The 11 BEST Places to Visit in Bangkok, Thailand [UPDATED FOR 2026]

Bangkok is a city we had dreamt of visiting for years, the heart of Thailand and a huge metropolis with so much to see, both old and new.

Since my parents told me of their adventures here in 1987 this far-off Asian city has been so high on my list! But with expectations comes pressure, and here I found a place with an overwhelming amount of choices.

How would I select the best places to visit in Bangkok, navigate a chaotic list of transport options and a huge culture shock!!

I always knew I would fall in love with it though, regardless or rather because of its insanity!

But navigating this chaotic place needn’t be overwhelming, here’s our guide to the best places to visit in Bangkok!

11 Places To Visit In Bangkok

Alright then, this is why you’re here, Let’s get to it so you can plan your epic adventure to Thailand. Here I’m going to take a deep dive and look at all the epic places to visit in Bangkok and some of my best Thailand travel tips too.

1. Explore the Temples

Bangkok might look like a bustling modern city but what makes it so special is how that blends with the very ancient world of the Wat’s that still dominate this metropolis.

There really are so many temples to see here that it would easily take you two days of tuk-tuk touring to see them all.

There are so many I couldn’t possibly list them all here, but at least visiting some of the most impressive ones just has to be top of my best places to visit in Bangkok list.

One of the best and most popular is Wat Arun: Sitting across the mighty Chaophraya River the huge “prang” of the Wat dominates this area. It’s one of the most impressive temples due to both its scale and location it can’t be missed. Built in the 17th century it is an icon of the city that people travel the length of the country to gaze at!

Another must-see is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho). Dominated by the huge reclining golden shimmering Buddha it offers so much more to explore on these huge and complex grounds. The whole area is like something from a fairytale with unbelievably stunning prangs dotted around the temple, each decorated with an impeccable level of detail.

For me, this has to be at the top of the best places to visit in Bangkok!

Wat Saket is also one of my favourite temples as it offers great views over the city and the chance to see the iconic golden Chedi of ‘Phu Khao Thong ‘ or the Golden mountain that glistens above the city. An interesting fact is that the central Chedi collapsed several times before the one we see today was finally successfully built!

Others to check out are Wat Traimit, Loha Prasat, Wat Mahatat, Wat Suthat, Wat Benjamabhopit (Wat Benja) and Wat Prayoon.

Make sure you add some clothing that covers your shoulders and knees to your packing list for backpacking Thailand so you can be sure you’ll be allowed inside these amazing temples.

2. Head into the Markets and get ready to barter

Markets are always the best place to see local life in action and also sample some of the foods on offer.

The sprawling markets just off the side of the Mo Chit (pronounced “more shit!) sky train station are some of the biggest in the world… they even have their own map and have to be divided into sections!

The Chatuchak Weekend Market (also known as JJ market) is the chaotic centre of commerce over Saturday and Sunday when it feels like the entire city arrives here to either buy, sell or barter!

You can find pretty much anything you could ever imagine here, from dog clothing to fried quail eggs, fake travel guidebooks and ancient antiques!

For local life, this tops my list of the best things to do in Bangkok!

3. Enter the surreal world of the Bangkok Malls!

This might seem a little bit of a strange inclusion in my places to visit in Bangkok but stick with me here!

This isn’t really about shopping but instead witnessing the strange mall culture of Bangkok. Much more than the average “shopping centres” at home these huge air-conditioned centres are an experience in themselves.

It’s no wonder teens come to hang out in these on the weekends and after school.

We even saw a comic convention going on inside one and the cinema was like a huge theme park rather than the rundown screens of England!

If you’re not convinced, just head inside one of these huge and surreal complexes just for the air conditioning before you get taken away for a confusing and crazy ride when you inevitably get lost!

4. Get lost in the chaos of Chinatown

Another opportunity to indulge in the chaos of Bangkok is Chinatown!

Not only is it famous for its numerous street carts of all shapes, sizes and tastes but it offers some weird and wonderful street markets to explore.

If you are fed up with the “no photo or pay” signs on Khao San Road then take a walk down here for a far more authentic and open experience of local life… fried bugs and all!

It’s one of the craziest and most authentic places to visit in Bangkok and if you’re into street photography, it’s a mecca too.

