The Bangkok Travel Guide: Things to Do in Thailand’s Capital

Bangkok is a truly underrated place, despite many Thailand travel guides recommending tourists skip it. It’s one of those few destinations that has something for everyone, whether you’re into culture and history, food, shopping, or strange adventures. In this Bangkok travel guide, we won’t explicitly give you an itinerary, but we will run through our favorite things to do, which should give you a good idea of what to plan for. Here’s a few of our top recommendations to help you make the most of your trip.

Explore Bangkok’s Temples in Old Town

First, we’ll get the most touristy activities out of the way, which of course will center around temples in Bangkok’s Old Town, or the area on and around Rattanakosin Island.

Truth be told, Bangkok is such a unique city in that in some parts of it you feel as if you’re in the future, and in other parts the distant past.

When you see the golden spires of many of Bangkok’s temples and stupas in the Old Town, you’ll feel as if you’ve stumbled into its ancient history. There’s nothing quite like it, gazing at the illuminated temples at dusk.

You may get overwhelmed, however, because there are so many temples in Bangkok to choose from. So many, in fact, that it would be hard to list them all. We’ve decided to curate the best ones for you here, as we know your time may be short:

• The Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kaew): The Grand Palace used to be the residence of the Thai royal family. It is a huge complex with beautiful architecture of all kinds. Within its premises is Wat Phra Kaew, which contains the Emerald Buddha statue. There are stunning mosaics inside with powerful Buddhist imagery.
• Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn): Wat Arun is nestled right along the Chao Phraya River, and it’s known for its beautiful views. If you can’t make it to the actual temple, there are many restaurants across the river from it that fill up at sunset because of the lovely view it makes over the water.
• Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha): Wat Pho is very close to the Grand Palace, and it is most famous for its 46-meter-long reclining Buddha. Many travelers choose to visit all three of these temples within the same day.

Keep in mind that you should try to dress modestly when visiting these or any other temples. The bigger ones will allow you to buy a sarong if you’re showing too much skin, but otherwise you may not be let in. The temples can vary a lot about rules, and especially how strictly they’re enforced, so it’s always good to make sure you’re at least covering your shoulders and knees.

Gaze at the Bangkok Skyline

If you’re coming to Bangkok, you simply cannot leave without seeing the skyline at night. Though the temples are beautiful in the day and early evening, the other parts of Bangkok come alive at night, and it’s magnificent to see the whole landscape from up above. I guarantee you will not regret it. Here are a few of our favorite places to see the skyline:

• Baiyoke Sky Hotel: This is perhaps the best place to see the city at night. Situated at the 83rd/84th floor, their observatory point and restaurant have a spectacular view of Bangkok.
• Lebua at State Tower: This place is a rooftop bar, and a very sophisticated, European-looking one at that. It’s on the 63rd floor, and there are panoramic views of the city. Bring your wallet, though, as it can be expensive.
• Above Eleven: Another rooftop bar, this fancy establishment is located right on Sukhumvit Road (Soi 11). The view here is only 180 degrees, but it’s a good one. The food is also interesting here too (they have a Japanese-Peruvian style cuisine). It’s on the 33rd floor, so it’s not too high, but the view is still fantastic.

In my opinion, the higher the vantage point is, the better the views. Seeing Bangkok from up high really puts it all into perspective, and it can be a great time to relax and reflect on your trip.

Eat Street Food at Chinatown (Yaowarat)

I know what you’re thinking. Chinatown? Is that really an authentic Thailand experience?

In short, yes. Thailand has a long history with Chinese people living among them. Many Thai people, in fact, have Chinese ancestors.

Over 150 years ago, Thailand was so deeply rooted in Buddhism that its people could not kill animals (and therefore, not eat them as meat). However, the loophole was that the Chinese could kill the animals and sell the meat to them.

Thai and Chinese culinary traditions have blended together slowly over time, bringing new foods and flavors into the local culture.

So, when you visit Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, you’re not simply getting a Chinese experience. You’re tasting the culmination of hundreds of years of cultural exchange.

Some of our favorite dishes to try here are yentafo, Yaowarat toasted bread, patonggo, joke, and more.

Check Out Bangkok’s Culture & Art Scene

Though in terms of art and culture, Bangkok may not yet be able to compete with New York, Paris, or London, it still has plenty of great experiences on offer.

As far as museums go, our favorite is the Jim Thompson House, which is the namesake of an American silk trader (and perhaps spy). If you’re interested in art, the Museum of Contemporary Art showcases exclusively Thai artists, and the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre has a variety of exhibitions with both Thai and international creators.

And of course, you can’t talk about culture in Bangkok without also mentioning Muay Thai. One of our favorite experiences to recommend in the city is going to a fight night at Rajadamnern Stadium.

Window Shop at Bangkok’s Many Malls

To many people, including visits to the mall in a Bangkok travel guide might seem misplaced, or lazy at the very least. But Bangkok’s malls are no joke, they are some of the biggest and best in all of Southeast Asia; and they are certainly higher quality than the ones we have in North America.

A few of the biggest and most luxurious are ICONSIAM, Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, Terminal 21, and the brand new Emsphere. Or, you can shop for discounts at malls like MBK Center and Union Mall.

