With so many things to do in Bangkok, it’s no surprise that the bustling city has long been one of the most popular destinations to visit in Thailand. Whether you're after culture, partying, or nature, Bangkok has them all in spades. Just don’t forget to stop along your travels to try local delicacies and some of the most delicious street food in the world. Bangkok has so many cool things to do that trying to whittle down the perfect itinerary can be tough. Our list below makes a great starting point for any trip to Thailand.
Wat Pho
Wat Pho is one of Bangkok’s oldest Thai Buddhist temples, and a trip to Thailand wouldn’t be complete without seeing the country's biggest reclining Buddha, measuring 46m (150 ft). The history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site goes back to King Rama I, the founder of Rattanakosin (modern-day Bangkok). The expansive temple of Wat Pho is the highest grade of the royal-class temples and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. It contains the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand.
See it for yourself on: Bangkok to Chiang Mai Express
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of Asia’s largest open-air marketplaces. It’s estimated that at least 200,000 people visit every weekend. If you can name it, you can probably find it at one of the 15,000-plus stalls spread across a whopping 141,640 sq m (35 acres), from clothing to handicrafts. Also look for local delicacies alongside fresh produce, including the famed — or should we say infamous — durian fruit. Chatuchak is a shopper’s paradise.
Bangkok is just the beginning on: Classic Thailand & Island Hopping - East Coast
Wat Arun
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is one of Thailand’s most iconic landmarks. It towers over large parts of the city skyline at 82m (269 ft) tall. Its size is only a fraction of what makes it so spectacular. Wat Arun is an ideal place to experience an integral part of Thailand’s cultural and religious landscape. One of the biggest draws is that Wat Arun is one of the few temples where visitors are permitted to climb the central spire. Your reward at the top is idyllic views across the modern Bangkok skyline set against the beauty of the Chao Phraya River.
See it for yourself on: Bangkok Day Tour
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace has been the heart of Thailand since 1782, thanks to King Rama I. Although it’s no longer a royal residence, the Grand Palace is still frequently used for royal ceremonies and state functions. This huge building covers 218,400 sq m (2.4 million sq ft) and sprawls across several areas, including the sacred Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).
See it for yourself on: Southeast Asia Encompassed
Jim Thompson House
Who is Jim Thompson, you ask? This American architect and businessman was an influential figure in Thailand’s silk industry in the 1950s and '60s. His house in Bangkok became the talk of the town when he built it because it combined Thai design with Thompson’s personal architectural flair. In 1967, Thompson vanished, and his house remained untouched, filled with an extensive art collection, priceless artifacts from across Southeast Asia, and his personal belongings. Rather than being left abandoned, the house was turned into a museum and art centre.
See it for yourself on: Northern Thailand: Hilltribes & Villages
Banglamphu and Khao San Road
As the former home of the aristocracy, the Banglamphu neighbourhood is a juxtaposition of Bangkok's past life with newer imports catering to tourists. This contrast is in no small part thanks to the popularity of Khao San Road, the most famous street in Bangkok. Everyone from first-time travellers to Bangkok residents parties the night (and day) away on this hedonistic strip. Its most popular time is during the traditional Thai New Year. Khao San has lots of places to dance, stay overnight, and shop, whether that's for books, clothing, paintings, or fresh fruit. Save space (and baht) for some of Bangkok’s best street food in Banglamphu.
Experience it for yourself on: Thailand, Laos & Vietnam Adventure
ASAI Bangkok Chinatown
ASAI Bangkok Chinatown is a lifestyle hotel in Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown neighbourhood, and it offers a lot more than immaculately designed rooms with delightful views. Amenities include a fully equipped gym, multiple coworking spaces, a botanical garden, and Jam Jam Eatery and Bar, which offers community-style dining that combines the best of Thai and Chinese cuisine for a contemporary culinary experience.
Flower Market Bangkok
Pak Khlong Talad is Bangkok’s main flower market, and it has symbolic importance because of the ritual significance of flowers in Thailand. You're just as likely to be enthralled by watching people prepare sacred offerings as you are by the variety of blooms on offer. What makes Flower Market Bangkok one of the nicest things to do in the Thai capital is that it is open 24 hours a day and conveniently located within the city. If you’re struggling with jet lag, Pak Khlong Talad is a low-intensity activity that you can access easily at any time.
See it for yourself on: Bangkok Day Tour
National Museum Bangkok
National Museum Bangkok (Phranakorn) is the ideal cultural spot to visit in the capital, and its walls are just as historically significant as the artifacts they contain. The museum started life as a royal residence for five viceroys. The mansion became vacant only when King Rama V got rid of the viceroy position in 1874 and ordered that ancient artifacts and antiques that had previously been displayed at the Grand Palace be moved to the mansion. National Museum Bangkok is the perfect place to start to understand Thai history in one location.
See it for yourself on: Journeys: Iconic Thailand
Rajadamnern Stadium
Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport, and the age of the practitioners ranges from children to the elderly. The pinnacle of Muay Thai in Thailand can be found in Rajadamnern Stadium, where you can see the traditional art practiced at the highest levels several nights a week. Muay Thai is so much more than just a fight. The practice is steeped in tradition, such as the Wai Kru Ram Muay ritual, in which fighters honour their teachers, parents, and ancestors before a fight.
Tingly Thai Cooking School
Don’t just taste Thai food while you’re in Bangkok — learn to make it the authentic way. You won't learn the entirety of Thai cooking secrets in a day, but Tingly Thai Cooking School will get you started. Learn how to make a four-course Thai feast from scratch, starting with a trip to the market with a chef to get hands-on with fresh Thai produce.
Lumpini Park
Lumpini Park is a giant haven in the middle of Bangkok, offering a slower and relaxed pace. As one of the city's biggest green spaces, it is a popular spot with residents of all ages, who show up for exercise and dance classes and tai chi. Join them or get your cardio in on a scenic route around the park. If you prefer to keep your day a little more leisurely, rent a rowboat or paddleboat and see the park from a watery perspective. Lumpini Park is also a great spot for birders because more than 30 species of feathery friends call the park home.
100 Tonson Foundation
The 100 Tonson Foundation has been a pioneering space for Thai contemporary art for more than 20 years. It was one of the first Southeast Asian galleries to exhibit at Art Basel in Switzerland, and in 2015, it became a nonprofit offering exhibition space to homegrown talent. With strong links to the international art community, the 100 Tonson Foundation provides crucial opportunities to Thai artists and frequently collaborates with international partners to increase the global exposure of Thai art.
Khlong Riverboat Tour
There’s no better way to experience the Chao Phraya River and explore Bangkok than jumping aboard a khlong riverboat tour. Khlongs are canals, and they run throughout the city, making travel by boat one of the best ways to see Bangkok, particularly its architecture. You’ll see parts of Bangkok you’d likely never otherwise visit and get up close with the nature hidden in the city. Along the khlongs are many traditionally built river houses, so you can watch daily life happen as you glide by.
See it for yourself on: Bangkok Day Tour
