Ayutthaya
Ancient capital with magnificent temple ruins and Buddhist history
Listing data updated
About Ayutthaya
For 417 years (1350–1767), Ayutthaya was one of the largest cities in the world — a cosmopolitan capital of the Siamese kingdom with a population rivaling contemporary London and Paris. Today, the ruins of that kingdom sit on an island formed by three rivers, the brick foundations and headless Buddha statues standing in quiet contrast to the modern Thai town that grew up around them. The UNESCO World Heritage Site covers the central island and several surrounding areas.
Cycling the ruins is the defining Ayutthaya experience. Wat Mahathat's famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots is the most photographed spot, but the scale of Wat Phra Si Sanphet (three enormous chedis that served as the royal temple) and the reclining Buddha at Wat Lokayasutharam give a better sense of the kingdom's ambition. The evening boat cruise around the illuminated ruins is worth the ฿200 ticket.
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: August – October (flooding risk)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
22°C – 38°C(72°F – 100°F)
Crowds
Peak: November – February
Getting there
Train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong (~1.5 hrs, very cheap). Minivan from Bangkok's Mo Chit (~1.5 hrs). Day trip by car from Bangkok is easy.
Getting around
- •Bicycle rental (best way to see ruins)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate half-day rate)
- •Motorbike rental
- •Boat tours on the river
Where to stay in Ayutthaya
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Things to Do in Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya offers 266 curated places to explore across 7 categories. Choose from 41 hotels and resorts for your stay. Discover 63 restaurants and dining spots. Visit 56 temples and cultural landmarks. Book from 33 activities and tours.
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Hotels & Resorts
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Krungsri River Hotel
A riverside hotel near Ayutthaya Railway Station with comfortable rooms, a pool, spa, and bowling.
The Cavalli Casa Resort
A well-appointed resort near Ayutthaya's historic sites, offering balcony rooms, complimentary breakfast, and free Wi-Fi.
SALA Ayutthaya Boutique Hotel
A riverside boutique hotel in Ayutthaya with views of ancient temples, free breakfast, and an art gallery.
Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya
A reliable hotel base on Rojana Road for exploring Ayutthaya's UNESCO-listed temple ruins and ancient city.
Restaurants & Food
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Baan Mai Rim Num AYUTTHAYA
Casual riverside Thai restaurant on the Chao Phraya, serving fresh seafood and family-style dishes daily.
Ruan Thai Kung Pao
Michelin-listed riverside seafood restaurant in Ayutthaya, celebrated for fresh giant river prawns.
Grand Chaopraya
Riverfront Thai restaurant in Ayutthaya's historic district, renowned for charcoal-grilled river prawns.
The Summer House
Riverside café and Thai fusion restaurant in Ayutthaya, known for in-house coffee roasting and bold flavours.
Temples & Culture
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Wat Yai Chai Mongkol Worawihan
Ancient Buddhist temple complex in Ayutthaya with a towering central chedi and rows of orange-robed Buddha statues.
Wat Mahathat
Ancient Ayutthaya temple famed for its iconic Buddha head cradled within the roots of a banyan tree.
Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan
A revered 14th-century temple on the Chao Phraya River, home to an enormous gilded sitting Buddha.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Majestic 17th-century Khmer-style temple ruins set along the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya.
Markets & Shopping
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Ayothaya Floating Market
A tourist-oriented floating market in Ayutthaya where visitors explore souvenir stalls and food vendors by foot or boat.
Ayutthaya City Park
A large indoor-outdoor shopping complex in Ayutthaya with 500+ stores, dining, banking, and everyday essentials.
Chao Phrom Market
A lively local market in Ayutthaya offering fresh produce, seafood, meat, and street food from early morning.
Big C Supercenter Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
A large two-floor hypermarket and shopping complex in Bang Pa-in, stocking groceries, electronics, clothing, and more.
Activities & Tours
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Sriayuthaya Lion Park
A large, well-organised zoo in Ayutthaya where visitors can feed and observe lions, tigers, giraffes, and more.
Chet Sao Noi National Park
A compact, seven-tiered waterfall park in Saraburi offering shaded forest trails and a cool, peaceful retreat from the city.
Sarika Waterfall
A nine-tiered waterfall with natural swimming pools set among forested hillsides two hours from Bangkok.
Wang Ta Krai Waterfall
A jungle stream waterfall near Nakhon Nayok where visitors wade, swim, and picnic along layered cascades.
Nightlife & Bars
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River Bar - Ayutthaya
Riverside bar and restaurant in Ayutthaya serving Thai food and cocktails with river views, open daily 11:00–23:00.
Groove Ayutthaya : Bar & Restaurant
A lively bar and restaurant in Bang Pa-in offering great food, music, and sports TV every evening from 6pm.
Steel Bar อยุธยา
A casual bar and live music venue in Ayutthaya's Khan Ham area, open nightly with food, drinks, and a lively crowd.
Toys Ayutthaya
A welcoming central Ayutthaya bar with live music, food, and a genuine local crowd.
Wellness & Spas
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The Senses Spa นวดและสปาความงาม อยุธยา
A well-regarded traditional Thai massage and beauty spa in historic Ayutthaya, open daily 10am–9pm.
THANN Wellness Destination
An upscale wellness resort near Ayutthaya offering spa treatments, onsen, and refined accommodation.
ชีวปลั่ง นวดเพื่อสุขภาพ
Highly regarded therapeutic massage spa in Ayutthaya, open daily 9am–10pm, perfect post-temple recovery.
Ayutthaya Home Spa & Massage อยุธยา โฮม นวดไทย & สปา
Authentic Thai massage and spa on Bang Ian Road, open daily for walk-ins and bookings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ayutthaya
Can you do Ayutthaya as a day trip from Bangkok?
Yes, and most visitors do. The train from Bangkok takes about 1.5 hours (฿15–65 depending on class). You can see the major ruins in 4–5 hours by bicycle. An overnight stay lets you catch the evening boat cruise and explore the less-visited temples at a relaxed pace, but a day trip is perfectly viable.
How much does it cost to visit the Ayutthaya ruins?
Individual temple entry fees are ฿50 per site for foreigners (Thai nationals pay ฿10). A one-day pass covering six major temples costs ฿220. Bicycle rental is ฿50/day. The train from Bangkok costs ฿15–65. All up, a budget day trip can cost under ฿500 including transport and lunch.
What's the difference between Ayutthaya and Sukhothai?
Ayutthaya (1350–1767) was larger, wealthier, and shows Khmer influence in its architecture. Sukhothai (1238–1438) is considered the first Thai kingdom, with a more refined, serene style. Ayutthaya is 80 km from Bangkok; Sukhothai is 440 km north, near Phitsanulok. Most visitors do Ayutthaya as a day trip; Sukhothai requires at least an overnight.
Does Ayutthaya flood?
The city sits at the confluence of three rivers and is prone to seasonal flooding, particularly August through October. The devastating 2011 floods submerged much of the historical park. Check conditions if visiting during the late rainy season. November through February is the safest and most comfortable window.