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Table of Contents
Introduction
Bangkok is not a city I’d leave to chance. We learned quickly how fast time disappears once you add heat, traffic, and queues into the mix. This list is my “do it again” version: the highlights I’d prioritise, without packing the days so tight you’re done by mid-afternoon.
We visited Bangkok as a couple, and we packed a lot into a short time. These are the must-visit places in Bangkok I’d recommend if you want the highlights without burning out.
One thing that made Bangkok easier for us was how we got around. We used the Chao Phraya River ferries whenever we could. They’re cheap, practical, and they double as sightseeing. For everything else, we mostly relied on Grab and took a taxi when Grab wasn’t available.
If I had to pick only three experiences, it would be Wat Arun, a floating market day trip, and the view from Vertigo Restaurant and Moon Bar. Fair warning, the view is incredible, but I was definitely nervous as I have a fear of heights.
Use this post in one of two ways: keep it easy with 3 to 4 stops per day or treat it like a menu of things to do in Bangkok and choose what suits you.
1. Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
If it’s your first time in Bangkok, this is the big one. The Grand Palace is busy and a bit full-on, but it’s also jaw-dropping. There’s so much to take in that you naturally slow down. You end up stopping all the time. Not because you’re tired, but because you’ve just noticed another rooftop, mural, or gold detail you missed a moment ago.
My tip: go early to beat the heat and the crowd.
- Allow:5 to 2.5 hours (longer if you love photos and slow wandering)
- Good to know: the dress code is strict (shoulders and knees need to be covered). We always pack a sarong in our day bag, so we’re not scrambling at the gate. Make sure you have water, a hat and sunscreen.
This is one of the busiest spots in Bangkok, so keep your phone and wallet zipped up and close to you. Compare the Market analysed traveller reviews and ranked the Grand Palace as the #1 attraction in their dataset for mentions of scams and pickpockets, so this is the place to be extra switched on.
2. Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)
This one surprised me. The Reclining Buddha is so enormous it’s genuinely hard to take it in, and even harder to fit into one photo. Because the walkway runs right alongside it, there isn’t much room to move, so it can feel cramped when it’s busy.
My tip: go earlier in the day if you can, and take your time. When it’s crowded, it’s easy to feel rushed, but this is one of those sights that’s worth slowing down for.
- Allow: around 30 minutes.
- Good to know: the room where the Buddha is housed is narrow. In busy times of the day, it’s shoulder to shoulder. Comfortable shoes help, especially if you’re doing temples back-to-back.
3. Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit)
Wat Traimit is an easy one to underestimate until you’re standing in front of it. The Golden Buddha is the star. But don’t rush it. Look up and around, and you’ll see there’s more to admire than the statue.
My tip: don’t just stare at the Buddha and move on. Take a minute to look up and around. The ceiling, the vases, and the extra artwork are part of what makes it feel special.
- Allow: 30 to 45 minutes.
- Good to know: it’s an easy add-on if you’re visiting Chinatown. Dress comfortably and make sure your shoulders and knees are covered.
4. Take a canal ride on a Long Boat
This turned out to be one of our favourite Bangkok experiences, and it wasn’t even planned. We didn’t plan this at all. We stumbled across a longtail boat, hopped on, and suddenly, Bangkok looked different. Houses sit right on the water, people go about their day along the canals, and vendors even sell from boats as you pass.
My tip: if you want to see the less “touristy” side of Bangkok, do a canal ride. It gives you a peek into the lives of residents who call the canals home. It’s a great reset from temples and traffic.
- Allow: 1 to 2 hours.
- Good to know: it can be hot on the boat, so bring water and sun protection. Also, keep your phone secure when taking photos so you don’t lose it in the canal.
5. Shop and Dine at Asiatique The Riverfront
Asiatique is an easy place to have dinner, wander, and enjoy a bit of entertainment all in one place. We strolled the shops and stalls, grabbed food, and then finished the evening with the Muay Thai show, which is part show, part real fight night. It’s touristy, yes, but it’s also a lot of fun.
My tip: go later in the afternoon and stay into the evening. It’s more enjoyable once the sun drops and the lights come on.
- Allow: 2 to 4 hours (longer if you’re eating your way through it).
- Good to know: it’s a mix of touristy and fun, so set expectations accordingly. If you’re seeing the Muay Thai show, be ready for a bit of theatre alongside the real fighting.
