Bangkok is a city that has it all: modern skyscrapers, ancient temples, bustling markets, and an incredible food scene. With so much to see and do, deciding where to start can be overwhelming, especially if you only have limited time. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top attractions and activities, based on our own experiences. Check out our pick of the 9 best things to do in Bangkok.
1. Temple hopping in Bangkok
Bangkok’s temples are a unique part of the capital’s heart and soul. A visit to Bangkok would not be complete without visiting at least a couple of them! If you want to know which ones to visit, we’ve written a guide to 6 temples in Bangkok that you shouldn’t miss.
2. Stroll through Chinatown
The narrow streets of Chinatown have their own unique charm, making you feel like you’ve stepped into China rather than Thailand. It’s like a whole new world within bustling Bangkok. The streets are all beautifully decorated, shop signs are written in Mandarin rather than Thai, and the overall vibe does not resemble Bangkok in the slightest!
When in Chinatown, don’t miss out on trying some street food! We tried a delicious, flavorful omelet and sampled some refreshing lychee tea. This is just the tip of the iceberg, though, as with every step you take a new food stall reveals itself. The possibilities are endless! Plus, there are plenty of shopping opportunities in the alleys, offering budget-friendly products. We made a couple of “impulse buys” here, just because it all looks so fun. Thysia couldn’t resist buying a hair clip that changes color!
Another quick but fun activity in the area is visit to Wat Traimit. You can visit two museums here, one 3D presentation about Chinese traders in Bangkok. The other museum shows a video presentation of Buddha images, with a special segment about the golden sculpture that can be seen at the temple itself. This golden Buddha image is the highlight of the place, and it has an even more intriguing history. The Buddha statue was originally covered in plaster, but the gold underneath got revealed when movers dropped it. Talk about a surprising discovery! Some pieces of the plaster are still shown at the temple, too.
3. Unwind in one of Bangkok’s many parks
One of the best things to do in Bangkok, away from the hustle and bustle, is to take a stroll in one of the many parks. And guess what? It doesn’t cost a thing! There are several parks to choose from, and here are three we suggest.
Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park is Bangkok’s first and most central park. It’s also the perfect place to spot some monitor lizards. We spotted one within 5 minutes of arriving! At first we thought it was a snake, which proves there are no biologists lost in us. 😂 It’s also super fun to walk along the lake with the skyline in the background. They also offer rides in a swan on the lake, but unfortunately it was closed when we visited. That looks so fun to do!
Benchakitti Park
For a serene experience, we absolutely recommend Benchakitti Park. This place is huge and really well maintained, naturewise it’s definitely our favorite park. The wetland area was just spectacular! Follow the skywalk for a peaceful walk surrounded by nature against the city skyline. It’ll offer amazing views of everything and surely is the best way to get around. We spent 2 hours at Benchakitti Park without bumping into anyone, unbelievable!
Chatuchak Park
Another suggestion is Chatuchak Park. We popped in just before sunset before heading to Chatuchak Weekend Market (more on that later). The vibe here was super cozy and chill. You have a lake, cute little bridges over the water, and tons of regular trees and palm trees that are perfect for providing some shade. Grab a drink and snack, and soak in the beautiful scenery. It’s also the perfect place to come for a run or bike ride, or read a book and relax!
4. Souvenir shopping at Chatuchak Weekend Market
If you’re in Bangkok over the weekend, make sure to check out Chatuchak Weekend Market. It’s a great spot to grab souvenirs and taste some budget-friendly local food. Make sure to try some chicken skewers, spring rolls, and fresh squid. So good! The food places you can choose from are endless, but we found the little “square” really cozy. You have tons of food stalls right next to each other, with the seating area behind them. Once you sit down, waiters will give you a menu and minutes later your food is ready!
We do have to tell you that the place is huge. Once you wander off in one of the alleys, good luck on finding your way back! We do recommend checking this map of Chatuchak Weekend Market prior to your visit. It’ll show you where you can find what, like where to buy clothing, books, or art! We went on a Friday evening (open from 6 PM to midnight), and although some parts were closed off, it was the best time to snag deals without the big crowds. On Saturdays and Sundays, the entire market is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, but it can get super packed. Still, it’s an experience you shouldn’t skip!
5. Sunset drinks at Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge
After seeing The Hangover Part II, we were so excited to check out one of Bangkok’s rooftop bars for an incredible view. With so many options, some pricier than others, we stumbled upon a real treasure in the Thonglor district: Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge. Arriving just before sunset, we had an unforgettable time watching the sun sink behind Bangkok’s towering skyscrapers while sipping delicious cocktails. It was truly a unique experience. Now, don’t think that the fun ends when the sun has set! While the sunset was the reason we visited Octave Rooftop, we were surprised to find that we loved the scenes after dark almost as much. As soon as the sun disappears, Bangkok transforms into a place where lights twinkle everywhere. Sitting at a height of over 100 meters and taking in all the lights was so cool! Truly mesmerizing.
We paid € 25 for 2 cocktails, which we found reasonable for the experience we got in return. Though it’s expensive by Thai standards, we’ve seen bars where one cocktail costs € 50! On top of that, none of the views compare to Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge so Octave is definitely the place to be. The cocktails were really tasty with the right amount of alcohol, too – just perfect!
Good to know
For the ultimate experience, we suggest booking a table ahead of time. We got lucky and snagged the last available table without making a reservation. Unfortunately, those who came after us weren’t as fortunate and had to stand at the bar. Especially if you want to come here during sunset, booking in advance is recommended! Another thing we wanted to mention is the dress code. The dress code at Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge is smart casual. No need to wear your finest gala dress, but sportswear, beachwear, and slippers are not allowed.
