£50 off your first booking on select hotels. T&Cs apply.
HotHotels
The Peninsula Bangkok, Bangkok

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Bangkok

Updated 1 October 2026 · 16 things to do

Pictured: The Peninsula Bangkok

Bangkok is hot, loud, chaotic and utterly addictive. Gilded temples glitter beside canals and glass towers, tuk-tuks weave through traffic, and the smell of grilled meat and lemongrass hangs over every street corner. It's a city that rewards curiosity: turn down any lane and you'll find a shrine, a market, a bowl of noodles that changes your idea of lunch.

Do the big temples early, before the heat, then use the afternoon for a river boat, a market or an air-conditioned mall. Evenings belong to street food, rooftop bars and Chinatown. Wear light clothes you can cover up in, carry a scarf, and drink more water than you think you need.

Don't miss

  1. 1The Grand Palace
  2. 2Wat Pho
  3. 3Wat Arun
  4. 4Chatuchak Weekend Market
  5. 5Yaowarat (Chinatown)

Temples and palaces

The old royal district on the river is the city at its most spectacular. Cover your shoulders and knees.

  1. The Grand Palace

    Landmark

    The golden spires of Wat Phra Kaew at the Grand Palace
    Photo: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A walled compound of golden spires, glittering mosaics and ornate halls that served as the royal residence for generations. Inside, Wat Phra Kaew houses the revered Emerald Buddha. It's dazzling, crowded and hot, so go as soon as it opens and allow a couple of hours.

    Tip: There is a strict dress code (shoulders and knees covered), and the palace can close for ceremonies, so check before you set out. Be wary of strangers outside who claim it is closed.

  2. Wat Pho

    Landmark

    The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
    Photo: Wolfgang Holzem / https://ehalal.io/, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Just south of the Grand Palace, this huge temple holds a gold-plated Reclining Buddha around 46 metres long, with feet inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It's also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, and the temple still has a massage school if your feet need a rest.

  3. Wat Arun

    Landmark

    The porcelain-covered tower of Wat Arun
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The Temple of Dawn rises across the river with a tall central tower, or prang, decorated in pieces of porcelain that glitter in the sun. A short cross-river ferry takes you over from Wat Pho, and you can climb part of the way up the steep stairs for a view over the river.

    Tip: It looks magical at sunset from a riverside bar or a river boat on the opposite bank.

  4. Wat Saket and the Golden Mount

    Landmark

    The Golden Mount of Wat Saket
    Photo: Radosław Botev, CC BY 3.0 pl

    A spiral path climbs a man-made hill topped with a golden chedi, passing bells and gongs on the way. The view from the top across the rooftops and temple spires of old Bangkok is worth the climb, and the breeze is a relief.

Markets and neighbourhoods

  1. Chatuchak Weekend Market

    Market

    Stalls at Chatuchak Weekend Market
    Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0

    One of the largest markets in the world, with thousands of stalls selling clothes, homewares, plants, antiques, art and street food. You'll get lost, and that's half the fun. Come early, because by midday it's sweltering.

    Tip: It runs mainly at weekends. Take cash, wear comfortable shoes and agree to get lost.

  2. Yaowarat (Chinatown)

    Neighbourhood

    Yaowarat Road in Bangkok's Chinatown
    Photo: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Bangkok's Chinatown is at its best after dark, when the main road becomes a wall of neon signs and food vendors. Grilled seafood, roast duck, noodles, dumplings and desserts are all on offer. Pick the busiest stall and point.

  3. Jim Thompson House

    Museum

    The main house at Jim Thompson House
    Photo: Don Ramey Logan, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A cluster of traditional teak houses in a tropical garden, once the home of the American businessman who helped revive the Thai silk trade and disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. It's a calm, cool escape from the traffic, filled with Asian art.

  4. Khao San Road

    Nightlife

    The legendary backpacker street is loud, cheap and chaotic, lined with bars, street food and hostels. Whether you love it or avoid it, it's a Bangkok institution, and an easy walk from the Grand Palace.

