Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, is renowned for its stunning Buddhist architecture and lively street life. The city seamlessly blends the spirituality of its ancient temples with the energy of bustling markets filled with delicious food stalls and vibrant neighborhoods that contrast with modern skyscrapers and luxurious shopping malls. If you’re wondering what to see in Bangkok, this guide will help you answer that question and uncover the best places to visit.
While many of Bangkok’s most iconic attractions are clustered around the famous Khao San Road, the epicenter for backpackers and travelers, the city offers a wide variety of equally fascinating neighborhoods worth exploring on your first visit. In this guide, I’ll introduce you to the top spots to discover and the must-have experiences you can’t miss in this captivating Asian city.
Where to stay in Bangkok?
Khao San Road, the most famous street of Bangkok
Khao San Road is the backpacker hub of Bangkok and, as such, a bustling hotspot of activity. Located in the Banglamphu neighborhood, the oldest part of Bangkok, it’s an ideal area to stay because it’s close to nearly all the city’s major attractions. The street is packed with shops offering everything from clothing and electronics to custom-made suits, travel agencies, Thai massages, and street food stalls.
Around Khao San street you will find all kinds of hotels. From backpacker hostels for 4-5 euros a night in a dormitory to large hotels with a pool in the attic. If you want to stay in the same Khao San street, I like them better: Dang Derm Khaosan or Dang Derm in the Park and Khao San Palace.
All three have a rooftop with a pool and cost about 20 euros a night. If you don’t want to stay in the same street of Khao San because of the noise, you can stay in Ram Buttri street, the street parallel to Khao San and a little less busy than this one.
What to do and what to see in Bangkok?
1. Enjoy the view of the Golden Mountain (Wat Saket)
Very close to Khao San Road, you’ll find this beautiful temple perched atop a hill. It’s the perfect spot to admire the old quarter of Bangkok from above, with the city’s skyscrapers visible in the distance.
I was pleasantly surprised by the Golden Mount; it turned out to be one of the best temples I’ve discovered in Bangkok. Every time I return to the Thai capital, I make it a point to visit. It’s peaceful, stunning, and ideal for a moment of tranquility in this bustling city.
2. Visit the Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)
Right across the Chao Phraya River, you’ll also find the Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun), arguably the most spectacular temple in Bangkok. The most striking feature of this temple is its Khmer-style spire, which stands 77 meters tall. Surrounding the central spire are four smaller prangs, each decorated similarly and representing the elements: water, earth, air, and fire.
The central tower is adorned with intricate mosaics made of porcelain and ceramic, which reflect sunlight to create a dazzling appearance. The details include figures of Hindu deities and guardians located on the terraces of the main spire. It is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the entrance fee is 50 THB.
3. Visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Another of Bangkok’s most famous and visited temples near Khao San Road is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho). Built in the 17th century, its reclining Buddha statue measures 46 meters long and 15 meters high. Just the feet alone are 5 meters long and 3 meters wide. Covered in gold leaf, it is the largest Buddha statue in the country.
Inside the temple, there are over 90 chedis (or stupas) adorning the grounds, four of which are dedicated to the kings of the Chakri dynasty. Undoubtedly, this is one of those must-see places in Bangkok. The Reclining Buddha is located right next to the Grand Palace in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok. It is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM, and the entrance fee is 200 THB per person, which includes a free bottle of water.
4. Eating/Shopping in Bangkok’s Chinatown
Bangkok’s Chinatown, known as Yaowarat, is one of the city’s most famous and oldest neighborhoods—and even one of the oldest in the world, having been founded in the 18th century. Its vibrant atmosphere stems largely from the fact that nearly the entire neighborhood functions as a vast market, offering all kinds of Chinese products and a wide variety of cuisine, making it one of the liveliest places in Bangkok.
In Chinatown, you’ll find the Wat Mangkon Kamalawat Temple, also known as the Dragon Temple. It is the largest and most important Chinese temple in Bangkok, where visitors can participate in traditional rituals and admire its dragon-adorned architecture. Temples in the area typically open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, while the markets operate from early morning onwards.
5. Go to see the beautiful Wat Traimit
In Chinatown, we also find Wat Traimit: a beautiful and striking temple where the Great Golden Buddha, the most important solid gold statue in the world, is located. The statue is 3 meters high and weighs 5.5 tons.
The statue represents the Buddha in the position of “touching the earth”, a gesture associated with the moment of his enlightenment. This temple is a symbol of purity and prosperity in Thai Buddhism. Open daily from 8:00 to 17:00. Entrance to the temple is free, although the entrance to the Golden Buddha Museum costs 40 THB.
6. Getting around Bangkok by ferry for less than one euro
If you’re staying near Khao San Road, just next to it you can catch a ferry that stops at various neighborhoods in Bangkok. The exact location to board the ferry is Phra Arthit Pier, where ferries depart every half hour, and you can purchase tickets directly at the pier.
