Pattaya Excursions in the Area on Your Own

Pattaya doesn’t have the best reputation outside of Thailand, but more and more couples and families are coming here to vacation. Almost unimaginable, but Pattaya has been changing for years, slowly but steadily. Especially if you take a look outside the city, there are many Pattaya excursions in the surrounding area that are really great.

Pattaya – 13 Excursions in the Surrounding Area

Are you wondering whether Pattaya is worth a trip? We can’t answer that in general terms. But if you don’t want to spend all your time in the city and are looking for something outside, there’s plenty to do. In this article, we present to you 13 Pattaya excursions that you can discover on a trip from the city.

How to Get To Pattaya

To travel from overseas, the best option is a flight to Bangkok and then continue by bus or taxi to Pattaya. From a few international destinations, e.g., from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, you can also fly directly to U-Tapao Airport, which serves Pattaya. Within Thailand, of course, there are many other connections. You can find more information at Skyscanner.

Furthermore, there are various ways to reach Pattaya, whether from Isaan, eastern Thailand, or Bangkok. Large coaches, minivans, or taxis regularly go to Pattaya. Whether you want to go from Khao San Road, directly from the airport, or your hotel in Bangkok to Pattaya, there are many options. Everything you need to know about times, tickets, and prices can be found at 12go.asia.

Accommodation in Pattaya – Our Hotel Tip

The Mera Mare Pattaya is an upscale hotel in a central location on Pattaya Beach Road. Basically, it is located directly opposite the beach. The Central Festival Shopping Mall is also only 500 meters away. The hotel offers stylish and modern rooms equipped with air conditioning, safe, minibar, television, free Wi-Fi, and a balcony. Some rooms additionally feature a sofa, a kitchenette, and a coffee machine.

Other highlights of the Mera Mare Hotel include amenities such as a swimming pool, a fitness center, and its own restaurant with Western and Thai cuisine. You will find more restaurants, shopping options, or entertainment very close by.

You can find more hotels in Pattaya, also directly on Beach Road or in other parts of the city, such as Jomtien, in this overview.

1. Wat Yan Sang Wararam Worawihan

Approximately 20 kilometers south of Pattaya lies the Wat Yan Sang Wararam Worawihan. It is a truly impressive temple complex with unique architecture. Often referred to by its short name Wat Yansangwararam or Wat Yan, it was only completed in 1976 but is a first-class royal temple.

Despite some visitors on-site, such as Thai school classes, tourists, or locals, the temple exudes a peaceful atmosphere. The expansive complex has beautifully landscaped gardens, plenty of vegetation, and is situated directly by a lake.

In addition to the well-known temple building (see photo), Wat Yan Sang Wararam Worawihan also features a 40-meter-high white Chedi, which is said to contain a relic of Buddha and therefore receives much reverence from the Thai people. Additionally, on the grounds, there is a school, a hospital, and a wildlife rescue center. You can visit the temple daily from 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM; there is no entrance fee. However, you are very welcome to leave a donation.

2. Viharn Sien

Very close to Wat Yansangwararam lies the Viharn Sien, also known as Viharnra Sien or Anek Kuson Sala. It is a blend of Chinese-Thai cultural and art museum as well as a temple. Here, you can learn about the deep connection between China and Thailand through religious, cultural, and historical artifacts.

Overall, the Viharn Sien complex spans three floors. There, you can see Terracotta Warriors, statues of significant Chinese figures such as generals or scholars, as well as deities and other artworks. There are also some sculptures depicting scenes from Chinese mythology. As you might imagine, Viharn Sien is particularly popular among Chinese tourists.

It is open daily from 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM, and the entrance fee is 50 Baht per person. If you are interested in Chinese culture and its connection to Thailand, you can make a stop here on the way to the next highlight on our list of Pattaya excursions in the surrounding area.

3. Khao Chi Chan Buddha (Buddha Mountain)

The Buddha Mountain, as the Khao Chi Chan Buddha is often simply called, is one of the landmarks of the region, and many Pattaya excursions in the surrounding area visit this monument. Over 130 meters high and 70 meters wide, the image of a seated Buddha was engraved into the rock here. It was then inlaid with 24-carat gold, which is why it shines so brightly from the mountain.

This impressive artwork was created in 1996 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). Therefore, the Khao Chi Chan Buddha symbolizes not only the deep reverence of the Thai people for Buddhism but also their connection to the monarchy.

Note that it can get quite crowded here, and you should avoid the midday heat. There is no shade directly at the Buddha. Otherwise, the Khao Chi Chan Buddha is open daily from 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM, and admission is free. By the way, you should dress appropriately here as in a temple, covering your shoulders and knees.

