Things to do in Bangkok: the essentials

The best time to visit Bangkok is the cool season, from November to February, when temperatures are more pleasant (25-30°C) and humidity is low. This is the high tourist season, so expect bigger crowds and higher prices.

If you'd rather have fewer tourists and lower prices, consider the rainy season, from July to October, although rain is frequent and it's extremely humid.

The hot season, from March to June, brings very high temperatures and therefore fewer tourists, but the heat is pretty extreme.

To find out how to get from the airport to the city, here's a guide with every possible transfer.

Bangkok has plenty of ways to get around: tuk-tuk, metro, Skytrain (BTS), bus, taxi and Grab/Bolt (Asia's Uber). If you're heading to areas near the river or staying close to it, the boat is a good option, and you can find the piers on Google Maps. It's a very cheap, quick way to get from one side of the river to the other, and we used it quite a lot.

You can see much of the city on foot, but some areas are a long way out. For us, the best way to get around was the Skytrain and Grab, since the prices are very reasonable.

Keep in mind that taxis in Asia generally don't use a meter: you agree on the price beforehand. Since they know you're a tourist, they tend to inflate it quite a bit. That's why Grab is the best option for us, because it's very transparent. You can also check the price on Grab to see what a taxi or tuk-tuk should charge, and then negotiate. Contrary to popular belief, tuk-tuks are usually more expensive than taxis.

1. Bangkok's Grand Palace

This first stop is non-negotiable on any visit to Bangkok. It was built in 1792, after Thailand's capital moved to Bangkok, and it was the royal family's official residence until the mid-20th century.

Nobody walks away from this architectural complex unmoved. It covers 200,000 square meters and is made up of several temples (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha among them), a museum, the former royal residence and gardens. A walled mini city.

The dress code is very strict. Women and men alike must have their shoulders and knees covered. Careful: sometimes they won't let you in even with a scarf over your shoulders.

• Price: 500 baht
• Hours: 8:30 to 15:30

TIP: This is one of the most touristy spots in Bangkok, so avoid midday. Go first thing in the morning or close to closing time.

If you'd like a guided tour of the palace in Spanish, we suggest booking here.

2. Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Another essential stop, close to the Grand Palace, is Wat Pho, home to the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand. It's 46 meters long and 25 meters high, and it's covered in gold.

Beyond the Reclining Buddha, the temple grounds are quite large, with stupas full of detail. It's a beautiful temple!

Prices:

• Price: 300 baht
• Hours: 8:30 to 18:30

3. Wat Arun

To get here, you'll need to take a public boat across the Chao Phraya River from Tha Tien Pier. It costs 4 baht (US$0.10) and takes 5 minutes. It's the cheapest, most local and fastest way to get there. Otherwise, you can take a Grab or a tuk-tuk.

This is one of Bangkok's main Buddhist temples. Its name means Temple of the Dawn, or Temple of Sunrise. Its central tower stands over 75 meters tall, which is really something to see. The temple's beauty lies in its decoration: the mosaics of Chinese porcelain and seashells. It's one of our favorite temples in Bangkok.

During its construction in 1650, the King of Thailand called on citizens to donate their broken ceramics for the temple. Much of it came from merchant ships that used Chinese ceramic plates as ballast. The king beat the idea of recycling by several centuries.

Prices:

• Price: 100 baht
• Hours: 8:30 to 17:30

Next to Wat Arun there's another temple with free entry that's usually empty. We recommend taking a look around, because it's really nice too! We couldn't find the temple's name (on Google it's in Thai), so here's the location.

Tip: Visit them a little before sunset, then cross to the other side of the river to watch the sun go down over the temple and see how pretty it looks lit up.

4. Browse the Pak Khlong flower market

Near Tha Tien Pier is the Pak Khlong flower market. You'll find all kinds of flowers and get to watch people making the famous flower garlands that Buddhists use as offerings. It's a different kind of outing in Bangkok. Ideally, go very early and see the locals doing their shopping.

Across from it there's another market, this one for food, that's also worth a stop.

5. Chinatown

Bangkok's Chinatown is an authentic kind of chaos that's still very much alive. This old neighborhood, with its two main streets, Charoen Krung and Yaowarat Road, is completely different by day and by night, so it's worth going at different times.

Before the sun goes down, wander through the bustling Sampeng clothing market and step into a Chinese Buddhist temple such as Mangkon Kamalawat Temple. When night falls, the vibe changes: street food stalls take over, and the lights of the restaurants and the headlights of the tuk-tuks light up everything.

It's worth getting lost in Chinatown for a while to discover this other side of Bangkok. If you want to learn more about the neighborhood's history and not miss anything fun, you can book a free walking tour of Chinatown in Spanish.

6. Have fun on Khao San Road and Soi Rambuttri

One night out you can't miss is the markets and nightlife of Khao San Road, a street full of bars, food stalls, shops and even vendors selling fried scorpions. The atmosphere is great for a fun night.

Soi Rambuttri is the street running parallel to Khao San. It's a little quieter and has more restaurants.

