Beaches

Beaches • The Most Visited Places • Excursions from Pattaya • Nearby Islands

The Greater Pattaya: The City Full of Diversions

Pattaya City is a special administrative district, located within the area of Chon Buri Province. It is regarded as a world-renown beach resort that is the best value for your money. In the past decade, many people viewed Pattaya as a place for exotic nightlife. That might be true. But now a general public perception of Pattaya has been changing as what the city really offers is far beyond beaches and entertainment.  The Greater Pattaya has adapted to suit the present situation by offering a wide diversity of tourist attractions to be a place for everyone. No matter what you are opt for--beaches, accommodations, international cuisines, shopping malls or a water park, Pattaya has them all. Moreover, there are a few brand new tourist places in the Greater Pattaya area like Pattaya Floating Market, Ang Sila Old Market and Pattaya Old Town in Na Klua County, presenting traditional ways of life of the local folks. This is no less interesting than other already popular sites. (see more attractions in Excursions from Pattaya)

One day excursion in the Greater Pattaya is very convenient (just 90 minutes’ drive from Bangkok) and cheap (only one full gas tank). The overnight stay is such an attractive option too with the variety of attractions and accommodations to choose from. On this site, we divided attractions in the Greater Pattaya into the following topics: Beaches, The Most Visited Places, Excursions from Pattaya and Nearby Island.

Beaches

The Place for All Tastes

The Most Famous Beach Resort on the East

Pattaya is 147 km. southeast of Bangkok and adjoins the Gulf of Thailand. It is Thailand's premier and most successful beach resort which annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking visitors from all over the world.

Being close to the sea, the adjoining beaches of Pattaya City, from Naklua Bay to Wong Phrachan (Crescent Moon) and Wong Amat beaches in the north down to Jomtien and Na Jomtien beaches in the south, cover a total length of about 20 km. In the past, only the area of Pattaya Bay known as Pattaya beach played an important role in the tourism aspect. But for now, the increasing popularity of tourism in Pattaya has made all of its adjacent beaches so lively as well.

For the past centuries, Pattaya was a small fishing village almost cut off from the outside world. But after its beauty was discovered by the first group of American servicemen from Nakhon Ratchasima in 1961, the sleepy Pattaya gradually became a famous beach resort. Fishermen's huts along the beach were replaced by a full range of accommodations from super deluxe hotels to bungalows and mini-pocket guesthouses. And the quiet powdery golden beaches are frequented by swimmers and sunbathers from various parts of the world.

Moreover, with the recent establishment of the industrial estates of Laem Chabang to the north and that of Map Ta Phut to the south, Pattaya has been developing to be a major business centre and pleasing residence for western expatriates.

The Place for All Tastes

For sun lovers and water-sports fans, Pattaya's sunny climate provides ideal conditions for swimming and all other imaginable water activities, including jet-skiing, boat sailing, speed-boating, water-scooter riding, water skiing, parasailing, scuba diving and windsurfing.

For those who do not want to get drenched, Pattaya also has gyms and health clubs for exercise and many kinds of land sports and games to choose from, such as shooting, car racing, horse riding, archery, golf, bowling, tennis, go-kart, paintball, etc.

For shoppers, fashionable boutiques and shops of ready-made garments, silk, paintings, handicrafts, gemstones, jewellery and trinkets are centred in the main streets of Central and South Pattaya and also in the luxurious hotels. And the prices are fair.

For gourmets, Pattaya's cookeries offer at reasonable prices a wide range of superlative fresh seafood and various styles of cuisine -- Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, Italian, German, Scandinavian, Mexican, American, Indian, Russian, etc. And for night owls, Pattaya's lively nightlife caters for every taste. The most brightly colourful spot is South Pattaya where all kinds of nightly entertainment are offered.

Na Klua Beach

Na Klua Beach

Na Klua Beach (to the north of Pattaya Beach) was once a fishing community. People depended on fishing and salt farming for a living. That's why old houses and the atmosphere of the olden days can still be seen today.

For taxi : หาดนาเกลือ

Wong Amat Beach

Wong Amat Beach Wong Amat beach is recommended for those who are seeking for a nice place to relax and sunbathe, since it is one of the cleanest and most secluded beaches in Pattaya. The beach is adjoining to the north of Pattaya beach.

For taxi : หาดวงศ์อมาตย์

Pattaya Beach

Pattaya Beach is divided into the north, central and south zones. Starting from Dusit Resort Hotel in the area called North Pattaya to the small hill in the South, Pattaya beach and its parallel beach road is about 3 kilometres long. Apart from swimming and sunbathing, the beach also offers excellent facilities for watersports enthusiasts of all kinds.

North Pattaya features several kinds of beachfront accommodations, entertainment complexes and restaurants. The 2nd Pattaya Road in North Pattaya highlights Tiffany Show, Alcazar Cabaret and Central Festival Department Store.  Central Pattaya offers many medium-sized hotels, beer bars, a-go-go bars, clothing shops and shopping complexes such as Royal Garden Plaza and Mike Shopping Mall.

South Pattaya, the most bustling area, is also called Walking Street as it is closed for traffic from 19.00 to midnight. The street is crowded with numerous shops ranging from tailor shops, clothing shops, sport equipment shops, jewellery shops and souvenir shops. Bars are densely located here along with restaurants close to the beach.

For taxi : หาดพัทยา

Pattaya Beach

Dong Tan Beach

Dong Tan Beach Adjacent to Jomtien Beach (to the north), the quiet 1-km-long Dong Tan Beach is situated. The plants found here are tropical almonds.

For taxi : หาดดงตาล

Jomtien Beach

The former paddy fields have turned into a thriving beach. Only 3 km. down Pattaya Beach, Jomtien is highly recommended to those who seek a quieter resort, where the golden sand, bright sun and clear blue sea are always pleased to welcome all vacationers.  

It is a good place for relaxation with modern comforts and accommodation. Its long straight coastline of 6 kilometres with a fringe of coconut and palm trees offers vacationers pleasant atmosphere for relaxing and viewing the sun setting in the sea. Its calm sea is also suitable for swimming and playing all kinds of water sports for the whole year. Jomtien Beach is especially the best spot for windsurfing and instruction is widely available for beginners.

For taxi : หาดจอมเทียน

Jomtien Beach

Na Jomtien Beach

Na Jomtien Beach

The area 4 km south of Pattaya City is called Na Jomtien. Its quiet, 6-km long beach, connecting to Jomtien Beach on the south, is another popular location for Thais and foreigners seeking for privacy. It is also suitable for those who are family oriented. Upscale hotels and resorts are lined up along Na Jomtien’s shady beach road.

For taxi : หาดนาจอมเทียน