Every stop in detail with getting around and tips
Start the day at Wat Mahathat early — a major temple in the centre of the island, dating to around the 14th century. The image everyone comes for is the stone Buddha head cradled in the roots of a bodhi tree, Ayutthaya's defining picture, sent on postcards the world over. Around it stand the toppled central prang and rows of red-brick laterite ruins. The morning light is soft and the crowds thinner — the best window for photos before the sun gets harsh later on.
One piece of etiquette to know: when you photograph yourself with the Buddha head, crouch or sit so your own head is lower than its level, as a mark of respect. Do not stand over it or point at it, and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
Move on to Wat Phra Si Sanphet — the temple within the old royal-palace grounds. It was the court temple, with no resident monks, and its highlight is the row of three bell-shaped chedis that has become a symbol of Ayutthaya, holding the ashes of three kings. Walking the old palace grounds you pass the bases of throne halls and the ruins of what was once the heart of the royal court.
A short walk on is Wihan Mongkhon Bophit, which houses a huge seated bronze Buddha — one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand — inside a restored hall. This is a working temple, so remove your shoes and dress modestly before entering. The two sit side by side, so you take them in on a single stop.
Midday is the time to get out of the sun — and Ayutthaya is known for two dishes you should not miss. The first is boat noodles, small intense bowls that people order several of and stack up by tradition. The second, for a slightly bigger budget, is grilled giant river prawns, fat and rich, at a riverside spot looking out over the ruins — a lunch that gives you both the food and the setting.
If you plan a big river-prawn lunch at midday, keep the evening light or pick up roti sai mai (the spun palm-sugar "silk floss" sweet) to take home instead. Choose a place on the Pa Sak or Chao Phraya river around the island for the best view. See all the standout spots in the Ayutthaya food guide.
In the afternoon, cross to the southeast of the island to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon — a working temple with resident monks. The highlight is the great central chedi you can climb for a view, with long rows of saffron-wrapped seated Buddhas ringing the base, and there is a large reclining Buddha draped in saffron robes in the same grounds. The gardens here are leafier than the central cluster, so the afternoon sun is still bearable for walking.
Close the day at Wat Chaiwatthanaram — the loveliest temple for the evening, set on the west bank of the Chao Phraya just off the island. Its Khmer-style central prang ringed by eight smaller chedis catches the low golden light beautifully, and it is the sunset photo spot people talk about most in Ayutthaya. During some festivals the temple is even lit up after dark.
This is also a popular place to rent traditional Thai costume for photos, with rental shops nearby — fun if you want a period-style picture. Make it your last stop, then head back into town for the train, minivan or car back to Bangkok.
- Bang Pa-In Palace — a beautiful royal summer palace, but it sits ~18 km south and needs half a day; squeezing it into one day makes everything too tight. Save it for a second day.
- The Ayothaya Floating Market and the Japanese / Portuguese settlement villages — fun, but time-consuming and better suited to an overnight trip.
- Elephants — if you want to see elephants, choose observation or feeding at a sanctuary-style place rather than riding, which raises real animal-welfare concerns. See the options in the day trips around Ayutthaya guide.
- Trying to see too many temples — Ayutthaya has hundreds. Do not try to tick them all off in a day; pick four or five highlights and enjoy them rather than rushing yourself ragged.