Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, is a city of contrasts. From towering skyscrapers to ancient temples, bustling markets to luxurious shopping malls, and street food stalls to amazing restaurants, there’s something for everyone. If you’re wondering what to do in Bangkok, you’re in the right place! Based on our own experiences, we’ve put together a list of the 17 best things to do in Bangkok.
Highlights Bangkok
Visit Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Samphran, and Grand Palace.
Explore Chinatown.
Shop at IconSiam and Terminal 21.
Stroll through Lumphini Park.
Take a day trip to Ayutthaya.
Drink delicious cocktails with a view at Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge.
Enjoy street food at Khaosan Road.
Stay at Saan Hotel Sathorn. Want a more luxurious stay? Check out Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit. On a budget? Khao San Social Capsule Hostel is a great choice.
How to get to Bangkok
Bangkok is the main gateway to Thailand and home to two major international airports: Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). Suvarnabhumi is the newer airport out of the two, and handles most long-haul flights from Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Don Mueang caters more to regional and budget airlines (like AirAsia). We recommend using Skyscanner to search for flights to Bangkok.
If you’re already in Thailand or coming from neighboring countries, long-distance trains and buses are solid options. Trains from Chiang Mai to Bangkok are a popular choice, offering overnight sleeper options. For seamless ticket bookings, 12go.asia is a lifesaver.
How to get around Bangkok
Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are hands-down the easiest ways to navigate the city. They’re air-conditioned (a blessing in the Bangkok heat) and connect key areas like Sukhumvit, Siam, and Chatuchak. The only downside of the Bangkok MRT system is that it isn’t quite long enough. If you’re looking to explore Chinatown or Khaosan Road for instance, you won’t be able to easily reach it. We recommend grabbing a Rabbit Card for hassle-free travel.
Tuk-tuks are iconic but often overpriced for tourists. Save them for shorter, fun rides instead of daily transport (but definitely take at least one tuk-tuk ride!). For longer trips or to avoid haggling, rideshare apps like Grab or Bolt are more reliable and transparent. For the ultimate local experience, you can even hop on the back of a motorbike!
We usually ordered a Grab or Bolt to get to a certain area (like Chinatown), and then walked around there. When we were done exploring, we just ordered another Grab! Now, you might think that cost us a lot of money. Why not read our Thailand budget breakdown and find out?
The Chao Phraya River boats are a unique way to get to riverside attractions like the Grand Palace or Wat Arun. Hop on an orange-flag public ferry for the cheapest ride or opt for a tourist boat for fewer crowds.
Things to do in Bangkok
1. Wat Pho
Wat Pho is definitely our top pick among all the temples in Bangkok. It’s also known as The Temple of the Reclining Buddha because, well, there’s a massive 46-meter-long reclining Buddha statue covered in shiny gold leaf. But that’s not the only impressive thing here, we were also blown away by the intricate details of the four grand chedis. Trust us, they’re breathtaking! Wat Pho is also the largest and oldest Buddhist temple in Bangkok, so make sure to plan enough time for your visit. You’ll need it, since you can spot over 1000 Buddha images here!
Another fun fact about Wat Pho is that you can get an authentic Thai massage here! At first, we found it super strange to see all the signs about getting a massage. However, after learning that Wat Pho is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage it all made sense. So if you are looking to get an amazing massage, why not get one here?
We suggest visiting Wat Pho before 9 AM to avoid the crowds because it can get really busy here. The entrance fee is 300 baht per person (just under € 8).
Good to know
When visiting temples in Thailand, it’s important to follow some simple rules. Remember to dress modestly, covering your knees and shoulders as a sign of respect. When entering a temple, always remove your shoes and keep them in a linen bag if possible. These guidelines help keep the religious space sacred and respect the local customs and traditions.
2. Chinatown
The narrow streets of Chinatown have their own unique charm, making you feel like you’ve stepped into China rather than Thailand. It’s like a whole new world within bustling Bangkok. The streets are all beautifully decorated, shop signs are written in Mandarin rather than Thai, and the overall vibe does not resemble Bangkok in the slightest!
