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Bangkok what to do and what to see

January 21, 2025

Practical tips to make the most of your stay in Bangkok

Bangkok has been the capital of Thailand since 1782, a city that offers so much to the traveler, where tradition and modernity mix together, between luxurious sky bars and traditional markets, between colorful taxis and extravagant tuk tuks.

The city is in fact divided into two, there is the older area , with its golden temples, markets, traditional architecture and there is the more modern area , full of shopping centers, clubs and skyscrapers. Precisely for this reason it satisfies every type of traveler.

“It is the city of fun, where those hungry for adventure come to feed themselves”

_film The Beach _

What is something you absolutely cannot miss if you visit this extravagant city?

KHAO SAN ROAD

Khao San Road is one of the most famous streets in Bangkok.

In the 80s the first backpackers arrived in Khao San Road, it was a peaceful area, with cheap guest houses and a few shops, but since 2000, after its appearance in the film “The Beach”, Khao San has begun an unstoppable tourist rise.

Full of hostels, street food, massages, tattoo parlors, bars and Western-style clubs, it welcomes tourists looking for Thai food and cheap entertainment.

If during the day it seems like a quiet street, at night it completely transforms, with loud music and lots of fun, every night you will find a different party, because Khao San Road never sleeps!

ROYAL PALACE

For about 150 years the palace was not only the official residence of the king, but also the entire administrative seat of the government. Today it is no longer inhabited by the royal family but is used for various ceremonies and as a place of worship. Only two of the pavilions are open to the public. The Royal Palace complex occupies an area of 2,500 square meters and is entirely surrounded by a high white wall.

Once inside you are catapulted into the ancient capital of Siam , among ancient palaces and colorful temples. Here also stands the Temple of the Emerald Buddha , a tiny statue among the most venerated in Buddhism.

Outside the palace you can find the amulet market, but it is only open in the morning.

The Grand Palace in Bangkok is open daily from 8am to 3.30pm.

Ticket price: 500 Bath

WAT PHO

About 10 minutes walk from the Grand Palace, there is Wat Pho or Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the largest and oldest temple in the city of Bangkok. Inside there is an enormous statue of a reclining Buddha, 46 meters long and about 15 meters high , continuously frequented by numerous faithful.

Open every day, from 8am to 6.30pm

Ticket price: 200 Bath

WAT ARUN – THE TEMPLE OF DAWN

Across the Chao Phraya River, the river that runs through Bangkok, stands the imposing Wat Arun.

You can get there by ferry, ticket price 4 Bath. (You can walk to the ferry stop from Wat Pho).

It is a very special temple. The most striking structures of the temple are the prang, or tall Khmer-style spires that rise towards the sky.

It is one of the iconic symbols of Bangkok in the world.

Although it is called the Temple of Dawn, it is much more beautiful to see at sunset.

Open every day from 8.30 to 17.30

Ticket price: 50 Bath

CHINATOWN AND WAT TRAIM

Walking through the streets of Chinatown in Bangkok is a bit like actually being in China, same smells, lots of stalls, street food, spices and numerous restaurants with characteristic foods.

It is best to visit in the morning.

On foot in 5/10 minutes you can reach Wat Traimit , where inside you will find a solid gold Buddha statue.

Wat Traimit is open every day except Monday, from 8am to 5pm.

Ticket price: 40 Bath

WAT SAKET – GOLDEN MOUNT

It is located on top of a small hill reachable by a staircase of about 300 steps, between
waterfalls and gardens. Once there you can admire, as if it were a crown, a large golden stupa, the house of the Buddha’s relics, and enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the city.

It is easy to find monks and believers praying and to be enveloped in a sacred atmosphere.

It can be reached on foot (about 15 minutes) from Khao San Road.

Open every day from 8am to 5pm

Ticket price: 20 Bath

MBK AND ERAWAN SHRINE

MBK is a historic shopping mall in the heart of Bangkok , with eight floors and two thousand shops selling technology, gadgets and souvenirs.

Here you will find everything at affordable prices, it is the shopping centre with the cheapest prices, ideal for shopping.

On the top floor there is a cinema, bowling alley and many restaurants.

It is located in the Pathum Wan district.

How to get there: Skytrain, National Stadium or Siam Station

Open every day from 10am to 10pm

Near MBK (about 15 minutes walk) you will find the very small but very crowded Erawan Shrine , a temple dedicated to Brahma, located outside the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel.

It is not a big temple, but it is the most famous spirit house in all of Thailand because

associated with good luck and the Thai people are very superstitious, which is why you will always find many faithful in prayer.

Markets

CHATUCHAK MARKET

With its 35 hectares , practically a city, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is the largest market in Bangkok and Thailand. You can find absolutely everything, from clothing, to objects, from food, to animals.

You can’t miss this market and remember to always negotiate the price!

It remains a little out of the center.

How to get there:

Skytrain (BTS), Mo Chit station

Subway (MRT), Chatuchak Park Station

Public bus, no. 524 from Khao San Road (there are many others, depending on which area you are in, ticket price only 15 Bath)

It is only open on weekends, Saturdays and Sundays

RAILWAY MARKET

The Railway Market is the most important fish market in Thailand , known by locals as Talad Rom Hoop , which literally means “the market of closed umbrellas”.

This is because, over the years, the market has grown so much that it has also invaded the tracks of the Maeklong railway line and every day, with each passing of the train, the vendors move, closing their umbrellas, but the goods continue to lie along the tracks without anything being touched or endangered. A real spectacle for tourists.

Who wouldn’t want to see a train passing through a market?

It remains outside of Bangkok, about an hour by minivan.

On the same day you can go to the Domnoen Saduak Floating market, just 20 minutes away by minivan.

How to get there?

