Overview
Take a trip to Ayutthaya on your Thailand vacation.
Founded around 1350, Ayutthaya was the second capital of Thailand, known then as Siam after Sukhothai. By 1700, Ayutthaya was the largest city in the world with 1 million inhabitants complete with golden palaces and temples and was a major trading centre. In 1767, the Burmese invaded Ayutthaya and almost completely burnt down the city. Now only ruins remain from this period. However, on a visit to this city on a Thailand vacation, 76 kilometres/46 miles north of Bangkok, it is easy to imagine how the temples etc. looked in their heyday. Those that remain are the ones that were made of stone. Today, Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The important temples include Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the largest temple in Ayutthaya, housed in a former royal palace and once used for religious ceremonies, Wat Phra Mahathat, a large temple with its row of headless Buddhas, Wat Ratchaburana where a major find of golden statues was made in 1958 and Wat Thammikarat, a working temple that contains the ruins of a large chedi with 52 surrounding lions. There were three palaces in Ayutthaya, the Grand Palace, Chantharakasem Palace (the Front Palace) and Wang Lang (the Rear Palace).
The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum is Ayutthaya’s largest museum and contains artifacts excavated from the crypts of temples which include gold, jewellery, hand-carved friezes and numerous Buddha statues, some dating back to the 7th Century. The Thai Boat Museum is a private museum which contains 100-year-old wooden boats.
Other attractions in Ayutthaya on Thailand tours include the Chao Phrom Market which offers clothes, food and souvenirs, the not-for-profit Royal Elephant Village where you can see elephants at work and play while having a 20-minute ride in one and enjoy a show and the Floating Market with over 200 shops consisting of merchandise and food. The market puts on a performance of Thai dance and songs depicting the history of Thailand.
Other attractions in Ayutthaya on Thailand tours include the Chao Phrom Market which offers clothes, food and souvenirs, the not-for-profit Royal Elephant Village where you can see elephants at work and play while having a 20-minute ride in one and enjoy a show and the Floating Market with over 200 shops consisting of merchandise and food. The market puts on a performance of Thai dance and songs depicting the history of Thailand.
At a Glance
Languages
ThaiCurrency
Thai Baht (THB)What do the experts say?
Thailand is a friendly destination with fun & warm people, great food, and impressive cultural and beach experiences. Simply wandering neighbourhoods, visiting temples, shops & viewpoints, and eating at local restaurants are what I enjoy most when visiting Thailand. The south of Thailand is a special location with beautiful scenery and a seemingly laid back lifestyle, so visiting this area is always a special and memorable experience.
The experience of travelling from island to island on longtail boats in the south of Thailand is something that still resonates with me after many years.
For families, visiting a sustainable community in Koh Yao Yai can bring the trip to life with local interaction. For honeymooners, personalizing memorable experiences with special menus, in-room dining and more can really elevate the experience for Goway guests.
All the people that I met at the hotel, restaurants, and parks were always smiling at me. I can feel that they are grateful to all international tourists. A Thai smile inspires me most and makes me want to revisit.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Mahathat
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Bang Pa-in Palace
Buddha Statues, Wat Yai Chaimongkol
Most Popular Time to Travel
Know when to go.
Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
AyutthayaOccasional Showers
38°C / 101°F
60mm / 2.3"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
-
Travel Stories
Get Inspired About Thailand
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter.
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way.Exclusive Savings
Insider Benefits
Trending Stories
ExcellentBased on 5,178 Reviewswa saga bagus layana yaLastri UlanMy clients had an amazing trip and they told me that the trip was better than expected. I want to thank Brent Morris who was very helpful in the planning stages.
Job well done Goway & Brent it was great working with with you!!!
Sole Barraza
SoleWhile researching suppliers for a clients Thailand honeymoon, I remembered being referred to GoWay by a longterm TA ….because they “get it right and get it done!” I had already started their training modules, so I put in a quote. Immediately, Taylor responded with a very thorough email and we decided to chat. I gave him my specifics and he again responded immediately and matched my client’s travel needs 100%. I found it comforting to speak with a country expert with the knowledge I needed. My clients booked their vacation and are very excited about their itinerary! Thank you Taylor for making this process seamless.Karla BThe most amazing experience with Goway!! Phoebe did an amazing job planing the best trip to Paris, Florence and Venice with a great mix of relaxing and adventure days. Will be recommending to other travellers. Always someone available which is great when you are travelling in different time zones. Overall cannot be more happy with our experience working with Goway Lauren BouwOur rep at GoWay, Kimberly, was fantastic from start to finish. She came up with the exact itinerary we wanted for Melbourne, Uluru, Cairns and Sydney, and assisted us with both international and domestic flights to help us get the best rates. Once we were on the trip, everything flowed seamlessly and every tour and transport was on time.Lisa WildesAs a travel agent, this is not the first time I’ve chosen to work with Goway for organizing my clients’ trip, this time to Chile, and once again, the experience was outstanding from start to finish.
Throughout the entire process, I could count on truly professional service from Susanna. My clients are very experienced travelers and requested a highly customized itinerary, including many unique experiences that are not typically included in standard tour programs. There were also several occasions when, on behalf of my clients, I requested changes to an already prepared itinerary.
Susanna was consistently helpful, patient, understanding, and — just as importantly — incredibly kind and pleasant to work with. It was clear that she genuinely cared about creating the best possible experience for my clients. I’m also certain that much of the work she put in went well beyond standard hours and expectations.
My clients returned absolutely delighted with their vacation, which is always the greatest confirmation of a job well done.
Thank you, Susanna, for your dedication and exceptional support. And thank you, Goway, for another wonderful experience!BeataOur family trip to Machu Picchu was absolutely incredible, thanks to RuthAnne Leonty. Every tour was thoughtfully organized and the guides were top-notch. The private transportation and transfers were flawless, making everything run smoothly with zero stress from start to finish. Not a single hiccup...just an amazing experience!BarbWe booked our 3,week tour of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and overall it was an excellent experience. I typically book my own travel, but travelling with a group and wanting tours in each destination made GoWay a great choice. We had great hotels and good guides in each city. I will say that our standout guide was Romeo Tran in Ho Chi Minh City. We spent a few days in the city, as well as an over night boat ride on the delta, and he was fantastic. We had alot of fun with him, and would highly recommend him in particular. Neil BraunWe booked a Viking cruise (Venice to Athens) through Goway Travel and it was fantastic! Our agent Kimberly was extremely helpful with air travel options, choosing excursions, and suggestions for pre and post cruise activities. Great communications and a really enjoyable experience.StanleyWe booked through Paula Williamson in the Toronto office, a Great Journeys New Zealand trip and it was fantastic! Although I had already scheduled a trip on The Ghan train in Australia, Paula helped me work it all as one huge 45 day trip including Bali Indonesia. My favorite was the New Zealand trip as I’d never been there before and the tour guide Toni was so spectacular and caring. I’m so pleased Goway was involved and I didn’t require any additional assistance once We'd started the first flight March 8.
If we do another overseas trip, Goway will be involved.John
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified