Pattaya

The best beaches near Pattaya aren't in the city but on Koh Larn, a lovely island a short ferry or speedboat ride offshore, with several beautiful bays of white sand and clear turquoise water far better for swimming and snorkelling than the mainland. Spend a day island-hopping the beaches, snorkelling the coral, and eating fresh seafood; it's an easy, gorgeous escape from the city bustle. Go early to beat the day-trippers; the water and sand are a world away from Pattaya Beach. A wonderful, essential day trip. Beautiful and refreshing.

Pattaya's most extraordinary sight — the Sanctuary of Truth, a colossal, entirely hand-carved wooden temple-palace rising from the sea at Naklua, every inch covered in intricate carvings of Buddhist and Hindu mythology, still being built by hand after decades. Towering, ornate and utterly unique, it's a breathtaking labour of devotion and craftsmanship, with woodcarving demonstrations and dolphin shows in the grounds. Wander the astonishing carved halls and admire the seaside setting; it's a magnificent, only-in-Pattaya highlight. A stunning, unmissable cultural gem. Awe-inspiring.

Perched on Pratamnak Hill overlooking the bay — Wat Phra Yai, home to a serene 18-metre golden seated Buddha, one of Pattaya's most revered landmarks, surrounded by smaller Buddha statues, ornate temple buildings and bells, with lovely views over the city and sea. A peaceful, spiritual and scenic escape from the neon below (dress modestly); climb the steps to the great golden Buddha, ring the bells for luck, and take in the panorama. A calm, uplifting and photogenic highlight. A serene must-see; go for the Buddha and the views.

A spectacular botanical wonderland south of the city — Nong Nooch, a vast, beautifully landscaped tropical garden with topiary, a French-style formal garden, cacti, orchids, a Stonehenge replica and dinosaur sculptures, plus cultural shows and elephant performances. Immaculately designed and endlessly photogenic, it's one of the region's most beautiful attractions and a lovely, relaxed day out for all ages. Wander the stunning themed gardens and catch a cultural show; it's a colourful, family-friendly highlight. A gorgeous, unexpected garden gem. Delightful and photogenic.

A dazzling Pattaya institution — the ladyboy cabaret shows (Tiffany's and Alcazar are the famous, long-running ones), glittering, feather-and-sequin spectacles of lip-synced musical numbers, elaborate costumes and high-energy dance performed by Thailand's celebrated transgender performers. Colourful, camp, family-friendly and enormous fun, it's a beloved, uniquely Thai form of entertainment and a great, glitzy evening. Book tickets for a show; it's a fun, dazzling highlight suitable for all ages. A joyful, only-in-Thailand spectacle. Great fun and full of sparkle.

The city's central, curving beach — Pattaya Beach, a long crescent of sand backed by the buzzing beach road, palm trees, sun loungers, watersports (jet-skis, parasailing, banana boats) and endless bars and restaurants behind. Busy and lively rather than pristine, it's the social heart of the city's seaside, great for a stroll, a jet-ski, a beachfront drink and a sunset. While the water is clearer on Koh Larn, the beach buzz, the promenade and the sunsets are enjoyable. A lively, convenient beach highlight. Fun and central; go for the buzz and the sunset.

The Pattaya Floating Market (Four Regions Floating Market) is a colourful, if touristy, attraction — a large wooden village built over the water, where vendors in traditional dress sell food, crafts and souvenirs from stilted shops and boats, representing Thailand's four regions, with boat rides through the canals. Wander the wooden walkways, sample regional snacks, browse the crafts, and take a paddle-boat tour; it's a fun, photogenic and family-friendly slice of Thai culture. A colourful, easy cultural highlight. Enjoyable and photogenic, if commercial.

Pattaya's infamous nightlife heart — Walking Street, a neon-drenched, pedestrianised strip in the south of the city that erupts each night into a chaotic carnival of bars, go-go clubs, discos, live-music venues, street performers and food stalls, thumping until dawn. Loud, wild and unapologetically adult (though families do stroll the spectacle early evening), it's a spectacle in itself. Dive into a big night out, catch some live music, or just walk the neon chaos and people-watch; it's the full-on Pattaya experience. A boisterous, iconic (if seedy) highlight. Wild; keep your wits about you.

Pattaya sits on the Gulf, and its seafood is a highlight — feast on fresh prawns, crab, squid, fish and shellfish, grilled or cooked Thai-style with garlic, chilli and lime, at the seafood restaurants of Naklua's fishing harbour, Jomtien's beachfront and the markets. Point at your catch, have it cooked to order, and dig in with your toes near the sand; it's superb, abundant and great value. Don't miss the local specialities alongside classic Thai dishes; the seafood is a delicious reason to visit. A tasty, essential highlight. Superb and cheap; come hungry.

The longer, calmer beach just south of the city — Jomtien, a wide sandy shore with cleaner water, plenty of loungers and umbrellas, watersports, and relaxed beachfront restaurants, far more suited to swimming, sunbathing and families than the busy central beach. Spend a laid-back beach day here, try a watersport, and enjoy a beachside meal and sunset; it's Pattaya's proper beach-holiday spot, mellower and more pleasant. A relaxed, family-friendly beach highlight. Lovely for a chilled beach day; the nicer place to swim on the mainland.

For the classic panorama of the whole curving bay, head up Pratamnak Hill to the Pattaya Viewpoint (Phra Tamnak), which looks out over the sweeping arc of the city, beach and sea, with the big 'PATTAYA CITY' hillside sign nearby (a photo favourite). Especially lovely at sunset or when the city lights come on, it's a quick, free and rewarding stop that gives you the lay of the land. Combine it with the nearby Big Buddha. A lovely, free viewpoint highlight. Go at sunset for the best of the bay.

Pattaya is full of fun, quirky attractions perfect for a rainy day or with kids — Art in Paradise, a huge 3D illusion art museum where you pose within trick paintings for hilarious photos, plus Ripley's Believe It or Not, the upside-down house, and more oddities clustered around the malls. Silly, interactive and endlessly photogenic, these attractions are a fun, only-in-Pattaya way to spend a few hours and get some great snaps. A lighthearted, family-friendly highlight. Great fun, especially with kids or when it rains.

The islands and clearer waters off Pattaya offer good snorkelling and every kind of watersport — snorkel over the coral off Koh Larn and the smaller islands, try scuba diving, or get the adrenaline going with jet-skis, parasailing, banana boats and sea-walking (helmet diving) on the beaches. Boat trips combine island-hopping with snorkelling and lunch. Take a snorkelling day trip to the islands or try a watersport off the beach; there's fun on and under the water for everyone. A lively, active highlight. Great for adventure and family fun.

Beyond the seafood, Pattaya has superb, cheap Thai street food — sizzling pad thai, spicy som tam (papaya salad), grilled meats, mango sticky rice and fresh fruit, best at the night markets like Thepprasit and the food stalls off the beach road. Graze the markets and street stalls for delicious, authentic and absurdly cheap Thai food, a world away from the tourist restaurants. Try the local dishes and the famous night markets; the food is a tasty, great-value highlight. Come hungry and adventurous; the street food is superb.

Pattaya's nightlife is legendary and vast — beyond the infamous Walking Street, there are rooftop bars, beach clubs, live-music venues, huge nightclubs, and quieter, more relaxed bar areas away from the red-light zones. Whether you want a wild big night, live music, a chilled beachfront cocktail or a rooftop sunset, the options run the full spectrum and are famously cheap. Pick your scene, from full-on party to mellow sundowner; the city caters to every taste after dark. A lively, iconic highlight. Something for everyone; go big or keep it low-key.