Are you thinking about visiting Ayutthaya, Thailand? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Ayutthaya worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for one to two days. 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.
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Reasons to Visit Ayutthaya
Museums
These large and impressive ruins are among the most visited in Thailand. This is in large part because of their easy access from Bangkok. Highlights of the historical park include Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the Royal Chapel, Wat Ratchaburana, and Vihara Phra Mongkol Bophi.
Food
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.
Historical Sights
Ayutthaya Historical Park includes 425 archaeological sites that are both inside the city walls, as well as outside.
Shopping
There are some great shopping areas around the town that specialize in local handicrafts such as pottery, wicker weaving, and stone masonry. Some of the most interesting places include the Ayutthaya Floating Market and the Ayutthaya Night Market.
Nightlife
There are a number of bars and nightclubs that keep things lively well into the evening.
The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Ayutthaya might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Ayutthaya here or see if Ayutthaya is expensive here.
Is Ayutthaya worth visiting in the Summer?
This is the low season for travel in Ayutthaya. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 29°C (84°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene.
Summer Weather in Ayutthaya
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| August | 29°C (84°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| September | 28°C (83°F) | 292 mm (11.5 in) |
Is Ayutthaya worth visiting in the Autumn?
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 28°C (82°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Ayutthaya, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to admire the historic sights and browse the museums.
Autumn Weather in Ayutthaya
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 28°C (82°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| November | 26°C (79°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| December | 25°C (77°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
Is Ayutthaya worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the high season for travel in Ayutthaya, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 25°C (78°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and browse around the old town. Also, you'll be able to dance the night away.
Winter Weather in Ayutthaya
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 25°C (78°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| February | 28°C (82°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| March | 30°C (85°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Is Ayutthaya worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Ayutthaya. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 31°C (88°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the historic old town. Also, you can experience the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Ayutthaya
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 31°C (88°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| June | 30°C (85°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Ayutthaya
Lots of Tourists
Ayutthaya sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Not As Romantic
For couples, this destination does not have a great vibe for romance compared to other places.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
Related
What is Ayutthaya most famous for?
Ayutthaya is most famous for its impressive archeological ruins, history as the second capital of Siam, and its easy accessibility from Bangkok. The city is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. It is also known for its great nightlife. It is often described as popular, historical, cultural, and famous.
What is the most famous sight in Ayutthaya?
The most popular sight in Ayutthaya is Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya Historical Park. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Ayutthaya on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya Historical Park and other attractions here.
How touristy is Ayutthaya? Is it a popular city to visit?
Ayutthaya is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Day out to Ayutthaya with return Grand Pearl River Cruise: $71
- Bangkok: City Highlights, Temple, and Market Walking Tour: $77
- Ayutthaya 1-day Private Tour : UNESCO World Heritage Site: $141
- Ancient City Temple Tour: $163
- Ayutthaya’s Heritage Revealed A Day Tour from Bangkok: $630
- Ayutthaya City and Historical Park Bike Tour: $35
- Colors of UNESCO Heritage 6 hour Bicycle Tour: $54
- From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Day Tour Small Group: $57
How long should I spend in Ayutthaya?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Ayutthaya is one to two days. Since Ayutthaya has activities such as museums, dining, historical sights, and shopping, many visit for up to two days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Ayutthaya?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Ayutthaya?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Ayutthaya?.
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