Whenever I’m in Bangkok, I make it a point to hop on one of these ferries. I use it to admire Wat Arun from the river, take a stroll through Chinatown, and then finish the day by taking the ferry back to Lumpini Park. If you’re looking for different ferry options, here’s an overview of the three main types of ferries in Bangkok:
- 1. Chao Phraya Express Boat: This is the main and most organized ferry system on the river, with various services identified by colored flags:
- No flag: Stops at all piers, ideal for locals and tourists wanting to explore. (This is my personal favorite.)
- Orange flag: A faster, more frequent service that stops at major tourist piers.
- Yellow flag: An express service for longer trips, mostly used by locals.
- Blue flag: Tourist ferries with English-speaking guides (more expensive).
- 2. Local Ferries: Small ferries that cross the river between specific points. They’re cheap but have limited routes.
- 3. Longtail Boats: While not official ferries, these can be rented for private tours along the river and klongs (canals).
The prices for local ferries usually start at 10 THB per trip. Tourist ferries (blue flag) cost approximately 50-60 THB per trip or 200 THB for an unlimited daily pass. On the other hand, Longtail boats are much more expensive, with prices ranging from 1000-2000 THB, depending on the route.
7. Walk around the Lumpini Park
Lumpini Park is the most famous park in Bangkok, located in the city’s commercial center. It’s a green space surrounded by skyscrapers and shopping malls. Both Thais and foreigners come here to take a walk or exercise. The park features an artificial lake where you can rent boats for a leisurely ride. A fun fact: it’s common to see monitor lizards about a meter long strolling across the grass and near the lake.
The park is named after the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal, Lumbini. On weekends, especially during the high season, free outdoor concerts and other cultural events are often held. The park is open daily from 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
8. Shopping at the JJ Market (Chatuchak Market)
It is the largest street market in all of Thailand, with between 8,000 and 15,000 stalls, covering an area of 14,000 m². Located in the northern part of Bangkok, it’s quite far from the old town. However, it’s definitely worth a visit, especially if it’s your last days in the city and you want to buy clothing, crafts, antiques, souvenirs, and delicious Thai treats. The market is only open on weekends, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
9. Visit a Snake Farm
On one of my first trips to Bangkok, we visited a Snake Farm, and it turned out to be much more amazing than I expected. The official name of the place is Snake Farm (Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute). It is located a bit outside the city center, but the visit was definitely worth it. The entrance fee is 200 baht per person.
We saw cobras, pythons, and all kinds of snakes I couldn’t even classify. They even let us take a photo with a giant python. We were the last ones to take the photo, and the python, already a bit tired, started hissing and giving us a bad look—it was quite a tense moment. Here’s a link where you can find a video and more information about the Snake Farm.
10. Party in Thailand
10.1 Khao San Road
At night, Khao San Road transforms into a street full of bars and nightclubs. The party is guaranteed both inside the bars and out on the street. All you need to do is wander to the beat of the music and stop in front of the liveliest bars. On Khao San Road, they play disco music, while the parallel street of Ram Buttri is quieter, with live music.
Late at night, when almost everything is closed, after a few drinks, and it’s likely you’ll start to get confused, the street fills up with ladyboys and people selling oxygen balloons. You’ll also find plenty of offers for a “ping pong show” (be cautious of those). Additionally, now that marijuana is legal in Thailand, the area is filled with stands offering marijuana jars, joints, and even cookies. But all of this is just part of the nightlife atmosphere here.
10.2 Party at Royal City Avenue (RCA)
Another famous nightlife area in Bangkok is RCA (Royal City Avenue). Located in the Huai Khwang district, this area is completely different from Khao San Road. It’s a street with large nightclubs that stay open much later than the bars on Khao San and offer a lot more glamour.
Many people start their night out on Khao San and then end up at RCA. On the other hand, if you start the party in RCA, the usual thing is to buy an entire bottle among a group of friends and dance the night away until you’re tired or until the club closes.
Next Destination: Trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train
Many people, after exploring Bangkok, head directly to the north of Thailand to visit the city of Chiang Mai. During my first trip to Thailand with friends, after two nights in Bangkok, we took the 10-hour train to Chiang Mai, the city of temples.
In the next post, I will share our experience visiting its temples and the mountain villages of Thailand. Alternatively, if you prefer to visit the incredible beaches of the country, you can head south to Phuket, or to the Gulf of Thailand, where you’ll find Koh Tao, Koh Phangan, and Koh Samui.
I hope this post about What to see in Bangkok has been helpful and that you enjoy this incredible city. Feel free to comment, rate, and/or share before you leave. Subscribe if you’d like to receive updates about travel. If you’re planning a trip to Thailand, you may also find our list of Travel Tips for Thailand useful.
