Bangkok is one of the most visited cities on the planet with amazing tourist attractions and places to visit.
There really are hundreds of things to do in Bangkok, and the first time visiting this city can be a really special experience especially if you have never been to Asia before.
Bangkok is home to more than 400 temples, palaces, bustling markets, huge shopping centres and some of the best restaurants in the world.
Whether you have a connection flight, or are looking to visit Thailand, Bangkok is a great city to spend at least a few days exploring.
Bangkok Travel Essentials
• Search flights to Bangkok on Skyscanner
• Find accommodation on Booking.com
• Book sightseeing tours & activities on GetYourGuide
• Browse small group tours to Thailand with G Adventures
15 Best Things To Do in Bangkok
To help make your trip to Bangkok memorable, check out our guide including some of the essential things you shouldn’t miss.
1. Mahanakhon SkyWalk
The Mahanakhon SkyWalk is one of Bangkok’s newest tourist attractions and it is also one of the most impressive.
Located at the top of Thailand’s tallest building, King Power Mahanakhon, it’s a 310-meter (1,030 feet) above ground observation deck offering incredible views over the Bangkok skyline (as seen in the main feature image of this article).
If you are looking for a thrill and aren’t scared of heights, you can walk or even lay down over the glass bottom floor and see the busy streets of Bangkok below!
There is also an indoor observation deck and a rooftop bar, the highest in Bangkok.
2. Marvel at the Grand Palace and Wat Prakeaw
The Grand Palace is one of the most visited attractions in Bangkok and it is a really must visit destination. The Palace was constructed in 1782 and this is where the King of Thailand once lived. The grounds are huge, covering an area of over 214,000 sq. meters and there are more than 100 buildings and pavilions.
The Grand Palace is without doubt one of the prettiest buildings in Bangkok, and the colourful well looked after gardens are very beautiful. Be sure to stop by the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a royal chapel where you can see a jade statue of Buddha which was found in 1434. This statue is of great importance to local people.
The Palace is open everyday and the entrance fee is 500 Thai baht. An audio guide is also available for an extra 200 baht.
3. See The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
Wat Pho is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand, and also one of the most unique.
Wat Pho is the home of the Reclining Buddha, a 15 metres tall and 45 metres long statue which is covered in gold leaf. Be sure to check out the soles of the Buddha too, you’ll see pearls and decorated symbols which are very impressive.
This is one of the most magical temples you can see in Asia and it looks even more impressive up close. The temple grounds and architecture is very scenic and relaxing to walk around too.
The entry ticket to see Wat Pho is 200 Baht and most visits last around one hour.
4. Ride a Tuk Tuk
There are lots of ways to get around Bangkok including taxi, bus and the modern reliable Sky Train. But one of the most fun ways to navigate the streets and see more of Thailand’s capital is via Tuk Tuk.
Tuk Tuk’s are a fast car/bike hybrid form of transport allowing you to get from place to place quickly.
You can even pay drivers to take you on sightseeing tours of the city, they will wait whilst you go check out the attractions.
Top tip – always agree a price with Tuk Tuk drivers in-advance to avoid getting ripped off.
5. Boat Trip Down the Chao Phraya River
The Chai Phraya River flows through the centre of Bangkok, and as well as being a relaxing destination for tourists, thousands of locals still use the river ferries to get to work everyday.
Taking a boat trip is a great way to see Bangkok from a different perspective, and get really amazing skyline tourist photos. You can also see some of the new high rise apartments and luxury hotels in Bangkok which over look the river.
If you are on a budget you can take the local river taxi which local people use, or there are lots of tourist rides and more luxurious cruises available.
6. Get Awestruck at Wat Arun
There are thousands of Buddhist temples in Thailand and one you really need to see is Wat Arun, located on the Chao Phraya River. Wat Arun is named after Aruna, the God of Dawn and it is really beautiful when seen up close.
This temple is 79 metres tall and is covered in ceramic tiles and coloured porcelain. At night the temple is lit up and is one of the most iconic places on the Bangkok skyline.
To get to Wat Arun, you can take a boat shuttle that drops you off right in front of the entrance – this adds to the experience. Wat Arun is open daily and the entrance fee is 50 Baht.
7. Barter for Goods at Chatuchak Market
Bangkok has absolutely tons of markets and shopping centres, and Chatuchak Market held every weekend is one of the biggest. This market has over 10,000 stalls and is one of the largest markets in Asia attracting thousands of visitors every day. It is so big that on entry you are given a map!
Whether you are shopping for food, tourist souvenirs, clothes, jewellery, shoes, sunglasses, or just random items, you will find it here. Prices are very affordable too as the market is very local.
Chatuchak Market is quite far from Bangkok city centre and taxi prices can be high. A cheaper alternative way to get there which is also the fastest, is to take the metro and get off at the Chatuchak Park station.
8. Lumpini Park
Bangkok is a huge sprawling city with skyscrapers for miles around. Sometimes its good to just take a step back and unwind to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and Lumpini Park is one of the best places to go.
Lumpini Park is over 500,000 sq. meters of green space where you can see locals enjoying some down time, exercising, practising Thai Chi or playing games. The park isn’t very touristy and offers a great way to experience the local way of life.
9. Nightlife on the Khao San Road
The Khao San Road is a really lively tourist street with bars, clubs, shops and accommodation. There are lots of affordable hotels and hostels here, and it is a really popular area to stay with backpackers.
