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Bangkok is one of my favourite cities in the world. I have spent a lot of time there over the past few years. Every time I leave, I feel more affection toward the city. Unfortunately, I am in the minority. Most who travel to Thailand don’t grow too fond of Bangkok. What is more common is that they don’t give themselves a real chance to. Bangkok is huge and can be overwhelming at first, so it is no surprise that if you stay for only a couple of nights, you will leave unimpressed. There is much more to see and do there than people realize. I have put together a list of the Top 20 things to see and do in Bangkok. In my opinion, this will give you a good sense of what Bangkok is all about. It will bring you into different areas of the city and give you a deeper understanding of how BKK works.
Currency Converter – 40THB = €1.08/£0.97/$1.22
1. Golden Mount
Located near the backpacker area of the city is a temple called Wat Saket, popularly known as the Golden Mount. The temple sits on top of over 300 steps, but from there you will be given a fantastic view of the city. The temple itself is not breathtaking. The main feature is the large golden chedi, a mound-like structure, which can be seen from miles away. Even though there are better temples to visit, none can match the view from Wat Saket. Between that and being in a convenient location, it simply makes sense to visit.
Entrance Fee – 50THB for Non-Thai Citizens
Opening Hours – 09:00 – 17:00
2. Grand Palace
The official residence of the Thai Monarchy, even if it is now only used for official ceremonies, is a must-see for everyone that visits Bangkok. The palace was built in 1782 and is a complex of buildings and temples, with the most impressive being Wat Phra Kaew. This is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha which contains a very famous statue in Thai culture of an Emerald Buddha dating back to the 14th century. The Grand Palace gives a great insight into the history of the Thai Royal Family, who previously lived here for over 150 years. The palace will leave you in awe of its amazing architecture and superb craftsmanship with all of its intricate details.
Entrance Fee – 500THB for Non-Thai Citizens
Opening Hours – 08:30 – 15:30
3. Wat Pho
Located just around the corner from the Grand Palace, is the home of the reclining Buddha, Wat Pho. The temple complex certainly is not as big and impressive as its neighbor, but it does include 4 chapels that house 394 gilded Buddha statues from all over Thailand. The real standout here is the reclining Buddha, 15 meters tall and over 45 meters long, squeezed into the building it is in. It really is impressive and a must-see in Bangkok.
Entrance Fee – 100THB for Non-Thai Citizens
Opening Hours – 08:00 – 17:00
4. Wat Arun
The next temple on the list is Wat Arun, The Temple of the Dawn. Located across the Chao Phraya River from Grand Palace, this stunning temple is one of my favourites in the city. Made up of colourful spires, each decorated with small pieces of glass and Chinese porcelain, it is considered one of the most beautiful in Bangkok. This temple is so iconic that it even features on the Thai Baht. Here you can climb the steep stairs and admire the fantastic view of the city. Although it is across the water, a ferry from the Grand Palace will take you there for only 4 baht, making it very easy to get to and a must-see in Bangkok. To see it in its full and imposing self, visit the waterfront after dark where you will get a good view of the temple alight in all its glory.
Entrance Fee – 50THB for Non-Thai Citizens
Opening Hours – 08:00 – 17:30
5. Street Food
No list could be complete without mentioning the food in Bangkok. It is an attraction in itself. Where to find the best is certainly up for debate, with many areas of the city staking their claim to the title. To really experience Thai street food culture, it would be best to make your way, after dark, to one of the many street food hubs of the city. You will see what is busy and what catches your attention and then it’s best to just dig in. My recommended, unmissable areas, are Petchaburi Soi 5, Talat Phlu, and Yaowarat, which is the Chinatown area of the city. But to be honest, great food can be found all over this city. In Bangkok, wherever you find people, you will most certainly find good food.
Entrance Fee – As much as you wish to spend eating
Opening Hours – 24 Hours a Day
6. Chatuchak Weekend Market
Over 15,000 stalls, divided into 27 sections, make Chatuchak the biggest market in the entire country. Here you can buy anything and everything from souvenirs to cheap clothes and there is even an art section. Located conveniently inside the city, the market is an excellent place to come, and spend a few hours wandering around all the different stalls and picking up some good food as you go along.
