The best things to do in Pattaya

Markets are where Pattaya eats, shops and comes alive after dark — from sprawling night bazaars to a famous floating market. Here are the best, and what each does best.

Beyond the beach and the bars, Pattaya has some genuinely great days out. These are the attractions we'd actually send a friend to, from a jaw-dropping wooden temple to an island escape.

Pattaya is a water-park hotspot, with some of Thailand's biggest just south of the city. Here are the best, sorted by who they suit — from thrill-seekers to families with toddlers.

A huge interactive 3D illusion art museum where you become part of the paintings — a fun, air-conditioned, photo-friendly outing that's a hit with families and a rainy-day saviour.

A large golden hilltop Buddha reached by a dragon-railed staircase on Pratumnak — a free, peaceful viewpoint over the bay and an easy pairing with the Pattaya Viewpoint.

A bright, Cartoon-Network-themed water park south of Pattaya — slides, a wave pool and the huge Cartoon Network characters, built squarely for families with younger kids.

An indoor ice-and-sand sculpture attraction with a sub-zero ice zone and a snow play area — a novelty cool-down that's a fun, weatherproof hour, especially with kids.

A giant golden Buddha image laser-etched and inlaid into a cliff face south of Pattaya — a serene, free, photogenic stop, often combined with the nearby Silverlake vineyard.

The easy island escape just off Pattaya — clearer water, quieter beaches and a short ferry ride to the day-trip that first-timers love most.

A miniature park with detailed scale models of famous Thai and world landmarks — a gentle, photogenic stroll that's easy with kids and good for a relaxed hour.

A huge, beautifully manicured botanical garden south of Pattaya — French-style topiary, a Stonehenge replica, cycads, elephants and cultural shows, all in one sprawling estate.

A large, purpose-built four-regions floating market — canals, wooden walkways, boat vendors, snacks and souvenirs, plus shows; touristy but a fun, photogenic couple of hours.

The classic free panorama over Pattaya Bay from Pratumnak Hill — the postcard view of the city's sweeping crescent beach, best at sunset.

One of Thailand's biggest water parks, south of Pattaya — dozens of slides, a lazy river, wave pool and its own beach, making for a full, family-friendly day out.

A central, air-conditioned entertainment complex inside Royal Garden Plaza — the odditorium plus extras like a mirror maze and 4D theatre, handy for a rainy day or families.

A vast, all-teak temple-palace on the Naklua headland, hand-carved inside and out — Pattaya's most genuinely jaw-dropping sight and a perpetual work in progress.

Pattaya's long-running, glitzy cabaret — a polished, family-friendly evening of costumes, music and spectacle that's become a city institution.

A walk-through aquarium with a long underwater tunnel where sharks and rays glide overhead — a cool, easy, weatherproof outing that kids in particular love.