Whether you are looking to buy souvenirs, eat, watch live sport or party, a visit to the Khao San Road is an experience both during day and night.
The Khao San Road gets very lively at night, with bars and clubs offering cheap drinks and pumping out music till the early hours.
The experience of visitng the Khao San Road can be a little overwhelming for some, but the surrounding streets are quieter and there are even scenic temples to visit nearby.
10. Watch Kickboxing (Muay Thai)
Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and a passion for people. You can see live events throughout Bangkok with some of the biggest fights usually take place at the Lumpini or Ratchadamnoen stadiums. The atmosphere watching a Muay Thai live is a special experience, although the fighting itself can be quite brutal.
11. Go Shopping at Siam Paragon
There are so many shopping malls in Bangkok including MBK Mall,
But our top recommendation if you have to choose just one would be to visit Siam Paragon. Spread over 5 floors, this is one of the largest shopping malls in Thailand.
Here you can find over 250 shops with local and international fashion brands. There is also a 16-screen Cineplex and restaurants and foot outlets where you can sample international cuisine.
Siam Paragon is centrally located in front of the Siam BTS Skytrain station and is open everyday 10.00am – 10.00pm.
12. Treat Yourself to a Rooftop Restaurant
Bangkok is one of the best cities in the world when it comes to cuisine. You can find some of the tastiest food in Asia here, and some of the dining settings are amazing.
Bangkok has lots of rooftop bars and restaurants which have spectacular views of the Bangkok skyline. Prices can be at a premium, but this experience really is worth it to get a totally unique view of the amazing Bangkok skyline.
If you have ever watched the film, The Hangover, you might want to visit Vertigo Bar and Restaurant at the Baynon Street Hotel, which was where one of the most famous scenes in the film was shot. This is one of the most amazing restaurants in the world.
13. Enjoy a Thai Massage
You can’t leave Bangkok without having a Thai massage, this country is where this technique was started and mastered. These massages are famous the world over, and can be booked throughout the city. It will help you to feel invigorated and relaxed, which is much needed in a city so hectic.
14. Authentic Floating Markets
Looking for a taste of “old Thailand”? Take a 30-mile journey outside of Bangkok to the town of Amphawa to get a real sense of how the locals spend their weekends. Approximately 200 boats gather around the canal for the occasion. The vendors will cook you up fresh grilled seafood and tasty noodles straight from their boat which you can feast on by the tranquil Amphawa canal.
TOP TIPS: The weekend markets run from midday to around 8:30pm so don’t worry about missing out if you’re travelling from Bangkok. Although the market runs all weekend, definitely visit on a Friday when there are less crowds. Amphawa also has a fascinating museum of delicious Thai desserts that you can get to by boat – yum!
15. Explore Ancient Ayutthaya
Just outside of Bangkok lies Ayutthaya, the Kingdom’s ancient former capital. Founded in 1350 by King Ramathibodi, Ayutthaya quickly became one of the world’s most impressive cities with its grand architecture and culture.
It maintained its position as the capital for over 400 years until the Burmese invasion which caused destruction to its many palaces and temples. Many ruins still remain today and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1981.
Don’t leave Ayutthaya without seeing the 600-year-old Wat Panan Choeng. Another Temple? Yes, but sheer size of the 3 metre statue of the Golden Buddha makes the journey worthwhile.
TOP TIP: Travelling here from Bangkok can be a fun experience as most tours will take you on Thailand’s historic highway, the Chao Phraya River with a return by bus.
Bangkok Travel Tips
Here are some things to know before travelling to Bangkok.
Best Time to Visit Bangkok
There is no best time to visit Bangkok, this city is great to see all year round although if you can, try to plan a trip during April when the traditional Thai New Year festival of Songkran is celebrated. Expect huge street water fights and local people having a lot of fun. There aren’t many better places than Bangkok to experience this festival!
Cultural Sensitivities
Thai people are among some of the friendliest in the world and you will need to read up on cultural normals before arriving. When visiting temples and palaces you will need to dress respectfully and appropriate. Legs and shoulders must be covered.
What Not to Do in Bangkok
Some things to avoid in Bangkok include places like the Soi Cowboy and Patpong, both extremely seedy areas with sex shows and exploitation. These areas are popular with tourists, but they are also quite shocking and eye opening places to visit especially when you see very scantily clad women being admired by old foreign men.
Safety
Bangkok is a very safe city and tourists are very respected, the chances of being a victim of crime are slim. Like in any big city you will need to be aware of pickpockets and pay attention to your belongings at all times. There are several tourist scams to be aware of, just be weary of people offering you things in tourist hotspots and with taxis, tuk tuks and tourism services, always agree specific prices before to avoid any nasty surprises.
Some travel guides to Bangkok feature 50-100+ things to do, but if it is your first time in the city you will likely only have a few days free to go sightseeing so our top picks are some of the most popular destinations you really need to see.
If you do have more time in Bangkok other places you might want to add to your itinerary include the Erawan Shrine, National Museum of Thailand, Baiyoke Sky Tower, Elephant Tower, the Museum of Siam, Jim Thompson House, the former royal residence of Vimanmek Mansion, Chinatown, watching a live Puppet Show or visit an elephant sanctuary.
Go explore Bangkok for yourself, this city is one of the places you have to go in South East Asia and before departing check out our essential Thai phrases for tourists to impress the locals!
