Ayutthaya

When it comes to shopping, Ayutthaya has a variety of unique products to offer at its markets.

• The most famous are the handicrafts made by skilled local men and women. It includes pottery, jewellery, and weaving.
• The Bang Sai is well known for its authentic hand-made products that travellers can buy as souvenirs.
• The floating market of Ayutthaya is another one that this city boasts about, and you can buy beautiful wooden toys here.
• The night markets here also offer local delicacies.

Credit and debit cards are commonly accepted in hotels and restaurants, but at street shops and stalls, only cash is accepted.

There are plenty of banks where currency can be exchanged. Besides that, ATMs are spread all over the city for people who prefer carrying cards over huge amounts of cash.

Travellers should ideally go for a day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok. Ayutthaya is cheaper than many other cities of Thailand. An estimate of THB 600 - 700 would be enough to have an eventful day here. This would include travelling within, food, entry fees to various temples, shopping and drinks.

• Ayutthaya is a temple and monastery city. Hence respectful dressing is required.
• While visiting temples, both women and men are expected to cover themselves appropriately.
• If the weather is humid, capris or knee covering shorts can be worn.
• General etiquettes and manners like not touching the Buddha statue, and not pointing your feet at anyone, are to be followed.
• Thai people are known to be extremely polite and go out of their way to be kind to visitors. Therefore it is advisable never to lose face in public.
• Tipping at high-end restaurants can be done, but local vendors usually don't expect tips. However, if you particularly appreciate someone's services, you can definitely tip them.

Day 1
Wat Worahettharm
Visit the Wat Worahettharam; a historic Buddha ruin seated in front of a bell-shaped chedi.
Wat Lokhaya Sutha
At a walkable distance is Wat Lokhaya Sutha; visit this 37-metre long and 8-meter high reclining buddha statue.
Wat Phra Mahathat
Trek down to Wat Phra Mahathat, yet another ancient site, where, you would come across the face of the Buddha through a Banyan tree's opening.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet
On the way for lunch at the local market, drop by Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the most significant Ayutthaya temple housing some of the most appealing chedis.
Wat Mongkhon Bophit
Visit the Wat Mongkhon Bophit after lunch. Situated in the vicinity of Wat Phra Su Sanphet, Mongkon Bophit hosts a large image of the Buddha within the temple.
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace
End the day with a quick visit to the Summer Palace; Bang Pa-In Royal Palace. You could relax on the premises of the palace after a long day's heritage tour.

Day 2
Wat Phukhao Thong
Set out early on a trek uphill to Wat Phukhao Thong, which is at a distance from the previous Wats.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Next, drop by one of the most important Thai temples, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. The bell-structured chedi is one of the highlights of the Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, along with its fulfilling view of the temple complex.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Another significant Ayutthaya landmarks, the Wat Chaiwatthanaram awaits you next on your list.

Wat Ratchaburana
After lunch, visit Wat Ratchaburana, also known as "The Temple of Royal Restoration". You would have to pay an entry fee of THB 50 at this temple.
Wat Suwan Dararam
Visit the Wat Suwan Dararam to witness some of the most exquisite artistic marvels, as it is famous for its mural paintings.
Foreign Quarters
Drop by Foreign Quarters, which is a European styled region housing some of the French and Portugal churches and other structures established during Ayutthaya's colonised era.
Chao Sam Phraya National Museum/Sunset Boat Tour
You could either choose to visit the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum or rush to the Ayutthaya Sunset Boat Tour and seal your perfect Ayutthaya Tour.

Ayutthaya has a decent number of restaurants and road side eateries. This city is most famous for its boat noodles, river prawns and a sweet dish called Roti Sai Mai. These local delicacies can be found at almost all the restaurants and market stalls for a very inexpensive price. Some popular places are Pa Lek and Roti road. There are several restaurants serving extremely fresh sea food, one of the best being Ban Mai Lim Nam. The street stalls at the night market offer some tasty Khao Mok Gai which is a Muslim-Thai biryani.
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November-January is the best time to visit Ayutthaya in Thailand since this is the only time of the year when the rainfall is considerably lesser, and the weather is ideal. Ayutthaya is generally hot and humid all year round including the winter months of December and January.

The temperature remains in the thirties, and hence, for a day tour, you need to be well hydrated. January is the busiest month of all. So, during this month, the hotels and other reasonable accommodations options are a little pricey, in case you wish to spend the night there. Tourists are less likely to visit Ayutthaya during April.

The temperature in late-March and April often reach up to 45 degrees Celsius. However, in case scorching heat isn't an issue with you, this time of the year can be the best for you to travel to the place as the streets are devoid of crowds and the accommodations are budget-friendly. June to September is stormy, and sightseeing becomes tedious; hence, it's considered as an offseason.
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The top places near to Ayutthaya are Bangkok which is 68 km from Ayutthaya, Pattaya which is located 163 km from Ayutthaya, Hua hin which is located 211 km from Ayutthaya, Koh kret which is located 50 km from Ayutthaya, Lopburi which is located 48 km from Ayutthaya

The top things to do in Ayutthaya are Ayutthaya Historical Park, Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Bang Pa-in Palace, Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. You can see all the places to visit in Ayutthaya here

Peak seasons are usually overcrowded, leading to hiked prices and lack of accommodation facilities. The tourist guide mapping through the city could get confusing and tedious.

Ayutthaya is a great heritage tour, offering some of the most long-lost treasures of Thai history and housing some of the top UNESCO world heritage sites. Visitors could also rent bikes to explore through this ancient city.