Ayutthaya
Ancient capital with magnificent temple ruins and Buddhist history
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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). A 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 8 categories. Choose from 41 hotels and resorts for your stay. Discover 65 restaurants and dining spots. Visit 58 temples and cultural landmarks. Book from 30 activities and tours.
Browse by category below or scroll down to see top-rated picks in each category. Every listing includes Google ratings from verified visitors, price ranges, and direct booking links where available.
Pick where to stay in Ayutthaya
Browse live hotel rates across the major booking sites.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
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Hotels & Resorts
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Krungsri River Hotel
A big riverside business-style hotel by the station, with a pool that's made for sunsets and a breakfast people rave about.
The Cavalli Casa Resort
Big rooms, a quiet pool with passing trains, and one firm rule: don't let them put you in building A.
SALA Ayutthaya Boutique Hotel
Book a river-view room or don't bother, the temple across the water is the whole point.
Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya
A dependable Rojana Road base for anyone giving Ayutthaya's ruins more than a rushed day trip.
Restaurants & Food
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Grand Chaopraya
Come for the charcoal-grilled river prawns, sit by the water, and book a table if you can.
Baan Mai Rim Num AYUTTHAYA
Big riverside Thai kitchen where the grilled river prawns are the safe bet and the seafood can be hit or miss
Ruan Thai Kung Pao
Giant river prawns by the Chao Phraya, worth phoning ahead for, and it shuts at half five.
The Summer House
Riverside coffee roaster turned full restaurant, at its best around sunset with a breeze off the water.
Temples & Culture
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Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Forty baht gets you a towering victory chedi, orange-robed Buddhas and a climb worth the sweat.
Wat Mahathat
The Buddha head in the tree roots is the draw, but the wider ruins are what stay with you.
Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan
A working temple built round a huge gilded Buddha, still packed with worshippers rather than tourists.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Come late afternoon and stay for the lighting: the ruins change character completely after dark.
Markets & Shopping
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Ayothaya Floating Market
A purpose-built tourist market rather than a real one, but the food is cheap and the kids will enjoy it.
Ayutthaya City Park
Air-conditioned refuge with 500-odd shops, a Lotus, a Robinson and a Sizzler, all joined up under one roof.
Chao Phrom Market
Come before 08:00, when the produce is freshest and the whole place is properly awake.
Big C Supercenter Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
A proper two-floor hypermarket on the Asia Highway, good for restocking, banking and a KFC run.
Activities & Tours
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Sriayuthaya Lion Park
A big, clean zoo with cheap feeding stations, brilliant with kids, but the animal shows sit badly with some.
Chet Sao Noi National Park
Seven gentle tiers along a shaded stream, and really only the fourth one is worth getting wet in.
Sarika Waterfall
Nine tiers of falls and big natural pools, but foreigners pay 200 baht and the paths are concrete.
Wang Ta Krai Waterfall
Not a big drop but a long, layered stream you can walk both sides of, with picnic spots and old trees.
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
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
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.
Chiwaplang Massage Ayutthaya
Highly regarded therapeutic massage spa in Ayutthaya, open daily 9am–10pm, perfect post-temple recovery.
Ayutthaya Home Spa & Massage
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 works perfectly well.
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, while Sukhothai needs at least an overnight.
Does Ayutthaya flood?
The city sits at the confluence of three rivers and it's prone to seasonal flooding, particularly August through October. The devastating 2011 floods submerged much of the historical park. Check conditions if you're visiting during the late rainy season. November through February is the safest and most comfortable window.
Planning your trip to Ayutthaya?
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