Entrance Fee – Free
Opening Hours – 09:00 – 18:00 Saturday and Sunday, 18:00 – 24:00 Friday
7. Khao San Road
The backpacking center of the city. It is very westernized, with the street mostly consisting of fast food restaurants, bad Thai food, massage parlours, bars, and tailors. However, it is still worth checking out. During the day, the street is full of market stalls, selling knock-off goods at cheap prices, but at night it really comes alive. The music from the bars spills into the street and vendors walk along selling unique items, ranging from rude wristbands to scorpions and cockroaches. Every bar will be vying for your custom, trying to promote their special offers. Although it is overpriced and a bit tacky and touristy, the Khao San can still play host to a good night out. If that doesn’t sound appealing, just take a stroll down the street to see it and then move on.
Entrance Fee – Free
Opening Hours – 24 Hours
8. Yaowarat (Chinatown)
One of the many food areas in Bangkok. Yaowarat is a famous street that goes straight through the heart of Chinatown. During the day, it is a bustling business district with market stalls and many gold shops. After sunset, the area has some of the best and most respected street food vendors in the entire city. Make sure to visit Pak Klong Talad which is the flower market in the north of the district.
Entrance Fee – Free
Opening Hours – 24 Hours
9. Lumpini Park
A quiet haven buried among the chaos of Bangkok, Lumpini Park is a 142-acre green area that is perfect for any kind of outdoor activities. Whether it is running, jogging or cycling then this is the place for you. On top of that, you will frequently find locals using the park for exercise classes or yoga. If you want to come here to chill out instead of working out then you should grab some food from a nearby vendor and have yourself a picnic in the scorching Bangkok heat. Just watch out for the wildlife that lives there. This includes the huge monitor lizards that you are sure to see walking or swimming around.
Entrance Fee – Free
Opening Hours – 04:30 – 21:00
10. Victory Monument
A transportation hub of the city, Victory Monument is located on an always jam-packed roundabout. Buses and the BTS sky train station here, making this an area of the city that always seems to be moving at a hundred miles an hour. It is a great place to people watch and see the locals going about their day to day lives. You can also pick up lots of good food in this area with my favourite being Boat Noodles Alley.
Entrance Fee – Free
Opening Hours – 24 Hours
11. Jim Thompson House
The former American spy and silk merchant mysteriously disappeared in 1967. He left behind his stunning, garden enclosed home along the Saen Saeb Canal. A trained architect, Thompson built this fantastic house which has become a monument to traditional Thai architecture since his disappearance. It is a fantastic tour that takes about one hour. It gives you great insight into his life and the type of man he was, along with a sense of appreciation for the design itself.
Entrance Fee – 150THB
Opening Hours – 09:00 – 18:00
12. Soi Cowboy
For a different side of Bangkok nightlife, make your way to Soi Cowboy to experience the many Go-Go bars here. It is a side of Bangkok that you would have to be living under a rock to not know exists. That is why you should get yourself down to this area and see it for what it is. It is bright, loud, and seedy but you should not let that put you off. The area is, for the most part, safe and there is no harm in going for a drink here to take it all in. If it is not your scene then even a quick walkthrough is recommended.
Entrance Fee – Free
Opening Hours – Hours differ from bar to bar
13. Vimanmek Mansion
This royal palace built in 1900 is the largest golden teak mansion in the world. The mansion is located among gardens and canals that you can explore. Inside you will find plenty of antiques, photographs, and memorabilia from the reign of King Rama V. It is located in the Dusit Area which is where you will find most government buildings and the Dusit Palace. Tours usually take about one hour, giving you time to explore the gardens without losing a large part of your day.
Entrance Fee – 100THB
Opening Hours – 08:30 – 16:30
14. Floating Market
A trip to a floating market is a popular choice for most travellers looking to get out of Bangkok for half a day. Whilst they are quite touristy, it is still worth the trip to see how the locals used to spend their daily lives. The markets are also a good opportunity to pick up some tasty food. Whilst I would very much recommend making your way to a floating market, if your time in Bangkok is limited then it would be best not to lose half a day there. Most people would tend to book a tour here, but public buses run from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal every 40 minutes starting from 6 am.
