The longer, calmer beach just south — Jomtien, with a wide sandy shore, cleaner water, watersports, laid-back beachfront restaurants and a more relaxed, family-and-long-stay vibe than central Pattaya. Beachy, mellow and better for swimming, a short ride from the buzz; the base for travellers (especially families and couples) who want a proper beach day and calm, with the nightlife easily reached. Pattaya's relaxed, beach-holiday side. Easygoing and pleasant.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€40–100
typical per night in Thailand
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Pattaya — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Jomtien and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- Big Buddha Hill (Wat Phra Yai)19 min walk1.6 km
- Pattaya Viewpoint & sign22 min walk1.8 km
- Walking Street10 min taxi3.5 km
- Pattaya Beach & the bay14 min taxi4.6 km
- A cabaret show19 min taxi6.4 km
- Fresh seafood26 min taxi8.7 km
- The Sanctuary of Truth27 min taxi8.8 km
- Koh Larn (Coral Island)30 min taxi10.1 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 2.The Sanctuary of Truth — 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.
- 9.Fresh seafood — 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.
- 10.Jomtien Beach — 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.
- 18.Ramayana Water Park — One of Asia's biggest and best water parks — a jungle of slides, a lazy river and a wave pool, half an hour out. A brilliant, cooling day for families.
- 19.Bang Saray — A low-key fishing town just south of the resorts — a long pier, fresh seafood restaurants over the water, and a slower, more authentic slice of the coast. Go for a long lunch.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Jomtien; flights via Google Flights.