Exploring Bangkok’s temples offers a profound glimpse into Thailand’s rich culture. Beyond being tourist spots, these sacred sites serve as integral hubs of local worship. So yes, all these temples are still actively being used and visited by locals to do their praying! Among the many options, we’ve selected 6 temples in Bangkok you cannot miss. These iconic and postcard-perfect temples should definitely be on your itinerary! Let’s dive in.
1. Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Benchamabophit, also known as ‘The Marble Temple’, gets its name from the beautiful marble covering its outer walls. Did you know they imported the marble all the way from Italy? So cool, especially if you know that they started construction of this temple in the 19th century. Quite the feat indeed! But Wat Benchamabophit is not just famous for its stunning marble exterior. The temple is also featured on Thailand’s 5 baht coins. A really fun fact, so make sure to give that 5 THB coin a good look the next time you’re holding it in your hands!
Now, on to what to expect at the temple complex itself. The site is quite big which means you have tons to see. There’s a giant gong that can be found just over the river, and all around you’ll find cute benches to sit on. There’s even a secondary school on the premises! And, since this is an active place of religion, don’t be surprised to see a lot of monks walking around, or people donating food. Just sitting here and watching all of this happen in front of you is really cool. We visited at sunrise and found the temple completely empty (apart from some monks). We’re not going to lie, it was such a serene visit!
2. Wat Arun
Wat Arun, also known as ‘The Temple of Dawn’, is one of Bangkok’s most iconic and photogenic temples. Located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, the temple is easy to reach via ferry. Besides the main temple, which is filled with stunning details, there are also smaller towers around the temple worth noticing too. Remember to climb up for a better look at these lovely features.
We spent around one hour here and think that’s just the perfect amount of time. The complex isn’t too big, an hour should do the trick! Of course, if you’re interested in getting a perfect shot of all the amazing details, then an hour will probably not be enough. Entrance fee is just 100 baht per person (around € 2,50), and you even get a bottle of water included! In the blazing Bangkok heat, you better believe we made use of it! We visited the temple at opening time at 8 AM, it was not crowded at all at that time. If you want a relaxed, quiet visit, we recommend you do the same and visit early. But, we do hear that visiting Wat Arun for sunset is quite the experience, too!
Pro tip
Even if you were already amazed by Wat Arun during the day, get ready for a whole new level of wonder when you see it lit up at night! You can walk up to one of the piers on either side of the river to get a great view of Wat Arun. Or, even more fun, is to just hop on the ferry at Tah Tian to get a view from a boat on the river! It’ll only cost you 5 baht, but remember that the ferry stops operating around 7 PM.
3. Wat Pho
Wat Pho is definitely our top pick among all the temples in Bangkok, and it’s no surprise we included it in our list of 6 temples in Bangkok you cannot miss. It’s also known as ‘The Temple of the Reclining Buddha’ because, well, there’s a massive 46-meter-long reclining Buddha statue covered in shiny gold leaf. But that’s not the only impressive thing here, we were also blown away by the intricate details of the four grand chedis. Trust us, they’re breathtaking! Wat Pho is also the largest and oldest Buddhist temple in Bangkok, so make sure to plan enough time for your visit. You’ll need it, since you can spot over 1000 Buddha images here!
Another fun fact about Wat Pho is that you can get an authentic Thai massage here! At first, we found it super strange to see all the signs about getting a massage. However, after learning that Wat Pho is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage it all made sense. So if you are looking to get an amazing massage, why not get one here? We suggest visiting Wat Pho before 9 AM to avoid the crowds because it can get really busy here. The entrance fee is 300 baht per person (just under € 8).
4. Wat Ratchanatdaram
Wat Ratchanatdaram is a hidden gem tucked away in Bangkok, often overlooked by many visitors. It’s quite surprising because this temple is truly impressive! This temple is quite hidden, but once you step inside you’ll see why we included it in this list. While Wat Ratchanatdaram may not be as large as some of the more famous temples in the city, its intricate golden details are absolutely stunning. This temple consists of multiple peaks that can be found on multiple levels, a little bit like a pyramid. We found it one of the more unique designs compared to other temples we visited!
Whether you’re admiring the unique architecture or simply enjoying the quiet atmosphere, Wat Ratchanatdaram offers a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Expect to spend around half an hour here, or even more if you want to experience the singing of the monks! It’s a great place to kill some time, or just make a quick visit on the way to another landmark.
5. Grand Palace
A trip to Bangkok wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Grand Palace. But brace yourself: it’s far from peaceful. We felt a bit overwhelmed with the crowds when we went. We arrived little over half an hour after opening time, and found the place already packed with people. Despite the beauty surrounding us, the sheer number of visitors made it hard to fully enjoy. It was a bit chaotic with so many people bumping into each other. What a pity! Regarding when to visit, we actually don’t know what to recommend. Our own experience tells us that the place will be crowded no matter when you visit. You’ll just need to accept that, we guess!
On a brighter note, Wat Phra Kaew, also known as ‘The Temple of the Emerald Buddha’, truly stole the show. It’s the city’s most important and popular temple, and we totally understand why. The beauty of it is simply jaw-dropping! We also visited the National Museum, which was a fun detour. However, we found the entrance fee for the Grand Palace a bit steep at 500 baht per person (just under € 13). The place is super big, so we kind of get where that entrance fee is coming from. However, looking at the value for money the Grand Palace does not fully justify the price. There are other, much cheaper temples that provide an equal (or better) experience!
6. Wat Samphran
Just an hour’s drive from Bangkok lies Wat Samphran, a fascinating Buddhist temple that’s truly one-of-a-kind. What sets it apart? Well, there’s a life-sized dragon wrapped around the temple! Talk about a unique spectacle. It’s a sight that must be seen in person to be believed. Definitely walk around the tower, too! It’s a really fun thing to do to start at the bottom and follow the dragon’s tail all the way up.
You can climb to the top for a stunning view, for this you’ll need to give a small donation. Considering this is one of the most unique temples you’ll ever see, we find this a really small price to pay! A donation of around 50 baht (€ 1,25) should do the trick. Also, do know that the temple complex is extensive! Besides the dragon, there’s a massive golden Buddha statue to admire right next to it. On the premises you’ll also find a giant turtle, a wishing well, and a pretty big rabbit. Another bonus is its scenic surroundings, nestled amidst lush greenery with beautiful ponds everywhere. Simply breathtaking! The easiest way to reach there is by taxi, we paid € 10 to get there.
General rules for visiting temples in Thailand
When visiting temples in Thailand, it’s important to follow some simple rules. Remember to dress modestly, covering your knees and shoulders as a sign of respect. When entering a temple, always remove your shoes and keep them in a linen bag if possible. It’s best to avoid wearing white socks as they can easily get dirty. These guidelines help keep the religious space sacred and respect the local customs and traditions.
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