Phatthaya

Pattaya is a city that loves to surprise you. Sitting on the shimmering Gulf of Thailand, it went from a quiet little fishing village to one of Asia’s most buzzing beach destinations faster than almost anywhere else on Earth. Today it’s a place where golden temples meet sparkling water, and there’s always something exciting happening around every corner.

The city has a real energy to it. You can spend a morning exploring the Sanctuary of Truth, an incredible palace built entirely from wood and covered in thousands of detailed carvings that took decades to create and are still being worked on today. Then hop on a boat to Coral Island, where the water is so clear you can watch tropical fish darting around beneath you.

What really makes Pattaya special is how it blends the old and the new. You can browse food and crafts from boats at a floating market, wander through a breathtaking garden bigger than 400 football pitches, or literally jump inside a painting at a mind-bending 3D art museum. There is genuinely nowhere else quite like it!