6. Floating Markets Day or Half Day Trip
If you’ve never been to a floating market, it’s worth doing at least once. We did this as a half-day trip from Bangkok, and it was exactly what I hoped for: boats, food, and a lively sort of chaos on the water.
My tip: pick a tour that gives you time to walk around the land markets as well as be on the water. That instant of looking down from a bridge and seeing the boats moving below is one of the best ways to take it all in.
- Allow: half a day (most tours are 4 to 6 hours door-to-door). You can also do a full-day trip that takes 8 to 10 hours.
- Good to know: you’ll most likely have an early start. Bring cash for snacks and souvenirs. Also, keep expectations realistic. It’s busy, commercial, and that’s all part of the experience.
7. Dine at Vertigo Restaurant and Moon Bar
Dinner at Vertigo Restaurant and drinks at Moon Bar is the perfect night out. The view is unreal, the type that makes you go quiet for a second when you step out. Just know there’s a little “test” before you even arrive. The restaurant and bar are on level 61, but the elevator only takes you to level 60. From there, you climb a set of outside stairs with glass handrails, and if you’re even slightly nervous with heights, you’ll feel it. I, not so elegantly, slid my way up the wall, making people go around me.
My tip: go close to sunset if you can. Seeing the city change as the light fades is magic. Also, if heights aren’t your thing, ask for a table that’s not right on the edge.
- Allow: 5 to 2.5 hours (longer if you’re doing a full dinner)
- Good to know: it’s a splurge, and you’ll want to dress a little smarter than you would for markets or temples. Book ahead if you can and go with the mindset that you’re paying for the view as much as the food.
- Be aware: if you’re sensitive to heights, this can feel intense. The view is incredible, but I was up there with my stomach queasing the whole time.
8. Stroll through Chinatown
You can wander for hours without getting bored in Chinatown. It’s busy, loud, and a bit chaotic, but in a fun way. There’s always something going on: food stalls, markets, and little alleys to explore.
My tip: don’t eat before you go, and don’t over-plan it. Take your time wandering and grabbing food as you walk around.
- Allow: 2 to 3 hours (or longer if you love browsing and snacking).
- Good to know: evenings are busy and can be shoulder-to-shoulder in spots. Keep your valuables zipped and take it slow if the crowds feel a bit much.
9. Visit Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun was my favourite temple in Bangkok. Make sure you look at the details: the tilework is incredible. You keep spotting new patterns every time you move.
My tip: if you can, aim for later in the day. Watching Wat Arun as the light changes is special. And if you want a brilliant sunset view, head to the viewing platform on the other side of the river. It’s a great spot to watch the sun drop behind Wat Arun and see it glow.
- Allow: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
- Good to know: there are steps and uneven surfaces, so take your time and wear shoes you trust. If you’re visiting multiple temples in a day, Wat Arun feels like a great “save the best for last” stop.
- Best for: first-timers, photographers, and anyone who loves slowing down and soaking up the details.
If Wat Arun is on your list, I’ve also got a guide to visiting Wat Arun.
10. Chao Phraya River Ferries (Bangkok’s best cheap “tour”)
This was one of our favourite ways to get around Bangkok. The Chao Phraya River ferries are practical and inexpensive, and they also double as sightseeing. You get a breeze off the water and a front-row view of temples and daily life along the banks. It feels like a river cruise, without the river-cruise price tag.
My tip: use the ferries for sightseeing, not simply as a means of transport. It’s a cheaper way to see Bangkok from the river than doing a river cruise.
- Allow: 1 to 2 hours if you’re using it as sightseeing (less if it’s purely transport).
- Good to know: it can get busy at peak times, and you may be standing. Keep small notes handy for tickets, and don’t stress if it feels confusing at first; once you do it once, it clicks.
Final Thoughts
Bangkok has a way of making you feel like you should do everything. You don’t have to. If I had to pick only three experiences to repeat, it would be:
- visiting Wat Arun,
- a floating markets day trip, and
- drinks and dinner at Vertigo Restaurant and Moon Bar (even if my stomach did protest the whole time).
If you’re building your days from this list, keep it reasonable. Three to four stops a day is plenty in the heat, especially if you’re mixing temples with markets and evenings out.
And if Wat Arun is on your list, I’ve put together a guide to help you plan the visit, including the best time to go and what to expect.
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