Things to Do in Pattaya

Discover 28 activities and experiences in Pattaya, Thailand — from outdoor adventures to cultural events. Curated from real traveler recommendations.

Pattaya, Thailand 28 activities

  1. Songkran

    Mid-April. Songkran is the Thai New Year, celebrated primarily by everyone throwing prodigious quantities of water at anything that moves. Pattaya officially celebrates Songkran on later dates (April 18–19) than most of the rest of the country (April 13–15) - but in reality the fun just starts early and keeps on going that much longer. During this period many hotels and guest houses have high occupancy levels, and public transport services (especially buses to/from Bangkok) are very busy, with more frequent than normal departures but also with appreciable delays due to the general mayhem on the roads. Songkran in Pattaya follows the same overall pattern as seen elsewhere in Thailand, but is especially vigorous in areas such as Soi 7 and Soi 8. Expect to get very wet indeed and you're unlikely to be disappointed - regardless of where you go or what else you actually plan to do. Although things calm down considerably after dusk, it's still worth keeping anything that could easily be damaged (especially cameras, mobile telephones, passports etc) in plastic bags.

  2. Tiffany's Show

    Tiffany's is a family-friendly ladyboy cabaret show. The 19:30 show is generally deemed to be the best of the night. After the show there the ladyboys would gather outside available for photos sessions with interested audience. However, be aware that taking photos with the ladyboy means you are obligated to give the ladyboy tips as much as 40 baht to 100 baht depending on the rank of the ladyboy (front row ladyboys are more costly to take photos with than the back rows). Some ladyboys offers free photos session though. In May Tiffany's Show hosts the annual [http://www.misstiffanyuniverse.com Miss Tiffany's Universe Pageant] beauty queen competition, for contestants born as men. If you've got testosterone left over, visit the shooting range in the basement! Contact Tiffany's directly for a complimentary pick-up from your hotel.

    Pattaya 2 Rd
    Showtime 18:00, 19:30, 21:00
    500, 700, 800 baht
    More info

  3. Ko Phai

    Ko Phai, and other islands in the Ko Phai group, Ko Klung Badan (or Krung Badan), Ko Luam (or Leom), Ko Man Wichai and Ko Rin (or Lin) - are preferred destinations for scuba divers, and are also popular for general relaxation, fishing, swimming and snorkeling day trips. This area is controlled by the Royal Thai Navy, and overnight stays are not permitted. For a return speedboat charter from one of the mainland beaches or Bali Hai Pier (approx. 23 km/2 hours), expect to pay 2,500-4,000 baht; possibly less from Ko Laan.

  4. The Golf Club

    A popular sports bar & restaurant that runs regular golf competitions on M, Tu, Th, and F. They have contracts with the local courses and offer highly discounted green fees either through the Pattaya Sports Club or they can book your private tour of up to 120 golfers. They are the only bar golf society with a TAT License. Transportation, club rentals, free Wi-Fi and golf lockers are available. Have 4 rooms available to golfers and non-golfers alike, from 600-900 baht depending on room and season.

    33/133 Soi L.K. Metro
    More info

  5. Spa View

    One of the largest massage and spa complexes in Pattaya, offering aromatherapy oil massage, herbal steam sauna, skin whitening treatment, body treatment with aloe vera herbal, mineral water treatment, body treatment with milk and honey, milk bath treatment, physical massage, foot massage, and others. Facial treatments include nail care and treatment, hand and foot therapy by soaking with herbal water, foot massage, facial massage, scrub, ozone, fruit skin treatment, lotion and others.

  6. Video games

    Video games are a popular pastime in Thailand, hence PlayStation and computer game shops are everywhere in Pattaya. The usual rate is 20 baht/hr, making for pretty cheap entertainment, but expect things to get very crowded and loud in the hours after school lets out. There's a big shop on Soi Chaiyaphum (right off Soi Buakhao across from Soi Diana Inn) that's open 24/7 and has more comfortable chairs.

    20 baht/hr

  7. Pattaya Muay Thai Academy

    A popular muay Thai camp that is open to everyone for fitness, self-defence and fighter training. The gym is fully matted, including a large open training area, a boxing ring, several punch and kick bags as well as fitness equipment. Accommodation is available in camp, the instructors are multilingual, free Wi-Fi for customers, and the option of fighting at muay Thai stadiums.

    Soi 7 North Rd
    More info

  8. Pattaya Festival

    Mid-April. The Pattaya Festival has floral floats, a Miss Pattaya Beauty contest, a traditional aquatic sports competitions, castles, a fireworks display, fire crackers, arts and cultural performances, exhibitions and souvenirs for sale. Don't expect an "authentic" festival, this is basically a festival to promote Pattaya as a popular seaside destination for tourists.

  9. Serenity Massage

    One of the few massage shops in this section of Pattaya. It offers a clean, comfortable and quiet atmosphere inside, combined with talk and laughter with the girls outside. Massage services include foot, Thai, oil, powder, salt body scrub, aromatherapy, four hands massage and more. Water, tea or coffee afterwards. The overall experience is fun, unrushed and relaxing.