Take a Rest at One of Bangkok’s Parks

Traveling, even to places within the same city, can be exhausting if there’s no time for breaks. If you need to relax, you can check out one of Bangkok’s many green spaces. There’s Lumphini Park, which is like New York’s Central Park, smack dab in the middle of the city. Benjakitti is another honorable mention, as well as Queen Sirikit Park.

If you want to get out of the dense city center completely, I recommend visiting Bang Krachao, which is locally called the “green lung” (because of its shape). There are many places to ride bikes, giving you a much needed break from the chaos of the city.

Swing By One of Bangkok’s Floating Markets

Many travel writers argue that floating markets are a tourist trap, and they’re not necessarily wrong. That being said, we still think it makes a great half-day activity. Even if it is “inauthentic,” it’s still a great place to take photos. If you want to understand the real Bangkok, in our opinion, you have to get close to the canals and waterways.

Some of the best floating markets in Bangkok are Taling Chan or Khlong Lat Mayam. There are other ones that are technically outside of the city, like Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa, but we don’t recommend them if you’re short on time because they’re far away.

Blow Off Some Steam at Khao San Road

You can hardly make a Bangkok travel guide without mentioning something about Khao San Road. Love it or hate it, it’s the central hub for tourism in the city. They have really cleaned it up after 2020, but the vibe is more or less the same. It’s a sleazy atmosphere with cheap beer, pop music, and Thais and tourists from all over the world sharing a good time.

There are also all kinds of strange foods to eat there, like scorpions, bugs, and alligators. You may find a lot of shopping, for clothes, lewd trinkets, sunglasses, and all kinds of knick-knacks, too.

We recommend coming here early in the evening, and if you’re up for it, stay late into the night. It’s a great way to unwind after traveling around all day. There will be people of all ages there, but at night it may be a mostly younger crowd. Still, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying yourself.

The Road Less Traveled

So far, we’ve listed most of the basic things to do in Bangkok. Though many people only recommend a few days in Bangkok, there are countless things to do in this city. Here are a few activities you might want to try that are off-the-beaten path:

• Siriraj Medical Museum: This one is bound to give you a story back home. The Siriraj Medical Museum is known as the Museum of Death. There are all kinds of dead bodies, parasites, preserved organs, and other oddities of use to students of medicine. It’s a bizarre experience, and no photos are allowed inside.
• The Ancient City: This open-air museum is slightly outside of Bangkok, in Samut Prakan. It’s over 200 acres and has life-size replicas of many of Thailand’s temples and landmarks. You can ride a bike around and admire the architecture. Just make sure it’s not too hot that day.
• Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market: This place has become popular recently among locals on social media, but tourists don’t really know about it yet. It’s a rather quaint street by the river full of flower shops. There is also a bridge next to it where locals take photos and hang out over the water.

Day Trips from Bangkok

Bangkok is close to many great destinations that are only an hour or two away. So, if you have extra time, I would consider taking a trip to some of the following places:

• Ayutthaya: If you love history, then you simply cannot skip Ayutthaya, which was the old capital of the Kingdom of Siam. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is full of ancient temples and ruins. Situated just north of Bangkok, it’s only two hours away.
• Kanchanaburi: This could be another trip for history lovers, because the famous Bridge Over the River Kwai is there. But personally, I think Kanchanaburi is the perfect place to relax when in need of some nature. It can get unbelievably lush and green there, especially after the rain.
• Pattaya: While Pattaya is usually known as the city of sin, it does have a nice beach or two (at Jomtien, definitely not Pattaya Beach). Despite its reputation, it does have some family-friendly areas. If you’re looking for nightlife, this is the place to go.
• Koh Samet: This island is popular among locals because it’s one of the closest high-quality beaches near Bangkok. It’s rather small, at around 13 sq. kilometers, which makes it a fun place to rent a scooter and ride around.

The Bottom Line

Bangkok is much more than a stopover city. It’s the beating heart of a whole culture, with its surreal mix of the ancient and the modern, high-society and the humbleness of everyday life. In short, it’s for the adventurous, and whether you’re in wonder at the golden stupas in Old Town, enjoying street food in Yaowarat, or reflecting on your trip from a rooftop bar, Bangkok has something to impress everyone. One thing is certain: it will leave you with more than a few stories to tell your friends and family back home.

FAQs About Traveling in Bangkok

1. What is the best time of year to visit Bangkok?

We would say that the best time to visit Bangkok is between November and February, simply because the temperatures cool off and the humidity is lower, making being outdoors much more bearable than it would otherwise be. Also, it doesn’t rain much during this time, as it does between May and October.

2. How safe is Bangkok for tourists?

Bangkok is generally safe, especially for a major city. The most important thing to watch out for is scams, which are fairly common. As for getting around, we do not recommend riding motorcycle taxis, as drivers don’t always provide helmets, and it is considered more dangerous than other options.

3. What’s the easiest way to get around Bangkok?

The easiest way to get around Bangkok is by using the rail systems, such as the Skytrain (BTS), MRT, and Airport Link. Bangkok is known for its traffic, but you can easily avoid it by traveling via the rail network.

4. Do I need to tip in Bangkok?

No, tipping is not mandatory in Bangkok or Thailand in general. You can round up your bill at restaurants and leave around 5% or 10%, but again, it’s not required.

5. Is Bangkok Worth it?

Definitely. Bangkok is a very underappreciated city, despite it being the cultural capital of the country. The activities you can do here are almost limitless, and it is an excellent place to simply walk around and explore.