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Things to Do in Ayutthaya: 10 Essential Stops That Will Give You a Grand Time!
- Explore Ayutthaya Historical Park
- Admire the architecture in Bang Pa-In Palace
- Stop by the Million Toy Museum
- Look at the ruins of Wat Chaiwatthanaram
- Study Ayutthaya's history at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
- Stroll around Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
- Enjoy fun water games at the Ayutthaya Water Park
- Check out Wat Phra Ngam's Portal of Time
- Eat your fill at the Ayutthaya Night Market
- See Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan's enormous sitting Buddha
Even with the best travel guide to Ayutthaya, you may still be wondering what to do during your stay in this massive ancient city. This is especially true if you’re just there for the weekend—and mighty short in time.
With countless attractions before us, I remember our group wasted so much time arguing and choosing where to go in Ayutthaya. Well, luckily, our experience can be a shot in the arm for you to gain a needed headstart.
With this guide, you should be confident to roam the place like the back of your hand. So sit back, here’s the nitty-gritty of the top things to do in Ayutthaya for a wonderful experience that will make you want to return for more. Read on!
Explore Ayutthaya Historical Park
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Address: 196 Moo 4, Khlong Tho Road, Pratu Chai Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
Contact Number: +66 35 242 286
A trip to Ayutthaya won’t be complete without stopping by this historical park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the province’s most important temple ruins, from Wat Mahathat to Wat Si Sanphet, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Ratchaburana, and more.
Given the number of stunning sights within the park, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take postcard-perfect photos during your visit. You’ll also find Ayutthaya’s most photographed attraction here, a Buddha head entangled in banyan tree roots.
This place also has lotus-filled ponds and tree-lined grassy areas, perfect if you like to go on a picnic. Tuk-tuks and rental bicycles are also available, so exploring the entire park is certainly one of the most fun things to do in Ayutthaya.
Pro Tip:
Though admission to Ayutthaya Historical Park is free, the major temple ruins inside may each charge a 50-baht entry fee. But you can save money if you buy a multi-temple pass for 220 baht instead.
Admire the architecture in Bang Pa-In Palace
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Address: Ban Len, Bang Pa-in District
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 35 261 044
Admission Cost: 100 baht
Visiting Bang Pa-In Palace is a must-do in Ayutthaya and it’s definitely worth checking out for its stunning royal structures and palace grounds. The Aisawan-Dhipaya-Asana Pavilion, in particular, is the most popular and picturesque building you’ll see here.
This gorgeous Thai-style building is a replica of the Phra Thinang Aphonphimok Pavilion in Bangkok’s Grand Palace. It’s also an important royal structure because it’s the final resting place of King Rama V’s cherished daughter Princess Srivilailaksana.
The palace grounds also have other eye-catching buildings with European and Chinese architectural styles, so there are plenty of things to admire here. This includes the Wehart Chamrun Throne Hall, Varopat Piman Throne Hall, Withun Thasana Tower, etc.
Pro Tip:
Bang Pa-In Palace is considered a sacred place so you must dress appropriately during your visit. Be sure to wear long pants, long skirts, and closed footwear.
Don’t worry there are also stalls selling clothes to change into near the entrance.
Stop by the Million Toy Museum
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Address: 45 Moo 2, U Thong Road, Tha Wasukri
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 81 890 5782
Admission Cost: 50 baht (Adults), 20 baht (Kids)
If you love toys or have kids who do, a tour of the Million Toy Museum is one of the coolest things you can do in Ayutthaya. This place is also aptly named, so expect to find a million dolls, lifelike models, and action figures of popular fictional characters.
Their collection includes modern and vintage toys from well-known and niche franchises, so you’ll most likely find your favorite characters. They also have a small shop where you can buy postcards and toys to add to your collection.
But if you’re not particularly into toys, they also have displays of ceramic kitchenware, cutesy paintings, and antique appliances. There’s also an on-site cafe where you can rest or enjoy snacks and drinks during your tour.
Pro Tip:
The museum has a limited parking space, so we suggest coming early if you’re driving a car.
Look at the ruins of Wat Chaiwatthanaram
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Address: 31/1 Ban Pom Subdistrict
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Cost: 50 baht
Wat Chaiwatthanaram is a picturesque temple ruin along the Chao Phraya River. This historical site is the restored remains of a Khmer-style temple from the 17th century and it’s said to have been used by the royal family of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
The ruin’s biggest remaining structure is a Khmer-style prang so it has a multi-tiered design and receding size from the base to the tip. It’s also surrounded by smaller torn-down chedis with a more pointy multi-tiered build and spire.
These timeworn structures are great for photos because the grassy foreground and the bright sky background make them pop up more. You can also rent traditional Thai clothes at the ruin’s entrance to further enhance your photos.
Pro Tip:
The earlier you arrive at Wat Chaiwatthanaram, the better your chance of avoiding huge tourist crowds and taking photos without others getting in the way. Visiting early also lets you avoid the sweltering midday heat since this site lacks shady areas.
Study Ayutthaya’s history at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
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Address: 108 Rojana Road
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 35 241 587
Admission Cost: 150 baht
For history buffs, the best thing to do in Ayutthaya is to tour the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. Here, you can find historical accounts not just of the ancient Ayutthaya Kingdom, but also of the Sukhothai Kingdom.
