Things to Do in Ayutthaya

About Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya was Siam's capital for 400 years before invaders burned it to the ground in 1767. What remains is a UNESCO World Heritage site on an island where three rivers meet, littered with headless Buddhas, crumbling temple towers, and enough ruins to fill days of exploration. The famous Buddha head tangled in banyan tree roots sits at Wat Mahathat—you can't miss it, and you shouldn't. The city feels different from Bangkok. Quieter, mostly. You can bike between temple complexes without dodging traffic every five seconds, and the Chao Phraya River still reflects the old palace silhouettes against longtail boats headed upstream. The ruins don't whisper or breathe or any of that—they just sit there, impressive and half-destroyed, proving that even powerful kingdoms end badly. Wat Phra Si Sanphet held three kings' ashes in its chedis. Wat Chaiwatthanaram copies Angkor Wat's design and looks best at sunset, though every travel blog will tell you that. Spend time wandering the smaller temples too—fewer crowds, same history. The island layout makes navigation easy enough, and you'll cover the major sites in a day if you start early.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Bicycle rental is the best way to explore temples - 30-50 THB ($0.85-1.40) per day from guesthouses near the train station. Tuk-tuks charge 200-300 THB ($5.65-8.50) per hour for temple tours. Grab works but is spotty. The ferry crossing to the island costs just 5 THB ($0.14). From Bangkok, trains cost 15-65 THB ($0.42-1.84) and take 1.5-2 hours; minivans from Victory Monument cost 60-80 THB ($1.70-2.26).

Money: Thai baht (THB) at about 35 to $1. ATMs charge 220 THB ($6.22) per foreign withdrawal - take out max amounts. 7-Elevens accept cards. Budget $15-25 daily. The 6-temple day pass costs 220 THB ($6.22) and saves money over individual tickets (50 THB each). Bring small bills - temple ticket booths and bicycle rental shops rarely have change for 1,000 THB notes.

Cultural Respect: Cover shoulders and knees at all temples - sarongs are available to borrow at major sites. Remove shoes before entering any building. Never point feet at Buddha images or climb on ruins for photos. The ancient city is a UNESCO site - treat it with reverence. Monks collect alms at dawn; women should not touch monks or hand anything directly to them. The heat is intense - start temple touring before 9am.

Food Safety: Roti sai mai (cotton candy wrapped in roti) is Ayutthaya's unique street snack at 20-40 THB ($0.57-1.13). Boat noodles at the floating market cost 35-50 THB ($1-1.42). Giant river prawns grilled at riverside restaurants run 300-500 THB ($8.50-14.15) per plate. Night market food stalls near Chao Phrom serve pad thai for 40-60 THB ($1.13-1.70). Fried fish cakes cost 10-20 THB ($0.28-0.57) each.

When to Visit

November through February offers ideal conditions with temperatures ranging 20-30°C (68-86°F) and minimal rainfall under 50mm monthly, though accommodation prices peak 40-60% higher during this tourist season. March through May brings scorching heat up to 40°C (104°F) but fewer crowds and 25-35% lower prices, making early mornings and late afternoons perfect for temple exploring. The rainy season (June-October) sees heavy downpours averaging 150-250mm monthly, particularly intense July-September, but creates dramatically moody temple photography opportunities and rock-bottom prices 50-70% below peak season. Key festivals include Songkran water festival (April 13-15) with temple ceremonies and street celebrations, and Loy Krathong (November full moon) when thousands of floating lanterns illuminate the rivers around the ruins. Cultural ensoiasts should visit during cooler months for comfortable walking, while budget travelers benefit from monsoon season's dramatic skies and empty temples. Photography ensoiasts often prefer the golden light and fewer tourists of shoulder months (March-April, October-November). Weekend crowds from Bangkok intensify year-round, making weekday visits consistently more peaceful regardless of season.