5. See the local side of the city on the canal boats

Our favourite method of transport through Bangkok has to be the crazy canal boats.

For as little as 4 Baht you’ll find yourself in the underbelly of the city. Below the malls and the highrise apartments runs the stinking cesspit of the canal and its murky green waters that let off a telltale stench.

The long boats race up and down creating a wake that rocks you in all angles and you travel through makeshift villages and shanty towns built on the banks of the river.

The ticket collector hangs off the side of the boat taking fares and stepping on and off will test your agility, but for a slice of local Bangkok life, nothing comes closer!

A little off the wall but a must-do on my Bangkok things to do list.

6. Embrace the insanity of the home of backpacking: Khao San Road!

Whether you grow to love or hate the place as a backpacker you must visit the home of all that is travelling down on Khao San Road.

Here the “traveller pant” brigade and the “gap yarrr” kids are out in full force, but if you take it all in good humour it is an entertaining and lively place to take in!

The atmosphere down here is always buzzing and you get the sense that some of these people have been perpetually trapped here for years, their hair becoming more and more dreadlocked and their pants ever baggier and more patterned!

Whether you are on honeymoon in Bangkok or backpacking Southeast Asia you just have to check it out, it’s up to you if you end up joining in the chaos or just observing from afar!

Oh yeah, we did go all out Bangkok backpacker and get a tattoo down here, just don’t tell my Mum!

7. The Floating Markets

The floating markets at Amphawa markets are an hour by bus away from the city. Once there you will need to pay for a boat to circumnavigate the waterways.

It’s possible to either get yourself and organise a boat once you’re there, or book a tour with everything sorted out beforehand.

Either way, it’s one of the quintessential experiences in Bangkok and a place you just have to visit. There are not many other places in the world where you’ll find a market right on the water, with sellers and buyers moving up and down in a seamless dance of organised chaos!

8. The Royal Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Visiting the Royal Palace is one of the most wonderful and awe-inspiring things you can do in Bangkok. This impressive collection of royal buildings, palaces and temples might seem a little on the steep side by Thai standards, but trust me, it’s worth it.

From the moment you step inside, you’ll be greeted with grandeur the likes of which you’ve never seen before. This place really has to be experienced to be believed.

Plus, it’s one of the most important and significant buildings in the whole of Thailand, so you’ve got to visit when you’re in Bangkok.

9. Airplane Graveyard [UPDATE – This has recently been permanently closed]

If you fancy something a little different, then at the end of the canal boat route there is an airplane graveyard you can pay a local family who has made the place home to explore.

This place is seriously surreal, eery and a little bit creepy too!

But we love a good urban exploration and this one really lived up to the bill! In fact, it might have lived up a little too much but overall we had an amazing time seeing something a little off the beaten track in Bangkok.

10. Go Up The King Power Mahanakhon

From down in the doldrums of the slums by the canal side to something totally different. Get right above the city at the top of the impressive King Power Mahanakhon building.

You’ll know exactly which one it is as soon as you spot it, yeah, it’s that one that looks like it’s pixellated and there are bits missing! It’s a unique design for sure and honestly, I dig it!

From the top, you can step out onto the “SkyWalk”, which is basically a shit ton of layered glass hanging right above the city street with nothing but air underneath. Personally, this sounds like a good time but I’m a bit weird! Test your faith in Thai engineering here!

11. Eat All The Thai Food

Thailand is famous for many things, and whilst creative uses for ping pong balls might be up there, we prefer to stick to the cuisine instead! You simply can’t visit Thailand or Bangkok without indulging in some of the best dishes the country has to offer. Some of our favourites are:

Pad Thai

Street food in Bangkok is second to none and the most popular food you will come across on the carts is the simple but perfect noodle dish of Pad Thai. By anyone’s calculations that is an amazing deal for an authentic dish that will be sure to both fill you up and delight your taste buds.

The best place in the city for street food is around Chinatown. Expect to pay around 50 Baht depending on what you have it with.

Thai curry

You can’t visit Thailand without having a proper Thai curry!! The Thai red curry has been a firm favourite of mine for many years and I was keen to sample the real thing here in Thailand!