4. Ramayana Water Park

One of Thailand’s largest and most popular water parks should not be missed on Pattaya excursions in the surrounding area. The Ramayana Water Park is huge and offers over 50 attractions such as wave pools, slides, and areas specifically for small children on an area of 184,000 square meters. Nestled in a natural landscape, it’s fun for the whole family.

Highlights of the water park include some exciting slides, such as the Python, a curvy slide for groups, or the Aquaconda, a tube that takes you through tight turns and fast drops. On the Lazy River, you can enjoy a relaxed ride through artificial caves and bubbling waterfalls. For the little ones, there are specially designed areas with kid-friendly slides and water playgrounds. Additionally, there is a Floating Market where you can buy food and drinks during your stay, as well as many other restaurants and cafés.

The Ramayana Water Park is open daily from 11.00 AM to 6.00 PM. However, it is closed on Wednesdays. Admission prices vary and cost 899 Baht for seniors and children up to 122 cm. Younger adults pay 1,299 Baht, and children under 90 cm get free entry. There are often special offers like family packages, fast-pass access, or private cabanas. You can, for example, also book tickets online in advance to avoid queues on-site.

5. Suriyaland Pattaya

We discovered Suriyaland quite accidentally. Admittedly, the place looks a bit abandoned, but that makes it an interesting lost place. Huge sculptures of guitars have been built here, and there are old motorcycles, an airplane, a telephone booth, or a Hello Kitty statue – a bit quirky and kitschy at the same time.

There is also the Suriyaland Café on-site, which has apparently grown significantly over the years. Inside, you’ll find many more exhibits from television and pop culture, e.g., from Avatar or Transformers. It is open daily from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM, and you can visit it for free. Even though the café looked a bit deserted during our visit, current reviews (as of 09/2024) on Google say that it is open and offers delicious shakes and coffee.

6. Wat Song Metta Wanaram

The last temple among our Pattaya excursions in the surrounding area is Wat Song Metta Wanaram. It is not very well known and mostly attracts Thai visitors. Nevertheless, it is really impressively built, with many golden Buddha statues on various platforms and a view over the surroundings. Here you are away from the tourist masses and can experience some peace and tranquility in this Buddhist temple.

The current temple was built in 2002, and Khom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, often referred to as the father of the Thai Navy, played a significant role in its construction. You will also find a shrine in his memory on-site, as in many places in Thailand, including the shrine in Chumphon.

Built on a mountain, you can visit the temple free of charge from sunrise to sunset. If you enjoy exploring Buddhist temples, then don’t miss Wat Song Metta Wanaram. We really liked the visit, especially since there weren’t many other visitors there at the same time.

7. Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden

One of the most popular Pattaya excursions in the surrounding area is the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden. It spans over 240 hectares and is stunningly designed. There are many plants, flowers, and artistically designed gardens with various themed areas.

Highlights include the French Gardens, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, which is among the attractions of Paris for many. There is also a Desert Area where you can admire cacti and succulents from around the world, an orchid garden, the Hanging Gardens, and the Stone Forest. Each area offers great photo opportunities.

Additionally, scattered throughout the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden are many dinosaur statues, which are particularly impressive for children. You can also watch Thai dance and music performances as a visitor. It is open daily from 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM. Children pay an entrance fee of 400 Baht, and adults 600 Baht. We personally find that the price is a bit high, but it can certainly be a nice excursion.

Info: If you don’t want to drive to the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden yourself, we can recommend a Pattaya day tour that includes a visit.

8. The Million Years Stone Park

The Million Years Stone Park is another theme park in our Pattaya excursions. It features a collection of natural rock formations, rare plants, ancient trees, and exotic animals spread over about 70 hectares. The main attraction of the park is the bizarre rock formations and petrified trees, some of which are over a million years old, making the park a natural wonder.

Note: Unfortunately, there is also a crocodile farm on-site. However, we cannot in good conscience recommend such animal shows to anyone! The other animals in the park, including bears, tigers, and elephants, are far from their natural habitat, and we do not wish to support this. Nevertheless, we wanted to mention the Million Years Stone Park for the sake of completeness.

It is open daily from 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM, and the entrance fee is, in our opinion, relatively high at 500 Baht for adults and 250 Baht for children.

9. Pattaya Sheep Farm

A charming destination for families is the Pattaya Sheep Farm. Particularly interesting for small children, as they can discover a lot and let off steam there. For us, this was a great family outing, and my son had plenty of fun. Besides some animals like sheep and donkeys, there are thematic areas like the Little Farm Town and even a fairy tale area with small replicas of houses or castles.