When in Chinatown, don’t miss out on trying some street food! We tried a delicious, flavorful omelet and sampled some refreshing lychee tea. This is just the tip of the iceberg, though, as with every step you take a new food stall reveals itself. The possibilities are endless! Plus, there are plenty of shopping opportunities in the alleys, offering budget-friendly products. We made a couple of “impulse buys” here, just because it all looks so fun. Thysia couldn’t resist buying a hair clip that changes color!
Another quick but fun activity in the area is visit to Wat Traimit. You can visit two museums here, one 3D presentation about Chinese traders in Bangkok. The other museum shows a video presentation of Buddha images, with a special segment about the golden sculpture that can be seen at the temple itself. This golden Buddha image is the highlight of the place, and it has an even more intriguing history. The Buddha statue was originally covered in plaster, but the gold underneath got revealed when movers dropped it. Talk about a surprising discovery! Some pieces of the plaster are still shown at the temple, too.
3. Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park is the largest and most popular park in Bangkok, perfect for a stroll or a break from the city’s hustle. With a large lake, shaded paths, and open green spaces, it’s a great spot to relax and take in the skyline. Keep an eye out for the park’s famous monitor lizards. We spotted one within minutes! For a bit of fun, you can also take a free 30-minute paddleboat ride on the lake, a great way to enjoy the scenery from the water.
4. Benchakitti Park
Another park we recommend visiting is Benchakitti Park. This place is huge and really well maintained, naturewise it’s definitely our favorite park. The wetland area was just spectacular! Follow the skywalk for a peaceful walk surrounded by nature against the city skyline. It’ll offer amazing views of everything and surely is the best way to get around. We spent 2 hours at Benchakitti Park without bumping into anyone, unbelievable!
Only have 2 weeks in Thailand? Check out our 14-day Thailand itinerary that covers highlights like Bangkok, Krabi, Khao Sok, and Koh Tao.
5. Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit, also known as The Marble Temple, gets its name from the beautiful marble covering its outer walls. Did you know they imported the marble all the way from Italy? So cool, especially if you know that they started construction of this temple in the 19th century. Quite the feat indeed! But Wat Benchamabophit is not just famous for its stunning marble exterior, the temple is also featured on Thailand’s 5 baht coins! So make sure to give that 5 THB coin a good look the next time you’re holding it in your hands. 😉
Now, on to what to expect at the temple complex itself. The site is quite big which means you have tons to see. There’s a giant gong that can be found just over the river, and all around you’ll find cute benches to sit on. There’s even a secondary school on the premises! And, since this is an active place of religion, don’t be surprised to see a lot of monks walking around, or people donating food. Just sitting here and watching all of this happen in front of you is really cool. We visited at sunrise and found the temple completely empty (apart from some monks). We’re not going to lie, it was such a serene visit!
6. Chatuchak Park
Chatuchak Park is one of our favorite things to do in Bangkok. We popped in just before sunset before heading to Chatuchak Weekend Market (more on that in the next paragraph). The vibe here was super cozy and chill. You have a lake, cute little bridges over the water, and tons of regular trees and palm trees that are perfect for providing some shade. Grab a drink and snack, and soak in the beautiful scenery. It’s also the perfect place to come for a run or bike ride, or read a book and relax.
7. Chatuchak Weekend Market
If you’re in Bangkok over the weekend, make sure to check out Chatuchak Weekend Market. It’s a great spot to grab souvenirs and taste some budget-friendly local food. Make sure to try some chicken skewers, spring rolls, and fresh squid. So good! The food places you can choose from are endless, but we found the little “square” really cozy. You have tons of food stalls right next to each other, with the seating area behind them. Once you sit down, waiters will give you a menu and minutes later your food is ready!
