Things to Do In Bangkok

Bangkok is one of the most visited destinations in the world.  Although it has been named the hottest capital city in the world, tourists continue to flock to it with its ornate temples, unique outdoor markets, and amazing food.  Bangkok is a huge city, and knowing where to start can be hard.  

Bangkok Markets

Floating Markets

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a must-see on your Thailand itinerary. This floating market was my favorite site in Bangkok.

Although now primarily a tourist destination, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a peek into Thailand’s agricultural history. The canal was built in the mid-1800s to transport water between regions and to supply local farms.

Today you will find vendors with wooden boats filled with colorful fruits and vegetables grown in the nearby farms.

The floating market is Thailand’s version of a farmer’s market, where farmers bring their produce and goods to sell to eager buyers.

In addition to the fresh produce, you will also find an array of food boats along the docks offering a variety of delicious noodles and my all-time favorite mango sticky rice.

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located 100km southwest of Bangkok. Although the market can be accessed by bus, it is most easily accessed by a tour. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations, so it’s important to arrive early.

Maeklong Railway Market

The Maeklong Railway Market, also known as the Train Market or Folding Umbrella Market, should be high on your list of things to do in Bangkok. It is truly an amazing sight to see the train pass through the center of the market.

The Maeklong railway was built in 1905 to transport fresh fish and other goods to Bangkok.

This market sells various goods, including fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables. Several times a day, you’ll hear the train horn blow, and the local vendors will begin pulling back the awnings of their stalls to allow room for the train to pass through. You will see the train barely misses the awnings and the vendor’s goods located around the tracks. Once the train passes through the market, the vendors pull out their awnings, and business continues as usual. The train passes by missing produce and other items with less than an inch to spare.  Whoa!

The Maeklong Railway Market is located about an hour southwest of Bangkok and can be easily combined with a tour of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. It is most easily accessed by a tour but can also be reached by train, bus, or taxi.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

The Chatuchak Weekend Market, also known as the “Weekend Market,” is another site that should be on your list of things to do in Bangkok. This world-famous market has a reputation for being the place where you can find anything.

It was originally popular with wholesalers and traders but has now become a popular stop for local and foreign shoppers.

You will find over 15,000 stalls winding through indoor and outdoor alleyways. Vendors sell everything from souvenirs to food and beverages, clothing, art, handicrafts, furniture, home decorations, plants, antiques, and so much more.

You should be aware that on any given weekend, more than 200,000 visitors stroll through this market to see what it has to offer. You will easily spend several hours wandering this market. When we visited, it was very hot both inside and outside, so dress accordingly. Also, note that most vendors only accept cash.

The weekend market is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  You can easily access the market by taking the Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) to Mo Chit Station (exit 1) or the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) to the Chatuchak Park station (exit 1).

Pak Klong Talat (Flower Market)

Pak Klong Talat, or the Flower Market, is Bangkok’s primary flower market. It is open 24 hours a day and is busiest before dawn, when flowers are brought in from other regions. 

Photos cannot capture the beauty of this market or the sweet aroma of the amazing supply of roses, jasmine, plumeria, and other varieties of flowers.

 

Bangkok Temples and Palace

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace or the Royal Palace is one of the most popular attractions in Thailand and should be added to your list of things to do in Bangkok.

The Royal Palace dates back to 1782 and was the royal family’s home until 1925. To this day, the Grand Palace is still used for a variety of ceremonies and functions.  The enormous palace complex is also home to the most sacred Thai temple known as Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Similar to temples, the Grand Palace requires you to cover your knees and shoulders. Wraps and other clothing are available for rent if needed. For more information on what to wear in temples, see 25 Essential Thailand Travel Tips I Wish I’d Known Sooner.

 

Wat Suthat

Wat Suthat dates back to the 13th century and is known as one of Bangkok’s oldest temples. In addition to its multiple pagodas and Buddhist monastery, this 10-acre complex is also home to the 25-foot-tall golden Buddha statue. This was one of my favorite temples in Thailand.

Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha)

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is Thailand’s most holy image and its most visited attraction. The temple complex is attached to the Grand Palace. You will first be drawn to the yaksha guardians (pictured above) who tower over the outside of the temple.

Within this ornate temple, you will find the 26-inch (66-cm) tall Emerald Buddha seated on its shrine. It is believed that it dates back to before the 15th century and continues to draw Buddhist pilgrims from far and wide to this day.

Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)

Wat Pho is most famous for its 150 foot (46 meters) long, gold-coated, Reclining Buddha.  It is located near the Grand Palace and is worth adding to your list of things to do in Bangkok.