Entrance Fee-Free Entrance, but renting a boat will cost a small fee
Opening Hours – 07:00 – 16:00
15. Royal Elephant Museum
Elephants play a huge part in the history of Thai culture. This museum is located in the parliament compound. It gives a great insight into the value that the elephant had for Thai people and their importance to religious ceremonies. There are no elephants here anymore. But it is still a good place to gain a deeper understanding of what elephants mean now and in the past to the Thai people.
Entrance Fee – 100THB (Free with a ticket to the Grand Palace)
Opening Hours – 09:30 – 12:00 Monday – Friday
16. Shopping
Shopping in Bangkok is an experience in itself. The shopping malls are gigantic and differ massively in what type of clientele they hope to attract. For example, MBK, an 8-story high mall with close to 2000 shops, is aimed at tourists and locals alike. You can get anything here from souvenirs to a tailor-made suit. This is also where you want to be if you have any electrical needs. Then there is Siam Paragon, one of the largest malls in the country. There you will find high-end fashion brands, an aquarium, and like most large malls, a cinema. Central World is another huge and popular mall. These are like cities in themselves and you should not pass up the opportunity to visit and see them for yourself.
Entrance Fee – Free
Opening Hours – Differ from mall to mall
17. Day Trip to Ayutthaya
The former capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya, will surround you with a huge amount of stunning temples sprawled across the city. UNESCO made this city a World Heritage Site in 1991. Since then, it has become a very popular destination for day trips from Bangkok. You won’t find it hard to find companies that offer day trips here. Personally, I think you are better off making your own way. Only a 2 hour and 20THB journey from Bangkok’s main train station, it is very easy and economically smart to hop on a train. If you don’t want to do a lot of walking, maybe rent a bicycle whilst here to help get around.
Despite visiting Ayutthaya twice, I have never blogged about it. However, if you wish to read a fantastically detailed guide, check out this post by Lou Does Travel by clicking here
Entrance Fee – Some Temples have a 50THB entrance fee
Opening Hours – 08:30 – 16:30
18. Thai Massage
A hugely popular choice for tourists visiting Bangkok is to get themselves a Thai massage. Massage parlours are all over the city. Nearly every second shop in the busy tourist areas offers massages, you won’t be short of options. You will be called in by the masseuses that are sitting outside vying for your business. A Thai massage is one of a kind. It looks almost like an assault is taking place on the customer. Thankfully, they leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed at the end.
Entrance Fee – Massages usually start from 150THB
Opening Hours – Parlours are usually open from very early to very late
19. Chao Phraya River Taxi
The river taxi can be used as a means for transportation or as a way to see the city from a different view. Taking the boat along the Chao Phraya River is cheap and convenient. At first, it can be hard to navigate, with little information about where you are stopping. Fortunately, you are never going to stray too far from where you hope to go. The taxi helps the locals to reach locations that other public transports, like the BTS, do not. It can also be used for a cheap tour along the river. This is instead of paying the huge fees for a private boat. There is a specially designated tourist boat but this is more expensive and has fewer stops. You are much better off making use of the local transportation.
Entrance Fee – Boat Tickets cost 10THB
Opening Hours – 06:00 – 19:00
20. Little India
Last on the list is the area of Phahurat, commonly known as Little India. Here you will find plenty of stores and market stalls selling garments and fabrics. There are also a large number of gold shops in the area. It is a great area to take a look around and investigate, picking up some excellent, authentic Indian food along the way.
Entrance Fee – Free
Opening Hours – 24 Hours
Photo Credits – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Bangkok needs time to be appreciated. It is only as you explore the different areas, eat the food and walk the streets, that this process starts. By following my list of 20 things to see and do in Bangkok, you will find this process accelerated. You will cover large areas of a ginormous city. You will see the best of Bangkok inside the city and out. If you still do not like Bangkok after this, then maybe it is not for you. But I implore you to give the city the chance it deserves. Finally, if you wish to check out my full Bangkok Travel Guide, click here.
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