Top 12 Wonderful Things to do in Bangkok
Bangkok is an absolutely massive city that goes on as far as the eye can see, we have put together a fun and easy to use guide on things to do in Bangkok.
These will include fun things to do in Bangkok, as well as temples, markets, shopping malls, museums, palaces and beautiful scenery along the river. We will make sure you don’t miss a thing on your travels to Bangkok!
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1. Tour the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is a MUST see in Bangkok. It’s one of the most famous landmarks within Bangkok and for good reason. Make sure to get in early as there are always hordes of tourists here and similar to most religious sites in Thailand, please make sure you are dressed appropriately.
2. Visit the temple of the Reclining Buddha.
My favourite Bangkok temple is the Reclining Buddha is really close to the Grand Palace so you can probably see both on the same day, remember to bring along some comfortable walking shoes!
3. Take a tour of the Floating Markets or Railway Market.
Bangkok offers several different options when it comes to floating markets, Amphawa Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Taling Chan Floating Market, Tha Kha Floating Market are some of the most popular!
You can also visit the Maeklong Train Market located on a set of train track, the stall owners need to move their goods when the train comes through, it’s a pretty cool experience.
4. Visit Ayutthaya for the day (Day trip from Bangkok)
If you’re a bit of a history buff or are interested in the Thai culture, a tour to Ayutthaya cannot be missed. Here you will learn about the fall of the ancient capital (Ayutthaya) and the invasion of the Burmese in 1767. The Ancient ruins are surprisingly still standing after so long!
5. Enjoy a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River
Take a cruise along the river and enjoy a nice dinner with some great views of Bangkok. There are a heap of dinner river cruise companies that offer different settings, to name a few – Chaophraya Dinner Cruise, Apsara Dinner Cruise, Bangkok Loy Nava Cruise, Bangkok Grand Pearl Cruise, Manohra Dinner Cruise, Ayutthaya Rice Barge Dinner Cruise and Wan Fah Dinner Cruise.
We tried the Apsara Dinner cruise which is owned by the Banyan tree hotel, we really enjoyed it because it was really intimate and a little more relaxed than the large dinner cruise boats we saw speeding past us. I think its the perfect option for couples on their honeymoon or couples who are looking to have a romantic dinner.
If cruises aren’t your thing you can try out 1 of the 15 Vegan Restaurants in Bangkok.
6. Take a tour of River Kwai and the Death Railway (Day tour from Bangkok)
Take a day trip out to visit the Thailand-Burma railway where thousands of POW and labourers died making the “death railway” during the Second World War. While this is pretty depressing, its none the less an interesting slice of history. The bridge over the River Kwai is something I would recommend seeing which is usually offered as a part of most tours visiting the death railway.
7. Take in a Ladyboy Show
Thailand is famous for its stunning Ladyboys and there are plenty of Lady Boy Cabaret shows in Bangkok. Calypso Ladyboy Show is one of the better-known shows, its located within the Asiatique complex, which is handy if you’d like to do a spot of shopping beforehand.
8. Have dinner or a drink at a rooftop restaurant/bar
Bangkok has a ridiculous amount of rooftops bars and restaurants and why not, you get the best view of Bangkok from 61 floors up. There are several rooftop bars to choose from in Bangkok.
We have created an easy to follow guide on the Top Rooftop bars in Bangkok. Personally, my favourite is Vertigo at the Banyan Tree hotel, the food, drinks, service and the view… all incredible!
9. Stroll down Khao San Road
Khao San Road is a fairly popular backpackers area, this 1 km-long stretch of road offers several backpacking hostels, a few mid-range hotels, a heap of internet cafes, bars, restaurants, a massage parlour or two, market stalls and tattoo shops. It’s a bit of a tourist eyesore, but worth a trip to check it out!
10. Sea Life Bangkok Aquarium
Spending a few hours at the aquarium is a good way to beat the heat of Bangkok. It’s considered the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia which features a massive underwater tunnel so you can take a closer look at how the fish and sharks spend their day!
If you’re looking things to in Bangkok with kids this a great activity to keep your kids cool and entertained!
11. Visit the Bangkok National Museum
The Bangkok National Museum is located on the grounds (and fairly close to the Grand Palace) of the former of the 18th Century Wang Na Palace, which features the largest collection of Thai art and artifacts in the country.
It includes prehistoric art, murals, bronzes, exhibits from other Asian countries and ceremonial carriages used by royal families.
12. Chatuchak Weekend Market
The Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok is epic, featuring over 8,000 (yes I said 8,000) market stalls in 27 different sections.
The market sees up to 200,000 visitors every weekend and just about anything and everything can be bought here, however, beware of purchasing “antiques here” as many of them are actually fake.
Its recommended to get in as early as possible as you’ll not only miss the crowded but the excessive heat created by the crowds!
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Sam I am going to Thailand for the first time and I am super excited plz can u tell me how to contact tour with tong and how much do they charge per day?
Hey Karan,
You can email her on tourwithtong@gmail.com or call International Call : +668 1835 0240, +668 6 888 3338.
I would suggest calling as she is a “1 lady show” and sometimes can have 100s of emailed ot get through.
Otherwise send her an email and find her on facebook and give her a quick reminder email 🙂
As fa as price, it is best to contact her or have on look on the websikte. She usually does customized tours to what you want to see and do. I would HIGHLY reccomend her services 🙂 We had a wonderful time!
