Must-see
The 12 must-see places in Bangkok
In Bangkok, don't miss Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), Bangkok, Wat Pho, Bangkok, Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn in Bangkok and Chatuchak Weekend Market (JJ Market) in Bangkok: here are the 12 must-sees, ranked, with the time to allow, the price and a tip for each.
See all 12 on the map-
MonumentGrand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), Bangkok
The royal palace and Wat Phra Kaew, home of the Emerald Buddha, the most revered image in Thailand.
Cover shoulders and legs; ticket 500 baht, open 8:30am to 4:30pm.
≈ 2 h 30 See the page → -
MonumentWat Pho, Bangkok
A 46-metre reclining Buddha, royal chedis and the birthplace school of Thai massage, in the heart of Rattanakosin.
Open 8am to 7:30pm, 300 baht entry; Wat Arun is just across the river by a short ferry ride.
≈ 1 h 45 See the page → -
MonumentWat Arun, the Temple of Dawn in Bangkok
The central prang, covered in porcelain fragments, is the most photographed silhouette on the river.
Take the ferry from Tha Tien; 200 baht entry, respectful dress required (no shorts or flip-flops).
≈ 1 h See the page → -
ShoppingChatuchak Weekend Market (JJ Market) in Bangkok
Over 15,000 stalls, from fashion to ceramics to street food: the biggest market in the country.
Open weekends 9am to 6pm; pick a meeting point near the clock tower in case you get separated.
≈ 4 h See the page → -
MonumentWat Traimit
A 3-metre seated Buddha of about 5.5 tonnes of solid gold, hidden under plaster for two centuries.
Open 8am to 5pm; follow up with the lanes of Yaowarat, Chinatown's main street, close by.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
CastleAyutthaya from Bangkok
The former capital of Siam (UNESCO): Khmer prangs, chedis and the famous Buddha head wrapped in fig roots.
Air-conditioned train from Krung Thep Aphiwat in about 1h15; a bike is ideal between temples.
≈ 8 h See the page → -
MuseumJim Thompson House
Six teak houses in a tropical garden, holding the Asian art collection of the man who revived Thai silk.
The main house is guided visits only, including in French; open 10am to 5pm, 250 baht.
≈ 1 h 30 See the page → -
NeighborhoodChao Phraya River
The river links the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Chinatown, with no traffic jams.
Hop on a Chao Phraya Express Boat; pay in cash, tickets cost 16 to 35 baht.
≈ 1 h 30 See the page → -
MonumentWat Saket and the Golden Mount
A spiral of 344 steps leads to a golden chedi and a 360-degree view over the old city rooftops.
The climb is easy and partly shaded; allow about an hour on site.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
EventMuay Thai in Bangkok
An evening of muay thai in the world's first stadium for it, with the ritual wai kru dance before every fight.
The box office opens daily from 3pm; each night has its own card, so check the schedule.
≈ 3 h See the page → -
MonumentMahanakhon SkyWalk
Thailand's highest observatory: an open-air rooftop on the 78th floor and a glass floor 310 metres up.
Tickets are 1,000 baht by day, 1,200 baht in the late afternoon; allow 1 to 1.5 hours.
≈ 1 h 30 See the page → -
NeighborhoodTalat Noi in Bangkok
A former boatmen's quarter on the riverbank, mixing murals, Chinese shrines and mechanics' workshops.
The lanes are free to enter every day; allow 1.5 to 2 hours to wander.
≈ 1 h 45 See the page →
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NeighborhoodThonburi klongs
By long-tail boat, canals lined with wooden stilt houses, temples and gardens.
Rent a long-tail boat with its pilot for one to two hours from the east-bank piers.
≈ 3 h See the page → -
MonumentWat Suthat and the Giant Swing
An 8-metre bronze Buddha, Rama III murals and the red Giant Swing standing in front of the entrance.
Entry is 100 baht for foreign visitors; allow 45 minutes to 1 hour.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
MuseumBangkok National Museum
The former Front Palace tells Thailand's story from prehistory to Bangkok, with royal thrones and funeral chariots.
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 8:30am to 4pm; entry 240 baht, allow 2 to 3 hours.
≈ 2 h 30 See the page → -
CastleDamnoen Saduak Floating Market
The country's best-known floating market: boats of fruit and noodle soup on a canal, most authentic at dawn.
Arrive around 7am as it empties by late morning; entry is free, only the boat ride is paid.
≈ 4 h See the page → -
MonumentWat Benchamabophit
The marble temple of Dusit, rebuilt from 1899 to designs by Prince Naris and completed in 1911.
Open 8am to 6pm, 100 baht entry; allow 45 minutes to 1 hour.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
NeighborhoodKhao San Road
The backpackers' street since the 1980s: guesthouses, bars and stalls that stay lively late into the night.
Free access at any hour; the street comes alive mostly from 5pm to 1am.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
CastleKanchanaburi and the Bridge on the River Kwai from Bangkok
The bridge over the River Kwai and the Death Railway, a witness to the history of 1942-1943.
Ordinary train from Thonburi; 100 baht for foreigners, whatever the distance.
≈ 8 h See the page → -
ShoppingPak Khlong Talat
The country's main wholesale flower market: roses, orchids and marigolds arrive by truck overnight.
Open 24 hours, free entry; activity peaks in the evening and at night, before dawn.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
Park & GardenLumphini Park
The big central park: 57 hectares of lawns and lakes, with joggers, tai chi and monitor lizards.
Free entry, open daily from 4:30am to 10pm; mornings are livelier.
≈ 1 h 30 See the page → -
MonumentErawan Shrine
A small shrine to Brahma squeezed between towers and the BTS viaduct, where people pray and leave offerings.
Free entry, open 6am to 10pm; fifteen minutes is enough, easy to combine with Siam.
≈ 20 min See the page → -
Park & GardenBang Krachao
Bangkok's green lung: orchards, mangroves and stilt villages, explored by bike on raised paths.
A short boat crossing gets you there; allow half a day.
≈ 4 h See the page → -
ShoppingAsiatique The Riverfront
A night market in former port warehouses, with riverside restaurants and a 60-metre Ferris wheel.
Free entry; a free river shuttle runs from Sathorn pier in the evening.
≈ 2 h 30 See the page →