We do have to tell you that the place is huge. Once you wander off in one of the alleys, good luck on finding your way back! We do recommend checking this map of Chatuchak Weekend Market prior to your visit. It’ll show you where you can find what, like where to buy clothing, books, or art! We went on a Friday evening (open from 6 PM to midnight), and although some parts were closed off, it was the best time to snag deals without the big crowds. On Saturdays and Sundays, the entire market is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, but it can get super packed. Still, it’s an experience you shouldn’t skip!
Wondering how much a trip to Thailand will cost? Take a look at our detailed budget breakdown for 40 days in Thailand.
8. Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge
After seeing The Hangover Part II, we were so excited to check out one of Bangkok’s rooftop bars for an incredible view. With so many options, some pricier than others, we stumbled upon a real treasure in the Thonglor district: Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge. Arriving just before sunset, we had an unforgettable time watching the sun sink behind Bangkok’s towering skyscrapers while sipping delicious cocktails. It was truly a unique experience. Now, don’t think that the fun ends when the sun has set! While the sunset was the reason we visited Octave Rooftop, we were surprised to find that we loved the scenes after dark almost as much. As soon as the sun disappears, Bangkok transforms into a place where lights twinkle everywhere. Sitting at a height of over 100 meters and taking in all the lights was so cool! Truly mesmerizing.
We paid € 25 for 2 cocktails, which we found reasonable for the experience we got in return. Though it’s expensive by Thai standards, we’ve seen bars where one cocktail costs € 50! On top of that, none of the views compare to Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge so Octave is definitely the place to be. The cocktails were really tasty with the right amount of alcohol, too – just perfect.
Good to know
For the ultimate experience, we suggest booking a table ahead of time. We got lucky and snagged the last available table without making a reservation. Unfortunately, those who came after us weren’t as fortunate and had to stand at the bar. Especially if you want to come here during sunset, booking in advance is recommended! Another thing we wanted to mention is the dress code. The dress code at Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge is smart casual. No need to wear your finest gala dress, but sportswear, beachwear, and slippers are not allowed.
9. IconSiam
Trust us when we say Bangkok can get scorching hot. The perfect escape from the heat? Dive into one of the city’s fantastic shopping malls. IconSiam stands out as Bangkok’s most remarkable shopping destination. Situated next to the Chao Phraya River, it boasts over 7000 shops, numerous restaurants, and even a cinema on the 6th floor! Don’t miss the ground floor, where you’ll discover endless food stalls and even a floating market. We tried some delicious chicken skewers here for just 15 baht (€ 0,40). For such a prestigious mall, the prices here were very reasonable and the quality was top notch. It was by far our favorite floor, but the others are worth visiting, too!
Head up to the upper floors for some amazing views of Bangkok. We really enjoyed Napalai Terrace, offering stunning views of the river and skyscrapers. On the same floor you can get a cup of coffee at a beautiful Starbucks, their terrace is amazing as well. Other than that, you can find your regular stores like Adidas and H&M here, but also all the luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and even a car dealership with cars like Rolls Royce and Maserati! How they got those cars up there we’ll never know. 😂
10. Terminal 21
Another must-visit mall is Terminal 21. Each floor takes you on a journey to a different iconic city like Paris, Tokyo, San Francisco, and London. Our favorite was the Tokyo floor for its captivating interior design that goes all the way to the toilets! Not that this is the only floor inside Terminal 21 where the toilets match the theme, but the Tokyo floor definitely takes the cake! So, whatever you do, definitely visit the toilets on all floors. We can’t believe we just said that. 😂
Now, the winner of “best section” was definitely Pier 21 on the 5th floor, boasting the ultimate food court experience. We tried a variety of dishes here, from scampi pad thai and thai basil chicken to crab wonton soup and tom yum kung. All super delicious, and so cheap. Amazing interior, delicious food, and reasonable prices: count us in!
