There are many things to do in Pattaya besides going to a bar and drinking beer. Some attractions are free and well worth the effort to go and see.
Big Buddha: https://www.thailandee.com/en/visit-thailand/pattaya-big-buddha-pattaya-145
This is found at the top of Pratumnak Hill. On one side of the road there is a lookout, a statue of the first Thai navy admiral and Wat Phra Yai. Across the road on top of the hill is Big Buddha, Chinese Temple and gardens. You can hire a baht bus or motorbike taxi for 100 baht to take you there. Make sure you see both sides. Food and drink stands for your your convenience. Magnificent views of Pattaya Bay from the Look out.
Wat Chaimongkon: see map below
This is on South Pattaya Road near Second Road. Please take your shoes off before going in and do not sit with your feet pointing towards the Buddha. Modest dress is required. There is a fresh food market across the road . Tukcom Shopping Mall is 200m away. Standard mall with supermarket. It is reknowned for IT products and repairs on the upper floors.
Tukcom Shopping Mall: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293919-d8755720-Reviews-Tukcom_Pattaya-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html
Numerous restaurants, fast food outlets, supermarket, electrical gadgets shop, pharmacies, stalls, book shop, gifts. Upstairs are 3 floors of mobile phones, tablets, computers, printers, DVDs and accessories. Many services are available including repairs, unlock phone, change language and used devices.
Soi Buakhao Market: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1226133-d7125236-Reviews-Soi_Buakhao_Market-Bang_Lamung_Chonburi_Province.html
The Buakhao Market is a huge day market held every Tuesday and Friday on a massive vacant plot near the South Pattaya Road and Soi Buakhao just past Tukcom. see map.
Market opens about 11am and starts packing up about 3pm.
Here you will find everything from puppies and live fish to food, plants, clothing, souveniors, makeup and jewellery. Large sizes for foreigners.
Very popular beach with restaurants, bars and sunloungers near Royal Cliff Hotel on the Jomtien side of Pratnumak Hill. You can get on a baht bus at the intersection of Second Road and South Pattaya Road. Baht buses going to Jomtien line up along Second Road outside the school waiting for customers. Costs 10 baht. Get off at the top of the hill outside Sugar Shack. Cross the road and hire a motorbike taxi to Cosy Beach, costs 100 baht. Steep steps take you down to the beach.
Naklua and Wongamat beaches: https://www.pattayaunlimited.com/pattaya-naklua-beach/
More upmarket than Pattaya Bay, these Pattaya beaches have whiter sand and there are umbrellas and deckchairs, restaurants and bars, massage areas and market stalls right on the beach. Naklua beach starts at the Dusit Thani Hotel at the north end of Pattaya beach while Wongamat beach continues from Naklua beach further south and stretches to the Sanctuary of Truth. Swim, sunbathe and dine right on the beach. Jetskis and banana boats are available. Baht buses drive down Second Road and either turn left at Dolphin roundabout to go down Beach Road or go straight ahead to Naklua. Charge is 10 baht. Check if the driver is going to Naklua.
Centara Grand Mirage
This beach front hotel on Wongamat Beach is based on the “Lost World” theme with a huge waterpark with a river and waterfalls, caves and canyons. Watch the sunset over the sea during cocktail hour from the balcony followed by a meal at one of the many restaurants. Catch a baht bus going to Naklua and get off at Soi 18. The main entrance is from Soi 18.
Walking Street: https://www.pattayaunlimited.com/walking-street-pattaya/
This is the nightlife entertainment center of Pattaya and best visited after 9pm. During the day the street is open to traffic and the bars are very quiet. After 7pm the road is closed and the fun begins after 9pm. Nightclubs, restaurants, go go bars, coyote bars. Be very wary of going upstairs: you might end up paying far more than you expected when you try to leave to leave. Sex shows are conducted upstairs. There is no charge to go into a bar but you might be hit with a hefty “leaving fee” for upstairs venues. Most have Happy Hour up to about 8-9pm when drinks are half price. Many nightclubs charge the same price for soft drinks as alcoholic drinks.
Hop On Hop Off tour bus: https://elephantbustours.com/pattaya/
Open roof double decker bus with 2 routes.
RED LINE is around Pattaya City, BLUE LINE takes you to major attractions.
1 day, 2 day and 3 day passes available. Sight see at your own pace.
Pattaya Floating Market: https://www.pattayafloatingmarket.com/gallery/
This is not the famous floating markets outside Bangkok but it is an interesting day out. Entry starts at 100 baht. This is a very popular attraction with over-water shops joined by boardwalks that sell a wide range of goods at normal market prices. Food and drinks are available. The Floating Market is about 7km from central Pattaya. You can buy tickets from a travel booth or hire a driver for 1200 baht for the day and make a day trip to Wat Yansangwararam and Big Buddha Mountain which are known as the Temple Tour. No charge to enter the variety of temples.
Nong Nooch Gardens: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g2005201-d669526-Reviews-Nong_Nooch_Tropical_Botanical_Garden-Na_Chom_Thian_Sattahip_Chonburi_Province.html
Pattaya’s most popular attraction with 600 acres of amazing gardens, Thai cultural show and elephant show . Foreigner Price for entry to the gardens only is 500 baht. Gardens and shows is 800 baht. Children 360 baht. Half day tickets also. There are set times for the Cultural Show and Elephant Show so make sure you read the program and plan your day.
Sanctuary of Truth: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293919-d456350-Reviews-The_Sanctuary_Of_Truth-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html
An amazing teak temple on Wongamat Beach. There is also a dolphin show.
Costs 700 baht including transport to and from your hotel. ( Entry fee of 500 baht included)
Or jump on a baht bus to Naklua which is about a 10 minute drive for 10 baht.
Look for the Sanctuary of Truth sign on the left side of the road. Get off and walk 10 minutes.
Koh Larn ( Coral Island): https://www.renown-travel.com/daytripspattaya/kohlarn.html
Ferries leave for Koh Larn from Bali Hai Pier which is at the far end of Walking Street. The charge is 30 baht one way.
Timetable and places to go and how to get there on Koh Larn: http://www.barefootpattaya.com/?p=212
There are 2 destinations at Koh Larn: Nabaan and TaWaen. When you arrive back at Bali Hai Pier there are baht buses that will take you down Second Road to Beach Road for 20 baht. OR you can catch a speedboat to Koh Larn from Pattaya beach.
Parasailing, fishing, snorkelling and banana boating at 3 islands- Koh Kok, Koh Sak and Koh Larn. Full day trip including pick-up, breakfast and seafood lunch. Book at any travel shop. This is a very popular trip that leaves from Ocean Marina at Jomtien on board the luxury catamaran Serenity. Alternatively you can get a speedboat from Pattaya Beach to take you parasailing or to Koh Larn (Coral Island).
Viharn Sien Chinese Temple and Museum: https://www.renown-travel.com/temples/viharn-sien.html
There is a stunning collection of temples just outside Pattaya. There is no charge to enter the thai temples. Book a tour or better still hire a driver for the day. Wat Yansangwararam temple complex, Buddha’s footprints, Buddha Mountain (Khao Cheejan, the largest Buddhist image in the world) and more make a great day trip. Also close by is the impressive Chinese Temple Viharn Sien with magnificent bronze statues and artefacts. Entry is only 50 baht for an amazing experience. Situated about 20 kms from Pattaya, you can hire a driver and SUV for the day to drive you around. Full day for about 1,500 baht.