Tip: This is the quintessential backpacker area, with lots of cheap places to stay.

7. Wat Benchamabophit

Another temple to visit is Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple. As you've surely figured out by now, the word "wat" means temple in Thai.

It's on the outskirts of Bangkok's old town and, since it isn't well known (yet), you'll probably be one of only a few people there. It was built with Italian marble. Inside, the temple mixes traditional Thai elements with touches of the European palaces of the time.

• Price: 50 baht
• Hours: from 6am

8. Floating markets

The whole city of Bangkok is connected by canals, which is why it has several floating markets. Visiting them is about as authentic as it gets: you see people cooking on boats and moving from one spot to another to buy all kinds of products. The most famous are Damnoen Saduak, Taling Chan and Khlong Lat Mayom.

Damnoen Saduak: It's 80 km from the city. This is the most famous one in the country, and therefore the most touristy. If you're after authenticity, it's probably not the best one to visit. The upside of being the most touristy is that many tours also include Mae Klong Market (the one on the train tracks) on the same day. We recommend getting to the floating market as early as you can to avoid the tourists. Here's where you can book the tour of both markets in advance.

Taling Chan: Unlike the previous one, this market is only 20 minutes by taxi (or Grab) from central Bangkok. It's a good option if you don't have much time. It's also a little less touristy than Damnoen Saduak, and you get a much better sense of local life. It's only open on weekends, from 8:00 to 18:00.

Khlong Lat Mayom: It's 20 kilometers from the capital and one of the best floating markets in Bangkok. It's small and far more authentic. It's open every day from 7:00 to 17:00. If you're planning to visit Chatuchak Market, it's a good one to combine on the same day.

9. Mae Klong Market

Mae Klong Market is famous because the railway runs right through it. The market sits on the tracks themselves, and the vendors have to pack up their stalls every time a train comes through. The train passes 8 times a day: 6:20, 8:30, 9:00, 11:10, 11:30, 14:30, 15:30 and 17:40.

The market is 90 km from the city. You can go on a tour that combines Mae Klong Market with the Damnoen Saduak floating market. You can book it here.

If you can, we recommend going to see the morning trains, when locals are at the market doing their shopping. We went at midday and there weren't many locals left, just tourists lining the tracks, cameras in hand.

10. The Siam area and its huge malls

Bangkok is one of the cities with the most skyscrapers. This more modern Bangkok is in the Siam, Silom and Sukhumvit areas.

It also has some spectacular malls, like Siam Paragon (luxury brands), Central World (more affordable brands) and MBK (knockoffs of every kind).

11. Wat Ratchabophit

This temple wasn't on our itinerary. We came across it on the way back to the hostel from the flower market. As you can see, when we get lost and stray from the planned route, we can stumble on incredible places! That's what we like most about Bangkok: there are things to discover in every corner of the city.

We loved it, and we had it all to ourselves. After doing a little more research, we found out that it's where the ashes of the Thai royal family are still kept, so it holds great significance in the country's history.

12. Escape the chaos for a while in Lumphini Park or Chatuchak Park

After a whole day walking around this chaotic city, what could be better than escaping to a park for a while and enjoying a bit of peace and quiet? Bangkok has several, including Lumphini, in the modern part of town, and Chatuchak, near Chatuchak Market.

13. Chatuchak Market

This is one of the biggest markets in Bangkok, and it's only open on weekends. It's on the outskirts of the city, but it's easy to reach by BTS (Mo Chit stop) or Grab. Its more than 10,000 stalls sell EVERYTHING: clothes, accessories, electronics, souvenirs and more.

The market from the other day

14. Wander the little streets of Talat Noi

It's considered one of Bangkok's oldest neighborhoods. Talat Noi is a corner of the city that blends a rich Portuguese and Chinese heritage.

With streets full of life and color, this old neighborhood on the banks of the Chao Phraya River is ideal for getting lost in its streets and alleyways, where you'll find everything from auto parts shops to modern cafés and vibrant street art. You can also visit the So Heng Tai mansion, an architectural gem that blends Chinese and Thai influences, a testament to 20th-century opulence.

15. Jim Thompson House

The Jim Thompson House is a fascinating museum in the heart of Bangkok. Jim Thompson, an American businessman with a passion for Thai silk, built the house in the 1950s with the aim of preserving traditional Thai architecture. Surrounded by a lush garden, it holds an impressive collection of Asian art and antiques.

You can walk through the well-preserved rooms and learn about the life and mysterious fate of Thompson, who disappeared in Malaysia in 1967.

• Price: 200 baht
• Hours: 10:00 to 17:00

16. Visit a rooftop in Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of contrasts, where modern skyscrapers sit alongside traditional old houses. Many of the skyscrapers have rooftops with bars and restaurants where you can go to enjoy the sunset.

