Temple, Pagoda, Historic building

Wat Pho is one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temple complexes in Thailand and ranks amongst the top attractions. Although it is one of the most visited places in Bangkok, thanks to its vast size, with the exception of a few spots, it is not overcrowded and the whole complex does not feel as touristy as one might expect. [btn "Get exclusive deals on booking.com" https://booking.com/city/th/bangkok.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bangkok-wat-pho…

Palace

The Grand Palace is Bangkok’s most visited attraction and, for many people, the main reason for visiting the city in the first place. If you’re planning to see just one historical site, this complex is likely to be the one. It is not a single palace, but a vast complex of buildings, temples and courtyards, which was built in 1782 following the relocation of the capital to Bangkok. The royal family no longer resides here, but the site’s symbolic…

Temple, Historic building, Pagoda

Wat Phra Kaeo (also known as Wat Phra Kaew) is the holiest Buddhist temple in Thailand and the spiritual heart of the entire country. It is situated within the grounds of the Grand Palace, and without a visit to it, the Royal Palace would be nothing more than an architectural backdrop. Most people come to see the Emerald Buddha. Yet very few realise just how special this place really is for Thailand. 👉 You can find practical information on…

Temple, Historic building

The Buddhist temple Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of the Dawn, is one of Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks, alongside Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaeo. Thanks to its location right on the banks of the River Chao Phraya, Wat Arun is also one of the most photogenic spots in the city. The complex isn’t as large as the neighbouring Wat Pho or the Grand Palace, but I wouldn’t miss a visit there. My tip: Wat Arun is worth seeing twice. In daylight,…

City Quarter, Street, Club, Bar

Khao San Road is Bangkok’s most famous backpacker street. During the day, you’ll find shops, restaurants and travel agencies here. After dark, it becomes a bustling hub of bars and street entertainment. The name Khao San is also used for the surrounding area of the Bang Lamphu district. This makes a significant difference when choosing a hotel: being just a few minutes’ walk from the main street can mean a much quieter night. What to do:…

City Quarter, Bar, Club

The Sukhumvit district, with a number of similarly named streets distinguished only by numbers, is located in the eastern part of modern Bangkok and is one of the main centres of entertainment, vice and accommodation. [btn "Choose a quality international hotel on booking.com" https://booking.com/city/th/bangkok.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bangkok-sukhumvit] Unlike the more famous Khaosan Road in Old Bangkok, Sukhumvit is a much larger, more…

City Quarter, Bar, Club

Bangkok's Silom district is an electrifying place that changes its face not only street by street, but also hour by hour. The most interesting part can be found for less than a kilometre around the main Silom Road from Lumpini Park towards the river. Don't forget to explore the adjacent perpendicular streets of Patpong, Sala Daeng and Thanyia. [btn "Choose a quality international hotel on booking.com" https://booking.com/city/th/bangkok.cs.html…

Temple, Lookout

The Buddhist temple Wat Saket is one of the most visited places in Bangkok. It is not so much the vast temple complex that attracts attention, but the small shrine at the top of the "Golden Mount". [btn "Get secret deals at booking.com" https://booking.com/city/th/bangkok.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bangkok-wat-saket] The Golden Mount is one of the few elevated places in Bangkok and offers the best views of the entire city. Golden Mount -…

Temple, Statue

The Buddhist temple Wat Paknam Phasi Chaoren, shortened to "Wat Paknam", can be found on the very western edge of Bangkok away from the main tourist streams. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Bangkok" https://booking.com/city/th/bangkok.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bangkok-wat-paknam] Located in a beautiful quiet area filled with water canals, we think it's one of the most beautiful temples in the entire city. As of 2021, it also boasts the tallest…

Temple

Wat Benchamabophit Temple, also known as Marble Temple, is one of the most beautiful monuments in Bangkok and the most visited Buddhist temple. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Bangkok" https://booking.com/city/th/bangkok.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bangkok-marble-temple] The temple complex is one of the smaller ones and it will take you less than half an hour to visit. Also visit one of the royal residences nearby , Dusit Palace. The gleaming…