Hope this helps
Thanks
Hey Wondernuts 🙂
Thanks, there are a few strange things of Bangkok that are worth a visit, that page is due to publish today – keep an eye out for it 🙂
Hi yourarchitect,
Thanks for the lovely comments 🙂
So you would like to stay out of the city or in the city?
There are heaps of budget hotels and backpacking places within the City
Thanks! Bangkok is an amazing city. Cant wait to go back again
We’re headed to Bangkok tomorrow so this was super useful! About to make a note of loads of things in my travel journal. Are there any particular floating markets you’d recommend, or that you thought were nicer than others?
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market seems to be very popular. We only went to this so so I cant comment or other they maybe all be the same or very different?
Nice Article. Last month i was in Bangkok with my family. Bangkok is really very nice city to visit. I saw there Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit), Chao Phraya River, The Golden Mount (Wat Saket), Wat Ratchanatdaram Woravihara (Loha Prasat), Lumpini Park and almost all places of this city. I will go there again this year. It was my best enjoyable and memorable trip.
Thats great to hear, Bangkok is a wonderful place!! Thanks for commenting
Thanks!
Great article, I had no idea there was so much to do there! I would be all about that floating market! That looks amazing– did they have great crafts to shop for?
Great list of the things to do in Bangkok. I would probably spend lots of time visiting floating markets. I always visit markets anywhere I go.
The floating market looks fascinating. I have never traveled anywhere that has anything like that, I would think there would be frequent boat jams.
The dinner with a view looked awesome as well.
Awesome things to do there but you got to tell me more about this ladyboy show. The name itself is … well interesting so I wonder what kind of show it is. Oh and I love to see the floating markets once in my life, must be a photography course by itsef =) Thanks for sharing, will definitely make a to-do-list out of them when I´m in Bangkok!
Great list! We want to go to Thailand in the next year or two so this will be a good reference for us when deciding what to do!
Bangkok is undoubtedly the most fascinating city in SE Asia. We went back there several times during our round the world trip and always found it special and thrilling. I think Nr. 10 is by far the best activity you can propose in Bangkok:) you always found surprises, usually good ones. Nice compilation you prepared, we missed out on the lady boy show, maybe next time!! Thanks for sharing!
I would like to add a night of shopping at the market located in Silom Road, one of my favorite ones for finding 1 USD T-shirts 🙂
Love this. I’m starting my SEA journey in Bangkok in November…I already had several of these in my mind and just added a few. Can’t wait! 🙂
I have not yet made it to this part of the world – but I am so looking forward to the day I do. I want to see those floating markets!
Some great tips…and photos! I also loved going to Jim Thompson’s house..it has a great cafe too! Love Bangkok.
Hey Kristin!
the floating markets are pretty cool!
I didnt really notice any crafty type shops – im sure there would be
Thanks Frank!
Markets are always where the best bargains are!
Hey Greg! Boat jams indeed!! haha!
it reminds me of (pictures of) Venice! I would if this is what is was like?
Hey Milene,
The ladyboy shows are sort of like cabaret shows but with lady boys – its always VERY big and VERY flashy!!
Thanks Samantha
Bangkok is a must if you go to Thailand!
Thanks Erin
The cruise was fantastic! Highly recommended !
Thanks Gabor!
I love Bangkok – i cant wait to go back – however unsure when we will go back 🙁
Great suggest Raphael!
I havent actually been there (maybe on the next trip!)
BUt i am a HUGE fan of the 100 Baht shirts!
Thanks Ashley!
Cant wait to follow your trip! I missing SEA!
Thanks!
Come on over! Very cheap and easy to travel through SEA
Thanks!
We didnt make it to Jim Thompson’s house 🙁 Maybe next trip 🙂
Always too much to see!
The perfect list of things to do in Bangkok! I have been to Bangkok many times and I just love all the things the city has to offer!!
The sky train looks rad! Also the railway market photo kinda looks like the train is literally sitting on the vendors. Awesome.
Thanks!
I would love to go back soon but it probably wont be for a year or 2!
Hey Syd,
the sky train was a big highlight of our trip – we dont having anything like it in Adelaide and i dont think anything like it in Australia. So it was an interesting experience
I want to go to the railway market. That looks awesome!
Hey Jess
It would be pretty freaky!!
Great post. Bangkok really does have loads to offer visitors!
Thanks
Yes indeed it does!
This is an awesome post! You know for someone that has never visited Asia, like us, these are the types of guides that you look for to help in your research of places to visit when you first embark on a journey to SE Asia.
Other posts that are specific to certain attractions or events are sometimes tough to relate to or even comment on unless you have been there yourself or have a strong desire to explore, but this post gives a perfect overview and I really appreciate this.
Hey Chris!
thanks so much!
Good list. I do however think that the Grand Palace is way overrated! So many other cool little temples scattered throughout the city!
Great list. Can certainly recommend the markets on Silom Road. Also an afternoon rice barge cruise on the Chao Praya river. Having been to Bangkok many many times, just ralax and let the city wash over you.
This is surely useful!
Awesome photos! I would love to see the floating markets. They look like fun and I’ve read about all they have to offer in terms of food. Thanks for all the great suggestions.
I and my girlfriend booked already for this coming August 7-14 in Bangkok. Can’t wait to see and experience your posted pictures. Could you give me some advice oh how are we going to start our trip because we have no reserved hotel yet when we arrive their.