitors arrive from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport by bus, shuttle or taxi; U-Tapao airport south of the city has some direct flights.
• When to go. The cooler, drier months from about November to February are the most comfortable; March to May is very hot, and the rainy season brings short heavy showers.

Scams to watch for

The big one in Pattaya is the "friendly" stranger on the waterfront who offers a free tour or show tickets and ends up taking you to a jewelry shop where it is surprisingly hard to leave without an overpriced ring. Be equally wary of jet-ski rentals that "find" damage when you return the craft — take photos before you ride. More in common tourist scams.

Which area to choose

• Families: Jomtien or Pratumnak.
• Nightlife: Central Pattaya, a few streets back from Walking Street to sleep.
• Couples and quiet: Pratumnak or Naklua.
• A month or more: Jomtien, Naklua or East Pattaya.

Still deciding between Thai beach destinations? Pattaya is closer to Bangkok and more of a city; Phuket has better beaches and more nature — compare in where to stay in Phuket.

Pattaya in TripGist

TripGist shows Pattaya's districts on the map with their character in a couple of lines, plus the temples, viewpoints, markets and Koh Larn beaches, the songthaew trick and the scams to avoid. Free, no ads, on iPhone and Android.