11. Wat Arun
Wat Arun, also known as The Temple of Dawn, is one of Bangkok’s most iconic and photogenic temples. Located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, the temple is easy to reach via ferry. Besides the main temple, which is filled with stunning details, there are also smaller towers around the temple worth noticing too. Remember to climb up for a better look at these lovely features.
We spent around one hour here and think that’s just the perfect amount of time. The complex isn’t too big, an hour should do the trick! Of course, if you’re interested in getting a perfect shot of all the amazing details, then an hour will probably not be enough. Entrance fee is just 100 baht per person (around € 2,50), and you even get a bottle of water included! In the blazing Bangkok heat, you better believe we made use of it! We visited the temple at opening time at 8 AM, it was not crowded at all at that time. If you want a relaxed, quiet visit, we recommend you do the same and visit early. But, we do hear that visiting Wat Arun for sunset is quite the experience, too!
Pro tip
Even if you were already amazed by Wat Arun during the day, get ready for a whole new level of wonder when you see it lit up at night. You can walk up to one of the piers on either side of the river to get a great view of Wat Arun. Or, even more fun, is to just hop on the ferry at Tah Tian to get a view from a boat on the river! It’ll only cost you 5 baht, but remember that the ferry stops operating around 7 PM.
12. Khaosan Road
Khaosan Road, you either love it or hate it. Since you can read it on this list, you can probably tell that we absolutely loved it! It’s packed with budget-friendly accommodations, lively bars, food stalls, and super small shops. Since our hostel was within walking distance of Khaosan Road, we ended up spending every evening here. There’s just so much to do and see here, it kept pulling us in!
Thysia bought a cute white skirt for just € 5, while Kelvin bravely tried deep-fried scorpion and crocodile. Different strokes for different folks! Do remember that you can probably get a better deal if you dare to haggle a little bit. This applies to clothing, of course, but also to the deep fried scorpion! Initially the woman wanted around € 5 for one small-ish scorpion. After a minute of back-and-forth we managed to get it down to less than € 2! For the skirt we didn’t try as much, but still got a discount of about € 2 as well. Rule of thumb is: if you can’t see the price of an item, then the price is negotiable. Khaosan Road will have a special place in our hearts, that’s for sure. We strongly believe that every visitor to Bangkok should experience this lively street at least once.
13. Wat Ratchanatdaram
Wat Ratchanatdaram is a hidden gem tucked away in Bangkok, often overlooked by many visitors. It’s quite surprising because this temple is truly impressive! This temple is quite hidden, but once you step inside you’ll see why we included it in this list. While Wat Ratchanatdaram may not be as large as some of the more famous temples in the city, its intricate golden details are absolutely stunning. This temple consists of multiple peaks that can be found on multiple levels, a little bit like a pyramid. We found it one of the more unique designs compared to other temples we visited! Expect to spend around half an hour here, or even more if you want to experience the singing of the monks! It’s a great place to kill some time, or just make a quick visit on the way to another landmark.
14. Grand Palace
A trip to Bangkok wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Grand Palace. Once the residence of the royal family, it’s now one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The highlight of our visit was definitely Wat Phra Kaew, also known as The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It’s the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, and the beauty of it is absolutely unmatched.
That said, we have to admit we felt a bit overwhelmed by the crowds. We arrived just over half an hour after opening, and the place was already packed. Despite the stunning surroundings, the sheer number of people made it hard to fully enjoy. It was a bit chaotic with so many people bumping into each other. What a pity! As for when to visit, we’re not sure what to recommend. Our experience shows that the Grand Palace is crowded no matter when you go. You’ll just have to accept that!
The entrance fee for the Grand Palace is 500 baht per person (just under € 13), which felt a bit steep. The place is huge, so we get where that fee comes from, but when you compare it to the value, the Grand Palace doesn’t quite justify the price. There are other, more affordable temples that offer an equally (if not more) rewarding experience!
