What to Do in Pattaya: Day Trips, Beaches, Spas & Clubs

Most bars open at noon or 1 PM. Many serve breakfast all day for 60-120 baht. Even some of the naughty venues open early: every Soi 6 bar runs from around noon/1pm.

Best two spots for daytime people watching: Soi 6 for the full theater, Soi Buakhao for the long-haul expat scene.

Pattaya Beach. Skip swimming. The Beach Road promenade itself is fine for a sunrise walk or a 6 AM workout class with the locals.

Wong Amat Beach cleanest mainland beach.

Cozy Beach (Kasetsin Beach) is the hidden pocket cove on Pratumnak. Access via the steep concrete staircase next to the Chocolate Factory restaurant.

Secret Beach / Sashimi Secret is at the end of Soi Naklua 18. rock formations, looks like the seychelles. food, chill area.

Jomtien Beach. Better water than Central Pattaya, slower pace.

Dongtan Beach between Pratumnak and Jomtien, best-maintained mainland beach. Volleyball courts, beach gym…

Koh Larn day trip everyone should do at least once. 30-baht ferry from Bali Hai Pier. Tawaen beach for facilities, Samae for the balance, Tien for the quiet. Crystal clear water. Bring a waterproof phone pouch (50-100 baht at any 7-Eleven).

As described in the Pattaya Landmark Guide.

The city's oldest temple, 1851, sitting 300 meters from Walking Street. Beautiful Sino-Thai architecture, meditation cave at the back, fish-release rituals. Late afternoon for monk chanting.

Miniature versions of Thailand's and the world’s famous landmarks. Book online here.

The Pratumnak Hill loop. Don't go around noon.

Beach Road before 8 AM. Or the full length of Jomtien Beach Road.

Free outdoor Bodyweight/Calisthenics Park next to the City Coffee on Pratumnak Hill.
There’s a smaller version and group fitness meeting point next to the Police station at Dongtan Beach in Jomtien and the Bamboo Beach Gym nearby.

Sun Fitness (day 140 baht), Soi Buakhao.
Coco Fitness (day 399 baht), Beach Road.
Muscle Factory (day 350 baht), Pramtamnak, right before Jomtien.

Watching: Max Muay Thai Stadium. Book online here. Doing it: Pattaya Fairtex runs 2.5 hour group classes for 800 baht. Or take a class at a Champion Camp.

EasyKart has two locations — Bali Hai Pier and Thepprasit.

Yes, you can do a 3-day PADI Open Water certification course. Book inline here.

Pattaya's Battle Mouse Range Club in Jomtien lets you fire actual handguns and rifles.

Two ways. Inland fishing parks like Castaway where you can catch 36 species for 3,500 baht. Book online here.
Squid fishing at night at the floating squid cafe tako trip for 400 baht or the Tappia Floating Cafe.

Pattaya is one of Asia's serious golf destinations, with 20+ courses within an hour. Green fees range from 1,600 to over 4,400 Baht. Rent clubs, tip the caddy 400 baht.

Pattaya has a 60-meter bungee over a lake and tandem skydiving from multiple operators.

Guided ATV trips from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

These are half-day social wellness venues with dry sauna, steam room, ice bath, cold plunge, swimming pool, jacuzzi, restaurant. Walk in at 11am with a hangover, walk out at 4pm a different person.

The most famous one: The Sauna Pratamnak Soi 6. Open 10 am to 9 pm. Bar with a sauna theme. Pool parties, Thai models, 300 Baht.

Also popular: Sands Sauna Beach Club.

These are upscale beachfront day venues — restaurant, bar, daybeds on sand, pool, music, sunset. Some have a pool, some are pure beachfront with imported white sand.

Some worth mentioning: Surf & Turf Beach Club & Restaurant — Wongamat Beach in Naklua, far north Pattaya. Open 9 am to 11 pm.

LAY Beach Club — Beach Road, central Pattaya. Part of the Melia hotel.

Byblos Beach Club, End of Walking Street, near Bali Hai Pier: Pool Parties, Bar girls,...

Sina Beach Club: the news one. Floating in the bay. Shuttle from Bali Hai Pier. Book online here.

Two-hour traditional Thai massage: 250 to 400 baht.
Foot massage 200 to 300.
Oil massage 400 to 600 baht.
The fancier hotel spas charge 2,000+ for the same hour but the quality is mostly the same.
Tip 50-100 baht per masseuse.

Let's Relax has multiple locations including the Onsen at Grande Centre Point.

Neighborhood salon: 200 to 400 baht. 

Old-school Thai ladies on any side soi cut for 150 baht — full shave with hot towel. My favorite: Bua Barber in Soi Buakhao.

Most hotels have one, you can buy a day pass at the bigger resorts (Hilton, Avani, Centara) for 600 to 1,200 baht.

Central Festival, Royal Garden Plaza, Mike Shopping Mall, Terminal 21. Use them as air-conditioned shortcuts between Roads. Clean toilets. Good food.

Sunset Coffee roasters at the beach Road, Cafe Amazon at the corner Beach Road and Soi 6/1, Longpang on 3rd road.

My tip: Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Feed the elephants, take a bath with them, wonderful.

And please skip Tiger Kingdom and similar drug-the-tigers attractions, and skip elephant rides.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo. About 45 minutes north of Pattaya. Famous for Moo Deng the pygmy hippo.

Underwater World Pattaya Aquarium. In Jomtien.

A 130-meter image of Buddha laser-etched onto the side of a limestone cliff and inlaid with gold. Free. 20 km south of Pattaya near Sattahip. Book online here.

500 acres of botanical gardens, elephant shows, cultural performances. About 30 minutes south. Book online here.

Biggest waterpark in Pattaya, about 30 minutes south, between Khao Chi Chan and Sattahip. 21 slides, lazy river, kids' areas. Book online here.