Things to Do in Ayutthaya: A 2-Day Itinerary for Temples & More
Temple ruins in Ayutthaya, Thailand at sunrise
Ayutthaya was the capital of the Siam Kingdom from 1350 to 1767. Surrounded by three rivers, the old city forms a natural island that once helped protect it from invasion. Today, it is known for its red-brick temple ruins, which offer a rugged contrast to the gold-covered temples found across modern Thailand.
We spent two days and one night in Ayutthaya on our way north. For us, that was plenty of time to explore the main temple ruins, walk around the island, visit a night market, and find a good coffee shop to get some work done. If you are moving through Thailand at a steady pace, Ayutthaya makes a good short and meaningful stop.
Table of Contents
Why Two Days Is Enough
The Main Temples to Visit
Getting Around Ayutthaya
Night Markets and Food
Why Two Days Is Enough
Ayutthaya is compact and easy to navigate. Many of the most well-known temples are located within the central island, and others are just outside of it. You can combine walking with short tuk-tuk rides or rent a bicycle if you prefer more flexibility.
Inside Wat Maha That in the historic island of Ayutthaya
During our stay, we were able to:
Visit the most iconic temple ruins without rushing
Walk through different areas of the island
Explore a local night market
Spend a few focused hours working from a café
Two days gave us enough time to experience the highlights without feeling overwhelmed.
The Main Temples to Visit
Most people come to Ayutthaya for its temple ruins. Below are the temples we visited, along with their locations and entrance fees.
Wat Maha That
Location: City center (on the island)
Entrance fee: 80 THBWat Ratchaburana
Location: City center, next to Wat Maha That
Entrance fee: 80 THBWat Phra Ram
Location: City center, about 1.5 km from Wat Maha That
Entrance fee: 80 THBWat Phra Si Sanphet
Location: City center, short walk from Wat Phra Ram
Entrance fee: 80 THBWat Chaiwatthanaram
Location: Outside the island, western side of the city
Entrance fee: 80 THBWat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Location: Outside the island, eastern side of the city
Entrance fee: 20 THB
Tip: If you plan to visit multiple temples, a combo ticket is available for 300 THB. It includes the first five temples listed above, plus Wat Maheyong (which we did not visit).
Getting Around Ayutthaya
The central island is flat and manageable on foot, though the heat can make long walks tiring. We combined walking with tuk-tuk rides, especially when heading to temples outside the island.
Bicycles are another popular option, allowing you to move at your own pace while covering more ground.
TukTuk Coffee in Ayutthaya Thailand
Night Markets and Food
In the evening, we headed to the night market on Bang Ian Road. The atmosphere felt more local and less tourist-focused than other night markets we have visited in Thailand.
There was a wide variety of Thai dishes to try, and it was a relaxed way to end a day of exploring temple ruins.
Final Thoughts
Ayutthaya offers a distinct historical and architectural experience. The red-brick ruins feel raw and grounded, especially when compared to the polished temples found elsewhere in the country.
For us, two days and one night were enough to see the highlights, move at a comfortable pace, enjoy good food, and still carve out time to work.
If you are heading north from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is an easy and worthwhile stop along the way.
