13° 45′ N, 100° 29′ E
Overview
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1. Wat Arun
Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, is a gorgeous 75-meter-high Buddhist temple. It is located on the edge of the Chao Phraya River, opposite to the Grand Palace. You can easily take a ferry to cross the river to get to Wat Arun. Due to its size and location, it is very hard to miss from the opposite side of the river.
The facade of the temple is beautifully decorated with little tiles, reflect the sunlight. You can climb to the top, from where you have a beautiful view of the river and the city. It is one of the most beautiful and unique temples in Bangkok.
Practical
The entrance fee for Wat Arun is 100 THB.
Daily open from 08:00 am until 06:00 pm
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2. China Town
Bangkok is home to one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world. It is a bustling district full of cultural experiences, delicious cuisine, and lively street scenes. You will find street food, restaurants, shops, souvenirs, and knick-knacks as if you were walking through Ali Express.
Not only is it one of the places with the cheapest food, but it is also very delicious. You can wander through the small streets and lanes, and try different local dishes.
Fun fact: Did you know that Bangkok is the city with the longest name in the world? ‘With only 7 letters?’ we hear you think.
Well, actually this is the official name of Bangkok:
“Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit”
We prefer to stick to Bangkok.
3. Co Van Kessel Bike tour - Off the beaten path Activity in Bangkok!
One of our favorite and more off-the-beaten path activities in Bangkok is exploring the city during a bike tour of Co Van Kessel. Their tours take you through the smaller back alleys and lesser-known places and temples of the city. They offer tours of different durations, sometimes in combination with boat trips, but also boat trips in themselves, walking tours and so many more interesting tours!
We enjoyed the classic 3-hour bike tour and thought it was an amazing experience and unique way to explore Bangkok when visiting for the first time.
4. Grand Palace
The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and has been the official residence of the Thai kings for generations. Today it is still the official residence of the king, although he no longer lives here. It is one of Thailand’s most iconic sights and is definitely a must-visit in Bangkok. Inside the palace grounds, you will not find just one big building, but rather multiple smaller buildings, including the famous Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Tip: Make sure to cover your legs, shoulders and belly. If you are not wearing appropriate clothes, you can always rent pants or a shirt at the palace.
Practical
The entrance fee for the Grand Palace is 500 THB.
Daily open from 08:30 am until 03:30 pm
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5. Khao San Road
Khao San Road (along with Soi Rambuttri) is one of the liveliest places in Bangkok and the place to be for budget backpackers. Because it is such a famous place that attracts many tourists and backpackers, it is also full of tourist traps and hawkers.
6. Boat tour through the Klongs - Must do in Bangkok!
Bangkok is often seen as the ‘Venice of the East’. This is due to the big network of big and smaller canals, also known as the Klongs, that run through the city. There is a lot to see along these canals, such as the daily life of the Thai people of Bangkok, as well as the gigantic water monitors. During a long-tail boat tour, you get the chance to discover Bangkok’s fascinating waterfront life along the Klongs.
Thailand
7. Wat Pho
Wat Pho is without a doubt Bangkok’s most popular temple. It is home to one of the world’s oldest and most impressive reclining Buddhas. That is why the temple is also known as the temple of the reclining Buddha. The statue was built in 1832 and it is 46 meters long and 15 meters tall.
On the temple grounds, you will not only find the reclining Buddha, but also tons of statues, courtyards, temples, murals, and sculptures.
Since it is one of the most famous places in Bangkok, it can get quite busy. We therefore recommend that you visit as early as possible to be able to explore the temple at your leisure.
Practical
The entrance fee for the Wat Pho temple is 200 THB.
Daily open from 08:00 am until 06:30 pm
8. Cruise around in a Tuk-tuk
Although Tuk-tuks are not the best way to get around in the city (as they are a bit expensive), you should have had the experience of a tuk-tuk ride at least once in Bangkok. Hop into one of these iconic, kitschly decorated, three-wheeled vehicles and let yourself slalom through busy Bangkok traffic.
Tip: Don’t forget to negotiate the price well and agree on the price before you get in. Never agree to a far too high price; just go to the next tuk-tuk driver then.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Bangkok and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok
via Booking.com
9. Flower Market
The Flower Market, also known as Pak Khlong Talat, is a flower market at the north end of Chinatown. It is the biggest Flower Market in Bangkok. You will not only find flowers there, but also vegetables and fruit.
Note: Don’t smell the flowers! These flowers are meant for sacrifices and the scent is for Buddha. As soon as you smell a flower, you take away the best and the flower no longer has any value.
10. Wat Traimit - Golden Buddha
If you’re not done seeing Buddhas yet, you should definitely visit Wat Traimit on your first time in Bangkok. This temple is home to the largest solid gold Buddha statue in the world, weighing over five tons.
Practical
The entrance fee for the Wat Traimit temple is 100 THB.
Daily open from 08:00 am until 05:00 pm
11. Try the local cuisine
So, plenty of choice to taste and eat different things. If you would like to fully immerse yourself in the food of Bangkok, you should definitely consider taking a food tour.
12. Sunset at a rooftop bar
Bangkok is home to and known for its many spectacular rooftop bars. You can sip cocktails on top of a skyscraper while watching the sun set behind the impressive skyline of the city.
Not only during sunset but also during the day or in the evening, it is worthwhile to enjoy a beautiful 360° view from one of the rooftop bars.
