AYUTTHAYA ATTRACTIONS
Ayutthaya Travel Guide: 10 Top Attractions and Local Experiences
Ayutthaya city has many partially restored ruins of temples and the ancient royal palace. Here you can find the well known image of the Buddha head in a Banyan tree.
There are also many amazing old temples that have been well maintained over time. The most comfortable way to see everything is to take a day tour from one of the local tuk-tuk tour operators that roam the streets.
Old Ayutthaya is surrounded by the Pasak River and Chao Phraya River that join to form a natural moat like structure.
Ayutthaya is the ancient capital city of Siam. The ruins within is what remains after the Burmese invasion of 1767. You can take a boat tour where they have stops along the banks of the river so you can visit the ancient ruins and also the many magnificent temples. You can take a tour that finishes near the food market in the evening where you can buy a meal and sit at the tables to eat.
There are many markets, shops and small malls and the floating market in and around old Ayutthaya. If you want to visit a modern shopping complex then there is the Ayutthaya Park Shopping Center far outside the old Ayutthaya near the main highway 32 to the east.
The easiest way to get to Ayutthaya is by regular train from Bangkok. See the Ayutthya transport hub page for more information.
The most pleasant time to visit is during the cool season, from November to February, when temperatures drop slightly and humidity decreases.
See the attractions you can visit below and don't forget to get the Ayutthaya tourist map.
How To Get Around Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya’s historical attractions are spread across the old city island and surrounding areas, so walking can be tiring. Renting a bicycle is an affordable and enjoyable way to visit nearby ruins, although the heat, humidity, and busy roads can make longer journeys uncomfortable. Tuk-tuks are widely available and are convenient if you want to see several temples and other attractions. You will find many tuk-tuk tour vendors roaming around the streets offering tourists fixed price half day and full day tours to all the most popular Ayutthaya attractions.
Scooters can also be rented, but they are best suited if you are an experienced rider with the appropriate international motorbike driving licence and insurance. Wear a helmet to avoid any claim rejection.
Renting a private driver and car gives you more comfort, particularly when visiting temples outside the central island. Ensure they have a working air-conditioned vehicle. These are often locals that may approach you on the street and offer a private tour service, set an agreed price and pay at the end of the tour.
See the Ayuttha transport hubs page for more information.
Best Places to Visit in Ayutthaya
Floating Market
The Ayutthaya Floating Market is a traditional style Thai market designed mainly for attracting the tourist but also frequented by the locals.
Wooden walkways and bridges take you around the small shops scattered throughout the market. It is located on the outskirts of Ayutthaya. You can take a Tuk Tuk to the markets from the city
Ayutthaya Historical Park & Wat Phra Si Sanpeth
The ancient ruins of Wat Phra Si Sanpeth and the active temple of Vihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit are situated next to each other in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Kum Khun Phaan teak house is also close by.
Wat Phra Si Sanpeth is in the ancient ruins of the Royal Palace and was used for royal ceremonies when Ayutthaya was the capital city of thailand. No monks resided there.
Kum Khun Phaan
Kum Khun Phaan is a traditional Thai house set beside a lake that is occupied by dragon lizards (water monitors) and surrounded by gardens. The house is a short walk south from Vihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit in the same grounds.
Wat Mahathat
Visit Wat Mahathat with the famous image of the Buddha's head in a Banyan tree.
It was one of the most important temples of the old Ayutthaya kingdom and held many royal ceremonies and celebrations.
In 1767 Ayutthaya and the temple came under attack from Burmese forces and Wat Mahathat was set on fire.
Wat Yaichaimongkhol
Wat Yaichaimongkhol is a very popular and busy destination for Thai people and tourists.
The complex has a reclining Buddha and very large Chedi, a Temple and Monastry surrounded by beautiful gardens.
You can take the steep steps up into the large Chedi.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Chaiwatthanaram in the evening. This historical park is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River on the south west corner of the river moat surrounding Ayutthaya.
This temple is designed in Khmer style and has a central Prang surrounded by four smaller prangs.
Wat Phutthaisawan
Wat Phutthaisawan is an ancient temple that is accessible off the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya by way of the many boat tours that circumnavigate the Pasak River around Ayutthaya.
One part of the complex has a reclining Buddha hidden away in the ruins.
Wat Phanan Choeng
Wat Phanan Choeng is in a large complex with other smaller temples. It is located on the south-east bank of the Pasak River on the other side from Ayutthaya's old city near where it meets the Chao Phraya River.
This is a very busy and important temple for the locals.
Top Things to Do in Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya Elephant Experience
The actual Royal Elephant Kraal is located northeast of Ayutthaya’s main historical island, in the Suan Phrik area. It is not in the Ayutthaya central historical park of temples such as Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, and Wat Phra Si Sanphet, but there are elephant rides available that take you around the historical park and local area, usually in groups.
To visit the Royal Elephant Kraal it is best as part of a wider Ayutthaya sightseeing tour so that you have a guide to take you there and back again.
Pasak River Tour
The Pasak River surrounds Ayutthaya. You can take a river boat tour where you can disembark at the many attractions and then continue on around until the evening where many tours end at the food markets.
There is an outside dining area on the river bank opposite Chantharkasem National Museum (Palace).
