Bangkok Travel Guide

Bangkok is famous for chaotic streets, cheap and delicious street food, wild nightlife, and never-ending traffic. But it's also a city that most travelers either love or hate.

Personally, I hated it when I first arrived. But when I got to know it more, I changed my mind. Then, when I moved to Bangkok in 2006, I fell madly in love with it.

To most backpackers/travelers, this is just a stopping point along the way through Thailand. There's so much more to Bangkok, though. It's at least worth a few days of your time, since when you look past the chaos and strip back those layers, the city comes alive—full of endless things to do, see, and explore, and eat and drink. It's a city that opens itself up to those who manage to get past the temples and backpacker bars.

You've just got to know where to look.

This Bangkok travel guide proves there's more to Thailand's "City of Angels" than you think, including ways to plan, save money, and make the most of your visit in this hectic and vibrant capital!

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Bangkok

1. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho This palace was built in three years at the end of the 18th century by King Rama I and serves as the current monarch's residence (although he no longer lives there; this is for official ceremonies). This, hidden behind high concrete walls, holds tons of wats, chedis, carvings, statues, and the famous 15th-century Emerald Buddha. This statue has his robes turned three times a year by none other than Thailand's king himself. Not far you will find Wat Po for a larger-than-life golden reclining Buddha statue and the busy massage school. Even if you're just spending one day in Bangkok, you really do have to see the glittering Grand Palace! Do try getting one of the free tours because there is very little signage otherwise. Entrance to the Grand Palace costs 500 THB while entrance into Wat Pho is 200 THB.

2. Explore Chatuchak Weekend Market The weekend market in Bangkok is the largest in the world and is a place for everything you would ever want to buy. This is the best place to find gifts, knock-offs, and even engage in some bartering. You will get everything here. Some really good eats are here. Definitely wander around even if you don't plan on buying anything. It's open Saturday and Sunday from 9am-6pm.

3. Visit Lumpini Park This park will make outdoor enthusiasts not want to leave Bangkok. There are jogging paths, a bicycle path, picnic areas, chess tables, Tai Chi classes, and even fitness equipment. There is even a lake with rowboats available for rent. The tall trees and quiet set up make for a nice reprieve from busy Bangkok. It's also one of the few green spaces in the city.

4. Jim Thompson's House Jim Thompson was an American spy, turned silk merchant in Thailand during the 1950s and 1960s. He had his traditional Thai home built in Bangkok, decorated with gorgeous teak wood furniture, and surrounding gardens. He mysteriously vanished on a visit to Malaysia in 1967. Today, his house is a monument to traditional Thai architecture, and features a fabulous guided tour about Jim Thompson and traditional Thai lifestyle. This is one of my absolute things to do in the city. Plus, revenues go to benefit underprivileged children! The admission price is 200 THB and it is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm.

5. View from Wat It is truly a beautiful Buddhist temple which lies on the edge of the Chao Phraya River, opposite the Grand Palace. It has one main spire and four small ones, and it's so iconic you'll find it on Thai money. Views from the top of the main spire sweep out over the city, making for extraordinary photographs during sunrise and sunset—though at the time of publication, construction was going on. It has an intricate, tiled facade that reflects the light beautifully in the dawn and dusk lighting. The stairs are steep, so be careful climbing. The admission price is 100 THB.

Other Things to See and Do in Bangkok

1. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market This floating market is just outside of Bangkok. While it has existed pretty much solely just for the benefit of tourists, I still really like coming here. The tours that actually visit here are half-day tours that leave early morning. It's not a great place to shop but the area is good for photography and eating. Open 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily.

2. Temple hopping Bangkok is rich in history, temples, and ruins of the Thai. There are around ten major temples here in the city, all with distinct structures and layouts architecturally. You can easily hire someone to take you to all of them in one day, since it only takes a few hours to get to all of them. If you don't have much time, besides the Grand Palace and Wat Po, don't miss Wat Arun, The Temple of the Dawn. Just be sure to dress appropriately, keeping your legs and shoulders covered, as these are functioning temples.

3. Shop 'til you drop Bangkok has tons of shopping centers; well, they're super popular here and sell everything. Make sure you check out Siam Paragon for the posh clothes, Terminal 21 for the amazingly decorated internationally themed shopping centre, Platinum for the cheap trendy clothes, Pantip for the cheap electronics, and MBK for the cheap fakes.

4. Hang out on Khao San Road Khao San Road is Bangkok's notorious backpacker/tourist street. All roads of travel branch in and out of here. But more than a transit point for all travelers, it offers fun nightlife, mouth-watering food, numerous shopping stalls, piles of people-watching, and activity day and night. Post-COVID, it's now less of a backpacker street and more of a locale for local Thais. It's still a party, though. For something a bit quieter, head to Soi Rambuttri. It offers more relaxed bars and quieter music.

5. Visit The Temple of the Golden Mount The Temple of the Golden Mount, Wat Saket, is located just a short distance from Khao San Road. Inside is a huge chedi, a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics. This is already one of the temples in town that I visited, and it is one with beautiful golden setting and wonderful views of the town from the top. Below is the overgrown cemetery filled with victims from the plague of the 18th century. Entrance to the temple proper is free of charge but it costs 50 THB to go to the chedi.