The most convenient way to see both markets without worries is to negotiate the price at any agency in Bangkok that will take you on a half-day excursion.

Or go to Victory Monument and look for a minivan that will drop you off near Domnoen Saduak, ask the driver how to get to Meklong.

DOMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET

Damnoen Saduak is the largest and most famous of the floating markets and is therefore always crowded with tourists.

You will definitely find some chaos but at the same time it is very characteristic.

Better to go there early in the morning.

The boat ride costs 150 Baht per person.

There are other floating markets in Bangkok:

Amphawa Riverside Market, only on weekends and in the afternoon. Unlike Damnoen this market is still frequented by locals. It is located about half an hour from Damnoen Saduak.

Finally there are the markets of Bang Nok Kwaek, Bang Noi and Tha Kha.

PATPONG NIGHTMARKET

Patpong Night Market opens in the late afternoon until 2am.

Patpong is one of the most popular areas for nightlife in Bangkok, home to over 100 venues offering music and entertainment until late at night, also considered a red light district, with its go-go bars and discos.

How to get there:

Skytrain (BTS), Sala Daeng Station, on the Silom Line

Subway (MRT), Silom Station

Panoramic sky bars

In Bangkok you will find several panoramic bars and restaurants that are the perfect location to sip a cocktail and admire Bangkok from above, listening to good music.

Most rooftop bars in Bangkok are outside, in the open air, so if it rains, be careful because they might be closed.

Which are the best?

The 2 rooftop bars competing for first place are:

Lebua at State Tower and Vertigo & Moon Bar

Lebua at State Tower (Sirocco Restaurant & Sky Bar)

Sirocco Restaurant & Sky Bar at the top of Lebua Hotel at State Tower is one of the most incredible rooftop bars, you can enjoy a 360° view on the 63rd floor.

It is one of the most popular and most famous in Bangkok because the film “The Hangover Part II” was filmed here , so it is not suitable if you are looking for a quiet place.

If you want to eat at the Sirocco Restaurant, a reservation is essential. For the Sky Bar, the dress code is sufficient : long trousers are mandatory for all males, including children.

In addition to the dress code, you have to consider that you are in one of the most exclusive places in all of Bangkok and that is why a cocktail will cost you around 30 euros. Yes, you read it right: 30 euros.

For me it was the best cocktail I’ve ever had!

Vertigo & Moon Bar

Vertico & Moon Bar sits atop the luxurious Banyan Tree Hotel, 61 floors above the hustle and bustle of Sathon Road.

If you want to have dinner at the restaurant it is better to book, while for the bar there is no need but I recommend you arrive early because without a table they will not let you have a drink.

Unlike Lebua, the cocktails are more affordable and the dress code is more casual.

Rooftop Atri:

Above Eleven, on the 33rd floor, in the heart of Bangkok at night, a very “cool” place.

Red Sky Bar, 55th floor of Centara Grand at Central World.

Zoom Sky Bar, 40th floor of the Anantara Sathorn Hotel.

What to eat?

In Bangkok you will find a variety of flavors and combinations of different foods.

Must try PAD THAI

Pad Thai is a traditional Thai dish made of stir-fried rice noodles with various ingredients, such as egg, fish sauce, chili pepper, vegetables, bean sprouts, shrimp, tofu, or chicken.

I recommend you try the Street Food, there are many stalls along the road that with only 30/40 Bath you can enjoy a typical Pad Thai dish that is truly delicious.

And don’t forget to try the great variety of insects that you can find especially in Khao San Road!!

It’s now a popular snack among tourists too!

How to get around Bangkok?

If Bangkok is your first Asian destination, you may be a little confused by the chaos and incessant traffic. But don’t be scared, because it is really easy to get around this city .

From the airport to the center:

Public bus no. S1 that you catch downstairs in front of the exit. It is a slow means of transport (about 1 hour, if there is traffic even more) and costs 60 Bath. Convenient if you need to get to Khao San Road, since the road is not connected by the subway/skytrain.

The Airport Link is the metro line that connects Bangkok’s main airport to the city centre.

There are 2 lines: the City Line , it makes several stops, ticket cost 45 Bath, about 40 minutes. Express Line, it makes only one intermediate stop (so it is faster) cost 90 Bath. Once you get off the Airport you can take the Skytrain or the Metro to reach your hotel.

Getting around the city:

Skytrain (BTS)

Elevated train line. It is a cheap, fast and scenic way to cross a good part of Bangkok.

Fares start at 15 THB for one stop. Open from 06:30 to midnight.

If you plan to take it often during the day you can get the One-Day Pass, costing 120 Baht, unlimited travel for the whole day.

Subway (MRT)

Underground line.

To be honest, every time I’ve been back to Bangkok I’ve never taken it!

Tuk-Tuk

Another very comfortable and nice way to discover the city. You have to try it at least once!

They are small three-wheeled vehicles, very colourful and extravagant, powered by very noisy engines.

Usually these means of transport are used for short and medium-length journeys.

Please always agree on the price, drivers overcharge especially if you are a tourist!

Taxi

Taxi is definitely a convenient means of transport and is easy to find. The fare starts at 35 baht and lasts for the first two kilometers.

The taximeter is present in all taxis, but sometimes taxi drivers do not activate it because they will propose you a fare of their own.

Bus

There are the orange buses, run by the government, they are the cheapest but also the slowest and without air conditioning.

The blue, air-conditioned buses, operated by both government and private companies, are faster and more comfortable, but the number of routes is smaller.

Boats

An alternative and more panoramic way to visit the city, very popular among tourists, they also allow you to move quickly, avoiding road traffic.

In the surroundings of Bangkok I recommend Ayutthaya

It is located 80 km north of Bangkok.

Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam , rich in history. The ruins of the ancient capital are now a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1991.

Great destination for a day trip.