  10. OneRoyale

    Clean, comfortable, and quiet atmosphere. Body massages include foot, Thai, oil, aroma, head/shoulder, and four hands. Also do body scrubs and sun burn treatment. Special treatments for ladies include: intimate repair treatment, vagina firming treatment, post-birth treatment, firming & anti-cellulite treatment. Water, tea or coffee afterwards.

    Central Rd

  11. Art in Paradise

    This is an “illusion” art museum that features ten galleries – the Camouflage Room, Under the Ocean Room, Wildlife Room, Classical Art Room, Civilization Room, Surrealism Room, Dinosaur Room, Waterfall Room, Scenery Room, and Exhibition of Art Room. Great place for any one who loves to snap selfies!

    Second Road Soi 1, North Pattaya
    300 baht (180 for Thais)
    View on map
    More info

  12. SFX Cinema

    Multiplex with 10 theatres on the 6th floor of the Central Festival shopping complex. Regular ticket for 140 baht (120 baht on Wednesdays), larger seat 20 baht more, fancy sofa seat at the very back, 500 baht. One theatre has first class seats for 600 baht (including popcorn and a soft drink).

    Central Pattaya Beach

  13. Alcazar Cabaret

    A VIP seat closer to the front costs 200 baht extra. Directly after the show the performers come outside for a few minutes photo session. 40 baht per photo with each performer of your choice or 200 baht for an instant Polaroid photo taken by their own photographer.

    Pattaya 2 Rd
    Showtime 18:30, 20:00, 21:30
    600-800 baht
    More info

  14. SF Cinema City

    This cinema has six theatres with ticket prices around 90 baht, slightly more at weekends; this has increasingly been showing Thai-soundtrack-only films (including dubbed versions of foreign films and no-English-subtitle releases of Thai films).

    Central (Big-C)

  15. Open Eyes Show

    "The Great Experience Behind The Magical", a lot of technological magic and illusion shows. It is a magic performance in various styles such as Aladdin, the Mermaid, Invisible Woman, the Wonderland, etc.

    2F, Pattaya Bazaar, 266/52-53 North Pattaya Rd
    Daily, 15:00-23:00
    600 baht/adults, 300 baht/children

  16. New Year's Day

    1 Jan has been adopted as New Year's Day. On the first of January, people offer food to monks at the temple or at a particular site designated by government offices of private organizations.

  17. Pattaya City Golf

    18 holes, plus chipping, driving and putting areas for the more serious golfer; refreshments served at the waterfront bar; caddy service available.

    Daily, 09:00-01:00
    140 baht/person

  18. Ko Khrok

    2 km east of Ko Laan, is an isolated rocky islet with a single 100 metre stretch of sandy beach to the east, where visitors can see coral reefs.

  19. Major Cineplex

    Shows similar movies to the SFX cinema in Central Festival but is about 20 baht cheaper. Regular ticket for 120 baht (80 baht on Wednesdays).

    The Avenue
    View on map
    More info

  20. Pattaya Lake Land Cable Ski

    Lake Land Cable Ski is a manmade, freshwater lake beside Sukhumvit Road, not far from Jomtien Beach. Water skiing and wakeboarding.

    90/1 Sukhumvit Rd Na Kluea
    09:00 - 18:00
    2 hours, 300 baht; all day, 500 baht

  21. DA scuba

    DA Scuba is one of the oldest dive centres in Pattaya, which are running daily trips to the near islands, far islands and wrecks.

    437/17 Moo 9, Soi 6/Beach Rd
    daily from 09:00-18:00
    More info

  22. Tuxedo Magic Castle

    It is a magic theatre in the form of a split-level restaurant. There are series of shows such as making an umbrella out of cards.

    78/16-17 Pattaya Sai 2 Rd
    Daily, 19:00, 20:30, 22:00
    450 baht
    More info

  23. Pattaya Kart Speedway

    A kart racing circuit where there are separate lanes for professionals and amateurs, and there is a separate "off-road" track.

    248/2 Moo 12, Thep Prasit Rd
    Daily, 09:00-18:00
    250+ baht/10 mins

  24. Bowling Plus

    20 bowling lanes. Also has 6 pool tables plus 2 full-size snooker tables for 120 baht/hour.

    Second Rd
    Daily, 10:00-02:00
    70-90 baht/person

  25. The Mini Golf Pub

    18 holes, refreshments available; their cat sometimes acts as a self-propelled obstacle.

    Thappraya Rd
    Daily, 10:00-23:00
    100 baht/person

  26. Tiffany's Shooting Range

    The only indoor shooting range in Pattaya with 19 lanes. Minimum age 18.

    GF, Tiffany's Show Building, 464 Moo 9, Second Rd
    Daily, 09:00-21:00

  27. Paintball Park

    Decent field; helpful English speaking manager.

    248/10 Moo 12, Thep Prasit Rd
    Daily, 09:00-18:00
    50 rounds ammo/~400 baht

  28. Chinese Vegetarian Cafe

    Very cheap.

