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The Peninsula Bangkok, Thailand

Things to do guide

The best things to do in Thailand

Updated 1 October 2026 · 20 things to do

Pictured: The Peninsula Bangkok

Thailand rewards almost every kind of traveller. In Bangkok, gilded temples glitter above traffic-choked streets and the best meal of your life is a pavement stall. In the north, Chiang Mai's moated old city is ringed by misty mountains and ancient monasteries. In the south, limestone cliffs rise straight out of emerald water, and longtail boats carry you to beaches you'll struggle to leave.

The classic trip combines city, culture and coast: a few nights in Bangkok, a stint in Chiang Mai or Ayutthaya, then an island or beach on either the Andaman coast (Phuket and Krabi) or the Gulf (Koh Samui). Eat everything, dress respectfully at temples, and take your time. The best moments here tend to be the ones you didn't plan.

Don't miss

  1. 1The Grand Palace
  2. 2Wat Pho
  3. 3Doi Suthep
  4. 4Railay Beach
  5. 5Phang Nga Bay

Bangkok

Loud, hot, glittering and delicious. Give it at least three days.

  1. The Grand Palace

    Landmark

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

    The former royal residence is a walled city of spires, golden chedis and mosaic-covered halls, and it houses Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the country's most sacred temple. It's a dazzling, crowded spectacle, and one of the sights to prioritise.

    Tip: Dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered, and arrive early to beat both crowds and heat.

  2. Wat Pho

    Landmark

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

    A short walk from the palace, this vast temple complex holds the giant gold-plated Reclining Buddha, with mother-of-pearl feet, as well as hundreds of smaller Buddha images and peaceful courtyards. It's also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, and you can try one here.

  3. Wat Arun

    Landmark

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

    The Temple of Dawn rises across the river from Wat Pho, its central prang covered in intricate porcelain mosaics. Take the short cross-river ferry, climb the steep steps for a view over the Chao Phraya, and come back at sunset when the spire glows.

  4. Chatuchak Weekend Market

    Market

    The rooftops of Chatuchak Weekend Market with the clock tower
    Photo: Jarcje at en.wikipedia, CC BY 2.5

    One of the biggest markets in the world, with thousands of stalls selling clothes, homewares, plants, antiques and street food. It's hot, labyrinthine and brilliant for souvenirs. Go early, drink plenty of water and expect to get gloriously lost.

  5. Yaowarat street food

    Food

    Bangkok's Chinatown comes alive after dark, when Yaowarat Road fills with neon signs and pavement stalls grilling seafood, noodles and dumplings. Wander, point and graze: it's one of the great street food experiences anywhere.

The north

  1. Doi Suthep

    Landmark

    The golden chedi at Doi Suthep temple above Chiang Mai
    Photo: Philip Nalangan, CC BY 4.0

    A sacred golden temple on a mountain above Chiang Mai. Climb the long staircase flanked by serpents, circle the shimmering chedi, then take in the view over the city. It's one of the most important temples in northern Thailand.

    Tip: Go in the morning for cooler air and better views.

  2. Chiang Mai Old City and the Sunday Walking Street

    Neighbourhood

    The square old city, ringed by a moat and the remains of its wall, holds dozens of temples, cafés and cooking schools. On Sunday evenings, Ratchadamnoen Road closes to traffic for a huge night market of crafts and food.

  3. Khao soi

    Food

    The signature dish of the north: egg noodles in a rich, mild coconut curry, topped with crispy noodles, with tangy mustard greens and lime on the side. Eat it in Chiang Mai, where every neighbourhood claims its own favourite.

  4. The White Temple

    Landmark

    Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple near Chiang Rai
    Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Wat Rong Khun, near Chiang Rai, is a startlingly white, glittering temple designed by the contemporary Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. It's part temple, part art installation, and utterly unlike anything else in Thailand.

Beaches and islands

  1. Railay Beach

    Beach

    West Railay beach beneath limestone cliffs in Krabi
    Photo: kallerna, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Reachable only by longtail boat, the Railay peninsula in Krabi is cut off from the mainland by huge limestone cliffs. The beaches are postcard-perfect, and the cliffs draw rock climbers from around the world.

