Ancient temple ruins & a UNESCO royal capital
Ayutthaya
อยุธยา · Ruins of a golden capital
Once one of the world’s largest and richest cities, the former Siamese capital is now a hauntingly beautiful field of temple ruins. Crumbling prangs, headless Buddhas and the famous stone Buddha head cradled in tree roots make Ayutthaya an easy, unforgettable day from Bangkok.
Top sightsSights
Wat Mahathat
Home to the iconic sandstone Buddha head entwined in the roots of a banyan tree.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
The grandest temple of the old royal palace, with three restored bell-shaped chedis.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
A majestic Khmer-style riverside temple, spectacular at sunset.
Ayutthaya Historical Park
The UNESCO-listed core of ruins, best explored by bicycle.
Bang Pa-In Palace
A whimsical royal summer palace mixing Thai, Chinese and European styles.
What to eatFood
Boat noodles
Small intense bowls of dark, spiced noodle soup once sold from canal boats.
Roti sai mai
Ayutthaya’s signature dessert — cotton-candy strands wrapped in thin roti.
Giant river prawns
Grilled freshwater prawns, a specialty of the central river plains.
Good to know
- Rent a bicycle or hire a tuk-tuk to loop between the widely spread ruins.
- Come early or late to dodge midday heat on the shadeless temple grounds.
- Trains and minivans reach Ayutthaya from Bangkok in about 1.5 hours.
Getting there
No airport — reach Ayutthaya by frequent train, minivan or river cruise from Bangkok (about 1.5 hours); Don Mueang (DMK) is the closest airport.
Next city
Krabi