Wat Pho is also the leading school of massage in Thailand.  You may want to stop in for a foot or full body massage while you’re there.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn is another one of Thailand’s most popular attractions.  Located along the Chao Phraya River, visitors flood in to see this beautiful temple.  You can climb halfway up the iconic white mosaic pinnacle (pictured above) to enjoy the amazing views of the Grand Palace and the Chao Phraya River.

Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha)

Wat Traimit is home to the world’s largest gold seated Buddha, measuring almost 9 feet (3 meters) high and weighing over five tons.  The Temple of the Golden Buddha is located near Chinatown.

It can be accessed by taking the MRT subway to the Hua Lamphong station, and then it’s a 15-20-minute walk from there.

Other Bangkok Things to Do

Asiatique The Riverfront

Asiatique is a combination of a shopping mall and night bazaar all in one.  This huge outdoor mall has over 1,500 shops and 40 restaurants.  It does not have an authentic night bazaar feel, but if you are looking for a modern retail shopping experience, this is the place for you!

You can easily reach Asiatique by taking a 10-minute boat ride from the Saphan Taksin BTS station.

Khao San Road

The many backpackers who have walked the Khao San Road over the years have made it a popular Bangkok destination. Although originally a backpacker’s paradise, this area is now popular among tourists.

To this day, Khao San Road has a reputation for having everything a traveler needs. The street is lined with inexpensive hotels, cafes, massage booths, shops selling various goods, restaurants, and bars.

Khao San Road is a 10-15 minute walk from the Grand Palace, Wat Pho or Wat Arun.

China Town

Bangkok’s Chinatown is one of the world’s largest and worth a visit. The streets are lined with restaurants, shops, and street food vendors with their often bizarre offerings.

Chao Phraya River and Canal Tours

Seeing Bangkok from the Chao Phraya River is a nice break from the bustling city streets.  As you cruise down the river, you’ll pass the Wat Arun temple, Wang Lang Market, and the Grand Palace.

Private canal tours are available to provide a peek into the world of the locals. While passing through the canals, you will find rows of small wooden homes perched on wooden stilts above the water. If you look closely, you may also see a lizard lounging in the sun or a monkey peeking out from here or there.

Getting Around Bangkok

Bangkok is a huge city and offers a variety of options for getting around.

Public Transportation

The Skytrain (BTS) and the Subway (MRT) are simple options for getting around Bangkok.  The BTS is above ground, while the MRT is underground.  You can purchase individual fares or passes at the transit stations.  We primarily used the BTS during our time in Bangkok.

Tuk-Tuks

Many visitors like to hire a tuk-tuk for an authentic Thailand experience.  Although an open-air ride in a tuk-tuk can be a nice break from walking, it is important to agree to a price before beginning your ride.

Grab

Grab is Thailand’s version of Uber, which can be a more economical and reputable option than local taxis.

How We Saw Bangkok

We spent two days in Bangkok and both were full days of sightseeing with Tour With Tong.  I would highly recommend this tour company.  The guides are friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, and do everything they can to make sure you have a great day!  See TripAdvisor for reviews.

We spent two full days touring and were very pleased with our guides and the price. We spent one day visiting the floating market and train market, followed by lunch at a small fishing village, where we fed monkeys in the mangroves. On our way back, the guide offered to drop us off at the Weekend Market, which was a greatly appreciated recommendation.

Tour with Tong is very accommodating and will tailor their tours to your needs.

Our second day was a comprehensive city tour that included visiting several temples, including the Grand Palace and the flower market. We also had an amazing lunch, followed by an icy coconut milk dessert to cool us off in the hot Bangkok afternoon.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, located in the Sathorn business district providing easy access around the city.  The Eastin Grand Hotel has direct access to the BTS Sky Train at the Surasak Station.  Visitors exit the hotel elevator to a bridge that provides direct entry into the BTS.

This is a beautiful hotel at an affordable price.  I highly recommend it for your stay in Bangkok.

How Long in Bangkok

I believe 2 days is plenty of time to experience Bangkok.  Although Bangkok is a popular destination, I’d rather spend my time in many other areas of Thailand.  I would recommend visiting your Bangkok must-sees in 1-2 days and then heading to the charming northern region of Chiang Mai or down to Krabi to spend time in the beautiful southern islands of Thailand.

For more on these areas check out 20 Absolute Best Things to Do in Chiang Mai, and 15 Most Awesome Things to Do in Krabi, Thailand.

Book the Trip!

Bangkok is a huge city with many great sights to add to your list of things to do.  If you are interested in additional tips about Thailand, check out the 25 Essential Thailand Travel Tips I Wish I’d Known Sooner.