I’m a big fan of Bangkok, it’s a sprawling metropolis that never really sleeps. There is always something to do or something to be amazed by. Since there is a lot of things to do in Bangkok, it could be quite confusing if you only have a couple of days in the city.
Therefore I have chosen to list my top things to do in Bangkok.
Go to a Sky bar / Rooftop bar
If you’ve never been to a sky bar before, then Bangkok is the perfect way to experience it. Here you will find several sky bars with amazing views over the city, ranging both in price and height. Some of the most famous are Vertigo & Moon Bar, Sirocco, Red Sky, Park Society and Distil. If you’re on a budget, then just order a drink and enjoy the view, or go to a more casual rooftop bar like Wanderlust and Nest Rooftop lounge.
Enjoy the street food
Bangkok seems to have an endless amount of street food available no matter what time it is. There is plenty of dishes to choose from and you will definitely find something that will take your taste buds to heaven. Street food is sold basically everywhere in Bangkok and it’s almost impossible to miss.
Oh, I forgot to mention that the food is also ridiculously cheap! You can find meat on a stick from 5-10 bath.
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
Grand Palace is a huge complex with buildings located at the heart of Bangkok. The Grand Palace is really majestic and it’s no wonder that it has been a home of many kings of Thailand. Inside the complex you will also find one of the most important Buddha relics in Thailand – The Emerald Buddha, which is housed in Wat Phra Kaew.
Don’t forget to dress properly (meaning no shorts or tank tops). The Grand Palace is a sacred place and you will not be allowed inside if you don’t follow the dress code.
Address: Na Phra Lan Rd.
Wat Pho – The temple of the reclining Buddha
This is one of Thailand’s most amazing temple complex, and it’s definitely something to put on your list with “things to do in Bangkok”. Go early in the morning if you want to enjoy the peacefulness since it’s quite frequently visited by tourists.
However, if you come later, don’t worry, it’s still a wonderful temple complex with lots of stupas, wats, and buddha statues. In Wat Pho, you will also be able to see the massive reclining Buddha.
Most people visit both Wat Pho and the Grand Palace at the same day, since the two are located right next to each other. It’s only a 5-10 minute walk from Wat Pho to the entrance of Grand Palace.
Address: 2 Sanamchai Road.
Khao San Road
If you’re a backpacker, this is the place to go. I’m sure that you’ve probably heard about this place before since it’s well known around the world. Here you will find the “exotic” stalls offering you to taste scorpion, spider, bugs, crickets, worms and other nasty things you probably wouldn’t have eaten if you didn’t come here.
Khao San Road is also a huge shopping street that caters to tourists, here you will find about everything a tourist would wear in Thailand, and it’s cheap to buy. However don’t forget to haggle, since they try to get as much money out of you as possible. You will also find cheap bar and booze on the many bars that lie along the famous backpacker street.
Address: Khao San Road.
Take the BTS Skytrain
Bangkok has a very convenient way of public transport to offer. The BTS Skytrain is an attraction in itself and definitely one of the must things to do in Bangkok. You will enjoy a fast and comfortable ride above the main roads. The Skytrain is perfect for foreigners and the system is very easy to understand.
Shopping
Bangkok is a shopaholic’s dream and paradise. Shopping is everywhere, and you will find it both in traditional shopping centers as well as in local shopping markets. Shopping in Bangkok is great for women, but not so great for men. The main shopping centers of Bangkok are: Central World, Siam center, Gaysorn, MBK, Siam Paragon and Terminal 21.
In traditional European stores like Zara, H & M, Mango and Forever 21, the price is also sometimes higher than in Europe. You should also be aware that you could have a hard time to find clothes that fits if you’re not petite. However if you’re a petite girl or woman, you will find yourself in a paradise full of shopping.
If you’re in Bangkok during the weekend, don’t forget the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is the largest market in all of Asia.
Chinatown
Chinese temples, shopping and lots of street food are some of the main reason why people go here. Chinatown in Bangkok is a popular tourist attraction and the best time to experience it is during Chinese festivals, such as the Chinese new year. Many people who live in Bangkok have Chinese descendants.
Floating Market
Bangkok has quite a few floating markets that visitors could go to. Most of them are one or two hours away from the city center, and it’s best to book a trip via a tour company. However if you want to be adventurous it’s possible to get there with public transport. The floating markets is a great way to learn more about the culture and to experience something different.
Here are the most popular floating markets near Bangkok: Bang Khu Wiang, Damnoen Saduak, Khlong Lat Mayom and Amphawa floating market.
Other things to do in Bangkok
Lumphini Park
A beautiful green park that gives a welcome pause from the bustling streets of Bangkok. Here is also one of the best places if you wish to spot the big lizards who lives in Bangkok. Lumphini Park is also home to a massive amount of pigeons.
Wat Arun
Wat Arun is one of Bangkok’s most beautiful temples, and also one of the most important ones. Among tourists it has become a hot spot for watching the sunrise or sunset from the other side. Especially the sunset is popular. However since the temple is currently under renovation, it will not be lit up for two years. So if you’ve seen the beautiful pictures on google or in some of the guidebooks where Wat Arun is lit up at night, you will have to patiently wait for two years until it will happen again.
Boat trip on Chao Phraya
This is not one of the top things to do in Bangkok, at least if you ask me, but other people find it both exciting and worth to do. For me, it was not something special to take a boat trip on Chao Phraya, but I guess it could be fun to watch Bangkok from the rivers perspective. Make sure that you don’t pay a lot of money, since there are local boats where you only pay a couple of baths to get a ride.
Bangkok National Museum
If you’re interested in Thai history, this is the place to go. Bangkok National Museum has a vast amount of relics, art and culture on display. I haven’t been here myself, so I can’t really recommend it or not, but it’s probably great if you’re more interested in the history and culture of Thailand.