Keep in mind that some rooftop bars have a dress code and require a reservation.
Two bars that we can recommend are Above Eleven and Belga Rooftop Bar (this might be biased as we are Belgians).
13. Get a Thai massage
In Bangkok you have the chance to enjoy, or at least experience, a real Thai massage for only a small price. During such a Thai massage, your body and muscles are stretched, pulled, and forced into different positions and it can be quite tough. There is a good chance that you will leave the massage table in more pain than when you arrived. If you would like to experience a real Thai massage, be sure to ask the masseuse to be gentle.
Not sure if you can handle this? Don’t worry, you can also choose to get a traditional oil massage for the same price, which might help you relax that little bit more.
14. Lumpini Park
Lumpini Park is the first public park in Bangkok. You can escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while and enjoy doing outdoor leisure activities such as exercising, doing Tai Chi, playing games and music, learning social dancing, and reading books. You get a bit of Central Park vibes like in New York. Keep an eye open during a relaxing nap, because there is a chance that you will encounter large water monitors here.
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14. Maeklong Railway Market - Day Trip
The Maeklong Railway market is a very unique market by the railway near Mae Klong Railway Station. At this market, you can buy seafood, vegetables, fruits, fresh and dried food, souvenirs and so much more. However, that’s not what makes this market so unique; Eight times a day, when the signal of the arriving train rings, the vendors have to rush to retract their goods and close their umbrellas to allow the train to pass.
This is also why it is called the umbrella market. The train moves very slowly through the market, passing just a few centimeters from the stalls and spectators. As soon as the train has passed, they reinstall everything again in just a few seconds, as if nothing has happened. It is a very touristy but also unique thing to see near Bangkok.
The train market is located an hour and a half drive from central Bangkok, so it is easiest to visit it on an organized tour. During such a tour, you often also visit other interesting places such as the floating market. We had a tour where we also rode the train that passed through the market. Definitely fun to be part of the attraction!
15. Floating Market - Day Trip
Thailand is known for its bustling floating markets and you will find multiple of them in Bangkok. Even though it is quite touristy, we think it is something that is part of the Thailand culture and that you should therefore definitely visit one. A local will paddle you around in a small wooden boat (or with a motorized long-tail boat, which we think is less pleasant), passing by the the shops on and along the canals. The vendors sell different kinds of goods such as souvenirs, food and flowers. Don’t expect a calming boat ride, as the markets are chaotic and a lot is going on.
In the city, Thaling Chan and Khlong Lat Mayom are the two main and most popular floating markets. These markets are only open on Saturday and Sunday mornings. A market a bit further from the center of Bangkok is the iconic Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. You can easily visit this market on a guided tour from Bangkok, combining a visit to the Maeklong Railway Market. If you visit on your own, we advise you to go as early as possible to beat the crowds.
16. Ayutthaya - Day Trip
Ayutthaya is another great day trip from Bangkok. This ancient city was founded in 1350 and was the second capital of Thailand, after Sukhothai and before Bangkok. In 1767, the city was attacked by the Burmese army, who burned the city to the ground and forced the inhabitants to abandon the city. As a result, the city was completely destroyed and only ruins of temples and palaces remained. In 1991, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s now a very interesting place to visit on a day trip from Bangkok.
You can easily visit Ayutthaya by yourself by train, or you can join a full-day tour from Bangkok.
Practical Information
Best time to visit Bangkok
Generally, Thailand knows 3 seasons: wet season (May to October/November), cool season (November to February), and hot season (March to May).
Therefore, the best time to visit Thailand is between November and March, during the cool season, when the temperatures are cooler to explore and there’s less rain. Know that this period is also high tourist season, so you can expect bigger crowds and higher prices.
How to get to Bangkok
Bangkok has two international airports, the main airport Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. Bangkok is a gateway city to South East Asia and many direct flights are arriving from major cities around the world. So, flying to Bangkok is very simple.
It is also possible to get to Bangkok by bus or train from other places in Thailand, as well as from Malaysia and Singapore.
How to get around in Bangkok
There are plenty of options to get around in Bangkok. The easiest and cheapest way to see the city is by BTS Skytrain, metro, Gojek or Grab, depending on where you want to go to. It is also fun to explore Bangkok on foot and stroll through the smaller streets.
Regular taxis are often much more expensive, you have to bargain for the price and you risk being scammed or ripped of. The same actually applies to tuktuks, although we believe that you should have had the experience of riding a tuktuk at least once in Bangkok. So, it is certainly not the best option to get around the city, but if you do go for that one ride, negotiate the price well. Never agree to a far too high price; just go to the next tuk-tuk driver then.
Where to Stay in Bangkok
There are a few neighborhoods that are great to stay in for your first time in Bangkok. Sukhumvit has most of the luxury hotels and shopping malls, plus a vibrant nightlife. Bangkok Old Town is a more historical experience and is within walking distance of most of the major tourist attractions. Pratunam has affordable hotels and Khao San Road is best for backpackers and budget travelers.
Hotels
Find the best places to stay in Bangkok and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok
via Booking.com
How many days for Bangkok
With so many awesome things to do in and around Bangkok, you can easily spend weeks in this city. We’d recommend to stay at least 3-5 days to see the top sights. To visit all the highlights in the city center of Bangkok, you need around 3 days. However, if you plan to go on one or more day trips to, for example, the train or floating markets, you might need an extra day or 2.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