15. Day trip to Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya was once the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom, and today stands as a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site. While guided tours of Ayutthaya are an option, we suggest exploring Ayutthaya independently. We hopped on a minivan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya for just € 4 per person and returned by train for a mere € 0,50 per person! Once there, we rented two bicycles for less than € 3 for the entire day. It was both affordable and convenient! Definitely the best way to explore Ayutthaya, make sure to ask for a map at the bicycle rental place.
Be sure to visit Wat Maha That, famous for its Buddha’s head in tree roots. Admission is only 50 baht, which is just under € 1,50. Another remarkable sight is Wat Lokayasutharam, home to a colossal 42-meter-long reclining Buddha statue. And don’t forget to explore Wat Phra Si Sanphet, where the three chedis are really impressive! The entrance fee for Wat Phra Si Sanphet is also 50 baht.
To make your search for transportation a bit easier, we’ve included a handy search bar from Bangkok to Ayutthaya!
16. Wat Samphran
Just an hour’s drive from Bangkok lies Wat Samphran, a fascinating Buddhist temple that’s truly one-of-a-kind. What sets it apart? Well, there’s a life-sized dragon wrapped around the temple! Talk about a unique spectacle. It’s a sight that must be seen in person to be believed.
You can climb to the top for a stunning view, for this you’ll need to give a small donation. Considering this is one of the most unique temples you’ll ever see, we find this a really small price to pay! A donation of around 50 baht (€ 1,25) should do the trick. Also, do know that the temple complex is extensive! Besides the dragon, there’s a massive golden Buddha statue to admire right next to it. On the premises you’ll also find a giant turtle, a wishing well, and a pretty big rabbit. Another bonus is its scenic surroundings, nestled amidst greenery with beautiful ponds everywhere.
The easiest way to reach Wat Samphran is by taxi, we paid € 10 to get there.
17. Erawan Museum
About a half-hour drive from Bangkok lies the Erawan Museum. It’s easy to recognize with its giant three-headed elephant sculpture sitting atop a lovely pink building. Definitely one of the most unique-looking museums in the world! No wonder we included it in this list of 9 best things to do in Bangkok. Inside, you’ll discover antiques, arts, relics, statues, and photographs. Don’t forget to wander around the outside too. The surroundings are enchanting with lush plants, water features, and statues. We liked the road of elephant statues so much! You can book your tickets for the Erawan Museum here.
Admission is 400 baht, roughly € 10. Initially, we found the entrance fee quite steep because we thought it was just one building with a 3-headed elephant on top. That being said, there’s so much more to do and see here – you can definitely get your money’s worth. We’d visit again in a heartbeat, which says something. If you fancy an audio guide, there’s a 1000 baht deposit required. Don’t forget to return it before you leave!
True story
Once we finished exploring, we hopped on the BTS Skytrain to head back to Bangkok. But, after just 5 minutes, we realized we forgot to return the audio guides! We had to get off at the next stop and trek back to the Erawan Museum, which took us about half an hour. So, learn from our mistakes and remember to return your audio guides before leaving! In the end, the BTS station staff let us board the train again for free, so it all worked out.
Where to eat in Bangkok
- Mango Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant voor vegeterian and vegan food
- Rongros for incredible Thai food
- This is Basil for the best pad kra pao
- Jodd Fairs Night Market for affordable street food
Best time to visit Bangkok
The best time to visit Bangkok is between November and March. This is the cool and dry season, offering perfect conditions to explore the city: pleasant temperatures, low humidity, and minimal rain.
How long to stay in Bangkok
A lot of people only visit Bangkok for a short amount of time, and that’s a shame. We recommend staying at least 3 to 4 days to fully explore the capital of Thailand! If you also want to explore some sights a bit outside of Bangkok, 5 days is even better. We had 5 full days in Bangkok, which was ideal for taking a day trip to Ayutthaya, visiting the Erawan Museum (30 minutes from Bangkok), and checking out Wat Samphran (1 hour from Bangkok). Plus, since it can get really hot in Bangkok, it’s nice to give yourself enough time to cool off in one of the many shopping malls!
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