Step into the lost kingdom of Ayutthaya, where towering temple ruins and timeless Buddha images reveal the grandeur of ancient Siam.
Set off on a fascinating journey to Ayutthaya Historical Park and explore ancient Buddha images, towering prangs, and some of Thailand’s most iconic temple ruins. This full-day tour takes you back in time to the former capital of Siam, once celebrated for its wealth, grandeur, and international influence.
Founded in 1350, the Kingdom of Ayutthaya flourished for more than four centuries and grew into the heart of Siam (the former name of Thailand). The city welcomed merchants from across the world—Chinese, Indians, Japanese, and Persians, later followed by Portuguese, Spaniards, Dutch, British, and French—who established bustling settlements just beyond the city walls.
At its height, Ayutthaya boasted over a million inhabitants, and French envoys of King Louis XIV even compared its size and prosperity to Paris. The kingdom met a tragic end in 1767, when invading Burmese forces burned the city to the ground, forcing its people to flee.
Today, the atmospheric ruins of Ayutthaya still echo the grandeur of its golden age. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, the temples and monuments stand as a powerful reminder of a once-magnificent kingdom that shaped the history and culture of Thailand.
During this full-day excursion, you’ll visit the following highlights:
- Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
Located 20 km south of Ayutthaya, this elegant riverside retreat was used by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). Its landscaped gardens and eclectic mix of European and Oriental architecture reflect the king’s fascination with Western styles.
- Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
A striking temple just outside the historical center, known for its 60-meter-high bell-shaped chedi and serene Reclining Buddha.
- Wat Mahathat
One of the most important temples of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It's famous for the iconic Buddha head entwined in the roots of a Banyan tree; one of the most photographed sights in the city.
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet
This royal temple once formed part of the ancient Grand Palace complex and hosted some of Ayutthaya’s most important royal ceremonies.
- Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Located next to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, this temple houses one of Thailand’s largest bronze Buddha statues, beautifully gilded and deeply revered.
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Often considered one of the most impressive temple ruins in Ayutthaya. Its design is inspired by Khmer architecture, symbolizing the structure of the universe in Hindu-Buddhist cosmology.
After a full day of exploration and cultural discovery, we make our way back to Bangkok, filled with new impressions and a deeper understanding of Thailand’s rich heritage.
Important notes:
- There is a strict dress code to enter Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. Shoulders and ankles need to be covered. No sleeveless shirts, shorts, ripped jeans, tight trousers, leggings, slippers, sandals, or revealing tops, otherwise you won't be allowed in.
- Entrance fees (THB 360 per person) are not included in the tour price and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour.
Pick up/Meeting point:
We provide hotel pick-up only from accommodations located on/near Khao San Road and on Siam Square.
If you are not an actual guest at one of the hotels in our pick-up area, the designated meeting point will be our office on Chao Khamrop Road in Chinatown. Our office in Chinatown is just a short 5-minute walk from Wat Mangkon MRT (metro) station.
For the exact location of our WanderSiam office on Google Maps, please click HERE.
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190 Comments
5
Ayutthaya
It was an amazing trip and our guide was amazing as well.highly recommended .it was really something to see all the old temples and history of ayuttaya.thanks and I will definitely visit again
5
A must
The Restaurant associated with the excursion had awful service. Rice served with vegetables first, meat came half an hr later. I was the kast to eat in a group of 8. By then, everything was cold.
Knowledgeable tour guide, overall good experience.
It was too hot and humid, some places do offer umbrellas free of use.
5
Great day trip!
Was a wonderful experience and breathing taking to see! It was very hot so bring sunscreen and water. Highly recommend:)
4
Cannot recommend
Unfortunately I cannot recommend this tour.
Piya, our guide, was lovely and had lots of historical information, but the tour is poorly planned, misleading, and takes advantage of tourists.
I booked the 7:30am start time, assuming we’d be to Ayutthaya by 9 and see a few temples before lunch and the heat really set in.
We didn’t leave Bangkok til 9:30, then stopped at Bang Pa In Palace, which is on the itinerary, but is not what you expect when going to Ayutthaya. Better to remove that from the itinerary. It’s a waste of time and money.
We saw only one temple before lunch. They took us to an expensive restaurant with mediocre food and even worse service. We didn’t have a choice to eat elsewhere. I recommend the company pick a different restaurant or give tourists the option of several restaurants.
Then it was 1:30, miserably hot and we’d still only seen one temple.
The ruins are absolutely gorgeous, and I highly recommend seeing them. Just pick a different company or go in your own.
Our guide was lovely though and had great suggestions for good photo opportunities and encouraged us to have him take our photos on our own phones.
5
Ayutthaya day trip
Jo is a great and very kind tour guide. We loved the day trip. Definitely recommended if you are staying in Bangkok for a few days