But the biggest highlight for us is the museum’s recently developed gold exhibit. It details the infamous gold rush of Ayutthaya during the 17th century and features numerous golden treasures and artifacts recovered from that period.
The museum also has important historical exhibits with artifacts and relics found at the Ayutthaya Historical Park. This includes numerous Buddha heads, pang maravichai Buddha statues, meditation Buddha statues, a terracotta garuda, and more.
Pro Tip:
For the best experience, we recommend hiring a tour guide during your visit to this museum. This way, you can learn more stories about the artifacts on display.
Speaking of which, you can check the museum’s website to see which artifacts are currently available in their exhibits.
Stroll around Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
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Address: 40 Luang Phor Khao Soi 3, Khlong Suan Phlu
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 35 242 640
Admission Cost: 20 baht
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is an ancient temple in Ayutthaya, and it’s definitely worth visiting because it also has one of Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha images. Its 23-meter reclining Buddha represents serenity and is said to offer good fortune.
That’s why devotees put coins on their palms and rub them on this Buddha’s feet.
Built during the 14th century, this temple is also one of the oldest temples in the province so expect to see numerous restored shrines and stupas in its sacred grounds.
Other notable sights within this temple include a beheaded Buddha and rows of identical seated Buddhas in its courtyard. Its 60-meter principal chedi is also an iconic landmark because it’s visible to everyone approaching Ayutthaya City from the east.
Pro Tip:
Though old, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is an active monk temple so we recommend wearing appropriate clothes covering your shoulders, arms, legs, and belly, especially if you’re a woman.
Enjoy fun water games at the Ayutthaya Water Park
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Address: 125 Pak Chan, Nakhon Luang District
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Saturday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 92 334 3756
Admission Cost: 100 baht
For tourists bored out of their minds or looking for a place to cool down, the numerous activities you can do in Ayutthaya Water Park are a godsend. It’s also arguably the cheapest water park in the province, perfect for families with a couple of small children.
Here, you can hop on two water zones, each with a wide range of colorful water slides and simple obstacle courses that are safe and suitable for kids. Also, there are plenty of seats near the pool in case you want to relax, eat snacks, or watch from the sidelines.
Their foam parties, in particular, are a big hit among kids, so be sure to stick around until the afternoon because they only start from 4 p.m. onwards. The free life jackets and pool toys they provide are also a big plus.
Pro Tip:
Children below 90 centimeters tall and elders at least 60 years old don’t have to pay for an entry ticket.
Check out Wat Phra Ngam’s Portal of Time
Address: 24 Moo 4, Soi Salak Hin Road, Khlong Sa Bua
Operating Hours: 24/7
Contact Number: +66 92 456 7857
Wat Phra Ngam is a tranquil and picturesque temple ruin 2 kilometers north of the Ayutthaya Historical Park. This off-the-beaten attraction is known for its unique temple arch which is entangled by the roots of two overgrown banyan trees.
Behind the arch, you’ll also find an ancient Ayutthaya-style chedi with a sitting Buddha image where visitors pray or pay their respects. And with the right angle, you can frame this chedi inside the temple arch for a magical-looking photograph.
That’s why the locals call this temple ruins the “Portal of Time” or “Gate of Time”. You can also enjoy sightseeing and strolling around to soak in its peaceful atmosphere, watch its lotus-filled pond, or meet the animals roaming its sacred grounds.
Pro Tip:
To capture the best photo of the Portal of Time, avoid visiting this temple ruin from September to November because banyan trees shed their leaves during this season to prepare for winter.
Eat your fill at the Ayutthaya Night Market
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Address: Bang Ian Road, Tha Wasukri
Operating Hours: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Friday – Sunday)
If you’re a serious foodie, one of the best things you can do in Ayutthaya is hit the food stalls at its night market. This place is packed with local vendors selling traditional Thai street food, desserts, fresh fruits, and packed snacks.
Going here gives you the best chance to try Thailand’s most popular street foods, like pad krapao, moo ping, goong ob woonsen, mango sticky rice, and more. Or if you’re brave, you can also get your hands on some deep-fried insects.
Think grasshoppers, scorpions, giant water bugs, crickets, etc. Oh, and there’s also a food stall serving crocodile meat skewers.
Pro Tip:
Ayutthaya Night Market is popular among tourists, so expect some shops that adjust their food to suit foreign taste buds. If you want authentic Thai flavors, buy from the shops locals buy from.
See Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan’s enormous sitting Buddha
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Address: Khlong Suan Phlu Subdistrict
Operating Hours:
- 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
- 7 a.m. – 5:307 p.m. (Saturday – Sunday)
Contact Number: +66 35 243 867
Admission Cost: 20 baht
Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan is a well-known riverside temple in Ayutthaya. It enshrines a massive golden Buddha image. Called Phra Chao Phanan Choeng, this U Thong-style image sits with a subduing mara posture and is joined by 2 disciple statues.
This Buddha image is important to the local devotees because it’s also connected to the history of Ayutthaya. In fact, the local legend says this statue shed tears just before the Burmese army invaded and razed the ancient city in 1967.
This temple also has an ubosot housing 3 ancient sitting Buddha images in subduing mara posture. Near it is a recently constructed Chinese-style shrine adorned with oriental dragon motifs and a spot where you can feed fish along the riverbank.
Pro Tip:
This temple is usually packed with locals and tourists during weekends, so we suggest visiting on a weekday to avoid huge crowds.
