10 Quirky, Offbeat & Instagrammable Places in Pattaya You Never Knew Existed

Beyond Pattaya’s famous beaches, temples, and nightlife lies a hidden world of bizarre, unexpected, and utterly Instagram-worthy locations most tourists never discover. From the world’s largest convenience store shaped like a cruise ship to abandoned skyscrapers and mystical fortune-telling temples, these offbeat destinations offer unique experiences and photo opportunities that will make your Pattaya trip truly unforgettable. To get around town, download Grab and Bolt: the Uber and Lyft of Thailand.

1. World’s Largest 7-Eleven: The Convenience Store That Looks Like a Cruise Ship

Location: 585/13 South Pattaya Road
Instagram Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quirk Level: Maximum

You could easily mistake this massive convenience store for a docked cruise ship when you first approach. The world’s largest 7-Eleven opened in South Pattaya in 2018 and immediately became a viral sensation across social media platforms.

What Makes It Special:

• Two-story nautical-themed design complete with ship-like exterior
• Interactive robot named “Sinsamut” that greets customers (wave at it to activate!)
• 24-hour operation with constantly rotating unique Thai 7-Eleven products

Instagram Tips:

• Best exterior shots from the parking lot showing the full “ship” design
• Interior shots of the nautical-themed café area upstairs
• Video content of interacting with the greeting robot
• Night shots when the building is illuminated

Getting There: 10-minute motorbike ride using Grab or Bolt apps from central Pattaya (30-60 baht) or walking distance from some South Pattaya hotels.

2. Hike to the Pattaya City Sign: Thailand’s Answer to Hollywood

Location: Phra Tamnak Hill, behind Bali Hai Pier
Instagram Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quirk Level: High

Hidden behind Pattaya’s busy Bali Hai Pier lies a hiking trail that leads to the city’s own version of the Hollywood sign. This lesser-known viewpoint offers spectacular panoramic views without the crowds of other tourist viewpoints.

The Adventure:

• 20-30 minute moderate hike up Phra Tamnak Hill
• Look for the small “way to park” sign near the trees behind Bali Hai Pier
• Wooden steps and jungle trails lead to the elevated sign area
• Best visited during sunrise (6:30-7:30 AM) or sunset (5:30-6:30 PM)

What You’ll Find:

• Large white “PATTAYA” letters perfect for Hollywood-style photos
• Great views of Pattaya Bay, city skyline, and Koh Larn island
• Peaceful atmosphere away from tourist crowds
• Great spot for sunrise/sunset photography

Instagram Tips:

• Classic pose with the PATTAYA letters
• Wide shots of the bay and city below
• Golden hour lighting for dramatic sunset/sunrise photos

Pro Tip: Bring water and wear good walking shoes. The trail can be steep and slippery during rainy season. Here’s how to stay hydrated safely in Pattaya.

3. The Abandoned Ghost Tower: Urban Exploring Paradise

Location: Chalermphrakiat Road, visible from Bali Hai pier area
Instagram Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quirk Level: Maximum
Safety Note: External viewing only – entry is restricted

The Waterfront Suites and Residence stands as a haunting 53-story monument to abandoned dreams. This massive unfinished condominium project, halted in 2014, creates an eerie silhouette against Pattaya’s skyline.

The Story:

• Construction began in 2011 as a luxury residential project
• Development halted in 2014 due to financial issues
• Now stands as Pattaya’s most prominent “ghost building”
• Visible from miles away, creating an apocalyptic urban landscape

Photography Opportunities:

• Dramatic exterior shots showing the massive scale
• Sunset silhouettes with the building as a backdrop
• Urban decay aesthetic from safe viewing distances
• Contrast photos with modern Pattaya development

Best Viewing Spots:

• Bali Hai Pier area for distance shots
• Nearby beaches for waterfront perspectives
• Various elevated viewpoints around South Pattaya

Important: While the building attracts urban explorers, entry is legally restricted and potentially dangerous. Appreciate this architectural curiosity from safe, public viewing areas.

4. Wat Nong Oo: Spin the Fortune Ball for Your Destiny

Location: Central Pattaya neighborhood temple
Instagram Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quirk Level: High
Spiritual Bonus: Authentic local experience

This hidden neighborhood temple houses one of Thailand’s most unique fortune-telling experiences with the mysterious Phra Rahu statue and its spinning number ball.

The Experience:

• Dark deity statue (Phra Rahu) holds a numbered ball you can spin
• Local belief says the number that appears predicts lottery numbers or answers life questions

Instagram Content:

• Action shots of spinning the fortune ball
• Close-ups of the intricate Phra Rahu statue
• Traditional Thai temple architecture
• Candid shots of local families participating in rituals
• Reclining Buddha

Getting There: Walking distance from central Pattaya hotels or short motorbike taxi ride (20-40 baht).