    Tip: Take a longtail boat from Ao Nang, and keep time for a sunset on West Railay.

  2. Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay

    Day trip

    Longtail boats at Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Lee
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Steep green islands rising from clear Andaman water, made famous by the film The Beach. Maya Bay is the star, but rules now limit visitors to protect the reef, so check current arrangements before you book a boat trip.

  3. Phang Nga Bay

    Nature

    Ko Tapu rising from Phang Nga Bay
    Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0

    A bay of limestone towers and mangroves between Phuket and Krabi, best seen from a boat or kayak. Khao Phing Kan, better known as James Bond Island after The Man with the Golden Gun, is the most famous spot.

  4. Phuket Big Buddha and Old Town

    Landmark

    The seated Big Buddha on its hilltop in Phuket
    Photo: Subhrajyoti07, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Away from the beaches, Phuket has a serene side. The white Big Buddha sits on a hilltop with views over the island, and in Phuket Old Town, the pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses, murals and cafés are a charming contrast to the coast.

  5. The Big Buddha of Koh Samui

    Landmark

    The golden Big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai on Koh Samui
    Photo: Abrget47j, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Wat Phra Yai, on a small island linked by a causeway at Bophut, is Samui's best-known landmark. The seated golden Buddha is visible from the sea and the nearby coast, and the temple is a good stop on an island loop.

  6. Ang Thong National Marine Park

    Nature

    An archipelago of more than 40 limestone islands in the Gulf of Thailand, reached by boat from Koh Samui. Kayak, snorkel, climb to a viewpoint and swim at a beach on a day trip you'll remember.

Thai food to hunt down

  1. Pad thai

    Food

    Stir-fried rice noodles with egg, tofu or prawns, bean sprouts and peanuts, finished with a squeeze of lime. It's the dish everyone knows, and it's even better when it's cooked in front of you over a hot wok.

  2. Tom yum goong

    Food

    A fiery, fragrant hot-and-sour soup with prawns, lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves and chilli. It's a defining Thai flavour and it will wake you right up.

  3. Som tam

    Food

    Green papaya salad pounded to order in a mortar with chilli, lime, garlic and peanuts. It's sharp, sweet, sour and fiercely hot, so say "mai phet" if you want it milder.

  4. Mango sticky rice

    Food

    Sweet coconut sticky rice with slices of ripe mango: Thailand's best-loved dessert. It's at its finest in mango season, and you'll find it at stalls and restaurants across the country.

A day trip from Bangkok

  1. Ayutthaya

    Day trip

    The chedis of Wat Phra Si Sanphet at Ayutthaya
    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

    The former Siamese capital, north of Bangkok, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of brick temples, towering prangs and headless Buddhas. Hire a bike or a tuk-tuk to cover the ruins, and go by train, boat or minivan from the capital.

Where to stay in Thailand

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

Getting around

Bangkok has a Skytrain, a metro, river boats and cheap taxis. For islands, domestic flights and ferries connect Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Samui. Within islands, taxis and hotel transfers are the norm, though scooters are widely used. Always agree the fare, or use the meter, before you set off.

When to go

Much of Thailand is at its best from about November to February, when it's cooler and drier. The Andaman coast (Phuket and Krabi) is best from roughly November to April, while the Gulf (Samui) has a different pattern. March to May is very hot, and the rainy season is greener and quieter, with fewer visitors.

Questions about visiting Thailand

What is Thailand best known for?
Gilded temples, street food, beaches and islands, limestone scenery, friendly hospitality and a rich mix of city and nature.
How many days do you need in Thailand?
Ten to fourteen days lets you combine Bangkok, a northern stop like Chiang Mai and a beach or island. A week works for Bangkok plus one beach.
What should I wear to temples in Thailand?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes before entering temple buildings. Many sites will turn you away if you are not dressed respectfully.
Is Thailand good for families?
Yes. Resorts in Phuket, Krabi and Samui have kids’ clubs and big pools, and Bangkok and Chiang Mai have markets, boat rides and cooking classes children enjoy.

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