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Just one hour from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is full of history, culture, and beautiful buildings. It used to be the busy capital of the Siamese Kingdom. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it gives you a peaceful place to visit, great for day trips or weekend breaks. If you enjoy history, food, or adventure, Ayutthaya has everything you need. Here are 10 activities you must try to make your visit unforgettable.
Top 10 activities in Ayutthaya. (Source: Unsplash)
Let’s engage in these unforgettable activities to discover the beauty and miracles of the former capital of Thailand.
One of the biggest sites and likely the most visited and revered temple in Ayutthaya is Wat Phra Si Sanphet. It is located within the grounds of the former royal palace and is famous for its three large chedis, which stand in the center of the complex.
Walking around the site is a nice experience, and it has been laid out in a way that you can enjoy all aspects of the palace. There is a circular path, although you can go off the path and get closer to the structures.
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Wat Mahathat was one of the most important temples in the Ayutthaya kingdom, and its ruins still attract visitors for their impressive architecture, ancient stupas, and intricate carvings.
Witness the Architecture of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. (Source: Shutterstock)
Most famously known for the Buddha’s head, which has become entwined in the roots of a banyan tree, this temple is great for a photo snap!
Since the iconic head has become a symbol of Ayutthaya’s historical and cultural significance, you will find lots of people gathering around, so you will need to wait for your shot.
Wat Ratchaburana is known for its impressive Khmer-style prang, which is adorned with intricate carvings and details. This temple and the two above are next to each other, so visiting them all at once is possible during your day in Ayutthaya.
When walking around the temple, you’ll notice the impressive prang central to the site - you can get a nice photo of it inside a remaining gateway.
Explore more of the temple, and you’ll notice many murals and Buddha statues. There is also a crypt beneath the prang, which can be accessed via a staircase and contains several ancient artifacts and treasures!
The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum is named after King Chao Sam Phraya, a ruler of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 17th century.
Visit the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. (Source: Shutterstock)
The museum houses a collection of artifacts and exhibits related to the history and culture of Ayutthaya, including ancient statues, pottery, weapons, and jewelry.
It’s quite a small museum, so it doesn’t require too much time, but it’s nice to learn about the city’s rich history through these fascinating artifacts and exhibits.
If you haven’t visited at least one floating market in Thailand, have you been to Thailand? Of course! But it has become such a popular activity that it’s now on everyone’s bucket list to experience the Ayutthaya Floating Market.
Ayutthaya has its floating market, and incorporating a visit into your day trip is a great idea if you’re looking for where to go during your lunch break.
Experience the Ayutthaya Floating Markets. (Source: Thailand Tourism)
Expect to see a lively atmosphere with vendors calling out their wares and bargaining with customers. The markets also offer cultural performances, such as traditional Thai dance and music!
As you walk around, explore the many vendors and try a variety of local street food, including grilled meat skewers, fried noodles, and sweet desserts.
If you want, you can also take a boat ride along the canals to experience the markets from a unique perspective.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkon was one of our top favorites! It’s located outside the island within a well-maintained complex and has different areas to wander.
The main temple in the middle is known for its large chedi, which can be climbed for a panoramic view of the surrounding area. You can stroll around the temple grounds, which feature a large number of Buddha statues, pagodas, and ancient ruins.
Ride to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. (Source: Istock)
One thing we loved was the rows of Buddhas lining the temple. There is also a reclining Buddha here too. There are many colorful flowers, and you can expect to see many local devotees praying and offering flowers and incense.
You’ll also witness monks performing religious rituals and ceremonies if you’re lucky! We found this temple to be the most relaxing and peaceful.
Wat Suwan Dararam is an active temple and a great one to visit to envision what the ruins would have looked like in their heyday!
The white render, colorful gems, gold leaf, and intricate details would have covered the ancient temples as they do at Wat Suwan Dararam. Or at least, this is how I envision them, if not with more grandeur.
This particular temple is known for its striking, golden-roofed ubosot and has undergone several restorations over the years.
Pay a visit to Wat Suwan Dararam. (Source: Freepik)
Inside you’ll find a beautiful, golden Buddha statue surrounded by wonderfully hand-painted art on the walls depicting battle scenes.
Our favorite hidden gem is Phutthai Sawan! This little beauty was in quite a state of disrepair, especially around the temple grounds. Although, that said, the temple itself was doing okay.
You will notice a tall white chedi, which we climbed to the top, although we were greeted with a rather awful smell and so quickly retreated.
What’s nice about Phutthai Sawan is its charming rows of gold Buddhas and overgrown gardens, making it a peaceful and serene place to visit. We enjoyed visiting this one due to the lack of crowds.
A favorite of many visitors, Wat Chai Wattanaram is the one to visit at sunset. The positioning of this temple beside the river makes for a magical scene as the sun begins to set behind the temple.
Wat Chai Watthanaram. (Source: Unsplash)
There has been a lot of restoration work on this temple, and it’s a nice one to explore. If you’re lucky, you’ll see monks sitting on the riverbank performing meditation during your sunset visit!
Tip: The temple site does close before sunset, but you can hang about on the river’s edge or in the car park to get your shots.
The Ayutthaya night market takes place every evening and offers a variety of local street food at very good prices. The one we visited is opposite Wat Mahathat, but you will need to stay later to enjoy it as it starts after dark.
Why not grab some grub for your journey home? Or you can choose to eat at the market as they put chairs out for customers towards the rear. In truth, we generally took our prizes back to the hotel.
Experience the Ayutthaya Night Market. (Source: Shutterstock)
The night market is a great way to experience the local culture and cuisine of Ayutthaya in a vibrant and fun setting. I think it’s the best way to end your day exploring the ancient city.
There are various ways to reach Ayutthaya, although I would guess most of you will be visiting from Bangkok, especially if you’re only visiting for the day.
By Train
The easiest way to get to Ayutthaya is by train. It takes under 2 hours and leaves from Hua Lamphong Railway Station in central Bangkok.
Costs vary depending on class; just so you know, I would say that the third class (the most affordable) is fine during the day. You might prefer to travel second after dark.
The most fun we had was being able to explore the temples on a bicycle at our own pace. However, towards the end of our time in Ayutthaya, we were running out of time and utilized the local tuk-tuks to take us around harder-to-reach sites.
The best way to explore the temples is to rent a bicycle. You’ll be able to reach the temples, which are located outside the island, much easier if you have a bike.
The three temples you visit in the morning won’t necessarily require cycling as they are within walking distance of one another.
The Best Way To Explore Ayutthaya. (Source: Global Travel)
However, many people do cycle between them since you’ll be able to rent a bike for 50 baht, or if you prefer, there are cycle tours you can join to explore the city sites too!
If you don’t fancy biking around all day, another option is to jump in a tuk-tuk. You can hire one for the whole day as well or use them to take you on single trips.
Whichever way you get around, make sure you negotiate the price and pay at the end of your trip.
History and culture combine with beauty in Ayutthaya, beguiling the river's temple views and traditions. Travelers were lured by ruins, local food, and even the lovely sunset along the river. Ayutthaya will leave a scar in your memory. Plan your date of travel to unlock this beauty of Thailand.
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