6. A Day Trip to Ayutthaya Much closer to Bangkok is the old capital of the Kingdom of Siam. This historical city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it has a summer palace, tons of breathtaking, unique temples, and so many more. It being so close to Bangkok makes it a really popular day trip for tours. Many companies offer this trip, but it's so easy to get to that I'd just go on your own by train. Train tickets are priced at 90-130 THB round trip, the journey taking 1.5 hours in each direction. You can visit on a Get Your Guide day trip for just 900 THB.

7. Enjoy the famous nightlife of Bangkok Good bars and clubs seem to pop up on every street corner in Bangkok; Khao San Road and Silom are the two best-known nightlife areas of Bangkok, but don't forget Soi Nana in Chinatown—it's famous for its cocktail bars and a quirky art vibe. The Thong Lo area hosts many bars and clubs flocked to by the local Thai masses. Some of my favorites are Brick Bar, Whisgars, Teens of Thailand, Cheap Charlies, Craft, and J.Boroski.

8. Eat in Chinatown First, wander among the lilies, birds of paradise, and orchids at Pak Klong Talad, the flower market at the north end of Chinatown. From there, grab a big bowl of noodles from a stall. You can eat your weight in street food here and still not break the bank. It's one of the best and cheapest places to eat in the city!

9. See a puppet show Part of the tapestry of thick traditional Thai culture Its puppetry. Typical puppets are Nang (shadow puppets) and Hun (marionettes). If you are lucky, you can see one performing in an outside festival. Else, visit the Joe Louis Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre with Sakorn Yang-keawsot (biographical name Joe Louis), that is situated downtown and will charge about 700 THB that amount to see a show.

10. Have a hip night out at Thong Lo Then, to this hip and scrappy neighborhood, fill up both Western jazz bars and beer gardens. On any night, this place is damnful crowded with the young middle and upper classes of Bangkok. Walking along the streets is easy, very fashionable, and with numerous places to recommend for a great night out. Cool spots include craft beer bar Beer Belly, complete with beer pong and a 2-for-1 happy hour until 8 pm, swanky bar Rabbit Hole, and its creative cocktails.

11. Boat down the Bangkok canals Known as the "Venice of the East," Bangkok was entrapped with waterways and canals. Although many of those no longer exist, you can still admire many of the old bridges and stilt houses and crowding the waterways, not to mention colorful flower gardens. You can still cruise along the Chao Phraya River to see what remains. Thai Canal Tours offers various group and private canal tours, starting at 2,200 THB a full-day tour, including lunch.

12. Wander Through the Rot Fai Night Market The Rot Fai Market is a real open-air bazaar that is home to an incredible variety of vintage collectibles and memorabilia ranging from antique furniture to hippy fashion and Mao kitsch. The Train Night Market is certainly one of the best markets in Bangkok. It is nightborne, open from Thursday to Sunday Night.

13. View a Muay Thai Fight Where you should go for a fight in the city: Lumpinee Stadium. Lumpinee has been around since the 1950s, but the new state-of-the-art stadium was completed and opened to host up to 15,000 in 2014. Fight nights are held every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday at 6 pm, with entrance fees from 1,600THB upwards (buy them online to get the best price, directly from the stadium website).

14. Visit Wat Suthat & the Giant Swing Conspicuous for the Giant Swing which welcomes you on the front entrance of the temple, Wat Suthat is one of the most iconic tourist hot spots in Bangkok. The Giant Swing itself was built in 1784, although it was replaced in 2005 with a fully golden teak one ( the temple was a later addition in 1807). Beside the swing, there is also a spectacular traditional roof, old murals and hand-carved teak door panels. Inside the huge compound there are numerous big temples in the compound along with smaller statues and courtyards. An entrance fee of 20 THB, it opens daily from 9am-6pm.

15. Visit the Bangkok Butterfly Garden & Insectarium This small garden lies just round the corner from the Chatuchak Weekend Market. There are over 500 butterflies flitting about inside the domed enclosure, with a vast array of flowers, ferns, and even a couple of waterfalls in the space. Admission is free, and it's open Tuesday-Sunday. The butterfly garden is located next to three huge parks where you can continue your day with more nature: Queen Sirikit Gardens, Rod Fai Park, and Chatuchak Park. This is the perfect spot for a little R&R and a stroll.

16. Visit the Bangkokian Museum This folk museum displays a vision of the middle-class life in Bangkok during the 1950's with three old timber houses showcasing family household articles from the time - also the time built. It is small so won't take a lot of your time. It is also free and guided.

17. Visit the National Gallery A portrait museum, the one highlighting the royal family, consisting of paintings done by the late king who was an artist and musician by hobby. The museum is in the former Royal Mint building. They have excellent interim contemporary art exhibits from local artists on the ground floor. Admission is 200 THB.

18. Food tour A Thai food tour in Bangkok is a scene located in one of the best epicure destinations in the world. There is no better way to immerse in the food culture available here than on one of the food tours. Among the many tempting offers from Bangkok Food Tours, some are so mouth-watering that one would even think of them as "Eat on the Go."—something that includes samples of street food to exotic fruits. Tours start from 1,450 THB. For cooking classes, you'll get a half-day class, plus a market visit, for about 1,300 THB.