To keep things interesting, there is a playground, carousels, and smaller shows. The many different photo opportunities are popular with Thais, especially the giant sheep. The facility is really lovingly designed and is suitable for a stay of 2-3 hours, making it an excellent combination with the next point.

There is also a restaurant and a small bakery on-site that provide food and drinks. You can visit the Pattaya Sheep Farm daily from 9.00 AM to 7.00 PM. Admission is 100 Baht per adult and 50 Baht per child (some attractions, like the carousels, cost extra). During the week, there is a discount of 20 Baht per adult.

10. Great and Grand Sweet Destination

The Great & Grand Sweet Destination comes across like a land of plenty. It is a theme park inspired by desserts and sweets. Children, in particular, have a lot of fun here. There are countless photo opportunities amidst gigantic ice cream cones, huge donuts, cupcakes, and many other creations. There are really many replicas spread throughout the entire area, and the place is very popular with Thais for photos.

If you’ve worked up an appetite from all the giant sweets, you can, of course, buy real ice cream or other desserts in the adjoining café. There is a large selection of ice cream, cakes, macarons, cupcakes, and much more. You can visit the café for free, but there is an entrance fee of 120 Baht per adult and 66 Baht per child for the theme park. It is open daily from 8.30 AM to 6.00 PM.

11. Pattaya Dinosaur Kingdom

Which children don’t love dinosaurs? Therefore, the Pattaya Dinosaur Kingdom is a perfect destination for families; my son was definitely thrilled. On site, there are numerous life-size dinosaur models, some of which can even move and make sounds.

If you take a tour through the Pattaya Dinosaur Kingdom, you can see, among other things, famous dinosaurs like the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, the long-necked Brachiosaurus, and the swift Velociraptors. Additionally, there are information boards at the dinosaurs that explain what you are seeing and give you an insight into history.

To keep the children from getting bored, there are additional activities, such as a Dino Dig Zone where young explorers can dig for fossils themselves. Additionally, there are playgrounds and small cars (Dino Scooters) or animatronic dinosaurs that children can ride. However, this must be paid for separately and is not included in the admission fee.

A great place for a family outing in Pattaya. It is open daily from 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM, and admission costs 200 Baht for adults and 100 Baht for children. Children under 90 cm are even free.

12. Mini Siam

Feel like a trip through Thailand or around the world? Then this entry on the Pattaya excursions in the surrounding area is just right. Mini Siam is a beautifully landscaped miniature park that was founded in 1986. Today, it is divided into two main areas: Mini Siam, which takes you into the world of fascinating Thai buildings, and Mini Europe, where you can see world-famous structures.

On a total area of 46,000 square meters, there are more than 100 faithful replicas of famous landmarks. In the Mini Siam area, you can see, for example, the famous temples in Bangkok, Wat Phra Kaeo or Wat Arun. In Mini Europe, you can see, for instance, the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum in Rome. But other attractions outside of Europe, like the Statue of Liberty or the Sydney Opera House, are also represented. The scale of the buildings is 1:25, and a walk through Mini Siam is really beautiful and impressive.

For an entrance fee of 300 Baht for adults and 150 Baht for children, you can visit Mini Siam daily from 7.00 AM to 9.00 PM. By the way, you should wear comfortable shoes during your visit because you have to do a lot of walking to explore the park.

13. Pattaya Floating Market

If you want to visit a floating market in Thailand, then the Pattaya Floating Market, sometimes also called the Four Regions Floating Market, is the only destination in the immediate vicinity. It is a replica of the traditional floating markets and was designed in the style of the four main regions of Thailand – North, Northeast (Isaan), Central, and South.

The floating market features wooden platforms, bridges, and canals over an area of more than 100,000 square meters. You can stroll along the walkways and buy something to eat, drink, or buy souvenirs. There are some small boats floating on the canals, and for an additional fee, you can also ride through in a boat.

It may not be the most authentic experience since it’s a replica, but still a great experience. Additionally, there’s a zipline course and Muay Thai boxing events. Admission costs 200 Baht per person, and it is open every day from 9.00 AM to 8.00 PM. Only on Mondays does it close two hours earlier.

Pattaya: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Pattaya in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Pattaya.

Have you already taken one of the Pattaya excursions in the area? Do you have any more tips for places you shouldn’t miss? Feel free to leave us your feedback in the comments.

Photos: Photo 6 (Ramayana Waterpark): isarescheewin/shutterstock.com, Photo 9 (Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden): Stock Photos 2000/shutterstock.com, Photo 12 (Mini Siam): Smart Calendar/shutterstock.com