Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Ayutthaya?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Ayutthaya?

Most visitors spend one to two days in Ayutthaya when visiting. The famous city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, the food, and the many shops.

Ayutthaya is a city near the Ayutthaya Historical Park. It is only about 80 kilometers from Bangkok and makes and great day trip. It's a very popular tourist attraction, as the city served as the capital of Siam from 1350 until 1767. Today you'll find the impressive ruins of temples, palaces, and monasteries.

Do you have one or two days to visit Ayutthaya? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Ayutthaya?

One day is generally not enough time to experience Ayutthaya, as Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya Historical Park and other activities usually need more time. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to take everything in. In fact, many tourists opt for one to two days to fully experience everything here. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Ayutthaya

When visiting Ayutthaya, you absolutely can't miss Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya Historical Park as it's the main reason visitors come to this famous city. It's very popular among backpackers who will enjoy all of the activities available. When planning your trip, make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience the various areas, along with breaks to eat and relax, too. Keep in mind that many visitors spend one to two days here, so you'll probably be missing out if you don't allow yourself plenty of time.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The local cuisine makes use of the area's freshwater fish, green vegetables, and river prawns. Dishes often include rice noodles and a spicy sauce. There are many restaurants that cater to the tourist crowds but still serve high quality dishes.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Ayutthaya?

A weekend is just the right amount of time to see Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya Historical Park and the other attractions in Ayutthaya. Most visitors prefer to spend one to two days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting below. Also, Ayutthaya is popular with backpackers which enjoy visiting because of the fun activities.

Ayutthaya, Thailand Ayutthaya, Thailand

How to spend 2 days in Ayutthaya

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Ayutthaya, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Ayutthaya a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Ayutthaya, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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