Learn proper temple etiquette for respectful visits before your temple exploration.

5. Wat Nong Yai: The White Temple with a Secret Cave

Location: Northern Pattaya/Naklua area
Instagram Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quirk Level: High
Travel Time: 15-20 minutes by car or motorbike from central Pattaya

Pattaya’s answer to Chiang Rai’s famous White Temple features gleaming white architecture and a mysterious cave system beneath a giant Buddha statue.

Unique Features:

• Brilliant white temple buildings reflecting sunlight
• Underground cave system directly beneath the Big Buddha
• Mirrored interior prayer hall creating kaleidoscope effects
• Morning chanting sessions (6:00-7:30 AM) in the main hall
• Historic significance dating back to the Ayutthaya period

Instagram Opportunities:

• Dramatic white temple exterior shots
• Mysterious cave entrance beneath Buddha
• Intricate mirror work inside prayer halls
• Sunrise lighting on white buildings

Best Visit Times:

• Early morning for chanting and soft lighting
• Late afternoon for golden hour photography
• Avoid midday heat when white surfaces become blindingly bright

Transportation: Grab or Bolt recommended (60-100 baht each way) due to distance from central areas. For more off the beaten path sacred spaces, read our guide to lesser known temples in Pattaya.

6. Terminal 21 Pattaya: Travel the World in One Building

Location: North Pattaya Road
Instagram Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quirk Level: High
Photo Opportunities: Maximum

Not exactly off the beaten path, but the most instagrammable place in Pattaya. Step into Terminal 21 Pattaya and instantly transport yourself around the globe without leaving Thailand. This aviation-themed shopping mall features six floors, each meticulously designed to replicate famous world cities, creating an Instagram paradise of international photo opportunities.

The Themed Floor Experience:

• Ground Floor (Check-In): Airport terminal design with departure boards and check-in counters
• 1st Floor – Paris: Romantic French café culture with Eiffel Tower replicas and Parisian street scenes
• 2nd Floor – London: British telephone booths, Big Ben clock towers, and Underground tube station designs
• 3rd Floor – Rome: Classical Italian architecture with Roman columns and Renaissance-inspired décor
• 4th Floor – Tokyo: Vibrant Japanese street culture with neon signs, manga characters, and traditional elements
• 5th Floor – San Francisco: American West Coast vibe with Golden Gate Bridge elements and cable car designs
• 6th Floor – Hollywood: Movie star glamour with walk-of-fame style stars and cinema-themed decorations

Instagram Gold Mine:

• Pose with iconic city landmarks recreated in miniature
• Each floor offers distinct cultural photo backdrops
• Detailed themed decorations perfect for close-up shots
• Massive airplane suspended outside the building for dramatic exterior shots
• Food court areas designed to match each floor’s theme

What Makes It Special:

• Immersive Experience: Each floor feels like a different country with authentic design details
• Shopping Variety: Mix of international brands, local Thai shops, and affordable finds
• Pier 21 Food Court: Multi-level dining with cuisine matching each city theme
• Air Conditioning: Perfect refuge from Pattaya heat while exploring “multiple countries”

Photography Tips:

• Visit during weekday mornings for fewer crowds in photos
• Each floor has signature photo spots marked by other visitors’ behavior
• The escalators between floors offer transition shots showing theme changes
• Food court areas provide lifestyle shots with themed dining experiences

Getting There: Located on North Pattaya Road, easily accessible by songthaew (15-20 baht), motorbike taxi (40-60 baht), or Grab/Bolt (60-100 baht from central Pattaya).

Budget: Free to explore and photograph. Shopping and dining prices vary from budget-friendly food court options (80-200 baht) to international retail prices.

7. Sohotown: Pattaya’s Hidden Chinatown with Guanyin Shrine

Location: Second Rd, central Pattaya (on the way to Terminal 21)
Instagram Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quirk Level: Medium
Cultural Significance: High

Tucked away from tourist areas, Pattaya’s small but authentic Chinatown offers genuine Chinese-Thai culture, traditional architecture, and an impressive Guanyin shrine.