    30-60 baht

Exploring Pattaya: A Traveler's Guide to Activities

Pattaya rewards curious travelers with an exceptional range of experiences. Whether you have a weekend or several weeks, the city's 28 documented activities cover the full spectrum — architectural landmarks and world-class museums at one end, local neighborhood festivals and underground cultural scenes at the other. The activities listed on this page come from Wikivoyage contributors who have personally explored Pattaya and written detailed, practical descriptions to help you plan your visit.

The most rewarding way to experience Pattaya's activities is with company. Solo travelers who arrive without plans often find that meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, cafe, or through the Nomax app opens up entirely new itineraries — a museum visit becomes a half-day exploration, a street food crawl turns into an evening of discovery, a day trip to a nearby site becomes an adventure. Pattaya has an active traveler community, and the city is designed to reward those who explore it with open curiosity.

When planning what to do in Pattaya, consider mixing well-known attractions with neighborhood-level experiences. The city's most photographed sights are popular for good reason, but Pattaya's character lives in its quieter corners too — the local markets, the parks where residents spend their weekends, the small performance venues where the next generation of artists and musicians are finding their voice. The 28 activities on this page include both categories, ordered by the richness of their traveler-written descriptions.

How to Get the Most from Pattaya's Activities

Timing matters in Pattaya. Many of the city's best attractions have shorter queues and better atmospheres on weekday mornings. Major cultural sites — museums, galleries, historic monuments — often run free admission windows on certain days or evenings; check before booking. Outdoor activities and walking tours are best enjoyed in the morning before the city heats up or fills with tour groups.

Budget-conscious travelers will find that Pattaya has a strong free-to-access layer. Public parks, open-air markets, architectural walking routes, and many community events cost nothing. The price information included with activities on this page (where available) helps you plan a realistic daily budget. A mix of free and paid activities across a week in Pattaya is entirely feasible for most traveler budgets.

For travelers who want to do more than just sightseeing, Pattaya offers organized activities through local guides, tour companies, and traveler apps like Nomax. Group activities — cooking classes, cycling tours, kayaking excursions, photography walks — are a natural way to meet people while experiencing the city. Many travelers who use Nomax in Pattaya coordinate these types of group experiences together, splitting costs and building memories that last beyond the trip itself.

Activities for Different Travel Styles

Not every traveler wants the same experience. History enthusiasts will gravitate toward Pattaya's museums, heritage sites, and guided historical walks that reveal the layers of the city's past. Outdoor and adventure travelers will focus on the parks, cycling routes, climbing areas, and day trips to surrounding natural areas. Food travelers will treat Pattaya's markets, restaurants, and food tours as the primary activities of each day. Culture seekers will fill evenings with concerts, theater, gallery openings, and street performances.

The 28 activities documented on this page span all these categories. Use the numbered list above to browse in order of description quality — longer descriptions generally mean more detailed, firsthand traveler knowledge. For each activity, the address and opening hours (where available) give you everything you need to plan your visit without needing to search elsewhere.

Connecting with Travelers in Pattaya

One of the best things about traveling to Pattaya is the community of international travelers already there. Backpackers, digital nomads, long-term expats, and short-trip tourists all share the same city at any given moment. Nomax makes it easy to find who is in Pattaya right now, see what activities they are joining, and coordinate plans. Whether you want a hiking companion, someone to split museum entry with, or a group for an evening out — the app connects you to people with the same itinerary in minutes.

Download Nomax before your trip to Pattaya to set your travel dates and start discovering who else will be there at the same time. The app is free, requires no subscription, and works across all the major traveler destinations worldwide — meaning the community you build in Pattaya often extends to your next destination too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Pattaya?

Pattaya offers 28+ activities and experiences for travelers. Top highlights include Songkran, Tiffany's Show, Ko Phai, and much more. This page lists every documented activity in order of description quality, so you can find both the major attractions and the hidden gems.

Are there free things to do in Pattaya?

Yes — Pattaya has a strong selection of free activities. Public parks, open-air markets, walking routes through historic neighborhoods, and many cultural institutions offer free admission on specific days. Scroll through the list above and look for activities marked with free or no price information — these are often the city's most authentic experiences.

How do I meet other travelers while exploring Pattaya?

Download Nomax — a free travel companion app that shows you other solo travelers currently in Pattaya. You can join group activities, chat with travelers at the same spots, and plan outings together. Many travelers in Pattaya use Nomax to find companions for day trips, museum visits, and evening activities.

What activities can I do with travel companions I meet in Pattaya?

Pattaya has activities for every interest — guided tours, food experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and nightlife. Use Nomax to coordinate with other travelers: join a group for a walking tour, split a day-trip cost, or simply explore the city together. The app makes spontaneous plans easy.

Explore Pattaya with fellow travelers

Download Nomax — find travel companions, join group activities, and chat with solo travelers in Pattaya right now. Free forever.

Download Nomax — Free Pattaya Travel Guide

Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Content may have been updated since publication.