Lookout, Skyscraper

314 metres above Bangkok. The highest viewpoint in Thailand. A glass floor, open terrace and one of the few experiences in the city that gives you a real context of how huge Bangkok is within minutes. If you're wondering if the Mahanakhon SkyWalk is worth a visit - here's my honest answer: yes, but only if you know when and why to go. (And you have to take into account that I'm not that objective, because I have a big soft spot for…

Lookout, Bar, Skyscraper

Akara SkyHanuman is something completely different from the classic Mahanakhon view. You won't find a glass walkway or a "mere" view over the city. What you get here is a multi-level 360° panorama with cultural elements, interactive zones, themed installations and a live evening program. Akara is located on the rooftop of the One City Centre skyscraper (floors 58-61) and the highest observation deck with its iconic rooftop bar is at 276 metres…

Temple, Statue

The golden statue of the seated Buddha, located in Wat Traimit temple in the city centre, is one of Bangkok's most valuable religious statues and most visited sites. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Bangkok" https://booking.com/city/th/bangkok.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bangkok-zlaty-buddha] The Golden Buddha is shrouded in many legends and mysteries, and just the fact that it is unknown exactly when, where and how the statue was made adds to its…

Market

Although many promotional photos of Bangkok show the floating markets so popular in Thailand, you won't actually find many of them in the city. [btn "The 10 best hotels in Bangkok" https://booking.com/city/th/bangkok.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bangkok-taling-chan] The biggest one is in the Taling Chan district, and if you don't have time to head to the Amphawa or Damnoen Saduak floating markets about an hour and a half outside of Bangkok (see…

Market

More than 15,000 stalls. Up to 200,000 visitors every weekend. Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the largest weekend markets in the world – and also one of those places where you can get lost, both literally and figuratively. You can walk through it in half an hour. Or you can spend the whole day there and still not see everything. What is Chatuchak and why is it called ‘JJ Market’? It’s not your typical tourist market with just a few…

City Quarter

Talat Noi is the most authentic part of old Chinatown. Don’t expect any monuments or organised attractions. Its greatest appeal is the atmosphere. Narrow alleyways, rusty car workshops, old Chinese houses, small shrines and cafés in former warehouses create an environment that feels more like a film set than a tourist district. If you’re looking for a quieter and more photogenic alternative to Bangkok’s bustling Chinatown, you’ve come to the…

Historic building, Park

The huge complex of royal and government buildings north of the historic centre, which are built in a large public park, is collectively known as the "Dusit Palace". [btn "The 10 best hotels in Bangkok" https://booking.com/city/th/bangkok.cs.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bangkok-dusit] Dusit may not be one of the most exposed tourist sights, but if you have an extra 2 hours in Bangkok, head here for the tranquility of the vast park and discover the…

City Quarter

Bangkok’s Chinatown is the liveliest and most chaotic part of the old town. In the evening, the main thoroughfare, Yaowarat Road, transforms into one of the most vibrant street food hubs in Asia. If you want to see Bangkok at its busiest, this is where you’ll find it, unfiltered. Bangkok’s Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside China in terms of population and is a popular tourist destination. What is Chinatown? Chinatown is a historic…

Gateway

The Giant Swing (Sao Ching Cha) is one of the oldest landmarks of historic Bangkok. The red wooden structure over 21 metres high stands directly in front of Wat Suthat temple and often remains in the shadow of more famous landmarks such as the Grand Palace or Wat Pho. Still, it has its place in the city's history - and if you're passing through Old Bangkok, it's definitely worth a quick stop. What is the Giant Swing and why is it here The…

Park

Lumphini Park, also spelled Lumpini Park, is a well-maintained green park with lakes in the heart of modern Bangkok. In places, it reminded me of New York’s Central Park: you can see skyscrapers through the trees, but the hustle and bustle of the streets recedes for a moment. It’s a brilliant place for a morning run. During the day, I like to slip away into the shade here if I happen to be nearby. However, I wouldn’t travel all the way across…