Attractions
Wat Mahathat
Ayutthaya
Temple ruins with the famous Buddha head in tree roots.
Thailand · Central Thailand
Ayutthaya
Temple ruins of the old Siamese capital on a river island, an easy trip north of Bangkok.
UNESCO ruinsFormer royal capitalRiver island city
Plan your trip
Rentals, tours & transport in Ayutthaya
Travel search
Your destination guide
Explore Ayutthaya
Best of Ayutthaya:
10 placesAyutthaya & nearby
Attractions
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Ayutthaya
Khmer-style riverside ruins, popular at sunset.
Attractions
Bang Pa-In Palace
Bang Pa-In · 20 km south
Royal summer palace south of the city; dress code applies.
Culture
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Ayutthaya
Three restored chedis of the former royal temple.
Culture
Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
Ayutthaya
Museum of gold treasures and artefacts from the old capital.
Culture
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Ayutthaya
Active temple with a tall chedi and seated Buddhas.
Shopping
Ayutthaya Floating Market
Ayutthaya
Tourist market on water with snacks, crafts and shows.
City life
Ayutthaya Night Market
Ayutthaya
Evening food stalls near the historical park.
Transport
Ayutthaya Railway Station
Ayutthaya
Station on the northern line with frequent trains to Bangkok.
Transport
Ayutthaya Bus Terminal
Ayutthaya
Intercity terminal for buses and vans, including routes north and to Bangkok.
Loading Ayutthaya map…
Map locations are approximate. Nearby excursions are labelled; check venue access, opening days and sea conditions before visiting.
Don’t miss
Top 10 attractions in Ayutthaya
Famous for the Buddha head entwined in tree roots; keep your head lower than it in photos.
Three restored chedis that once formed the royal temple of the old palace.
Khmer-style riverside temple ruins, beautiful in late afternoon light.
Tall central prang you can partly climb, with old murals in the crypt.
A large reclining Buddha in an open field among the ruins.
Active riverside temple with a giant seated Buddha, popular with Thai-Chinese worshippers.
Royal summer palace south of town with mixed Thai and European buildings; dress code applies.
A tourist-oriented market on water with snacks, crafts and shows.
Boat trips around the island past lit-up temples and riverside life.
Evening food stalls and local snacks near the historical park.
Heritage & traditions
Top 10 culture in Ayutthaya
The UNESCO World Heritage area covering the old capital’s main temples.
Gold treasures and artefacts recovered from the city’s temples.
Exhibitions explaining life and trade in the old kingdom.
An active temple with a tall chedi and rows of saffron-robed Buddhas.
One of few temples that survived the 1767 destruction, with a crowned Buddha.
Site of the historic Japanese trading settlement, with a small museum.
An information centre about the Dutch trading post of the 17th century.
A historic Catholic church reflecting early European missions.
A local noodle tradition born on the river trading boats.
Ayutthaya’s famous sweet of candy-floss strands wrapped in thin pancakes.
Geography
River island
The old city sits on an island where the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi rivers meet, about 80 km north of Bangkok.
Weather
Hot year-round; November to February is most comfortable. The area can flood late in the rainy season (September to October).
Culture & heritage
Siamese capital
Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam for over 400 years until 1767. Its ruins show Khmer, Sukhothai and foreign influences from a busy trading city.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes where requested and speak quietly. Ask before photographing people or ceremonies.
City life: bars & restaurants
Evenings
Ayutthaya is quiet at night. Riverside restaurants and the night market are the main evening options.
Food
Try boat noodles, river prawns and roti sai mai, sold along U-Thong Road.
To, from & around Ayutthaya
To & from Ayutthaya
Trains run from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat and Hua Lamphong) in about 1.5–2 hours. Vans and buses leave from Mo Chit; confirm the departure point.
Getting around
Rent a bicycle, hire a tuk-tuk by the hour or take a boat around the island. Distances between temples are too far to walk comfortably in the heat.