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Thailand is one of our most-booked destinations. Ancient temples, dazzling-white beaches and lush jungles all offer staggering beauty and relaxation, but a visit to Thailand isn’t complete without a stop in Bangkok.
Bangkok is a crazy mega-city. With so much to see and do, it’s almost impossible to stick all the Bangkok attractions into a straightforward guide. This should go a long way to helping you, though.
When it comes to the best things to do in Bangkok, the list is endless. From spectacular temples and street food to river trips, markets and rooftop bars, we’ve picked out some of the best Bangkok attractions below:
A cosmopolitan city with skyscraper horizons it might be, but Bangkok is still home to some of Thailand’s most important temples and palaces. The city’s oldest Rattanakosin district houses the spectacular Grand Palace, an elaborate collection of buildings and courtyards that includes Wat Phra Kaew and the sacred Emerald Buddha. Walk around 10 minutes and you’ve reached Wat Pho Temple’s enormous Reclining Buddha. The grounds here are beautiful, the ornate structures show real Thai craftsmanship and you can avoid some of Wat Pho’s crowds by visiting early in the morning.
For stellar city views, head across the river to the ‘Temple of Dawn’, Wat Arun, although you’re spoilt for choice, really. There’s the white marble Wat Benchamabophit, Wat Saket’s Golden Mount and more than enough culture to solidly tick off the Bangkok sightseeing part of your bucket list. Remember to dress respectfully when visiting Bangkok’s temples, particularly the Grand Palace, with shoulders and knees covered.
It’s almost more a question of where to eat than what to do in Bangkok, as food is such a huge part of experiencing the city. Khlong Lat Mayom and Taling Chan are two of the best-known floating markets on Bangkok’s western side. Expect plenty of colour, fabulous smells and vendors cooking up fresh food alongside the canals. Both are best visited at weekends. Further afield, you can also visit Amphawa or the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Street markets like Or Tor Kor and Chatuchak Weekend Market offer plenty of live-cooked meals and snacks too. For fragrant floral scents, head to Pak Khlong Talat flower market near Chinatown, which is a whole world in itself.
The street food experience in Bangkok is like nothing you’ve seen. Whether you want fresh papaya salad or Pad Thai, you’ll find thousands of stalls, vendors and dishes to try. Boat noodles near Victory Monument are another favourite, but absolutely make time for Chinatown. As evening arrives, Yaowarat Road and the surrounding streets fill with stalls, restaurants and bustling crowds, all part of the experience.
The Chao Phraya River already winds past some of Bangkok’s biggest sights, so it makes sense to use it as part of your sightseeing too. Public river boats are an inexpensive way to travel between attractions such as the Grand Palace area and Wat Arun, as well as giving you a completely different view of the city.
If you’ve got a little more time, take a long-tail boat into the canals of Thonburi. Traditional houses, smaller temples and communities along the waterways show you a much quieter side of Bangkok that can feel miles away from the skyscrapers and traffic.
Bangkok is a shopping mecca. One side of it offers gleaming mega-malls with designer and high-street labels, while the other is all markets, independent stalls and bargains. Around Siam you’ll find some of the city’s biggest shopping centres, while Sukhumvit is home to Terminal 21, bars, restaurants and everything from clothes to electronics. On the riverside, ICONSIAM is now another of Bangkok’s standout shopping centres and is worth a visit for its setting and views alone.
Then there’s Chatuchak Weekend Market. With thousands of stalls selling clothes, crafts, homeware, food and almost anything else you can think of, it’s budget-friendly, slightly unpredictable and the atmosphere is simply infectious.
Make the most of Bangkok nightlife if you’re in this city. It can be kitschy and rowdy in parts, but there’s a huge variety depending on the kind of evening you’re looking for. Thonglor has upmarket bars and eateries, Silom and Sukhumvit are packed with late-night venues, and there are plenty of clubs around Royal City Avenue.
For something a little more sophisticated, head upwards. Bangkok’s rooftop bars offer some spectacular city views, while Mahanakhon SkyWalk takes things even higher, with panoramic views across the capital and a glass-floor observation deck for those with a head for heights.
For a step back in time to leafy balconies and teak wood, Jim Thompson House was the Bangkok home of the American businessman who played a major role in reviving Thailand’s silk industry. The traditional Thai buildings, gardens and collection of Asian art make it one of the city’s most interesting cultural attractions.
For wide open greenery and people watching, head to Lumphini Park. For contemporary culture, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre has a changing programme of exhibitions, while the National Museum is the place to delve deeper into Thai history and art.
Close to Chinatown, it’s also worth wandering through Talat Noi and nearby Song Wat, where old shophouses and warehouses now sit alongside street art, cafés and restaurants. Sometimes simply exploring Bangkok’s neighbourhoods is as interesting as ticking off another attraction.
Exploring splendid temple grounds will have you on your legs a lot. Fortunately, you don’t have to walk everywhere. The BTS Skytrain and MRT are usually the easiest ways to move between many of Bangkok’s main areas, while river boats are particularly useful around the historic centre. Taxis and Grab are handy when the trains don’t go where you need them, and of course there are tuk-tuks if you fancy experiencing Bangkok from street level.
Bangkok can feel a touch chaotic. If you’re looking for what to do in Bangkok but want a bit of an escape, you’ve got plenty of options.
Kanchanaburi combines beautiful countryside with the history of the River Kwai, while nearby Erawan National Park is known for its jungle and tiered waterfalls. You can make a long day trip of it, although we think it’s even better with an overnight stay.
Ayutthaya is closer and its atmospheric temple ruins offer a fascinating look at Thailand’s former capital. If you’ve got an extra day to spare, it’s an easy addition to a Bangkok stay.
Bangkok is a year-round destination, but November to March is generally the most comfortable time for sightseeing, with slightly cooler temperatures and lower humidity. April and May can be particularly hot, while the wetter months of September and October bring tropical showers and fewer visitors. Whatever time of year you travel, there’s always plenty going on in the city.
Three to four days is ideal for most first-time visitors, giving you enough time to cover the main Bangkok sightseeing highlights without rushing. Two nights can still work if you’re short on time, although it can be tricky to fit in all the main attractions. An extra day gives you time to explore more of the city or venture out to Ayutthaya.
Thailand multi-centre holidays allow you to combine Bangkok with anywhere you want to visit in Thailand. From simple itineraries like Bangkok and Pattaya to longer journeys combining Thailand’s cities and islands with northern villages and jungle adventures, you can shape the trip around exactly what you want to see. You can even venture into neighbouring countries across Southeast Asia. Anything is possible.
Inspired by the guide? We’ve handpicked a few holidays that bring it to life—perfect for turning travel ideas into reality.