Highlights:

• Traditional Chinese shophouses with historical architecture
• Guanyin shrine (Goddess of Mercy) popular with local Thai-Chinese community
• Authentic Chinese restaurants serving regional specialties
• Traditional Chinese medicine shops and gold dealers
• Red lanterns and Chinese signage creating atmospheric streets

Instagram Opportunities:

• Traditional Chinese architecture with Thai influences
• Colorful shrine decorations and incense ceremonies
• Street scenes showing authentic local life
• Traditional Chinese lanterns and shop signs
• Cultural fusion food photography

Best Times: Early evening when shops are active and lanterns are lit, but before tourist dinner crowds arrive.

8. OMG Thai Restaurant and Cooking School: Learn Thai Cuisine with Apple’s Scary Doll Collection

Location: Chaloem Phrakiat 21 Alley, Soi Buakhao area, Central Pattaya
Instagram Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quirk Level: Maximum
Unique Factor: Nowhere else in the world

Chef Apple’s cooking classes offer more than just Thai culinary education—her extensive collection of scary dolls creates one of Pattaya’s most unexpectedly bizarre learning environments.

What Makes It Unique:

• Professional Thai cooking instruction in English
• Hundreds of creepy dolls watching your every cooking move
• Chef Apple’s personality perfectly balances scary décor with warm hospitality
• Hands-on experience preparing 6-8 traditional Thai dishes
• Take recipes home along with unforgettable memories

The Experience:

• 1 hour comprehensive cooking classes (book one day in advance)
• Choose which recipe you’d like to learn
• Or just order something and enjoy great Thai food

Instagram Gold:

• Close-up photos of the diverse doll collection
• Before/after shots of your prepared dishes
• Group photos with Chef Apple; perhaps you can join her famous photo board

Booking: Advanced reservation required. Prices typically 1000 baht (USD $30) per person for a cooking class and approximately 150 baht (USD $5) if ordering just to eat.

9. Cha Tra Mue: The Starbucks of Thai Tea

Location: Central Festival Mall or Terminal 21
Instagram Factor: ⭐⭐⭐
Quirk Level: Medium
Cultural Significance: High

Experience Thailand’s premier tea culture at this iconic orange-branded chain that’s been perfecting Thai tea since 1945, long before international coffee chains arrived.

Why It’s Special:

• Historic Thai brand with 80+ years of tea expertise
• Signature orange branding creating Instagram-worthy aesthetics
• Traditional Thai tea preparations with modern presentation
• Local cultural experience most tourists miss
• Affordable prices compared to international chains

Must-Try Items:

• Classic Thai iced tea with perfect sweetness balance
• Green tea variations unique to Thai preferences
• Traditional tea snacks and desserts
• Seasonal specialties reflecting Thai flavors

Instagram Opportunities:

• Signature cups and branding
• Traditional Thai tea preparation methods and heaps of condensed milk cans
• Colorful drink presentations
• Cultural contrast with Western coffee culture

Cultural Context: While tourists flock to Starbucks, locals often prefer Cha Tra Mue for authentic Thai flavors and cultural familiarity.

Getting There: Visit a Cha Tra Mue location at either Terminal 21 or Central Festival mall (Central Pattaya). To explore other local shopping meccas, read our guide to the best malls in Pattaya.

10. Grande Centre Point Space Hotel Robot Experience

Location: Pattaya Klang Road
Instagram Factor: ⭐⭐⭐
Quirk Level: Medium
Access: Lobby only for non-guests

While you can’t access the full space-themed hotel experience as a non-guest, the lobby area showcases impressive robotic service technology that hints at Pattaya’s futuristic hospitality developments.

What You Can See:

• Robotic concierge systems in the lobby
• Modern space-age hotel design

Instagram Opportunities:

• Interaction with lobby robot
• Futuristic hotel design elements
• Technology-meets-hospitality content
• Modern architecture contrasting with traditional Pattaya

Limitations: Access restricted to lobby areas only. Consider staying here if you want the full space themed hotel experience.

Cultural Sensitivity Guidelines

Temple Visits:

• Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees)
• Remove shoes before entering buildings
• Speak quietly and move respectfully
• Ask permission before photographing people in prayer
• For more information, please visit our guide to temple etiquette.

Interactive Map

Explore our interactive map of instagrammable places in Pattaya.

Conclusion: Discovering Pattaya’s Hidden Character

Whether you’re seeking the perfect social media content or simply want to explore Pattaya’s lesser-known side, these ten locations provide unforgettable experiences. Want more fun? Check out our article on Pattaya’s best dog cafe.

Ready to explore more authentic Pattaya experiences? Check out our complete guide to lesser-known temples in Pattaya and learn essential Thai phrases for travelers to enhance your cultural interactions. Need a gimbal or other electronics for your photo expeditions? Visit the multi-floor gadget mall Tukcom South Pattaya as mentioned in our guide to the best malls in Pattaya.