Some of the city's most famous viewpoints are:

• Mahanakhon: This observation deck on the 78th floor, 314 meters (1,030 ft) up, offers 360-degree panoramic views of the city. It has a glass floor, and the building's architecture, shaped like glass boxes, is truly striking. You can buy your ticket here.
• Baiyoke Tower: Home to the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia, it offers panoramic views of the whole city from its 84th floor. It's open from 10:00 until 02:00. You can buy your ticket here.
• Sirocco: Famous for appearing in the movie The Hangover, this restaurant stands out for its spectacular open-air terrace at the Lebua at State Tower Hotel. There's a dress code.
• Vertigo: On the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel, it offers impressive views of Bangkok from its open-air terrace.

Or why not a specialty coffee with an incredible view at %Arabica in the Empire Tower? Here's the location and hours.

17. Srinakarin Train Night Market, or Train Market

Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin, known as the Train Market, is an open-air night market in Bangkok. It's a bit far from the center, but it's worth exploring to get away from the hustle and bustle. At Srinakarin Soi 51, near the Seacon Square mall, it has a unique atmosphere, with lively venues on weekends.

This huge market stands out for its great atmosphere, with open-air bars, live music, vintage clothes and food options.

• Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 17:00 to 1:00

18. Wat Samphran temple

This is the famous 17-story pink building with a dragon coiled around its whole structure, its head crowning the top. It's a sort of monastery where nuns live. On weekends, the nuns usually open the door to the upper floors so you can go up. Otherwise, you can only visit the ground floor.

How do you get to Wat Samphran? It's on the outskirts of Bangkok, in Sam Phran District, 40 km from the center. The easiest way is by taxi or Grab. You can also take one of the minivans that leave from the minivan station on Pinklao Road.

The temple's entrance is exactly here.

19. Day trip to Ayutthaya

Seeing the temples of Ayutthaya is essential on any trip through Thailand. In its day, it was considered the most spectacular city on earth. In the 16th century, the kingdom stretched beyond what is now Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. It was a regional power for 417 years.

It's 1 hour from Bangkok, so you can go and come back the same day, or spend the night there. We stayed overnight in Ayutthaya so we could take the bus to Chiang Mai the next day, and we were lucky enough to catch a night market that evening, packed with little food stalls and with a great atmosphere! If you don't have much time, you can go on a day trip, which you can book here.

See everything you can do in Ayutthaya here

20. Erawan Falls

This is a national park 265 km from Bangkok. The falls are made up of 7 different tiers. In total, it's a 2 km (1.2 mile) walk, surrounded by trees and vines, to reach the last tier. We loved this national park: the color of the water in the falls, the nature. We recommend it 100%.

If you're short on time, the best thing is to go on an organized tour from Bangkok. Many agencies on Khao San Road offer one, or you can book a private tour here.

We put together a whole post just on Erawan Falls, with how to get there and more tips!

Finding the ideal place to stay in Bangkok can be hard, given how much there is to choose from. To make your search easier, we put together a short list of the best neighborhoods to stay in on your visit.

Chao Phraya River (Riverside): This area covers both sides of the Chao Phraya River. Most of the tourist sights are here.

Sukhumvit: One of the city's main avenues, with a wide range of places to stay, shops and restaurants.

Khao San Road: Famous as one of the best-known streets in the city and a favorite of many backpackers, it has a unique mix of nightlife and street culture. If you want to get away from the chaos but stay close to this famous street, look for a place to stay in the surrounding area.

Siam, Silom and Lumphini: This is the main commercial area. It can be a bit far from the center, but it has excellent public transportation connections.

The best option for eating in Bangkok is always the street stalls. For us, that's where you eat best. Bangkok's street food is famous for its authentic flavor and affordable prices. Dishes like pad thai, som tam (papaya salad) and satay (meat skewers) are on every corner, and they're delicious.

Besides street food, there are also several restaurants worth visiting:

1. Jay Fai: Known for its grilled crab and its Michelin star, this is an iconic place to try Thai food. Getting a table isn't easy, though. You have to show up before 8 in the morning and line up to get a number, then wait to be called, which may not be until 14:00. If they call you and you're not there, you lose your spot (it happened to us when we got distracted for half a second and went to the corner 🥲)

2. Jeh O Chula: Another famous restaurant with long lines, but according to the reviews it's worth the wait. The star dish is the Tom Yum Mama Noodles.

3. Inter Restaurant since 1981: Very close to MBK and Siam Square, it's one of the most recommended restaurants for local food at a good price. It's usually quite full, so we suggest going with time to spare or making a reservation.

4. Thip Samai: Famous for its pad thai, it's one of the most popular restaurants among locals and tourists alike. Best of all, the pad thai sauce is gluten-free.

5. Ruyi Vegetarian: A delicious vegetarian restaurant serving local food at very good prices.

6. Mango Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant: It's near Khao San Road and has a 4.7 rating on Google. There's not much more to say, except that yes, the food is delicious.

7. Ethos Vegetarian Restaurant: Also near Khao San Road, this is another of the most recommended vegetarian restaurants. The salads are delicious!

You can also take a food tour of the city and get the most out of its cuisine with this tour.