River, parks and views

  1. Chao Phraya river boats

    Activity

    A Chao Phraya Express Boat at Ratchawong Pier
    Photo: Akkharawin Khainbundit, CC BY 4.0

    The river is Bangkok's best traffic-free highway. Hop on an Express Boat from Sathorn pier, which connects to the BTS Skytrain, and glide past temples, old warehouses and stilted houses to Tha Tien for Wat Pho and Wat Arun. A cheap, cooling way to sightsee.

  2. Lumphini Park

    Nature

    Lumphini Park in Bangkok
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The city's central park is a pocket of green with a lake, paths and trees, with the skyline behind. Come at dawn to see Bangkok exercising, from tai chi to jogging, or in the evening when it's cooler.

  3. Mahanakhon

    Landmark

    Bangkok's skyscrapers at sunset from the Mahanakhon terrace
    Photo: iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A pixelated skyscraper in the Silom area with an observation deck near the top. The view of Bangkok's endless sprawl, from the river to the towers of Sukhumvit, is staggering, especially at sunset when the lights come on.

Day trips

  1. Ayutthaya

    Day trip

    The ruined temple of Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The former capital of Siam is a UNESCO World Heritage site of ruined temples, crumbling prangs and Buddha statues set among lawns and rivers, a day trip north of Bangkok. Hire a bike or a tuk-tuk to get around the ruins, and look out for the Buddha head entwined in tree roots at Wat Mahathat.

  2. Amphawa floating market

    Day trip

    A canal-side market in a small town south-west of Bangkok, where vendors grill seafood from boats and families stroll along the water. It's mostly an afternoon and evening affair at weekends, and the atmosphere is local and festive.

Eat and drink

  1. Pad Thai

    Food

    Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu, peanuts and tamarind sauce, a dish that's become Thailand's calling card. Try it at an old-school restaurant such as Thip Samai near the Democracy Monument, or from a street cart.

  2. Mango sticky rice

    Food

    Mango sticky rice
    Photo: Dennis Wong from Hong Kong, Hong Kong, CC BY 2.0

    Sweet sticky rice with slices of ripe mango and salted coconut cream. The simplest dessert in Thailand and the best, especially in the hot months when mangoes are at their peak.

  3. Rooftop bars

    Nightlife

    Bangkok does sky-high drinking like nowhere else: bars on the roofs of hotels and towers, looking out across the river or the Sukhumvit skyline with a cocktail in hand. Go at golden hour for the view, and book ahead at the popular spots.

    Tip: Many rooftop bars have a dress code, so check before you go, and take a layer for the wind.

Where to stay in Bangkok

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in Bangkok →

Getting around

The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are fast and air-conditioned and avoid the notorious traffic. River boats cover the old town, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap, but ask for the meter or agree a fare. Tuk-tuks are fun for a short hop, though you should negotiate the price first.

When to go

November to February is the coolest and driest time, and the most popular. March to May is very hot. The rainy season runs from around May to October, with short, heavy downpours that usually clear within an hour or two.

Questions about visiting Bangkok

What is Bangkok best known for?
Its golden temples and the Grand Palace, street food, markets such as Chatuchak, river life on the Chao Phraya and an electric nightlife.
Is Bangkok worth visiting?
Yes. It is a world-class food city with extraordinary sights, great value and an energy few places match, and it works as a stopover or a destination in itself.
What is there to do in Bangkok with kids?
River boat rides, Lumphini Park, temple visits in the cool of the morning, and the city’s many air-conditioned malls and attractions are all popular with families.
How many days do you need in Bangkok?
Three days covers the big temples, a market and Chinatown. Four or five lets you add a day trip to Ayutthaya and some slower exploring.
Do you need a car in Bangkok?
No. Traffic is heavy, and the Skytrain, subway, river boats and cheap taxis are far more efficient.

More guides