6. Visit one of the many shopping malls
Trust us when we say Bangkok can get scorching hot. The perfect escape from the heat? Dive into one of the city’s fantastic shopping malls. Not only do they offer A/C, just visiting any of the malls is an adventure in itself! Whether you’re in the mood for shopping, craving some tasty bites, or simply want to cool down, the malls have got you covered.
IconSiam
IconSiam stands out as Bangkok’s most remarkable shopping destination. Situated next to the Chao Phraya River, it boasts over 7000 shops, numerous restaurants, and even a cinema on the 6th floor! Don’t miss the ground floor, where you’ll discover endless food stalls and even a floating market. We tried some delicious chicken skewers here for just 15 baht (€ 0,40). For such a prestigious mall, the prices here were very reasonable and the quality was top notch. It was by far our favorite floor, but the others are worth visiting, too!
Head up to the upper floors for some amazing views of Bangkok. We really enjoyed Napalai Terrace, offering stunning views of the river and skyscrapers. On the same floor you can get a cup of coffee at a beautiful Starbucks, their terrace is amazing as well. Other than that, you can find your regular stores like Adidas and H&M here, but also all the luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and even a car dealership with cars like Rolls Royce and Maserati! How they got those cars up there we’ll never know. 😂
Terminal 21
Another must-visit mall is Terminal 21. Each floor takes you on a journey to a different iconic city like Paris, Tokyo, San Francisco, and London. Our favorite was the Tokyo floor for its captivating interior design that goes all the way to the toilets! Not that this is the only floor inside Terminal 21 where the toilets match the theme, but the Tokyo floor definitely takes the cake! So, whatever you do, definitely visit the toilets on all floors. We can’t believe we just said that. 😂
Now, the winner of “best section” was definitely Pier 21 on the 5th floor, boasting the ultimate food court experience. We tried a variety of dishes here, from scampi pad Thai and Thai basil chicken to crab wonton soup and Tom Yum Kung. All super delicious, and so cheap! If you thought the price of food at IconSiam was cheap, Pier 21 will feel as if it’s free! Amazing interior, delicious food, and reasonable prices: count us in!
7. Stroll through Khaosan Road
Khaosan Road, you either love it or hate it. Since you can read it on this list, you can probably tell that we absolutely loved it! It’s packed with budget-friendly accommodations, lively bars, food stalls, and super small shops. Since our hostel was within walking distance of Khaosan Road, we ended up spending every evening here. There’s just so much to do and see here, it kept pulling us in!
Thysia bought a cute white skirt for just € 5, while Kelvin bravely tried deep-fried scorpion and crocodile. Different strokes for different folks! Do remember that you can probably get a better deal if you dare to haggle a little bit. This applies to clothing, of course, but also to the deep fried scorpion! Initially the woman wanted around € 5 for one small-ish scorpion. After a minute of back-and-forth we managed to get it down to less than € 2! For the skirt we didn’t try as much, but still got a discount of about € 2 as well. Rule of thumb is: if you can’t see the price of an item, then the price is negotiable. Khaosan Road will have a special place in our hearts, that’s for sure. We strongly believe that every visitor to Bangkok should experience this lively street at least once.
8. Take a day trip to Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya was once the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom, and today stands as a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site. While guided tours are an option, we suggest exploring Ayutthaya independently. We hopped on a minivan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya for just € 4 per person and returned by train for a mere € 0,50 per person! Once there, we rented two bicycles for less than € 3 for the entire day. It was both affordable and convenient! Definitely the best way to explore Ayutthaya, make sure to ask for a map at the bicycle rental place.
Be sure to visit Wat Maha That, famous for its Buddha’s head in tree roots. Admission is only 50 baht, which is just under € 1,50. Another remarkable sight is Wat Lokayasutharam, home to a colossal 42-meter-long reclining Buddha statue. And don’t forget to explore Wat Phra Si Sanphet, where the three chedis are really impressive! The entrance fee for Wat Phra Si Sanphet is also 50 baht.
To make your search for transportation a bit easier, we’ve included a handy search bar from Bangkok to Ayutthaya!
9. Visit Erawan Museum
About a half-hour drive from Bangkok lies the Erawan Museum. It’s easy to recognize with its giant three-headed elephant sculpture sitting atop a lovely pink building. Definitely one of the most unique-looking museums in the world! No wonder we included it in this list of 9 best things to do in Bangkok. Inside, you’ll discover antiques, arts, relics, statues, and photographs. Don’t forget to wander around the outside too. The surroundings are enchanting with lush plants, water features, and statues. We liked the road of elephant statues so much! Admission is 400 baht, roughly €10. Initially, we found the entrance fee quite steep because we thought it was just one building with a 3-headed elephant on top. That being said, there’s so much more to do and see here – you can definitely get your money’s worth. We’d visit again in a heartbeat, which says something. If you fancy an audio guide, there’s a 1000 baht deposit required. Don’t forget to return it before you leave!
True story
Once we finished exploring, we hopped on the BTS Skytrain to head back to Bangkok. But, after just 5 minutes, we realized we forgot to return the audio guides! We had to get off at the next stop and trek back to the Erawan Museum, which took us about half an hour. So, learn from our mistakes and remember to return your audio guides before leaving! In the end, the BTS station staff let us board the train again for free, so it all worked out.
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