I was not disappointed, here the spicy chilli mixed with the cooling coconut milk and sticky rice was as divine as I had dreamt. Expect to pay around 70 Baht.

Mango and Sticky Rice with coconut milk

To finish off an amazing Thai meal the only dessert you need is mango with sticky rice and coconut milk drizzled over the top.

This refreshing, tangly and milky sweet but savoury desert is one of the most amazing we have ever tried.

Again, we were keen to give this a go when we arrived in Thailand and once again it lived up to its reputation! This is a popular dish and can be found on most street corner stalls as well as at proper restaurants. On a stall expect to pay 50 baht!

Where To Stay In Bangkok

Some cities around the world have two or maybe three decent hostel options, so making a decision is pretty easy! Not Bangkok!

The backpacking mecca has probably the most hostel listings I have ever seen, so choosing the right one can be an overwhelming headache in itself! You also want to take into consideration location, in such a big city where is the best place to stay, do you want to party, or have a quiet trip?

Best Backpacker Hostel: Cube Hostel Silom

This was the place we stayed in when we first visited Thailand and it really set the tone for the standard of hostels we expected after. Each bed has its own curtain, light, plug socket and two lockers. The common areas are also great for meeting new people.

• Located near a BTS station
• Garden and computer area
• Comes with basic free breakfast

Best Budget Hotel: Sourire at Rattanakosin Island Hotel

This peaceful oasis right in the heart of the city offers the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle at the end of the day. They even have an onsite spa and you’re only a 20 min walk from the Grand Palace and Chinatown.

• Great central location
• Friendly local owners
• Great breakfast

Best Affordable Luxury: ibis Styles Bangkok Silom

In and hot and humid city the thing you want at the end of a day of exploring is to jump in a pool, well you can do that here! The Ibis is a known brand for affordable luxury and you can be assured that’s what you’ll get here. It’s also located right by Lumpini Park.

• Swimming pool
• Close to public transport
• Breakfast

How To Get To Bangkok

Bangkok is thankfully really well connected to not only the rest of Asia but the wider world too including the Middle East, Europe and Australia. In fact, I’ve flown to and from all of those places via Bangkok!

If you’re travelling around Thailand or Southeast Asia then you can easily jump on a budget flight, train or bus and get to places like Siem Reap, Phuket or Chiang Mai.

I recommend using 12GO to book your transport around Southeast Asia as it’s easy to compare prices of different transport methods and to book in advance of arriving, which is super important if you’re travelling at peak times.

Best Time To Visit Bangkok

Thailand has two main seasons, the wet and the dry. Despite what people will tell you, for me, I am really not a big fan of the wet season. Sure, it doesn’t always rain, but it’s mega humid and well, wet and cloudy! If I wanted that I would stay in the UK.

The dry season runs from roughly November to February

The rainy (monsoon) season runs from May to September

November to February is usually peak season too, and for good reason. If you can squeeze into the shoulder seasons you can get lucky with some great weather, fewer crowds and better prices.

Make Sure You Have Insurance

Let’s be honest, Thailand is a pretty cray cray place at the best of times. I mean sure, they do have some world-class health care at a fraction of the price of the US, but I’d rather not have to go to my parent’s cap in hand to give it a go! Make sure to get yourself some good travel insurance before you go.

SafetyWing Travel Insurance

SafetyWing

Travel insurance is one of those annoying things that no one likes to think about, let alone pay for, when you’re planning your next trip. It can also be bloody annoying as a backpacker/long-term traveller to find affordable coverage that meets the itinerary-less lifestyle (*cough* World Nomads *cough*).

So instead of getting subpar travel insurance, now we just always go with  SafetyWing. It takes like 5-10 minutes to purchase your policy and essentially functions as a monthly subscription plan with near-global coverage!

Get a Quote Now!

Final Thoughts On Places To Visit in Bangkok

Ok, there you have it. I’ve put together what I think is a pretty eclectic list of the best places to visit in Bangkok that should have some super interesting places for both those who are visiting for the first time and those looking for something new.

Bangkok is one of those cities that just took me by the hand and on what felt like a fairytale ride into the Asia I always wanted to visit. It’s got everything, temples, culture, epic food and craziness as soon as you step out of your room.

I hope you love it too! Enjoy!